The Isabel Brown Show

Episode: Should Women’s Magazines Be Giving S*x Advice?
Date: March 27, 2026
Host: Isabel Brown (The Daily Wire)
Guest: Brittany Hugo (Founder, EV Magazine)

Episode Overview

This episode tackles the controversial release of EV Magazine’s “sex issue,” specifically designed to give marital and intimacy advice to married and Christian women—an area often neglected in both secular and religious mainstream media. Host Isabel Brown and guest Brittany Hugo explore why this conversation matters, how the discourse on sex and intimacy has evolved, and why there’s a dire need to offer honest, practical, and positive sexual advice rooted in virtue and tradition.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Changing Dating & Marriage Culture

• Changing attitudes: Brittany notes that today’s young men are less likely to approach women, leading to fewer dating opportunities even for attractive women ([00:54], [42:51]).
  • “Men are very uncomfortable talking to women...the young women I know are like, 22, never been asked on a date, and they're beautiful...” — Brittany ([00:54], [42:51])
• Perceived relationship risks: The prevalence of online stories about infidelity and only fans can lead men to question the value of marriage ([00:54], [43:01]).

2. The Genesis and Mission of EV Magazine

• Response to progressive media: Brittany founded EV Magazine (2019) as a reaction to what she saw as man-hating and anti-traditional narratives in mainstream women’s publications ([02:50]).
  • “They were able to make bad things look aesthetically beautiful...there was really nobody making virtue and like positive things like marriage and kids...look aesthetically pleasing.” — Brittany ([02:50])
• Aesthetics & virtue: Focused on making virtue, natural beauty, and healthy living appealing and accessible ([05:17]).

3. Launching the Controversial Sex Issue

• Why a sex issue? Traditionally, conservative and Christian spaces avoided open sex talk, leaving young married women without resources ([06:30]).
  • "For years, you either had...hook up with whoever, it's super empowering, and then you had...the right side, where they're like, oh, don't talk about sex unless it's trauma." — Brittany ([06:57])
• Cultural ground conceded: Isabel argues that the right has largely ceded sexual discourse to the left, resulting in a vacuum filled by secular advice ([10:41], [12:15]).
  • “Sex is really only presented to Gen Z women right now as something empowering if you are part of this sexual liberation movement...” — Isabel ([10:41])

4. Content and Intent of the Sex Issue

• Intended audience: Married women seeking practical, positive intimacy advice—often explicit but designed as a bachelorette or pre-wedding gift ([14:36], [39:04]).
• Context and boundaries: Contrasts EV’s approach with mainstream advice, i.e., not encouraging infidelity or promiscuity but emphasizing flourishing marital intimacy ([12:32], [14:36]).
  • “It's very explicit advice...it's for the girls, it's not for the guys.” — Brittany ([39:04])

5. Cultural and Religious Tensions

• Church messaging: Both note that the church often presents sex as inherently “bad” before marriage, with little transition to “good” afterwards. This can make sexual intimacy difficult for newlywed women ([17:13], [14:36]).
  • “I spent my whole life thinking that sex was bad, and then immediately I get married and I have to think it's the best thing ever, and I can't psychologically switch.” — Brittany ([14:36])
• American vs. European attitudes: Suggestion that American prudishness stems from Puritan roots, while in Catholic Europe sex and beauty are more openly celebrated ([20:21]).

6. Trends in Young People and Tradition

• Resurgence of Catholicism and Tradition: Young people are increasingly drawn to traditional liturgies and values, craving authenticity and roots ([23:07], [23:18]).
  • “There's this huge resurgence of Catholicism in New York...Gen Z really wants a tradition.” — Brittany ([23:18])

7. Modern Paradoxes in Sexual Behavior

• Paradox: Despite hyper-liberal sexual norms, Gen Z has less sex than prior generations ([28:54]).
• Analysis: Brittany likens this to "too many options"—when everything is permissible, it becomes uninteresting or paralyzing ([29:25]).
  • “Without any sort of rules, you almost don't want to do anything...it's like there's this illusion of options...” — Brittany ([29:25])

