

Modern Anarchy
Nicole Thompson, M.A.
Modern Anarchy is your weekly invitation to reclaim pleasure, sex, and desire as radical acts of liberation. Hosted by queer psychotherapist and researcher Nicole, an academic voice on non-monogamy and embodied pleasure with advanced training in psychedelic integration therapy, the show explores intimacy, erotic sovereignty, and healing through raw conversations with pleasure activists, artists, therapists, and rebels from around the world. Are you ready to dive in?
Learn more: www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Learn more: www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 8, 2023 • 1h 21min
133. Mystical Drug Experiences, Connection, and Existentialism With Dr. Nick Beller
On today's episode, we have psychologist Dr. Nick Beller (He/Him) join us for a conversation exploring our relationship to drugs. Together we talk about navigating the moral gatekeeping of systems, how drugs can provide connection, and the importance of engaged presence.
If you enjoyed today's podcast, then please subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend! To learn more, head over to the website www.modernanarchypodcast.com
And if you want to connect deeper with the Modern Anarchy Family, then join the movement by becoming a part of the conscious objectors patreon. Your support is what powers this work and the larger societal change we are creating! Let's continue to challenge our assumptions and grow together. Join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Transcript : https://www.modernanarchypodcast.com/post/133-mystical-drug-experiences-connection-and-existentialism-with-dr-nick-beller
Intro and Outro Song: Wild Wild Woman by Your Smith
Modern Anarchy Community:
Website : www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/modernanarchypodcast
Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Nick's Community:
Nick Beller, PsyD, CADC, is a doctor of clinical psychology discussing the importance of challenging systems in higher education and in American healthcare.
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-beller-ma-cadc/
Resources to Learn More:
Falling In Love Hits The Brain Like Cocaine Does : https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/205973#1
Suicides in the U.S. reached all-time high : https://www.nbcnews.com/health/mental-health/cdc-data-finds-suicides-reached-time-high-2022-rcna99327
Rat Park : https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong/transcript
The Hero's Journey : https://www.ted.com/talks/matthew_winkler_what_makes_a_hero?language=en
Play, Pain and Religion : https://www.equinoxpub.com/home/play-pain/

Nov 1, 2023 • 1h 10min
132. Creating New Patterns of Pleasure: Sex, Relationships, and Psychedelics with Juliana Rose
On today's episode, we have somatic sex educator and psychedelic integration coach Juliana Rose (She/Her) join us for a conversation about the embodied experience of pleasure. Together we talk about being tangled in the web of early childhood patterning, creating a space for pleasure to land, and co-creating with psychedelic medicines.
If you enjoyed today's podcast, then please subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend! To learn more, head over to the website www.modernanarchypodcast.com
And if you want to connect deeper with the Modern Anarchy Family, then join the movement by becoming a part of the conscious objectors patreon. Your support is what powers this work and the larger societal change we are creating! Let's continue to challenge our assumptions and grow together. Join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Transcript: https://www.modernanarchypodcast.com/post/132-creating-new-patterns-of-pleasure-sex-relationships-and-psychedelics-with-juliana-rose
Intro and Outro Song: Wild Wild Woman by Your Smith
Modern Anarchy Community:
Website : www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/modernanarchypodcast
Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Juliana's Community:
Website : https://www.boldlyembodied.com/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/boldlyembodied/
Pleasure Journal : https://mailchi.mp/03fb2d309c9f/bwl4ihcqnj

Oct 25, 2023 • 1h 9min
131. Coming Home to Our Sensual Embodiment and Open Hearts with Sarah White
On today's episode, we have pleasure rebel Sarah White (She/Her) join us for a conversation exploring the activism of connecting with our bodies. Together we talk about playing with alchemy, getting curious about our discomfort, and creating a new world.
If you enjoyed today's podcast, then please subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend! To learn more, head over to the website www.modernanarchypodcast.com
And if you want to connect deeper with the Modern Anarchy Family, then join the movement by becoming a part of the conscious objectors patreon. Your support is what powers this work and the larger societal change we are creating! Let's continue to challenge our assumptions and grow together. Join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Intro and Outro Song: Wild Wild Woman by Your Smith
Modern Anarchy Community:
Website : www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/modernanarchypodcast
Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Sarah's Community:
Sarah White is an artist and mother who finds the revolution in birthed within connection to the nervous system, land, sensuality, and mindfulness.
Website : www.neonsoul.co
Personal Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/aquariussunvenus/
Studio for Healing Arts : https://www.instagram.com/nuneurostudio/
Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3CAKOR-4W0

