I almost scrolled past it. The post was by audio erotica app Quinn hinting at their next celebrity guest, and a peculiar familiarity caused me to pause. At first I thought it improbable — but upon close inspection of the video, and the rest of the teasers posted, it was clear: Quinn was about to drop an audio erotica special with my favourite actor. A few days later, it was formally announced, confirming what many already assumed: on July 22 of 2025 they were going to release The Muse, narrated by Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) star Tom Blyth.Â
Quinn offers a subscription based library of sensual audio stories and scenes where romance, arousal, and sex are the drivers. The platform hosts primarily independent writers, producers, and narrators who work to create these audio stories, but they also release stories called Quinn Originals. These are in-house produced series, each with three 30 minute episodes. They feature high levels of production and promotion, plot driven storytelling, and a celebrity narrator, like Thomas Doherty, Victoria Pedretti, Andrew Scott, Jamie Campell Bower, and most recently, Tom Blyth. These series are the platform’s highest performing content, with subscriptions tending to triple the month they are released.Â
While one of the most widely known, Quinn is not the only audio erotica app out there, with platforms like Dipsea, Bloom Stories, Audiodesires, and Ferly promoting similar content, and similar messaging: we should be talking about pleasure.
For a lot of us, talking about sex and sexuality can be uncomfortable. I think sexual arousal is one of the most vulnerable states to be in and cultural taboos can close off relevant discussions. Talking about erotic content carries even more of those taboos, but it isn’t anything uncommon or new. From the Song of Songs in the Bible, to Wilmot’s poetry in 17th century England, to the romance novels of the 1970s, erotic content reflects the sexual attitudes of their societies. So what does the rise of audio erotica say about where our current sexual moment is going?Â
Quinn focuses on female pleasure, and seeks to promote more nuanced, respectful examples of intimacy than seen in typical visual pornography. In their Originals, there are many notes to be taken on how consent is integrated. While a lot of us know consent is sexy, Quinn lets us hear how consent is sexy. Within audio erotica there is more of a focus on the imagination, and the nonphysical aspects of sex; feeding the too often forgotten but integral sexual organ: the brain.Â
Erotic content isn’t something that is meant to only arouse, but also to help us explore the boundaries of desire and lust safely, which is a priority at Quinn. All creators are screened and held accountable to respectful content creation and interaction with consumers. Audios are also vetted by moderators before being made available to listeners. Consumers are expected to be respectful to creators and abide by the app’s code of conduct. Creators get paid for their work, no one is actually having sex so there is less room for potential exploitation, no one is underage, and there is a real effort to avoid dehumanizing stereotypes.Â
Though focused on women’s pleasure, Quinn and other audio erotica apps also have content for male listeners. The Good Sex Project interviewed Ryan Mairs, a voice actor on Quinn, and they discussed how audio erotica can include ideas and phrases that demonstrate an empowered sexuality, including an empowered straight male sexuality, one that can be commanding and confident without being disrespectful or objectifying. Many audio erotica apps also include embodiment, body exploration, and couples audio to help reignite passion and build connection and communication.Â
Mainstream actors participating in the medium speak to an existing shift in taboos around erotic content, and audio erotica becoming mainstream promotes more conversations around sexuality and pleasure. While comprehensive sex education matters, and should be something we work toward, a lot of our perceptions and lessons about sex still come from entertainment — regardless if that content is erotic or not. Myths about how sex should look, feel, and happen are built by the media. Bringing that media into the mainstream helps give us the tools to criticize and correct those myths. I think we need to feel free to talk about sexual content to feel confident calling out unrealistic or harmful examples of sex.Â
Critical, thoughtful conversations about how to go about sexual exploration and pleasure are needed. Quinn is helping lead this discussion, with a focus on pleasure, respect, and empowerment — and with the help of some beloved actors. Who knows, maybe your favourite will be the next to step in front of the mic.Â
