Kink & BDSM stigma is alive and well in the mainstream, in our own communities, and even in professional/academic spheres. In episode 191 of American Sex Podcast, Sunny Megatron busts some of the most common kink myths + provides clinical & academic resources for therapists, academics, and skeptical naysayers. She deconstructs the following kink & BDSM myths:   

• Kink is always sexual and platonic kink does not exist
• Kink is considered abnormal by psychologists & the scientific community
• There's a dramatic difference between academic/clinical understanding of kink (that's always more accurate) and BDSM community education 
• Dark age play aka sexual littles' play is abusive and reenacting pedophilia
• Kink practitioners engage in unhealthy self-harm by proxy and/or glorify abuse
• Kinks are caused by unresolved trauma … and more!

Sunny Megatron Bio

Sunny Megatron is an award-winning BDSM & Certified Sexuality Educator, Certified Relationship Coach, and media personality. She’s the host and executive producer of the Showtime original television series, SEX with Sunny Megatron, plus co-hosts AASECT Award-winning American Sex Podcast and Open Deeply Podcast. Sunny was also named XBIZ Sexpert of the Year 2021 and is Editor-in-Chief of Zipper Magazine.   

Known for her one-of-a-kind build-your-own-adventure approach to sex, kink & relationships, Sunny coined the BDSM community catch-phrase, Kink is Customizable™. In her sell-out workshops, her unique brand of “edutainment” seamlessly combines her humorous lecturing style, interactive exercises, and the latest sexuality research. Sunny’s passion is helping others overcome shame and find power through play and pleasure. Currently, she’s working on her first book, “Customizable Kink: A Strategic Guide to Adult Play.”

Episode 191 Links

• Sunny Megatron website https://sunnymegatron.com/
• Sunny Megatron TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron?
• Sunny Megatron Twitter https://twitter.com/sunnymegatron
• Sunny Megatron Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sunnymegatron/
• ZipperMagazine.com https://zippermagazine.com/
• Science of BDSM Research Team https://www.scienceofbdsm.com/
• Tell Me What You Want Dr. Justin Lehmiller https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B0776PYDNM&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_WFW3MV22QFGNPEMR6T4F
• Sex and Psychology Podcast https://www.sexandpsychology.com/podcasts/
• Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) https://www.sexscience.org/
• TASHRA -THE ALTERNATIVE SEXUALITIES HEALTH RESEARCH ALLIANCE https://www.tashra.org/
• CARAS - The Community-Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities https://www.carasresearch.org/
• AASECT - The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists https://www.aasect.org/
• Sexual Health Alliance Kink Informed Certification Program for Therapists & Care Professionals https://sexualhealthalliance.com/kink-informed-certification-program
• Why Good Sex Matters Book by Nan Wise, PhD https://www.amazon.com/dp/1328451305/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_tPnCFb0FAF4R5
• Hurts So Good: The Science and Culture of Pain on Purpose, Leigh Cowart https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08RYPSNVB&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_CG15B6Z43TYVFCDDPA3V
• Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, by Stewart Brown, M.D. & Christopher Vaughan https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B001SCK720&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_VCMYS78KPC9ENVJTX9K7
• The Erotic Mind: Unlocking the Inner Sources of Passion and Fulfillment, Jack Morin Ph.D. https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B009YJYEKK&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_FMT1SPK6QAABA7EYYKGX
• Woodhull Sexual Freedom Foundation
• 2018 Research, Littles: Affects and Aesthetics in Sexual Age-Play (“Download” unlocks the free PDF) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12119-018-09580-5
• Why You Need BDSM's "Prime Directive" By Mollena Williams-Haas https://zippermagazine.com/why-you-need-bdsms-prime-directive/
• Romancing the Shadow: Challenging Limiting Beliefs Through Kink- Midori https://zippermagazine.com/challenginglimiting-beliefs-through-kink/

