Sex Love Psychedelics

Dr. Melissa Barker is an advocate for psychedelics + the improvement of protocols for complex PTSD. In this episode, you’ll hear our personal experiences with trauma, therapy + how psychedelics helped.  If you have a loved one experiencing the pain of trauma + sexual assault, perhaps this will provide the words they need to hear. In this episode, you’ll hear: The embodied practices that can support a trauma survivor How the word “trauma” can become an excuse to remain disempowered Pop psychology + the cultural blocks that get in the way of people being able to receive the help they need The Phoenix Project - A free community with resources for integration tips, self-healing topics + psychedelic integration The difference between PTSD + Complex-PTSD How psychedelics have the potential to transform our understanding of trauma processing Melissa’s personal experience with MDMA + ketamine for processing trauma Healing from narcissistic exes + cultivating internal safety Psilocybin is a tool to create a deeper relationship with the self Hypervigilance + processing the trauma after a breakup Taking responsibility for our healing and not outsourcing it to others Trauma survivors processing enmeshment and losing the sense of self Pearls of wisdom for trauma survivors to help understand themselves THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS “Trauma is not the monster in the room. Trauma is the catalyst to growth and inner transformation.” – Dr. Melissa Barker Dr. Melissa Barker, EdD is an entrepreneur, activist, and emerging voice in the growing psychedelics movement. Dr. Barker is the founder of The Phoenix Project, a community-led mental health tech platform created by survivors for survivors. Dr. Barker holds a doctorate in Transformative Leadership. Her doctoral dissertation (Leading Through the Dark: Hope and Healing after Personal and Collective Trauma) focuses on how trauma survivors are finding sustainable healing, especially in the shadow of the pandemic.  From 2018 to 2019, she served on the Board of Directors for STAND! For Families Free of Violence, a Bay-area nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic abuse. In 2014, Dr. Barker filed a Title IX Civil Rights case against UC Berkeley for mishandling sexual violence cases on the college campus. In total, 31 brave survivors came forward, and four years later, the Office of Civil Rights found UC Berkeley had violated Title IX. Dr. Barker’s personal experience of sexual violence and her resulting PTSD diagnosis led her to explore such modalities as somatic therapy, IFS, and mindfulness-based psychotherapy. She eventually discovered the incredible therapeutic power of psychedelics and began implementing them to integrate her trauma. Her experiences with ketamine, MDMA/MDA, psilocybin, and LSD (alongside her work helping other survivors) spurred her into a deeper understanding of what healing from sexual trauma, abuse and violence means for women, particularly in today’s current climate. She is now in the process of developing a new iteration of The Phoenix Project that utilizes revolutionary tech to support psychedelic integration for trauma survivors and to connect them with the community and resources they need. Dr. Barker has been featured in HuffPost, Forbes, Nasdaq, and as one of Thrive Global’s “Social Impact and Nonprofit Leaders to Watch”. She’s been interviewed on Third Wave and Only One in the Room podcasts. She was a featured Mentor on the psychedelics track at SXSW in 2023.   WANT MORE? Guide for vetting your psychedelic practitioner: ⁠https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/Vetting%20Your%20Guide Join me for an erotic couples retreat where you and your beloved explore the sacred arts of tantra and BDSM and unlock its synergistic power in the bedroom and beyond... Love + Leather: ⁠https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/LoveAndLeather

Whether you're in a non-monogamous relationship, or if you’re just curious, this episode is for you. Irene Morning, MS (she/her) is a somatic pleasure coach, intimacy educator, and bestselling author of The Polyamory Paradox: Finding Your Confidence in Consensual Non-Monogamy.  We get into the nuances of non-monogamous relating and how you can support yourself + your loves with compassion + care.   