Podcast Summary: Founder's Story — Ep 285

Title: Stop Suffering in Silence, The Science of Lasting Longer and Better Sex
Guest: Jeff Abraham, CEO of Promescent
Host: IBH Media
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Founder's Story dives deep into the transformative journey of Jeff Abraham, CEO of Promescent, a pioneering sexual wellness company. The discussion goes far beyond the creation and scaling of a business, touching on legacy, stigma, science, the reality of sexual expectations, and the profound impact of their products. It’s a candid, engaging, and often humorous conversation about turning tragedy into purpose, challenging cultural taboos, and building an organization devoted to both profit and meaningful change.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Origin Story: Tragedy and Purpose

[01:20 – 04:35]

• The company was founded by Dr. Ronald Gilbert, a close friend and neighbor of Jeff’s, who was tragically murdered in a case of mistaken identity just as the business was gaining traction.
• Jeff stepped in, vowing to continue Dr. Gilbert’s legacy and support his family, who remain 20% owners of the company.
• Quote:

  “The only two things in my power: to give him a legacy and honor him... and provide for his family economically because they still own 20% of the company.”
  — Jeff Abraham [03:36]

2. Switching Industries: From Engineering to Sexual Wellness

[05:09 – 09:25]

• Jeff stressed that while switching from semiconductors to sexual wellness was a leap, good CEO traits are industry-agnostic: passion, work ethic, and humility to listen to customers.

• He describes the dual nature of Promescent’s market: medical (clinical PE) and recreational (improving intimacy for all).

• Arousal/Orgasm Gap:
  The average man lasts 5 minutes 42 seconds during intercourse; the average woman requires 18 minutes to climax, highlighting a real and often misunderstood “orgasm gap.”

• They conducted robust clinical trials and sought true medical credibility, distinguishing themselves in a crowded, often gimmicky market.

• Quote:

  “A good CEO has a couple traits that really transcend whatever business it is. Number one is passion... Don't have preconceived notions. Listen to the customers. Take feedback.”
  — Jeff Abraham [05:25]

3. Learning About Sexual Health: Breaking Stigma and Emotional Impact

[09:53 – 12:33]

• Jeff’s perspective on PE (premature ejaculation) shifted dramatically from thinking it was minor or joke material to understanding it’s often psychologically and emotionally devastating for sufferers.

• 80% of PE is due to physical causes (prostatitis, low testosterone, hypersensitivity), not mental weakness.

• The shame around seeking help is compared to the lack of stigma around diabetes or cancer.

• Quote:

  “If you’re a diabetic, no one would ever be ashamed of taking insulin…if you have a hypersensitivity and you use a product, why are people so ashamed?”
  — Jeff Abraham [11:18]

4. Cultural Attitudes and Media Influence

[13:00 – 21:21]

• The U.S. has more Puritanical, restrictive views on sexual discussion and marketing than Europe, increasing stigma and unrealistic expectations.

• Access to internet porn at a young age massively skews expectations for both genders, creating unattainable benchmarks for sexual performance.

• Extreme pressure is placed especially on young people, leading to anxiety and disconnection from genuine intimacy.

• Quote:

  “If I was in this day and age right now...I would have thought, ‘Oh my God, my penis isn’t nine and a half inches long. I can’t last 45 minutes...’ I would have been a ball of anxiety.”
  — Jeff Abraham [16:38]

• Candidly discusses the differences between fantasy and reality, humorously reflecting on “honest” porn and how real intimacy looks different from what’s depicted.

5. Marketing Challenges and Double Standards

[22:14 – 25:08]

• Advertising sexual wellness products is fraught with restriction and bias: words like ‘sex’ or ‘ejaculation’ can get content banned.

• “Medical” credentials let big pharma brands bend rules—with less scrutiny than smaller, innovative companies like Promescent.

