This Intense Substitute for Porn Has Fully Captivated Me

      If traditional porn has ever left you feeling disconnected or guilty, or just hasn't quite satisfied you, you're not alone. The industry has often disappointed me, and I know many women who share this sentiment, choosing instead to read steamy books. Personally, I prefer using my imagination for self-pleasure, which led me to step away from porn entirely—until I discovered audio-erotica.

      Audio-erotica is rapidly becoming a creative and empowering alternative to traditional porn. It encourages you to engage your imagination and explore your desires at your own pace, which aligns perfectly with my preferences. I spoke with Caroline Spiegel, the inventive founder of the audio-erotica app Quinn, about how this medium is transforming erotic content and why it’s resonating, particularly with women.

      **MEET THE EXPERT**

      *Caroline Spiegel*

      Caroline Spiegel created Quinn, a subscription-based app for audio erotica, during her senior year at Stanford University while recovering from an eating disorder. As she faced struggles with sexual dysfunction during her recovery, she became frustrated with the lack of solutions for women, leading her to launch Quinn in 2021. The audios are romantic tales condensed into 15 to 20-minute segments, allowing its 300,000 users to select from a curated array of voices.

      **What is audio-erotica?**

      Audio-erotica is a form of porn that presents sensual storytelling through sound. It doesn’t include visuals—just your headphones and your favorite sex toy (or your fingers!). Unlike traditional adult content that heavily relies on graphic visuals, audio-erotica invites you to focus inwardly, engage your imagination, and actively participate in creating your perfect erotic fantasy.

      The concept of “mental framing,” which pertains to how we visualize situations through our personal perspectives, allows us to shape our understanding of a scene. A study by the sex-ed platform OMGYes and The Kinsey Institute indicated that 90% of women are more likely to employ mental framing when envisioning sexual fantasies, which is why audio-erotica resonates so well with them.

      As Spiegel explains, “It’s personal, private, and facilitates a deeper emotional connection without relying on the familiar tropes of mainstream porn.” With stories designed to encompass a broad range of kinks and fantasies, you're not just sifting through clichéd narratives typically aimed at the male audience.

      **How is audio-erotica different from smut?**

      While we enjoy steamy romance novels, reading or listening to smut pales in comparison to audio-erotica. Audio-erotica extends beyond mere words; it incorporates sounds—from the gentle suction of a kiss on the neck to the changes in breath during intimate moments. This entire auditory landscape enhances the experience for the listener. Additionally, the voice behind the audio can embody anyone (instead of a fixed character in a book), allowing for limitless imagination and creating a profoundly empowering experience. If you’ve tackled a spicier novel and are ready for a deeper experience on your next night in, consider trying a 15-minute audio story.

      **Why women are drawn to audio-erotica**

      Audio-erotica addresses women’s needs in ways that visual porn does not. It provides an “intimate and immersive experience,” according to Spiegel, and prioritizes the pleasure of those underrepresented in mainstream porn—including People of Color, trans individuals, and those with disabilities or body image concerns. Engaging your imagination allows you to seamlessly immerse yourself in any fantasy you wish, uniquely and personally.

      Digital creator and New York Times best-selling author Christina Najjar shared her experience with audio-erotica in conversation with Spiegel, noting that it doesn’t leave her feeling uncomfortable afterward like visual porn often does. “I appreciate it because it ignites my erotic imagination,” she remarks. I could relate deeply, having felt significant shame about consuming porn before discovering audio-erotica. Spiegel and Najjar liken achieving orgasm through visual porn to eating at McDonald's—it’s cheap and quick, but lacks the fulfilling and personalized experience that audio-erotica offers.

      Additionally, Spiegel notes that audio-erotica creates a “judgment-free space where individuals can explore their desires on their own terms.” By removing the pressure and performative aspects often present in traditional porn (which typically neglects the female perspective), it allows you to breathe and discover what truly excites you. Without visual distractions, Spiegel found that her personal struggles with sexual dysfunction disappeared: “I could genuinely connect with my own imagination and experience desire in a way that felt authentic and personal,” she shares.

      **My personal experience with audio-erotica**

      Like many women, traditional porn has often let me down. I've often found myself rapidly exiting videos that more often repel than entice. At times, I've felt that the sex I long for is entirely absent in mainstream media, leading me to believe I should learn to accept what is portrayed. I questioned whether this meant I was abnormal. However,