8. Intimacy, Marriage, and Relationship Challenges

• Women’s expectations: Many women want to be adored; Britney references pop culture ('Twilight', 'Fifty Shades') showing the desire for commitment and idealization ([30:98]).
• ‘Sexless marriage’ epidemic: Increasingly common, often rooted in lack of information or negative conditioning about sex ([46:13]).
  • “I didn't realize that only 18% of women have...which is very low...Maybe they never learned how to [enjoy sex]...” — Brittany ([46:41])

9. Online Backlash and Cultural Criticism

• Cover controversy: The sex issue cover—a model in bridal lingerie—drew criticism from conservatives, even though its styling was tame compared to beach attire or mainstream fashion ([36:43], [36:58]).
  • “When you go to the beach...you're gonna see more skin than that.” — Brittany ([36:56])
• Conflation of sex and obscenity: The online right often labels anything remotely sexual as "pornographic," even milkmaid dresses and modest imagery. Brittany laments the loss of nuance ([37:32], [38:37]).
  • “If everything is [porn], then nothing is...they've lost the plot.” — Brittany ([38:37])

10. Advice and Hope for Listeners

• Gratitude in marriage: Brittany’s “big sister” advice: Start each day by writing down five things you’re grateful for, especially about your husband/kids. Attitude of gratitude as the source of happiness ([51:05]).
  • “Wake up every morning and write five things you're grateful for. And always include, like, your husband and your kids....When you start the day grateful, your entire day is amazing.” — Brittany ([50:14])
• Encouragement for singles: Both stress that there’s never been a better time to “shoot your shot,” as so few people try to connect in person ([44:17]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:50] Brittany: “They were able to make bad things look aesthetically beautiful...there was really nobody making virtue...look aesthetically pleasing.”
• [06:57] Brittany: “You're not allowed to talk about sex unless it's sexual trauma.”
• [10:41] Isabel: “We've ceded all of the ground to the left on this issue...the advice just isn’t out there for girls that don’t have a big sister...”
• [14:36] Brittany: “I spent my whole life thinking that sex was bad, and then immediately I get married and I have to think it’s the best thing ever, and I can’t psychologically switch.”
• [20:21] Brittany: “When you go to Italy...they’re just more comfortable with [beauty and nudity]. But...we were formed more in a Puritan...way.”
• [23:18] Brittany: “There's this huge resurgence of Catholicism in New York. Gen Z really wants a tradition.”
• [29:25] Brittany: “Without any sort of rules, you almost don't want to do anything because...it's like there's this illusion of options...”
• [36:56] Brittany: “When you go to the beach...you’re gonna see more skin than that.”
• [38:37] Brittany: “If everything is [porn], then nothing is.”
• [46:41] Brittany: “Only 18% of women have...which is very low...maybe they never learned how to [enjoy sex].”
• [50:14] Brittany: “Wake up every morning and write five things you're grateful for. And always include...your husband and your kids.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• EV Magazine & Founding Philosophy: [02:50]
• Why a Sex Issue? [06:30]
• Cultural Vacuum on Sex & Marriage: [10:41]
• Transition from 'Sex is Bad' to 'Sex is Good': [14:36], [17:13]
• Catholic & Protestant Comparisons, Tradition: [23:07], [23:18], [28:01]
• Gen Z and the Paradox of Less Sex: [28:54], [29:25]
• Romantic Idealism & Pop Culture: [30:58]
• Cover Controversy & Online Outrage: [36:43], [36:58]
• Advice for Overcoming Sexless Marriages: [46:13]
• Gratitude and Marital Success: [50:14], [51:05]
• Final Advice for Listeners: [49:25], [51:38]

Episode Summary

The episode offers a bold, honest, and often humorous take on why open, positive sexual advice—especially grounded in faith and tradition—is needed in women’s media. Isabel and Brittany agree that the church and conservative spaces have failed in providing comprehensive guidance on intimacy, ceding ground and conversation to secular, often toxic, outlets. The release of the sex issue of EV Magazine is positioned as a step toward reclaiming healthy, beautiful, and virtuous approaches to sex within marriage. The conversation is sprinkled with practical advice, cultural critique, and optimistic encouragement for both singles and married listeners.

For more:

• Visit evprint.com for the EV Magazine sex issue and past editions.
• Episode especially recommended for married women, brides-to-be, or anyone seeking bolder, healthier marriage advice.