Becoming Wilkinson

LUI GERVAIS is the author of "The Nipple Whisperer and other erotic epiphanies". Here is the review that I wrote after reading his book:     "When Paul, my Seattle friend called and told me that he received Lui's new book, I immediately ordered a copy. I was familiar with Lui from some past experiences with him. Notably, he offered a portion of the material in this book to a group of men who gathered for a workshop at my place in Palm Springs pre-covid.     The workshop was only a few hours but I definitely "felt" what he was showing and teaching us at that time. I was excited to get the book because information from workshops (no matter how good they may have been) fades over time. And the book did not disappoint, because it fleshed out a lot more than he was able to present in those few hours, years ago.     I started reading and literally did not stop until I finished the book. To me, when I'm reading a book for the first time, I have to ask myself how many times I was prompted to grab my yellow pen and mark things that I wanted to remember. It's a good way to be able to go back and think a little deeper about something after that first "BAM"! as I'm reading the book. And trust me, I used a lot of yellow ink on this book!     A few of the lines in the book state "Nipple whispering itself is a form of intimate listening. It is a sensual communication of touch and sound born from the ecstasy of a thousand men". (Page 6). This book talks about a LOT more than merely how to connect and incorporate the nipples in one's intimate experiences. It encompasses the whole man, the whole couple and the whole experience. And as the lines quoted above reveal, it also connects the reader to the men who have lived and experienced their lives before us. Feeling grounded in that way felt really great!     As an English Literature major, I was constantly struck by the poetic beauty and flow in so many lines in this book. And I think that is also a reflection of what Lui is presenting here: As men, that we open up and let the poetic/energetic/spiritual flow happen IN US- in all aspects of the sexual-spiritual experience- connecting within ourselves and with any potential partner.     It's an easy read and I highly recommend it".FROM LUI IN HIS OWN WORDS: My Work"The Nipple Whisperer began as a blog more than ten years ago. Over the years of teaching and sharing sacred intimacy, I created and compiled these tools and exercises. As they piled up, it became clear I was writing a book but it took many years and the encouragement of friends and colleagues to bring it to life".  "I am not a prolific writer. I don’t really see myself as a writer at all but as a mover, lover and artist who feels occasionally compelled to capture his ideas in words. The real mastery of my work remains in the body. In movement, touch, sound. Intimacy, sensuality and sexuality. As these embodied pleasures are impossible to transfer through a digital format, these words will have to do until we can be together in person".LINKS:http://TheNippleWhisperer.comhttp://MenBodiedInstitute.orgBuy the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Nipple-Whisperer-other-erotic-epiphanies/dp/0578388715/Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Dr. Jallen Rix"Sex educator, author and activist Jallen Rix holds a Doctorate of Education in Sexology from Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco, where he later taught as  a Professor. He maintains a private practice in Palm Springs CA, which includes personal consulting, sacred intimacy work, and surrogate-style partner experiences. He has appeared on talk shows, like Our America with Lisa Ling on Oprah’s OWN Channel, and ABC’s News Magazine 20/20.He is a leading expert on the damaging effects of ex-gay  ministries and so-call “reparative therapy.” His book, Ex-Gay No Way: Survival and Recovery from Religious Abuse, was nominated as best non-fiction books of 2010 by the Lambda Literary Foundation. His film, Lewd & Lascivious: The 1965 Police Raid on California Hall  premiered to sold out crowds at Frameline 2013, San Francisco’s LGBTQ film festival, and won the AASECT Media Award for 2014. During 2015 and 2016 his solo-performance piece touring up and down the US West Coast, called, Stake In The Ground: Celebrating the Intersection of Self-pleasuring and Self-compassion".Contact Jallen Rix:  https://doctorrix.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