Oct 18, 2023 • 1h 36min
130. Relationship Anarchy vs. Libertarianism: Beyond the Status Quo with Mel Cassidy
On today's episode, we have Mel Cassidy (They/Them) join us for a conversation about creating a world beyond the status quo of relationships. Together we talk building your relational garden, tuning into the wisdom of our bodies, and finding secure attachment in community.
RELATIONSHIP ANARCHY RESEARCH : https://www.modernanarchypodcast.com/relationshipanarchy
If you enjoyed today's podcast, then please subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend! To learn more, head over to the website www.modernanarchypodcast.com
And if you want to connect deeper with the Modern Anarchy Family, then join the movement by becoming a part of the conscious objectors patreon. Your support is what powers this work and the larger societal change we are creating! Let's continue to challenge our assumptions and grow together. Join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Intro and Outro Song: Wild Wild Woman by Your Smith
Modern Anarchy Community:
Website : www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/modernanarchypodcast
Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Mel's Community:
Mel is relationship coach and sex-positive nerd who works with queer and questioning people — and those who love them, and is a relationship anarchist who practices Solo Polyamory!
Website : https://radicalrelationshipcoaching.ca/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/radicalrelating/
Monogamy Detox : www.monogamydetox.com
Resources to Learn More:
Normal marital hatred is real. Here’s what to do about it. : https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/09/23/marriage-relationships-conflict/
What is Learned Helplessness? | Kati Morton : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA9VEsR2SFg
Dr. Ayesha Khan : https://www.ayesha-khan.com/

Oct 11, 2023 • 1h 18min
129. Deep Sex-Positivity for the Political Liberation of Our Pleasure with Dr. Carol Queen
On today's episode we have pleasure activist and cultural sexologist Dr. Carol Queen, Ph.D (She/They) join us for a conversation about embracing the diverse world of sexuality and relationships. Together we talk about how the values of anarchism intersects with our pleasure, pop sex-positivity vs deep sex-positivity, and how we need to work both within and against the systems.
If you enjoyed today's podcast, then please subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend! To learn more, head over to the website www.modernanarchypodcast.com
And if you want to connect deeper with the Modern Anarchy Family, then join the movement by becoming a part of the conscious objectors patreon. Your support is what powers this work and the larger societal change we are creating! Let's continue to challenge our assumptions and grow together. Join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Intro and Outro Song: Wild Wild Woman by Your Smith
Modern Anarchy Community:
Website : www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/modernanarchypodcast
Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Carol's Community:
Carol Queen PhD is a writer, cultural sexologist, theorist of deep sex-positivity, Good Vibrations Staff Sexologist, and the co-founder and director of the Center for Sex & Culture in San Francisco.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carolqueen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolqueenphd/
FB public page: https://www.facebook.com/carolqueenauthor
Website: www.carolqueen.com
Good Vibrations : https://www.goodvibes.com/content/c/good-vibrations-sexologist-carol-queen
Resources to Learn More:
BDSM Versus the DSM : https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/01/bdsm-versus-the-dsm/384138/
BDSM related fantasies were found to be common (40-70%) in both males and females, while about 20% reported engaging in BDSM: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2019.1665619#:~:text=BDSM%20related%20fantasies%20were%20found,20%25%20reported%20engaging%20in%20BDSM.
Exhibitionism for the Shy : https://bookshop.org/a/88413/9780940208353
Go the Way Your Blood Beats: On Truth, Bisexuality and Desire : https://bookshop.org/a/88413/9781910924716