In this episode, you’ll hear: Creating security in non-monogamous relationships Irene’s inspiration and process for writing her book, The Polyamory Paradox Vetting non-monogamous therapists and support  Developmental trauma and non-traditional relationships Fawning; how to tell the difference between self-betrayal and leaning into an edge The Window of Tolerance, dysregulation + Examples of self resourcing Navigating New Relationship Energy - How to support the relationship at the beginning of another one Taking the right amount of responsibility - Not over and not under Regulating your nervous system to cultivate higher discernment  Leaning into vulnerability by expressing your requests + desires Relationships with your Partner’s metamour -- their partner -- kitchen table relationship Regular relationship check-ins to deepen the connection Irene even answers some questions directly from our audience: I feel pressured to be friends with my partner's partner, advice? Do “don’t ask, don’t tell” relationships work? THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS Irene Morning, MS (she/her) is a somatic pleasure coach, intimacy educator, and bestselling author of The Polyamory Paradox: Finding Your Confidence in Consensual Non-Monogamy. She weaves together extensive training in somatic healing and sexual health counseling with her lived experience of being queer, kinky, and polyamorous to help others create relationships that fulfill their unique desires and needs. In addition to her private coaching practice and writing, Irene is the founder and creator of Pleasure Coven (an ongoing group program for femmes reclaiming pleasure) as well as Vice President / Managing Director of Curiosity Bears (a sex-positive events community-based in Southern California). Both her work and personal life revolve around the belief that centering our own pleasure is not only healing on an individual level but also in service of interdependence and collective well-being. http://www.irenemorning.com Book (The Polyamory Paradox: Finding Your Confidence in Consensual Non-Monogamy): https://a.co/d/c3UE97J IG: https://www.instagram.com/irene_morning/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0KDzcIl2guF5m6vED8MPWg   WANT MORE? Join me for an erotic couples retreat where you and your beloved explore the sacred arts of tantra and BDSM and unlock its synergistic power in the bedroom and beyond... Love + Leather: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/LoveAndLeather

Indigenously trained shaman, CFA charterholder, + chief investment officer for a billion-dollar portfolio, Sylvia Benito joins me to connect the consciousness to capital. We dive into psychedelic tourism and some of the questions + considerations we need to have as we both build out psychedelic companies, but also change the relationships we have with money (and sex) for ourselves. ...It's juicy. You'll love it. In this episode you’ll hear:  The difference between an independent psychedelic experience and an experience within the retreat setting Beckley Retreats' comprehensive program for psychedelic-based wellbeing Benefits of psychedelic retreats & ceremonies versus taking yourself on your own journey Psychedelic tourism -growing trend as psychedelics hit the mainstream Retreats that are rooted in integrity - How to spot them? Prepping the psychedelic experience with proper consent Importance of the number of facilitators that can attend to you Support the individuals while balancing the cultural pressure to make more money Conscious capital + bringing in the shamanic path as inspiration for capital decisions Sylvia’s alternative investment paradigm + the role of psychedelics The future of wellness travel and conscious business Connection of financial and sexual empowerment + personal power The process of discernment + guidelines to attract safe sexual partners Ceremonial intimacy + deepened sexuality THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS Sylvia Benito connects consciousness to capital.  An indigenously trained shaman, a CFA charterholder, and Chief Investment Officer for a billion-dollar portfolio, Sylvia is known as a master of the energetic realm.  Her passion is to connect spiritual awakening to the most mundane aspects of life, to take these insights into the high-stakes boardroom and into everyday life.  Today she manages investments for family offices and continues to practice as a shaman, building bridges between the material and the mystical. https://www.sylviabenito.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sylvia__benito/  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Vetting Your Sex or Psychedelics Facilitator: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/Vetting%20Your%20Guide WANT MORE? If you’ve been desiring to experience orgasm for yourself, embody the archetype of the seductress, reach transcendent states in sex, + develop a deep devotion to your own body + inner landscape-- My 6 week Erotically Undone course is for you. Good sex + cultivating those skills takes time + devotion. Take this course at your own pace.  https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/EroticallyUndone