From the Prologue to Jill's book:"In a million years I could not have predicted that I would become the Dancing Queen of Palm Springs.  I could never have foreseen my growth and evolution into someone who the Gay Community would come to love and respect.  I did not know that I had so much in common with gay men, yet I do. It still amazes me that it is through my Dancing that we have all come together.  It is my hope that by reading about my journey, you may gain some insights into your own lives and perhaps recognize some of your own patterns as well".Check out Jill's book How I Became the Dancing Queen of Palm Springs:https://www.amazon.com/became-Dancing-Queen-Palm-Springs/dp/1983540854/refFind Jill on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jill.langhamPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Barry Schoenfeld is the creator of the California Community of Men.Barry Schoenfeld founded and runs Clear Vision Partners, an independent marketing consultancy, based in Palm Springs.  Before moving to Palm Springs in 2014, he held several executive roles in advertising agencies in New York and Los Angeles.In 2012, he founded The California Community of Men ("CalComMen"), a global mens' community of over 10,000 men-who-love-men, who goal is to provide drug, alcohol, smoke and electronics free spaces for men to engage & connect more genuinely and more authentically. In addition, he teaches online at seven universities across the country, on subjects ranging from opera to archeology to travel.He lives with his husband Ron, of 15 years."The California Community of Men is a unique community of heart-centered, passionate and caring men, 18-90+ of all colors of the rainbow, faith traditions, sizes, shapes & abilities, who create spiritual & social events, personal growth workshops, and our unique, joy-filled weekends we call "Community Camp," without formal committees, officers or bylaws. Our goal is to build a radically diverse & inclusive community of men-who-love-men, the likes of which is rarely seen in Southern California.  We align ourselves with some of the values, beliefs and consciousness of the Northern California Billys, and the Radical Faeries. CalComMen is the only mens community in SoCal that reachs out to, and warmly welcomes ALL men-who-love-men (gay, bi, trans, queer, cis & straight).  We are also the only men's community that is drug, alcohol, smoke and electronics-free, so that we can connect and engage in new and more meaningful ways, with far fewer distractions".CalComMen web site:  https://www.calcommen.comFacebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/CalComMenPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

She's Iranian and she's opinionated.  After I interviewed Ideene for the last podcast episode, she insisted on switching mics and put me in the hot seat so she could interview me.  Here's the result.Here's the link to Wilkinson's Vacation room rentals for males at his "Palm Springs Interlude":  https://www.airbnb.com/users/251586484/listingsPhoto credit:  Selfie of us by Ideene DehdashtiOpening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

While living in Seattle, I became a couchsurfing super host.  Over a few years, I hosted over 650 (primarily International) travelers in my home.  Lifelong friendships were formed with many of these folks, and not a few have subsequently visited me here at my place in Palm Springs.  Ideene Dehdashti and her former boyfriend James are two such people. She and I chatted on one of her recent visits.  This is one of my most light-hearted episodes, and we had fun recording it.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

LARRY DEAN HARRISLarry Dean Harris is a storyteller, playwright, producer and founder of Strong Words. He’s performed stories in LA, Chicago, his hometown Toledo, New York City and Palm Springs. As a playwright, he’s earned New York Outer Critics Circle Award, Ovation Award, GLAAD and LA Weekly Theatre Award nominations. Larry sits on the Council of the Dramatists Guild of America and teaches storytelling and performance with fellow Strong Words producer Marlene Nichols.For more information on Strong Words events:   https://strongwordslive.comPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

How would you feel in this scenario?  You're  a twenty year old, and you  receive a phone call at work from the local hospital, coldly telling you that you are HIV positive and that you need to "Get your papers" in order because you only have 6-12 months to live?  That was FORTY years ago. Listen to Michael Sartori's amazing story...Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Just in time to wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month!Robert Aerts is a Licensed Marriage and Family  Therapist.   He owns and operates his own practice called Aerts Family Counseling in Apple Valley, CA.   Robert is a husband, father and grandfather.  Robert graduated from Cal Baptist University with his Masters in Counseling Psychology and  has worked for public service for over 30 years.  He has worked with the Aging and Adult population as well as school aged children from elementary to high school.   Robert presented at the annual Models of Pride in Los Angeles sharing his story of his coming out.   Currently he is working with adults on a individual basis.   His desire is to bring awareness to his community about LGBTQ  and the struggles that some may face in their journey.    He can be reached at Robert AertsLMFT@gmail.com.   His Instagram is: @aerts_family_counselingPhoto: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com

Carl is 74 and Michael is 40.  They've been together now for twenty years.  We discuss how that's worked out in this May-December romance, partnership and marriage.Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2022Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.To contact Wilkinson- email him at BecomingWilkinson@gmail.com