The Risks & Benefits Of Choosing
A Career In Sexual Health!
We Knew Our Career Choice Was The Right One For Us,
But Some Of Our Family Were Willing To Stop Talking To Us Over It.

John & Lisa Lawless

Why We Were Asked To Change Our Surname & Disowned-

When we first founded Holistic Wisdom, Inc. in June of 2000, John and I did so with the simple intention of providing holistic health services over the Internet. In 2002 we decided to focus on sexual health issues as we sincerely felt that there was a lack of helpful clinical information being provided while still providing quality erotic pictures and video to compliment the instruction and education of it.

It seemed that while many clinicians speak of sexuality as being something that is healthy, normal and nothing to be ashamed about; most of them were unwilling to "walk their talk" and provide resources that allow people to actually see the beauty of it through pictures and video showing instructional demonstrations.

As John and I are both very genuine when it comes to maintaining our integrity, as we see it as one of the main reasons we are here in this life... to evolve into a higher self; we took our decision to get involved in a career that integrates sexual health issues very seriously. We both came to the conclusion that not only was it right for us, but felt it to be an important contribution that we could make to the world through teaching others to embrace their sexuality as beautiful.

With that said, we were very saddened recently when some of our family members (upon hearing of our video "The Art Of Female Ejaculation," were not only in disagreement with our career choice, but have asked that we no longer use our surname Longhofer in fear that it may embarrass them to be associated with us.

We know that there are many families that have such disagreements, such as the person who chooses a spouse that the family dislikes, or even a religious affiliation. Many people are disowned or judged from their families for making choices that are right for themselves but are something in which the rest of the family disagrees.

The many family members who have been supportive of us have continued to do so, whether they have been thrilled about what we do or not. Personally, I feel it is best to do everything one can to maintain close family relationships as I value the special connection of family that only they can provide. John and I were compassionate toward our family member's reaction to our career choices and asked if we could still respect one another's differences and simply "agree to disagree."

It seems that these family members feel that we are a disgrace for doing what we do and find it immoral and unethical. They have distanced themselves from us and are insistent about wanting us to change our name. I must say John and I have been so saddened by their choice to behave in the way that they have. We were not expecting them to agree with us, but at least hoped they would not insult us or end communication with us the way that they have.

Hence, we have chosen to change our surnames, not only to show respect to the family members who do not approve of our career choices but also because we wish to honor ourselves by taking a surname that holds positive meaning for us and represents the optimistic and loving people we strive to be.

We chose the name "Lawless" to represent our letting go of boundaries that do not serve our highest good. We believe that teaching sexual health is not only ethical, moral, but very much needed in our confused and repressed world.

John and I have no shame in teaching others about sexual health issues and we are constantly reminded of the positive effects that our work has had in people's lives through the hundreds of eMails we receive every week telling us so.

As I said before, we certainly are empathetic to some of our family members view points as we embrace the differences that make us all unique. We hope that someday they will be able to return the respect that we afford them and come from a place of tolerance and compassion.

On that note, I want to reiterate that we are legally changing our names to Lawless and other than that all company business will continue without change. Thank you for your support, it is through visitors to our site like yourself that keep our spirits high in knowing that we are not alone in what we believe and that we provide some good to make the world a better place to be.

Our Web Visitors Response

When we wrote to our newsletter subscribers about our name changing due to a family conflict (which was based on their protests to our career choice in the field of sexual health) we did so only to give an explanation that we were changing our names with good reason.

We certainly were not expecting the flood of eMails that have come pouring into us showing support and understanding about what we have gone through with some of our family member's rejection of us and insistence that we change our name to avoid "embarrassing them!"

It was one of the most touching things that has ever happened to us as it not only gave us a feeling of support during an emotionally stressful time in our lives, but it truly validated all the hard work and time we have committed to creating our company.

John I. Lawless, C.O.O.

We knew that we were taking a risk by addressing sexual health issues in an explicit manner on our site as we know that there are many people who would say that sex portrayed in this manner is wrong, immoral and simply unacceptable. We have been quite outspoken that we disagree with such stances through such articles as-

"Christianity & Porn- Is It Right or Wrong?"


"Struggling With Sexuality-A Societal Look at Our Inhibitions."

One of our subscribers said it best when he said "Sex is [considered in our society to be] dirty and sold back to us as we are bombarded with meaningless over-stimulation. Gratification, but no satisfaction." That is exactly the confines of which we have been trying to liberate our web site visitors.

We believe that there can be a deeper understanding of sexuality as a positive, healthy and loving experience toward oneself and a partner. Sexual education that not only "talks" about embracing the beauty of it but also backs that up through showing that through examples and instruction is something that is not really found often in our society… and we wonder… why not?

Isn't sex worth addressing in a healthy and empowering manner? Why does our society feel the need to go to such extremes, ranging from cheap and degrading displays of sex and sexual behavior to the other side of the spectrum of complete condemnation of it? Shouldn't we have a healthier balance that allows us to accept that being a sexual human being is part of who we are and is something that should be celebrated not be ashamed about? We think so.

Lisa S. Lawless, Ph.D., CEO

What amazed us was that hundreds of our newsletter subscribers took the time to tell us so! We felt privileged because we are aware that many individuals will never know how much their career choice has positively affected people's lives and it has been remarkable as well as humbling to hear the stories of people whom have written to us sharing their thoughts and feelings about what we do and how it has positively impacted their lives.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We will never forget any of your correspondences as they have all meant so much. They have only reaffirmed that what we do through our company Holistic Wisdom is needed as well as beneficial and we will continue to expand and enhance our products and services addressing sexual health topics as well as health in general.

We wish all of you well… Namaste dear friends,

John & Lisa Lawless

To view our name change announcement and just a sample of the replies we received from some of our newsletter subscribers...

CLICK HERE