Microdosing. It’s hot. It’s trendy. You might hear that you neighbor or daughter started doing it. But what is it good for + how do we do it in the most effective way?  Paul Austin, one of the most prominent voices in the world of psychedelics joins me on the show to cover our microdosing foundations. Paul is the founder of Third Wave + author of Mastering Microdosing: How to Use Sub Perceptual Psychedelics to Heal Trauma, Improve Performance, and Transform Your Life. If you’re passionate about psychedelics, you’ll want to save this one, pause, play back, take notes, + leave me a sexy review. I just know it. In this episode you’ll hear:  Paul’s life work: Safe and effective psychedelic experiences Microdosing Collective - What exactly constitutes a microdose? Different protocols for microdosing  + microdosing beyond LSD + Psilocybin The benefits for following a microdosing protocol How to cultivate the skill of working with psychedelics  Common mistakes people make in doing this practice Non psychedelic contemplative modalities for ongoing spiritual hygiene Learning the language of psychedelics: Mythos, poetry, archetypes and symbols The importance of a trusted therapist, coach or community to help you integrate A look inside the Third Wave Coaching Training Program Psychedelic facilitators, coaches, therapists - Vetting process  Paul also answers questions for our Sex Love Yoga audience: Are there any herbs that amplify the psilocybin experience? I get a terrible stomach ache when I do mushrooms or acid, any tips? I love MDMA, but I feel depressed the two days after. Is there something that can support this? Links from the show: Sex Love Psychedelics Course: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/SexLovePsychedelics Sex + Psychedelics survey link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q9FDNM2 Guide for vetting your psychedelic practitioner: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/Vetting%20Your%20Guide Paul’s new book: https://summit.healthoptimisation.com/page/2272656/2023-tickets?promo=DRCAT THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS Paul F. Austin is one of the most prominent voices in the world of psychedelics.  As the founder of Third Wave, he has educated millions on the importance of safe and effective psychedelic experiences. A pioneer at the intersection of microdosing, personal transformation, and professional success, he has been featured in Forbes, Rolling Stone, and the BBC's Worklife.  Paul helps others use microdosing as a tool for professional development and increased self-awareness by treating the use of psychedelics as a skill refined through mentorship and courageous exploration. He is also the author of Mastering Microdosing: How to Use Sub Perceptual Psychedelics to Heal Trauma, Improve Performance, and Transform Your Life

Can you make your cock bigger naturally? That’s one of the questions Jackson Hightower and I get to answer in this new episode. Jackson Hightower is a biohacker and men’s sexual health expert + founder of Natural Jackson--providing natural solutions for men’s sexual vitality. But even more than that, we talk about the cultural pressure around what it means to be masculine, who gets to be it, + what changing levels of testosterone are affecting the health + functioning of men, and what we can do about it.   In this episode, you’ll hear: Male vitality depletion + low testosterone through environmental factors What constitutes and symptoms of low testosterone levels The role of Testosterone in mental + sexual Health The evolutionary standpoint of the gender spectrum Pharma versus DIY + natural solutions for men’s sexual health The somatic responses as a result of our unprocessed emotions Depressurizing the sexual experience + skill of pleasuring women Research of regional solutions for sexual function using plants + herbs Pressures in our culture around the genitalia, especially for men around the bigness of their cock “Growers” versus “showers” Can you make your cock bigger naturally? Non-ejaculatory practices to connect to your genitalia Porn and its negative side effects, both physiologically and as a poor teacher of skills Jackson even answers questions from our Sex Love Yoga audience I hate swallowing because it just tastes weird, anything my dude can eat or do to make that better? THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUEST Jackson Hightower is a biohacker and expert in men's sexual health who has dedicated his life to helping men become more physically vital and skilled lovers. With a focus on physical wellness coupled with a deep study of the erotic arts, Hightower aims to redefine traditional models of masculinity and promote a more holistic and fulfilling approach to male sexuality. Through his work, he helps men develop the physical and mental tools necessary to enhance their health and sexual experiences, build deeper connections with their partners, and achieve greater levels of personal fulfillment. With his cutting-edge techniques and holistic approach to sexual wellness, Jackson has helped countless men achieve greater physical and emotional satisfaction in their intimate lives. @getnaturaljackson on Tiktok + Instagram   PRODUCT BUSINESS Natural Jackson is a unique line of completely natural herbal supplements that are specially designed for modern men. The line is based on ancient formulas and provides a safe and effective way for men to enhance their sexual function or alleviate all types of sexual dysfunction. These supplements use the power of natural herbs to improve blood flow, increase libido, and enhance overall sexual performance. With Natural Jackson, men can experience the benefits of an all-natural supplement that is safe, effective, and free from harmful side effects. Whether you are looking to boost your sexual performance or overcome sexual dysfunction, Natural Jackson is the perfect solution to help you achieve your goals.   