Podcast Summary: The Bossticks – "Low Libido, Hormone Imbalances, & How To Reignite Your Sex Life" Ft. Josh & Katy Whalen of Joi + Blokes

Date: March 13, 2026
Hosts: Lauryn Bosstick & Michael Bosstick
Guests: Josh & Katy Whalen (Founders of Joi + Blokes)

Main Theme

This episode tackles the highly personal and often taboo topic of low libido, hormone imbalances, and their profound impact on relationships—especially in marriage. Josh and Katy Whalen, a couple who co-founded hormone optimization platforms Joi (women) and Blokes (men), share their raw, vulnerable journey through marital struggles directly tied to Josh’s hormone health. Through candid storytelling and actionable insights, they deconstruct the links between physical health, hormones, intimacy, and personal empowerment—for both men and women.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origin Story: When Health and Marriage Collide

• Josh’s health deteriorated (gained 60 lbs, lost libido); Katy considered divorce due to lack of intimacy [02:00].
• Talk therapy, sex therapy, and various interventions failed; both blamed themselves until blood work revealed Josh’s testosterone was "like that of a 70-year-old man" [03:41].
• “Your testosterone levels are like 200, and they’re supposed to be… where you thrive… somewhere between 700 and 1200.” – Josh Whalen [04:16]
• Finding the right clinician who viewed health holistically (Dr. Paul Battle) was life-changing—led to fixing the root issue (hormonal imbalance) rather than superficial solutions.

The Emotional Side: Shame, Communication, and Roles

• Katy opens up about the shame and confusion of having a partner with low sex drive—a topic rarely addressed from the woman’s perspective [08:15].
• “I just sat there quiet… I wish my husband would put his hands on me.” – Katy Whalen [08:25]
• Josh and Katy stress the importance of communication and of viewing intimacy as an indicator of overall wellness for both partners.

Hormone Optimization: Tools, Risks, and Results

• Testosterone therapy (TRT) was transformative for Josh; peptide therapies and lifestyle changes supported further health [09:09].
  • “I went from zero to hero in like three months… I got motivated. I was prioritizing the gym, working out, mentally, physically, everything was connecting.” – Josh Whalen [09:09]
• Both hosts and guests emphasize reframing testosterone: not as a "macho" badge but as a key, often-depleted hormone for men and women [10:35].
• Stigmas exist for both genders around hormone therapy—not helped by misinformation and lack of medical guidance.

Women & Hormones: Menopause, Perimenopause, and Testosterone

• Katy’s later pregnancies led to anxiety, brain fog, and weight gain. She, like many women, felt dismissed by doctors post-birth (“I’m not fine!”) [06:45].
• Discovering testosterone therapy for women was revolutionary for Katy and is described as a “game changer”—and an option many women don't even know exists [10:50, 46:13].
• Risks and benefits of hormone delivery methods (pellets, creams, injections); preference is for injections due to flexibility and safety [45:01].

Peptides & Personalized Therapies

• Peptides (e.g., GLP-1, Sermorelin) are a hot topic, but social media hype leads to misuse and confusion [25:47].
• Dangers: Affiliate deals incentivize overprescription without clinical oversight; many “research” peptides are unregulated and sometimes inert or non-sterile [26:05, 27:43].
• All guests urge: Start with “looking under the hood”—get comprehensive labs and work with reputable clinics (503A/503B compounding pharmacies explained) [17:44, 28:41].
• Peptides as “cherry on top”—not a substitute for solid foundational health (sleep, stress, exercise, diet) [18:40, 35:50].
  • “What’s the best thing to do? Just focus on the basics.” – Josh Whalen [35:46]
• Key benefit: Many people can feel significant improvements (energy, mood, gut health, sleep) when used correctly under supervision [31:07].

