Lehmiller began his academic career as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at Colorado State University (2008–2011).

The book is based on the largest-ever survey of sexual fantasies in the United States.

[7] In January 2020, Lehmiller appeared on an episode of the Netflix series Sex, Explained, in which he discussed some of the main findings from his book.

[8] Lehmiller collaborated with advice columnist, Dan Savage, to study gay men's cuckolding fantasies, publishing the findings in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, a peer-reviewed journal for research on sexuality.

[9] He has also published on sexual fantasies, consensual non-monogamy, marginalized relationships, and friends with benefits.