WANT MORE? My 4-week course for Sex Love Psychedelics: Ritual is NOW OPEN for enrollment.  Each class is LIVE as I guide you into a potent space for exploration + discovery. I will show you how you can transform sex from being something on your to-do list to being an experience for expansion both in your sex + self. We get into the pleasure mechanics around sex, how you can incorporate more playfulness in the bedroom, harm reduction practices for psychedelics, sexual rituals, + sensual journeys in sex.  So if you’ve been feeling that your sex life could be so much more, I agree. and I want to share this with you. ⁠⁠https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/SexLovePsychedelics

Nadine Lee, founder of Tantric Alchemy + the newly released book Sex Priestess is a badass + embodies the modern experience of the tantric life.  Where some of the ancient practices can feel far beyond us, or like we really need to be in an ashram or monk life to live out, Nadine shares about the integration of her inner experiences + the external happenings in a way that is beautiful + accessible. In this episode, you’ll hear: The vulnerable journey of launching Nadine’s new book: Sex Priestess Tantric path of being a sex priestess + integrating all aspects of ourselves The hero’s journey + the responsibility to share our story Identifying where we have resistance as a key for unlocking dormant parts of our own selves Archetypes and the use of elements as a tool for personal exploration  Spiritual lingo + finding our own truth rather than regurgitation Concept of conscious relationships - and the illusion that someone is conscious  Healing the father wound to find inner union How relationships can catalyze our personal work Getting caught up in “doing the work” and forgetting to live Sex with partners who are not on the tantric path - what is this like for you? Do you? The attraction towards particular humans for the alchemy of what they inspire + draw out of us -- for our personal growth THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS Nadine Lee is a teacher of the feminine tantric arts, feminine embodiment coach, devoted lover and sexual liberator. She is the founder of Tantric Alchemy, a platform and community devoted to supporting your rebirth into the woman you came here to be. She has helped thousands of women over the past 15 years to heal sexual trauma and ignite the erotic fire within, and to channel that creative force into their highest creative, feminine and sexual expression. She offers private mentorships, online programs and in-person workshops and retreats across the world. WANT MORE? My 4 week course for Sex Love Psychedelics: Ritual is NOW OPEN for enrollment. Each class is LIVE as I guide you into a potent space for exploration + discovery. I will show you how you can transform sex from being something on your to-do list, to being an experience for expansion both in your sex + self. We get into the pleasure mechanics around sex, how you can incorporate more playfulness in the bedroom, harm reduction practices for psychedelics, sexual rituals, + sensual journeys in sex.  So if you’ve been feeling that your sex life could be so much more, I agree. and I want to share this with you. https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/SexLovePsychedelics

What happens when someone takes psychedelics + they experience painful memories or an overload of emotion + thoughts that they aren’t equipped to handle by themselves? Lauren Taus, psychedelics assisted therapist, educator, advocate + founder of In-bodied life, joins me to dive into the relationship of psychedelics + trauma.  We get deep into some conversations about how psychedelics effect on our brain + body, which substances do we see as having a greater effect in working with trauma, what resources help support someone going through the healing work + much more.  In this episode, you’ll hear: The clinical perspective on “trauma” - (What happens to a person after the happening) Layers + variations of forms of trauma that exist (Individual, generational + systemic) How psychedelics heal trauma stored in the body The impact of psychedelics on our nervous system Navigating “bad trips” + reframing to ultimately be generative for our growth The potency of preparation, supportive relationships + love How can someone support themselves when trauma spontaneously resurfaces? What does integration look like for individuals who experience new memories or traumas unlocked by the psychedelics?  