If you grew up in Canada or flipped through cable channels in the middle of the night in the early 2000s, you knew the face. The short grey hair. The sensible glasses. The kind of grandma who looked like she’d bake you world-class snickerdoodles but was actually holding a vibrator and explaining exactly how to clean it. That was the magic of talking sex with Sue Johanson. She didn't whisper. She didn't blush. Honestly, she treated human sexuality with the same practical, no-nonsense energy most people reserve for explaining how to change a tire or fold a fitted sheet.
It was revolutionary.
We live in a world now where TikTok "sexperts" are everywhere, but Sue Johanson was the blueprint. She started as a nurse. In 1970, she opened a birth control clinic in a high school in Toronto because she saw a desperate need for factual information. That’s the core of her legacy. It wasn't about being "edgy" for the sake of ratings. It was about public health, safety, and the radical idea that pleasure shouldn't be a source of shame.
The Cultural Impact of Talking Sex with Sue
When Sunday Night Sex Show transitioned into the American version, Talk Sex with Sue, it hit a nerve. Why? Because she was a grandmother. There’s a psychological safety in that. You’ve got this woman who looks like she should be knitting a sweater, but she’s taking calls from people asking about the most intimate, often "taboo" parts of their lives. She never judged. Not once.
Whether a caller was asking about erectile dysfunction or how to navigate a long-term dry spell, Sue’s response was always rooted in anatomy and empathy. She famously used props. Those props became a staple of the show, making the invisible visible and stripping away the awkwardness. By talking sex with Sue, an entire generation learned that their bodies weren't "gross" or "broken." They were just bodies.
Why the "Grandma" Persona Worked
People often wonder if it was a gimmick. It wasn't. Sue Johanson was a Registered Nurse. She had the credentials to back up her advice. Her persona worked because it bridged a massive generational gap. In the 90s and early 2000s, sex education in schools was often abstinence-only or clinical to the point of being useless. Sue filled the gap. She provided the "real talk" that parents were too embarrassed to give and teachers weren't allowed to mention.
Moving Beyond the Giggles: The Serious Side of Sex Ed
It’s easy to focus on the funny moments—the giant plush organs or the way she’d say "pleasure" with that distinct Canadian lilt. But Sue dealt with heavy topics. She talked about consent before it was a mainstream buzzword. She talked about the importance of getting tested for STIs without making it sound like a death sentence or a moral failing.
Basically, she treated sex as a part of overall wellness.
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If you look at modern sexual health discourse, we owe a lot to her. She advocated for the LGBTQ+ community at a time when many mainstream broadcasters were still hesitant. To Sue, everyone deserved a healthy sex life, regardless of their orientation. This inclusivity wasn't a political statement for her; it was a nursing standard. You treat the patient. You answer the question. You provide the facts.
The Science of Shame
Science tells us that shame is a barrier to health. When people are ashamed of their bodies or their desires, they don't go to the doctor. They don't use protection. They don't communicate with their partners. By talking sex with Sue, callers were essentially engaging in a form of public therapy that chipped away at that shame.
She often cited real-world data and collaborated with organizations like Planned Parenthood. She understood that information is power. If you know how your body works, you’re less likely to be exploited and more likely to advocate for your own needs.
What Happened to Sue Johanson?
Sue retired from her show in 2008. She was in her late 70s then. For a long time, she stayed out of the spotlight, enjoying a well-earned rest. However, her influence never really faded. In 2022, a documentary titled Sex with Sue (directed by Lisa Rideout) was released, sparking a massive wave of nostalgia and a re-evaluation of her work.
It reminded everyone that she wasn't just a TV personality. She was an Order of Canada recipient. That’s a big deal. It’s one of the country's highest honors, and she received it specifically for her work in sex education and health. It’s a testament to the fact that her "silly" show about sex was actually a vital public service.
The Digital Legacy
Today, you can find clips of her all over YouTube and TikTok. Gen Z is discovering her for the first time, and the reaction is almost always the same: "I wish we had someone like her now."
While we have influencers, there's a certain lack of "credentialed warmth" in today's landscape. Many modern creators are focused on aesthetics or "hacks." Sue was focused on the person. She’d spend five minutes on a single call if that's what it took to make the person on the other end feel seen and heard.
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Why We Still Need This Kind of Dialogue
Honestly, we might be more "open" about sex today, but are we more informed? That’s debatable. With the rise of easy-access pornography, many people have a skewed view of what sex actually looks like. There’s a performance aspect now that didn't exist in the same way 20 years ago.
Sue's approach was the antidote to that. She talked about the messy parts. The sounds. The failures. The "it didn't quite work the way it does in the movies" moments.
Talking sex with Sue meant acknowledging that sex is often funny, occasionally awkward, and deeply human. We need that grounded perspective more than ever. We need the reminder that it’s okay to ask "dumb" questions. In Sue’s world, there were no dumb questions—only unanswered ones.
The Role of Communication
If there’s one recurring theme in every episode Sue ever filmed, it’s communication. She’d tell callers, "Have you talked to your partner about this?"
Most of the time, the answer was no.
She provided the scripts. She gave people the actual words to use. "I like this." "I don't like that." "Can we try this?" It sounds simple, but for millions of people, those words were terrifying. She made them feel manageable.
Actionable Lessons from the Sue Johanson Era
You don't need a TV show to improve your sexual health or your relationship. You can apply the principles of talking sex with Sue in your own life right now. It starts with a shift in mindset.
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Prioritize factual information. If you have a question about your body, don't just rely on a random forum. Look for sources with medical credentials. Organizations like the Mayo Clinic or the American Sexual Health Association provide the kind of science-based info Sue championed.
Normalize the conversation. Start talking about sexual health with your partner outside of the bedroom. It’s much easier to discuss preferences when you’re both relaxed and not in the heat of the moment.
Check your shame. Recognize when you're feeling embarrassed and ask yourself why. Usually, it’s a societal leftover that has nothing to do with your actual values. Give yourself permission to be a student of your own body.
Focus on consent and safety. These aren't "extra" steps; they are the foundation. Always. No exceptions.
Stay curious. Sexuality evolves as we age. What worked for you at 25 might not work at 45, and that’s perfectly normal. Sue was a great example of this—she continued to learn and adapt her advice as the culture and medical understanding changed.
Finding Modern Resources
If you’re looking for that Sue-level of insight today, check out practitioners like Emily Nagoski (author of Come As You Are) or Esther Perel. They carry that same torch of blending science with a deep understanding of human psychology. While the medium has changed from late-night cable to podcasts and best-sellers, the goal remains the same: better lives through better understanding.
Sue Johanson showed us that you can be polite, professional, and talk about the most graphic things imaginable all at the same time. She proved that being "proper" doesn't mean being "prude." Most importantly, she showed us that when it comes to sex, the best thing we can do is just keep talking.
If you want to dive deeper into her history, the 2022 documentary is a great place to start. It’s a beautiful look at a woman who dared to say the words out loud so the rest of us wouldn't have to mumble. Her work serves as a reminder that sexual health is a lifelong journey, and having a guide like Sue—even just through old clips—makes the path a lot less scary.
Focus on the facts. Keep the lines of communication open. And never be afraid to ask the question that’s been on your mind. That is the ultimate way to honor the legacy of Sue Johanson.