Causes of Modern Hormone Issues

• Modern life: Stress, processed food, sedentary work, lack of outdoor exposure, and constant screens are major contributors to low testosterone even in younger men [34:13, 35:03].
• Classic lifestyle advice: “Sleep and stress are the two hardest things to fix, but the most important.” – Josh Whalen [36:46]

Couples Therapy & The Marriage-Business Dynamic

• Candid talk about being married cofounders:
  • Spouses bring different strengths; self-funding and business stress test the relationship [14:22, 15:19].
  • Keeping sexual and emotional connection during business/family chaos is a continual process; stress management and shared rituals (sauna, outdoor time) help maintain connection [14:36, 16:12].
  • “Working together, raising kids, being in a relationship… It's a wild beast. And you have to be really up for the challenge.” – Interviewer (Michael) [14:36]

The Doctor Dilemma: Why Most Practitioners Miss the Mark

• None of their therapists/doctors ever thought to check Josh’s bloodwork for hormonal imbalance despite obvious symptoms [54:41].
• “Not one of those encounters did they ever go, dude, go get your blood checked.” – Josh Whalen [54:41]
• The importance of being heard: Joi + Blokes’ “secret sauce” is clinicians who listen, ask extensive questions, and personalize care [55:44].

Advice for Listeners: Starting the Conversation and Next Steps

• If you suspect your partner is struggling: Approach it as a proactive, joint health check (not accusatory), focus on overall wellness, and suggest doing bloodwork together [50:09].
• “Do it together… Hey, let's do this together and check out where we're at.” – Katy Whalen [50:35]
• Safe, integrative medicine starts with self-awareness and a willingness to listen to your own (and your partner’s) intuition [38:41, 38:52].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Josh (on getting his first full lab panel):

  • “When was the last time you had a morning wood, dude? I’m like, I don’t even remember.” [03:41]

• Katy (on blaming herself):

  • “I tried to write out a note, ‘Let’s make out once a week.’ … A lot of notes.” [02:18]

• Josh (on how serious health issues can be):

  • “If you want to see your kids…my dad died at 62. I got bonus years. I got to get to 80, man.” [52:22]

• Michael (on the cultural stigma):

  • “There’s a thing with men…when it’s like, oh, your testosterone’s off, it feels like you’re attacking the masculinity.” [13:11]

• Katy (advice to herself, in retrospect):

  • “It’s not you… don’t blame yourself. Do not look inward. It’s their shit and they need to figure that out.” [53:37]

• Josh (on top peptide therapy):

  • “GLP1s are the single biggest blockbuster therapy peptide ever. I think it will trump even Viagra.” [30:16]

• Josh (on prioritizing lifestyle):

  • “Focus on your sleep and focus on your stress. Like, those are two really hard to do.” [36:46]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Background & Why They Started Joi/Blokes: 01:37–04:49
• The Marriage Crisis & Medical Gaslighting: 02:18–04:49
• Hormones and Sex Drive: The Real Culprit: 08:15–11:16
• Transformational Role of Testosterone (for men & women): 09:09, 11:16
• Microdosing Peptides & the GLP-1 Craze: 16:38–20:14
• Problem with Influencer Peptide Culture: 25:47–27:43
• FDA, 503A/B, and Real vs. Research Peptides: 28:22–29:23
• How Personalized Peptide Therapy Works: 29:25–30:10
• Foundational Health: Sleep, Stress, and Movement: 34:13–36:46
• How to Bring Up Hormone Issues in Relationships: 50:09–51:05
• Clinicians Who Listen – The Joi/Blokes Approach: 55:44–56:25
• Advice and Reflections: If They Could Go Back: 52:03–54:48

Takeaways & Resources

Core Advice

• Hormone imbalances are often the root of marital and libido problems—address them first, together.
• Traditional healthcare often overlooks hormone health; seek providers who take holistic, data-driven, and empathetic approaches.
• Both men and women can benefit from hormone optimization (testosterone is important for both).
• DO NOT self-prescribe peptides/hormones based on internet trends—start with lab work and qualified medical guidance.
• Reignite intimacy through proactive health, honest communication, and addressing physical AND emotional needs.

Where to Start

• Joi: @joywomenswellness
• Blokes: @getblokes
• Website: joyandblokes.com/skinny (with special offer code SKINNY from the podcast) [58:40]

Tone & Style

Authentic, candid, sometimes irreverent humor with underlying compassion for people struggling with these issues. The guests and hosts blend actionable medical knowledge with real-life couple dynamics, offering listeners both science and solidarity.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand how physical health—hormones in particular—intertwines with love, sex, and long-term partnership. Whether you’re struggling silently or seeking optimal vitality together, the insights are universal and the hope, contagious.