Together, CalExotics and Dr. Laura Berman have created a collection with one heck of a bedside manner. Here, Dr. Laura Berman and CalExotics’ founder Susan Colvin reveal the genesis of their partnership and the key products in the “Laura Berman Collection.”
(NOTE: This story appears in the December 2024 issue of SE Magazine.)
For nearly two decades, a partnership has been blooming resulting in a healthier, more knowledgeable, and sexier approach to sexual intimacy thanks to the collaborative effort between CalExotics and Dr. Laura Berman.
SE Magazine spoke with Dr. Laura Berman and CalExotics’ founder Susan Colvin about that budding relationship, the Dr. Laura Berman Collection featured at CalExotics and how the collection itself promotes sexual fulfillment in more ways than one.
SE: Dr. Laura Berman, what first piqued your interest in sex, love and relationship therapy?
BERMAN: I grew up with parents who were really comfortable with the topic of sex. They were completely frank and open, and they taught me that I didn’t have to be ashamed about my body and that I could ask them any question I had. When I started training as a couple’s therapist in graduate school, I was shocked at how little training we got in the topic of sex therapy, and how uncomfortable most of my clinical supervisors and professors were with the topic of sex. I couldn’t imagine how I could be a great couples therapist without addressing sexuality, so I decided to go on to get fellowship training in sex therapy and the rest is history.
SE: You’ve been partnering with CalExotics since 2005 — can you talk about your collaborative partnership by this point?
BERMAN: From the beginning, Susan Colvin and I hit it off and had a shared vision of empowering women to claim their sexual power. Our trust in each other has deepened over the years but we have always been honest with each other and collaborated creatively and freely. I always like to be 100% involved in product design and development, but I know that CalExotics truly understands my mission and integrates that into everything they do with my line.
SE: Your website mentions “If you’re here, it’s probably because you feel there is a chasm between your current relationship (or relationship status) and the passionate love life you so desire.” How does your collection in its entirety help users bridge that chasm?
BERMAN: People think that great sex just happens … that if you’re really in love and you’re really sexy and desirable, that great sex just falls into your lap. And that it keeps happening over the years, with little effort on your part. Not so. All great sex lives take intention and energy. My products help to empower users to realize that they can be the change they want to see in the bedroom. They have the power right now to start creating the sex life they want.
SE: All the toys in your collection are going to have their pros, but is there a specific product in your CalExotics collection you have seen receive overwhelmingly positive reviews or are particularly excited to get in the hands of prospective users and why?
BERMAN: Right now, I am getting feedback that the Flutter is becoming a fan-favorite! I love that the Flutter is so accessible for every body type and every sexuality and gender identity. Customers can use this toy in so many different ways and to stimulate so many different parts, even though it was created with the clitoris in mind. I also love that it has a ‘smart’ memory function so it can remember the speeds and rhythm users prefer, so once it learns the body, it becomes even better at pleasing the user. I like creating toys that give my customers the freedom to explore and to discover. I want to spark their curiosity and make them feel safe to learn more about their bodies and their sexuality.
SE: As a medical professional, how vital is it that your collection promotes a connection between pleasure and education? How does this collection achieve that aim?
BERMAN: It’s absolutely vital. To me, my line is about empowerment as well as pleasure, and sexual empowerment comes from understanding your body and what brings you pleasure, and being willing to claim that pleasure as your birthright! I make it a point to incorporate education into my line. I find it’s not enough to just hand a woman a toy and expect her to know what to do with it. We all need some guidance. In the early years before social media and streaming videos, I used to put anatomical diagrams of a woman’s genitals along with instructions on the boxes themselves! Now, I make videos to explain how to utilize the toys in my line, from how to introduce the topic of toys to your partner to how to achieve multiple orgasms and more.
People think that great sex just happens … that if you’re really in love and you’re really sexy and desirable, that great sex just falls into your lap. And that it keeps happening over the years, with little effort on your part. Not so. All great sex lives take intention and energy.
– Dr. Laura Berman
SE: Susan, can you describe how you first came to work with Dr. Laura Berman?
COLVIN: When I first connected with Dr. Laura Berman, we were both on similar missions: to bring more open, informed conversations around intimacy and sex care. CalExotics was putting a strong emphasis on consumer education because I felt people deserved accessible, trusted information and products designed with them in mind. At the same time, Dr. Laura Berman was looking to launch a line of products that would complement her work as a sex, love and relationship therapist. She was drawn to CalExotics because we were a women-owned company and shared similar values with a clear mission of empowerment and openness.
Dr. Laura Berman invited me to her clinic in Chicago, and from our first conversation, we really hit it off. Her dedication to helping people through her research and clinical expertise inspired me, and we quickly discovered a shared vision. We wanted to create products that were meaningful, approachable and based on genuine care for people’s well-being. It was a natural fit, and I knew we could accomplish something impactful together.
In 2024, we introduced three new styles: the Rechargeable Finger Vibe, Rechargeable Flutter and Rechargeable Dilators. Each product reflects CalExotics’ and Dr. Laura Berman’s thoughtful approach to sex care and intimacy. Plus, all three new styles are USB rechargeable, making them as convenient as they are effective.
– Susan Colvin
SE: Tell us about the new items from the Dr. Laura Berman collection that launched in 2024.
COLVIN: In 2024, we introduced three new styles: the Rechargeable Finger Vibe, Rechargeable Flutter and Rechargeable Dilators. Each product reflects CalExotics’ and Dr. Laura Berman’s thoughtful approach to sex care and intimacy. Plus, all three new styles are USB rechargeable, making them as convenient as they are effective.
The Rechargeable Finger Vibe is a versatile, compact design that slips easily over the finger, allowing for a precise, intuitive touch. It’s perfect for enhancing intimacy and provides a seamless, ergonomic fit that offers comfort and control.
The Rechargeable Flutter is designed to offer a unique, fluttering sensation, adding variety and excitement to the collection. Its soft, flexible tip creates a gentle, caressing feel that is ideal for those looking for something delicate yet powerful.
Finally, our Rechargeable Dilators are a truly thoughtful addition. Designed to help with gradual dilation, they are ideal for those looking to build confidence and explore with comfort and ease. These dilators are available in a range of graduated sizes, ensuring users can progress at their own pace with comfort.
SE: You have long made sex care a priority along with promoting sex/product education — how does a collection with a renowned sex, love and relationship therapist hammer home that message?
COLVIN: Sex care has always been at the heart of what we do at CalExotics, and partnering with Dr. Laura Berman has only strengthened our commitment to that belief. Working alongside a renowned therapist brings an extra layer of credibility and insight that truly reinforces our mission of helping people find more joy in their lives. With Dr. Laura Berman’s expertise, each product helps deliver the message that intimacy matters in relationships and personal well-being.
Our collaboration educates and empowers users, giving them the tools and knowledge to explore intimacy in ways that feel enriching and fulfilling. By partnering with someone of Dr. Laura Berman’s caliber, we bring depth, reliability and compassion so people can embrace intimacy as an essential part of a healthy, happy life.
For more information, visit calexotics.com.
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