Sex with Strangers

This episode features interviews with: Chicago-based sex therapist Michelle Herzog from the Center for Mindful Living, global sex therapist Dr. Susan Kaye from the Institute for Mindy Body Therapy, and New York/San Francisco-based sex therapist and author David Ortmann. David co-wrote the book Sexual Outsiders: Understanding BDSM Sexualities and Communities with Richard Sprott. Articles discussed in this episode include “14 Women Tell What It’s Like Having Sex With A Micropenis” from Buzzfeed and “You’re 16. You’re a Pedophile. You Don’t Want to Hurt Anyone. What Do You Do Now?” by Luke Malone. You can listen to the This American Life episode inspired by Luke Malone’s article here and check out the breakdown of Sensate Focus mentioned on the show here.

Chris travels to Iceland to chat with locals about the country’s infamous hookup culture, “end demand” prostitution policies, BDSM scene, and much more. This episode also features a couple of brief exchanges with Icelandic rapper Blaz Roca.

Chris chats with a variety of fetish filmmakers. He talks pegging with adult actress Candi Apple aka the Strap-On Princess, sploshing with the Pie Master and Angel Rose from sexyslapstickvideos.com, smoking fetish with Clif from USA Smokers and Don from Smoking Kittens Productions, and Shoe-play and vore with Bob a filmmaker with 8 different shoe-play stores on clips4sale.com.

In this episode we take a detour from human sexuality and dive into the sexual triumphs and tragedies of livestock. Chris visits two farms in Washington state where he encounters horny alpacas, genetically perfect pigs, and some very confused birds. Chris also chats with comedian Tamale Sepp about her former life as a champion dairy judge and horse semen scientist. Finally, Chris interviews two hu-cow erotica authors (Gemma Wolf and Narcissa Rivers) about the “human cow” fetish and the surprising economics of self-publishing erotica through Amazon.

Chris travels to Clearwater, Florida to chat with couples spending Valentine’s Day at the world’s first Hooters. But this episode mainly focuses on conversations with three professional dominatrixes –Svetlannah Doll, Calista Curves, and Domina Vera Lamarr— whom Chris coaxed into seeing Fifty Shades of Grey. Master Hook, a lifestyle master, also shares some thoughts on the film. And finally, we check in with Fiona from the porn clerks episode to learn about how the Fifty Shades series has impacted her job and the sex toy industry as a whole.

Chris chats with several phone sex performers and even sits in on a 9-hour no-taboos phone sex shift.

From adult babies to naughty school girls. Chris explores the world of age-play, a place where consenting adults can be kids again.

Chris travels to Portland where he talks to some key figures in the city’s expansive sex positive community. Topics include polyamory, play parties, furies, Sex Positive World, the PDX Kink Calendar, the Catalyst Art and Cultural Space, and the InHerTube sex toy company. Chris also visits Casa Diablo the world’s first vegan strip club.

Chris travels to Utah to chat with current and former LDS members about the sexual politics of the Mormon Church. Guests include everyone from a Salt Lake City escort to an anti-porn activist at Brigham Young University.

Chris talks with one former and two current porn clerks about why sex shops continue to thrive in the Internet age.