• Quote:

  “Sometimes you have to use the word S E GG S ‘segs’ rather than sexual…If there’s the word ‘sex’ in it, you’re immediately banned.”
  — Jeff Abraham [22:16]

6. Competing Against Giants: Creating Medical Credibility

[25:42 – 28:07]

• Promescent differentiated itself through extensive medical endorsements and clinical trials; many top urologists publicly back their products.

• PE is actually a larger market than ED (erectile dysfunction), despite far less awareness.

• Quote:

  “There’s a big difference between a Getty stock photo of a guy going, ‘Doctors love this product,’ and someone hearing from Mohit Kira holding up a bottle of Promescent and saying, ‘This is the best product in the space.’”
  — Jeff Abraham [26:25]

7. Legacy, Exit, and the Next Chapter

[29:21 – 36:47]

• Jeff is preparing the company for sale or strategic partnership with a larger firm for broader scale and impact.

• Even after exiting, he desires to remain an advocate and proud supporter, but plans to focus on family and health.

• Quote:

  “My third child is Promescent... Every day that I’m on this planet...I will go check: how are we doing with these sales?”
  — Jeff Abraham [32:48]

• Shares a moving story about getting Promescent into Target after promising his late partner it would happen—a moment of personal and professional triumph.

• Quote:

  “I went into that store...and I had this sense of pride, and out loud, don't ask me why, I said, ‘I told you, I promised you I would get you in here.’”
  — Jeff Abraham [31:47]

8. Customer Feedback and Product Expansion

[40:22 – 44:50]

• Jeff answers every customer email himself and credits Promescent’s product line expansion to close listening and responsiveness to customer needs.

• They only release products if they’re as good or better than anything else on the market, preferring quality over quantity and sustainable growth.

• Quote:

  “For us to introduce a new product, it has to be as good or better than anything else in that space...”
  — Jeff Abraham [42:58]

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “The only two things in my power: to give him a legacy and honor him... and provide for his family economically because they still own 20% of the company.”
  — Jeff Abraham [03:36]
• “A good CEO has a couple traits... Number one is passion... Don't have preconceived notions. Listen to the customers.”
  — Jeff Abraham [05:25]
• “If you’re a diabetic, no one would ever be ashamed of taking insulin…why are people so ashamed?”
  — Jeff Abraham [11:18]
• “If I was in this day and age… I would have been a ball of anxiety.”
  — Jeff Abraham [16:38]
• “You have to use more innuendo than straight talk…even if you’re educating people.”
  — Jeff Abraham [22:25]
• “Medical credibility. That is the one thing you cannot fake.”
  — Jeff Abraham [25:44]
• “My third child is Promescent... I will never stop promoting this company.”
  — Jeff Abraham [32:48]
• “Listen to your customers. Could be the most important thing any company does.”
  — Interviewer [44:50]

Memorable, Candid & Entertaining Moments

• Honest reflections on porn vs. reality (“I learned I like my porn a little more of a fantasy rather than reality...” — [20:30])
• Vivid description of the journey from obscurity to mass retail presence: “People are like, you’re an overnight sensation. I go, where the hell you’ve been the last 14 years?” — [38:04]
• The emotional fulfillment of keeping a promise to his late friend by getting the product on major shelves — and talking to the product in the aisle as a wide-eyed shopper looked on ([31:47]).

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• Candid exploration of sexual wellness, business building, and stigma—delivered with warmth, humor, and hard-won wisdom.
• The power of listening—to customers, to need, to emotional realities—can drive not just commercial success but genuine positive impact.
• Even in taboo, heavily regulated industries, real change is possible when credibility, science, and heart come together.

How to Connect

• Learn more or get support: promescent.com
• Email Jeff Abraham directly: jeff.abraham@promescent.com (He promises he’ll respond!)
• Product and educational resources: Extensive, science-backed info on their website.

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, health advocates, or anyone wrestling with stigma, purpose, and building lasting impact—inside and outside the bedroom.