TALK DIRTY TO ME
Art by Meredith Rogers
When people talk about their first exposure to sex and masturbation, the topic of porn often comes into conversation. You probably had a friend in middle school whisper to you about the explicit video they sneakily watched on their family computer or how they heard the truth about the birds and bees from an older sibling.
While porn can at times be informative and explorative, it can also be hard to consume for many. Those who identify as female may feel as though porn is too manufactured, exploitative and geared towards the male gaze. It can also lead to sexual dysfunction, a recurring inability to experience satisfactory sexual activity, in viewers.
Quinn is an audio erotic app created by women as a way to address the lack of ethical sensual content that caters to women. The app can best be described as a collection of high- quality, short—ranging from 10 to 40 minutes—and sexy audio books. Their stories often take a narrative focus, from friends-to-lovers tropes to historical romances.
Syracuse-based sex and relationship therapist Florina L. Apolinar Claudio says the reason many female users enjoy the app is that it puts the focus on the listener’s pleasure, because many women are taught at a young age to put others’ pleasure before their own.
“I know sometimes when [porn is] partnered, it's very unintentionally other-focused,” Apolinar Claudio said. “Whereas when potentially they're listening to the audio, it's very them-focused,” Apolinar Claudio said.
One aspect that may put women off porn the most is the lack of imagination it provides. Instead of being allowed to focus on their own fantasies, women may end up feeling like an awkward third party to something that they have little to no interest in. When using audio erotic apps, many listeners are drawn to the idea that they can aid them in letting their imagination run wild.
The app is well known for its marketing and collaboration with a variety of celebrities. Recently, Chris Briney starred in a steamy summer romance story and Tom Blyth voiced a regency-era artist in a forbidden relationship. Quinn also partners with regular voice actors.
Quinn’s library has hundreds of stories, made by a variety of audio creators, for everyone to try out and enjoy. There are audios available centered around almost every kink and fantasy possible such as meet-cutes, exes to lovers and guided masturbation audios.
The most popular audios are often praised by users for their narrative storylines. They don’t just jump right into the action—there is a buildup that helps set the scene, introduces the characters and creates a sense of reality for the listener. This form of storytelling helps establish the mood and has the listener fully invested by the time the audio gets to the good stuff.
“It's their own created fantasy, it is their own world and I could see where anybody that subscribes to the audio can feel like it's a space for exploring, it's a space for curiosity,” Apolinar Claudio said.
While it may sound intimidating at first to get into audio porn (don’t focus too hard on imagining the actors making kissing and sex noises alone in their studio), apps like Quinn can serve as a great way to experiment with what you like and dislike in relation to intimacy. Experimentation with apps such as Quinn can also help you become more attuned to your body and pleasure.
If visual porn isn’t doing it for you, or you’re looking for something new, grab your headphones, turn off your brain and get listening to some good audio sex!