Prior Related Episodes

• Therapeutic Kink With Andrea Glik – Ep 189 https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Therapeutic-Kink
• Attachment Styles With Aida Manduley – Ep 130 https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Attachement-Styles-Aida-Manduley/
• The Science Of Sexual Fantasy With Dr. Justin Lehmiller – Ep 74 https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Justin-Lehmiller-Sexual-Fantasy-Podcast/
• Kink Informed Therapists & Care Professionals W/ Midori – Ep 165 https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Kink-Certification-Midori/
• Geek Therapy With Nicki Line – Ep 155 Https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Geek-Therapy/
• Sex, Kink & Trauma W/ Jamila M. Dawson August Mclaughlin - Ep 173 Https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Sex-Bdsm-Trauma/
• Decriminalizing BDSM W/NCSF, National Coalition For Sexual Freedom – Ep 185 Https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Explicit-Prior-Permission-Ncsf-Podcast/
• Rethinking Kink With Kate Loree & Sunny Megatron – Ep 184 Https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Rethink-Kink-Podcast/
• BDSM Community Real Talk w/ Sunny Megatron & Kate Loree – Ep 188 Https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Bdsm-Community-Influence/
• Kink Education Freestyle w/ Sunny Megatron – Ep 172 Https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Bdsm-Education-Sunny-Megatron-Podcast/
• Kink Education Freestyle Part 2 w/Sunny Megatron – Ep 180 Https://Sunnymegatron.Com/Kink-Education-Sunny-Megatron-Podcast/

Additional Links

• Zipper Magazine Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zippermagdotcom/
• Zipper Magazine Twitter https://twitter.com/ZipperMagDotcom
• Zipper Magazine Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Zipper-Magazine-113123824749292
• Zipper Magazine Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxFDRtDhukxyQ_9t-Xfo2-w
• Open Deeply Podcast http://opendeeplypodcast.com
• Sunny Megatron TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron
• Ken’s charity DnD game Mondays 4pm-7pm PT https://www.twitch.tv/thunderpantsacademy
• American Sex Podcast Discord Community http://bit.ly/discordasp
• American Sex Podcast Patreon http://patreon.com/americansex
• Kink Academy Online BDSM Learning Library http://bit.ly/kinkacademy
• Sunny’s Free Kink Negotiation & Scene Planning Mini-Workbook https://sunnymegatron.gumroad.com/l/negotiationwb

Episode 191 Sponsor & Affiliate Discount Codes/Links

*by using our links & codes you can help support our work while saving a few bucks too—win/win!

• 30-day free trial of Dipsea Stories when you use code SUNNY http://dipseastories.com/sunny
• 15% off AND free shipping when you go to http://LikeAKitten.com/sunnyOR enter code SUNNY at checkout

• Get up to 2 free months of podcasting service with Libsyn using this link https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SUNNY or use code SUNNY

• Hot & Healthy Erotic Humiliation recorded class https://gum.co/humiliationclass
• Prostate Play for Beginners (recorded class) from Sugar Baltimore https://www.sugartheshop.com/prostate-milking-for-beginners.html
• Sunny & Ken’s classes on Kink Academy http://bit.ly/kinkacademyelectric & http://bit.ly/kinkacademyhumiliation

• 10% off American Sex Podcast & Sunny Megatron merch with code SUNNY (t-shirts, mugs, phone cases & more) http://bit.ly/sunnyshirts
• 15% off your order at Lovehoney when you use this link http://bit.ly/lovehoney15 This link can be a little wonky and does not keep tracking cookies. If the discount does not show up in your cart (or disappears after you shop around on the site), access the site with that link again. Your items will still be in your cart & the discount will appear)
• 15% off everything at Lelo.com with code SUNNY
• 10% off everything (with minor restrictions) online from woman-owned, feminist, trans & queer-friendly Early To Bed http://bit.ly/sunnyetb with code SUNNY
• 10% off everything from Fun Factory using this link http://bit.ly/sunnyfunfactory and the code SUNNY at checkout
• 15% off most items from Stockroom https://bit.ly/sunnystockroom15 with code SUNNY

_______________________________________________________________

–Submit your BDSM & sex advice questions by email to americansexpodcast@gmail.com

–To support American Sex podcast, please visit http://patreon.com/americansex (plus you’ll get all episodes early, secret episodes, bonus stories from guests, on-air shout-outs, stuff in the mail & more!)

–Get friendly with us on Twitter at @AmericanSexPod or visit sunnymegatron.com or americansexpodcast.com

–Join our mailing list by visiting http://sunnymegatron.com/newsletter

Sunny & Ken, xo!