Spiritually bypassing versus doing “the work” from a spiritual lens Honoring our traditions, ritual + ceremony from a place of authenticity  Navigating the cultural appropriation of indigenous practices + healing our ancestral shame Systemic trauma for the communities of color + how to become stronger allies THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS Lauren Taus is a psychedelic assisted therapist, educator and activist. Lauren is the Founder of INbodied Life, the co-Founder of the Psychedelic Coalition for Health, and a clinical advisor to Journey Clinical. Lauren runs a small group, psychotherapy practice in Los Angeles and leads immersive, experiential trainings for providers to learn psychedelic assisted therapy and integration. Lauren’s deepest wish is to see wake people up to the wonders of life, and in doing so, create more systems change agents. Personal liberation supports the needed collective shift.  Training.INbodiedlife.com @lauren.taus  @inbodiedlifetherapy  @psychedeliccoalitionforhealth In just a couple of weeks I will be opening enrollment for my 4 week course for sex love psychedelics: ritual. Each class is LIVE as I guide you into a potent space for exploration + discovery. I will show you how you can transform sex from being something on your to-do list, to being an experience for expansion both in your sex + self. We get into the pleasure mechanics around sex, how you can incorporate more playfulness in the bedroom, harm reduction practices for psychedelics, sexual rituals, + sensual journeys in sex.  So if you’ve been feeling that your sex life could be so much more, I agree. and I want to share this with you. https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/SexLovePsychedelics

Board certified naturopathic endocrinologist, trained clinical sexologist and author of the new book “Is This Normal?” Dr. Jolene Brighten joins me to breakdown all the complex questions that come with sex, hormones and PMS. You’ll hear Dr. Jolene addresses some of what our culture has adopted as normal + the underlying hormone imbalances that may be causing it. We even get into the issue of vaginal dryness, what causes it + how we can support our bodies' natural production again. In this episode, you’ll hear: Laughter’s role in activating the vagus nerve The connection between the nervous system, sexual desire + hormone health Generational trauma's influence on our cortisol levels and PMS symptoms “Normal” symptoms of PMS + symptoms that would suggest there’s an imbalance Signs that our hormones are “not normal” Cycle tracking and optimizing your menstrual period The lifestyle factors to promote optimal hormone health - Eat, Play, Sex The impact of endocrine disruptors on our hormones A look inside of Jolene’s book, “Is This Normal” How sex changes for women throughout their cycle How do you know if we have an autoimmune disease? How does autoimmune disease relate to sexual desire? Can orgasms strengthen our immune system? Vaginal dryness and the science of lubrication THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS Dr. Jolene Brighten NMD, is a hormone expert, nutrition scientist, and thought leader in women’s medicine. She is board certified in naturopathic endocrinology and trained in clinical sexology. Dr. Brighten is the author of Is This Normal, a non-judgemental guide to creating hormone balance, eliminating unwanted symptoms, and building the sexual desire you crave. A fierce patient advocate and completely dedicated to uncovering the root cause of hormonal imbalances, Dr. Brighten empowers women worldwide to take control of their health and their hormones through her website and social medical channels. Dr. Brighten is an international speaker, clinical educator, and medical advisor within the tech community. https://drbrighten.com/ Book Bonuses Gifts: https://drbrighten.com/is-this-normal/ Dr. Brighten’s website: www.drbrighten.com Dr. Brighten’s social handles on Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube are @drjolenebrighten WANT MORE? Sex Love Psychedelics Course: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/SexLovePsychedelics Couples Retreat: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/LoveAndLeather

