The Josh Boone Show
#27: Erik Everhard – Life as a Porn Star, Psychedelic Healing, Anxiety & Sexual Mastery
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The podcast explores the influence and perception of the porn industry, challenging societal judgment and highlighting its widespread viewership.
- The guest's transition from the adult film industry to becoming a men's coach showcases the importance of personal development and growth.
- The use of psychedelics, particularly Ayahuasca, is discussed, highlighting their potential for expanding consciousness and gaining profound insights.
- The guest's introverted nature and ability to compartmentalize helped excel in the adult film industry, challenging misconceptions surrounding introverts in the field.
- Self-discovery in relationships can have both positive and negative effects, requiring a balance between exploration and contentment.
- The mental aspect plays a crucial role in sexual performance, with mindfulness practices and positive reinforcement loops contributing to improved experiences.
Deep dives
The Influence of the Porn Industry
The podcast episode explores the influence and perception of the porn industry in society. It challenges the moral judgment and cognitive dissonance surrounding the industry, which is a major part of our culture but often regulated to the basement of the internet. The episode discusses the massive financial scale of the industry and the widespread viewership, while highlighting the disconnect between its popularity and societal judgment. It also delves into the subculture within the industry, providing an insider's perspective and discussing overlooked topics such as morality, polyamory, mental health, and the use of psychedelics.
Transition from Pornography to Men's Coaching
The episode features guest Mitchell Hartwell, known professionally as Eric Everhard, who is a Canadian pornographic actor and director. It explores his transition from the adult film industry to becoming a men's coach, author, and speaker. The conversation touches on how his journey led him to explore different areas of personal development, such as neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and shamanic plant medicine. It also explores the shift in focus from mastering the bedroom to helping entrepreneurs and executives through coaching.
Impact of Ayahuasca and Psychedelics
The episode delves into the use of psychedelics, particularly Ayahuasca, and the influence it has had on the guest's perspective on life. It discusses the profound experiences and insights gained through Ayahuasca ceremonies, including themes of self-love, love, and purpose. The conversation highlights the potential for these plant medicines in expanding consciousness and tapping into different dimensions of reality. It also touches on the variations in experiences among individuals and the overall commonalities found in psychedelic journeys.
Navigating the Industry as an Introvert
As an introvert, the guest shares his experience navigating the adult film industry. He explains how his introverted nature and ability to compartmentalize helped him excel in the industry. He highlights the importance of focusing on the task at hand while being in a high-pressure environment. The episode also addresses the misconceptions surrounding introverts in the porn industry, emphasizing that success depends on mindset, adaptability, and individual strengths.
Navigating the positives and negatives of self-discovery
Self-discovery can have both positive and negative effects. On one hand, it allows individuals to gain a deeper understanding of their desires and preferences, which can be empowering. However, it can also create a sense of uncertainty and comparison, especially when individuals have limited experiences or samples to draw from. The dilemma of wanting to explore more while being committed in a relationship is also a common struggle. It is important to strike a balance between self-discovery and contentment, whether it be in monogamous or polyamorous relationships.
The impact of mental fortitude on sexual performance
The mental aspect plays a crucial role in sexual performance. Anxiety and overthinking can hinder performance, while a calm and focused mind can enhance it. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, can help individuals cultivate mental clarity and presence, allowing them to block out negative thoughts and fully experience the present moment. Creating a positive reinforcement loop, where small successes build confidence, can also contribute to improved performance.
Understanding the diverse perspectives and preferences in sexuality
Sexuality is a highly individualized and diverse aspect of human life. Everyone approaches it through different lenses, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual perspectives. Some individuals focus more on physical pleasure, while others seek emotional connection. Preferences and boundaries also vary greatly among individuals. Acknowledging the diversity and respecting individual choices is important in fostering a healthy outlook on sexuality.
Navigating the ethical and moral dilemmas in the adult industry
The adult industry presents various ethical and moral dilemmas, such as ensuring consent, addressing power dynamics, and navigating boundaries. It becomes more complex when individuals willingly engage in extreme or potentially harmful acts. Each person's comfort level and personal boundaries must be respected, even if they are different from societal norms. Open communication, professional boundaries, and maintaining a strong sense of self-awareness are crucial in ensuring a healthy and ethical environment within the industry.
The Importance of Fun and Purpose in Life
One of the main ideas discussed in the podcast was the importance of optimizing life for fun and purpose. The speaker emphasized the role of enjoying what you do and finding meaning in your actions. They shared their personal experience in the adult entertainment industry and how they prioritize having fun in their work. The speaker mentioned their passion for coaching and helping others, and how they are creating online courses and educational materials to share their knowledge. Overall, the podcast highlighted the significance of finding joy and purpose in life as a key factor for success and fulfillment.