Oct 4, 2023 • 1h 16min
128. What's Your Cage?: Drug Use Pleasure Enhancement and Harm Reduction with Irina Alexander
On today's episode, we have harm-reduction therapist and co-founder of Alchemy Community Therapy Center, Irina Alexander (She/Her), join us for a conversation about the need to deconstruct the messaging we have been sold about drugs and step into a research-backed understanding. Together we talk about how larger systems impact our drug use, the importance of community connection, and coming out of the psychedelic closet.
If you enjoyed today's podcast, then please subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend! To learn more, head over to the website www.modernanarchypodcast.com
And if you want to connect deeper with the Modern Anarchy Family, then join the movement by becoming a part of the conscious objectors patreon. Your support is what powers this work and the larger societal change we are creating! Let's continue to challenge our assumptions and grow together. Join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Intro and Outro Song: Wild Wild Woman by Your Smith
Modern Anarchy Community:
Website : www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/modernanarchypodcast
Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Irina's Community:
Irina is a co-founder and Clinical Director of Alchemy Community Therapy Center (alchemytherapy.org), a sliding scale psychedelic therapy clinic in Oakland, as well as a street-based harm reduction therapist with the Harm Reduction Therapy Center in San Francisco. Irina has a long history in direct service work, and believes in the healing capacity of showing up for each other, individually and as a community. She feels passionate about making psychedelic healing services more equitable and accessible to underserved communities. Irina has volunteered for several years as a supervisor with the Zendo Project, and is currently also working as an Adherence Rater for MDMA Clinical Trials.
Ketamine Therapy Provider Training : https://www.alchemytherapy.org/licensedtraining
Alchemy Community Therapy Center: https://www.alchemytherapy.org/
Resources to Learn More:
Sana Healing Collective : https://sanahealingcollective.org/
Rat Park : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY9DcIMGxMs&t=14s
Drug Decriminalization in Portugal : https://fherehab.com/news/portugal-lowest-drug-rate#:~:text=Portugal%3A%20The%20Country%20with%20the%20Lowest%20Drug%20Overdose%20Rates
Dr. Carl Hart : https://bookshop.org/a/88413/9781101981665
Stages of Change : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVyhhMzWkiU
Motivational Interviewing : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iBPeZjjuYU

Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 6min
127. Every Breath Can Be an Orgasm: Intimacy, Social Justice, and Somatics with Caffyn Jesse
On today's episode, we have queer elder and sacred intimacy teacher, Caffyn Jesse (They/She) join us for a conversation about the power of ecstasy practices. Together we talk about loving all of our parts, our limited understanding of orgasm, and refusing the regime of normal with fierce outrage.
If you enjoyed today's podcast, then please subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend! To learn more, head over to the website www.modernanarchypodcast.com
And if you want to connect deeper with the Modern Anarchy Family, then join the movement by becoming a part of the conscious objectors patreon. Your support is what powers this work and the larger societal change we are creating! Let's continue to challenge our assumptions and grow together. Join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Intro and Outro Song: Wild Wild Woman by Your Smith
Modern Anarchy Community:
Website : www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/modernanarchypodcast
Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Caffyn's Community:
Caffyn Jesse is a queer elder, sacred intimate, teacher and writer who revels in the power and pleasures of the erotic.
Intimacy Educator : https://intimacy-institute.teachable.com/p/intimacyeducator
Resources to Learn More:
Internal Family Systems : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdZZ7sTX840
Window of Tolerance : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNVlppGz0zM

Sep 20, 2023 • 1h 27min
126. Navigating the Risks of Kink and Edge Play with Dr. Elisbeth Sheff
On today's episode, we have sociologist Dr. Elisabeth Sheff (She/Her) join us for a harm-reduction and pleasure-enhancement conversation for navigating the risks of kink. Together we talk about the needed for explicit and evolving consent conversations, learning through community best practices, and when kinky sex goes wrong.
If you enjoyed today's podcast, then please subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend! To learn more, head over to the website www.modernanarchypodcast.com
And if you want to connect deeper with the Modern Anarchy Family, then join the movement by becoming a part of the conscious objectors patreon. Your support is what powers this work and the larger societal change we are creating! Let's continue to challenge our assumptions and grow together. Join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Intro and Outro Song: Wild Wild Woman by Your Smith
Modern Anarchy Community:
Website : www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/modernanarchypodcast
Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Dr. Elisabeth Sheff's Community:
Dr. Elisabeth "Eli" Sheff is the foremost academic expert on children in polyamorous families and specializes in sex and gender minorities in her research, expert witness, and relationship coaching practices.
Website : https://elisabethsheff.com/
Blog : https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-polyamorists-next-door
Bonding Project : https://www.bondingproject.com/
Resources to Learn More:
No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health : https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health
Alex Honnold : https://films.nationalgeographic.com/free-solo
MDMA- Therapy : https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02565-4
National Coalition for Sexual Freedom : https://ncsfreedom.org/
Who Was the Marquis de Sade? : https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/who-was-marquis-de-sade-180953980/
BDSM related fantasies were found to be common (40-70%) in both males and females : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2019.1665619#:~:text=BDSM%20related%20fantasies%20were%20found,20%25%20reported%20engaging%20in%20BDSM.
69% of the general population had fantasies about BDSM-related activities : https://academic.oup.com/smoa/article/7/2/129/6956474