Professional dominatrix Colette Pervette joins me to look at BDSM as a microcosm of the macro culture + our lives, and how you can find transformation with the intentional embracing of power roles, toys, tools, scenes--whether that’s with a partner or with a professional dom. I’ve brought many experts on to talk about BDSM, but this episode is hands down my favorite. Probably because Colette has such a brilliant + academically inclined mind, as well as, someone who is deeply devoted to spirituality + alchemy. In this episode, you’ll hear: Colette’s journey of accessing her power through softness + quietness Self-conscious submissives and sub-conscious dominants Ways to integrate powerplay beyond the confines of the bedroom How you can start becoming the top or dominant in your life Weaving spirituality, symbolism + alchemy in a BDSM practice How a professional dominatrix designings scenes for clients Can BDSM re-traumatize wounds? Can BDSM heal deep wounds? Dispelling the misconceptions of submissives being "weak" or "powerless" Steps for couples to explore BDSM and play When do you hire a pro-domme to facilitate the scene? Qualities to look for or be cautious of when vetting a professional dom or dominatrix Challenges that come from being a public-facing figure teaching taboo topics Recommended books for learning more about powerplay and transcendence Learn from Dr. Cat and Colette in their upcoming couples retreat, Love + Leather She even answers some questions from our audience: How has your play evolved over the years? Have your desires changed? I feel I have a part of me that is dom, but I lack confidence. How do I explore more? THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS Colette is an educatrix. She is a professional dominatrix, where she has been practicing the art of intimacy and power exchange for over 18 years. She holds a PhD in Education from UC Berkeley, where her research focuses on misconceptions and conceptual change. Through her teaching and writing, Colette dispels misconceptions about kink, sexwork, and alternative sexuality. She leads an online course, MistressClass, where she teaches aspiring Dommes a he(art)tistic approach to Female Domination. WANT MORE? Sex Love Psychedelics Course: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/SexLovePsychedelics Couples Retreat: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/LoveAndLeather BOOKS MENTIONED: Radical Ecstasy Existential Kink The Loving Dominant The Topping Book, The Bottoming Book Playing Well With Others The Dominance Playbook

 Sex isn’t as straightforward as we might put pressure on ourselves to believe. Great sex takes time in demystifying + reconstructing concepts, narratives, + skills. Court Vox is a Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach Surrogate Partner Intern and Sacred Intimate based coach. He’s the Founder of The Body Vox and Co-Founder of SQUIRM. Court works with individuals from all genders with somatics, teaching them to come back to the relationship with the body to understand the internal cues that make or break our experience. Like Damn, this conversation hit some nuances that might be what's affecting your sex life and you didn’t even know it. In this episode, you’ll hear: How to incorporate playfulness into your erotic states Approaching sex for many different reasons... “What do you want to feel in this experience?” Attuning yourself to the body’s knowing - Discerning fear vs excitement Implied consent and direct consent, the discrepancy between mind and body Erotic endurance + multiple-hour erotic experiences Redefining orgasm, peak arousal, and ejaculation Edging, peaking, and pleasure potentials Does sex have to require a lot of energy? Redefining sex Unconscious power dynamics in sex Erotic games to play in the bedroom Court’s journey of consciously exploring his shadow Vulnerable experiences from Dr. Cat’s personal love life--lucky you Questions from our audience: My partner had an episiotomy… At times we struggle to feel each other during sex, advice? Healthiest condoms for women who experience UTIs? THE SKINNY ON OUR SEXY GUESTS Court Vox is a Certified Sex & Intimacy Coach Surrogate Partner Intern, and Sacred Intimate based in Los Angeles CA. He is a member of the World Association of Sex Coaches, Founder of The Body Vox, and Co-Founder of SQUIRM. He is a guide for a vast spectrum of individuals and those in relationship/s seeking more in their erotic and intimate lives.  When it comes to human connection and sexuality, some are beginning their journey while others have been pursuing erotic education and experiences for years.  Court works gently with first-timers, as well as offers uncommon experiences to some of the world's most well-known sex educators and change-makers across multiple fields and disciplines. Court has become known for offering private, highly customized, exclusive experiences and travels extensively hosting and teaching workshops for all bodies, genders, and orientations. Court is also part of an elite team of sex educators that create the celebrated program for women,  Back to the Body, which runs retreats all across the globe. Website: www.thebodyvox.com Sacred Mens Retreat: https://thebodyvox.com/sacred%3A-5-day-retreat WANT MORE? Sex Love Psychedelics Course: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/SexLovePsychedelics Sex + Psychedelics survey link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q9FDNM2 Guide for vetting your psychedelic practitioner: https://learn.sexloveyoga.com/Vetting%20Your%20Guide