The Future of the Porn Industry and Decentralization
Another topic discussed in the podcast was the future of the porn industry and the potential impact of decentralization. The speaker touched upon the rise of platforms like OnlyFans and the challenges and opportunities they bring for content creators. They also mentioned the potential of blockchain technology and NFTs in creating decentralized platforms for adult content. The speaker talked about the need for easier and user-friendly systems to access and transact in cryptocurrencies, which could revolutionize the industry. They highlighted the importance of owning one's content and having control over personal platforms to protect against unexpected changes or shutdowns. Overall, the podcast explored the growing decentralization trend and its potential impact on the porn industry.
The Importance of Communication and Skill Building in Intimacy
The podcast delved into the importance of communication and skill building in intimacy. The speaker emphasized that many people lack proper knowledge and understanding when it comes to sexual experiences and relationships. They discussed the need for open communication, but also highlighted the importance of understanding the different ways men and women communicate. The speaker shared their expertise in the adult industry and their approach to teaching men about sexual skills and techniques. They emphasized the importance of fun and satisfaction in sexual encounters and talked about their coaching programs and upcoming book on the subject. The podcast shed light on the need for education and skill-building in order to enhance intimacy and create fulfilling sexual experiences.
Long-term Mindset and the Importance of Enjoying the Journey
The podcast touched upon the significance of adopting a long-term mindset and enjoying the journey. The speaker highlighted the challenges and perseverance required to achieve success. They shared personal stories of building businesses and emphasized the need to find purpose and enjoyment in the process. The speaker also emphasized the value of having fun and finding fulfillment in one's work. They discussed the role of passion and fun in sustaining motivation and staying focused through difficult times. Overall, the podcast conveyed the message of embracing a long-term perspective and finding joy throughout the journey towards success.
Mitchell Hartwell, known professionally as Erik Everhard, is a Canadian pornographic actor and director known for gonzo pornography films.
Since 1995, he's performed in over 2,400 films, been featured in GQ and Playboy, and has won 15 AVN awards and over 50 other adult film industry awards.
Recently, he's turned author, speaker, and men's coach, holding a masters level NLP certification. After working with over 5000 women and seeing the common threads between them, he's begun helping entrepreneurs & executives learn how to master the bedroom like they dominate the boardroom.
Some of the topics we dive into are:
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:02:18 – From Porn to Men's Coaching
00:05:53 – Neuro-Linguistic Programming
00:08:37 – Ayahuasca, Psilocybin, LSD, and DMT
00:20:00 – The Benefits of Psilocybin in Improving Relationships
00:23:27 – The Impact of Toxic People & Relationships
00:35:03 – The Porn Industry in the early 2000s
00:36:18 – Erik's Journey into Porn
00:40:39 – The Dangers of Viagra
00:42:17 – The Perception of Male Porn Stars
00:50:38 – The Negative and Positive Impacts of Porn
00:53:55 – The Different Flavors of Polyamory
01:00:17 – Tinder and Sexual Exploration in America
01:02:00 – Asexuality and the Desire for Intimacy
01:04:50 – The Pros and Cons of Monogamy vs. Polyamory
01:09:48 – Scarcity Mindset in Relationships
01:13:04 – The Mental Game of Entrepreneurship
01:19:47 – Letting Go and Overcoming Anxiety
01:21:34 – Filming a Public Sex Scene in Budapest.
01:29:04 – The Perks of Being a Porn Star
01:37:50 – The Most Difficult Sex Scene He Filmed
01:39:34 – Extreme Fetishes and Sadomasochism in Porn
01:45:58 – Sexual Exploration in Relationships
01:50:23 – Mental Illness in the Porn Industry
01:59:42 – Monogamy in the Porn Industry
02:03:11 – Dating While Being a Porn Star
02:06:00 – America's Cognitive Dissonance with Porn
02:08:00 – The Negative Effects of Porn on Society
02:12:00 – Only Fans
02:17:50 – NFTs and the Dangers of Relying on Platforms Like OnlyFans
02:28:30 – The Future of the Porn Industry
02:38:47 – The Impact of a Bad First Sexual Experience
02:40:34 – The Importance of Communication in Sexual Relationships
02:42:00 – Life and Purpose
02:45:22 – Overcoming Sexual Performance Anxiety
Connect with Erik
- Website: ErikEverhard.com
- Twitter: @ERIK_EVERHARD
- Instagram: @erikeverhardoffical
- LinkedIn: @erikeverhard
// Connect with Josh:
- Website: JoshBoone.com
- YouTube: @joshbooneshow
- LinkedIn: @joshboone
- Instagram: @heyjoshboone and @joshbooneshow
- TikTok: @heyjoshboone
Music by Kirby Johnston – check out his band Aldaraia on Spotify.
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