Sep 13, 2023 • 1h 24min
125. Unpacking the Political Nature of Relationship Anarchy and Non-Monogamy with Michelle Hy
On today's episode we have Michelle Hy (She/Her) join us for a conversation all about how larger systems impact our ability to love. Together we talk about how the personal is political, growing in relationships, and being turned on by the revolution.
RELATIONSHIP ANARCHY RESEARCH : https://www.modernanarchypodcast.com/relationshipanarchy
If you enjoyed today's podcast, then please subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend! To learn more about Modern Anarchy, head over to the website https://www.modernanarchypodcast.com
And if you want to connect deeper with the Modern Anarchy Family, then join the movement by becoming a part of the conscious objectors patreon. Your support is what keeps this podcast free and sustainable. You'll also access private posts about Nicole's research, a community discord, and behind the scenes content. Join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Intro and Outro Song: Wild Wild Woman by Your Smith
Modern Anarchy Community:
Website : https://www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Pleasure Practice: https://www.modernanarchypodcast.com/pleasure-practice
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/modernanarchypodcast
Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Michelle's Community:
Michelle Hy is from Portland, Oregon and runs the page Polyamorous While Asian, which seeks to normalize non-monogamy and share her experiences through an intersectional lens.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polyamorouswhileasian/
Website: https://polyamorouswhileasian.com/
Resources to Learn More:
Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships : https://bookshop.org/a/88413/9780061707810
The short instructional manifesto for relationship anarchy : https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/andie-nordgren-the-short-instructional-manifesto-for-relationship-anarchy
The Relationship Escalator : https://bookshop.org/a/88413/9780998647012
Study finds that fear can travel quickly through generations of mice DNA : https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/study-finds-that-fear-can-travel-quickly-through-generations-of-mice-dna/2013/12/07/94dc97f2-5e8e-11e3-bc56-c6ca94801fac_story.html
Our children and grandchildren are shaped by the genes they inherit from us, but new research is revealing that experiences of hardship or violence can leave their mark too. : https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190326-what-is-epigenetics#:~:text=This%20sensitivity%20to%20cherry%20blossom,sensing%20the%20cherry%20blossom%20scent.

Sep 6, 2023 • 1h 20min
124. Play as Rebellion: Eco Sexuality, Kink Healing, and Somatic Connection with Elmo Painter-Edington
On today's episode, we have somatic therapist and relationship coach, Elmo Painter-Edington (she/her/fae/femme) join us for a conversation about the power of play. Together we talk about letting your weird light shine, listening to our bodies, bringing more absurdity in our lives, and sensually thriving.
If you enjoyed today's podcast, then please subscribe, leave a review, or share this podcast with a friend! To learn more about Modern Anarchy, head over to the website https://www.modernanarchypodcast.com
And if you want to connect deeper with the Modern Anarchy Family, then join the movement by becoming a part of the conscious objectors patreon. Your support is what keeps this podcast free and sustainable. You'll also access private posts about Nicole's research, a community discord, and behind the scenes content. Join the community here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Intro and Outro Song: Wild Wild Woman by Your Smith
Modern Anarchy Community:
Website : https://www.modernanarchypodcast.com
Pleasure Practice: https://www.modernanarchypodcast.com/pleasure-practice
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/modernanarchypodcast
Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/user?u=54121384
Elmo's Community:
Elmo Painter-Edington is a Somatic Therapist, Empowerment Coach, and Life Artist whose role is to grant supportive space for people to be exactly who they are, and to remind people of their unique brilliance, no matter how flawed they feel inside.
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/weirdlight_coaching/
Website : https://www.weirdlightcoaching.com/
Resources to Learn More:
YouGov Data : https://today.yougov.com/topics/society/articles-reports/2020/01/31/millennials-monogamy-poly-poll-survey-data
Sexual Desire and Relationship Duration in Young Men and Women : https://sci-hub.ru/10.1080/0092623x.2011.569637
The Heteronormativity Theory of Low Sexual Desire in Women Partnered with Men : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8382213/
Play, Pain, and Religion : https://bookshop.org/a/88413/9781800500297
Polysecure : https://bookshop.org/a/88413/9781944934989
Female sexual function varies over time and is dependent on partner-specific factors: a population-based longitudinal analysis of six sexual function domains : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27766993/
Long-term relationships may reduce women's sex drive : https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314181
Women get bored with sex in long term relationships : https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/02/women-get-bored-sex-long-term-relationships/582736/
Flower Video : https://www.instagram.com/p/CtfUYUaABD0/