Rope Podcast

Fox and Mya discuss the concept of ‘failure’ in rope, its origin, and most importantly how we can either mitigate it, or even not create a situation where you might feel it in the first place. They share some of their own vulnerable feelings of failure and how they managed them together. They also discuss: * What do we mean by failure in rope * Where do our feelings of failure come from externally and internally * Comparisonitis * How communication between top and bottom impacts feelings of failure * Injury and safewords and how they relate to feelings of failure * Top and bottom examples of ‘failure’ * Aftercare after ‘failure’ * How to avoid feeling that you’ve failed in rope from the start * The transferable skills from handling failure rope that you can use in the default world They hope this episode is helpful to removing any feelings of failure you’ve experienced while doing wonderful rope. Have fun tying! NB: This isn’t including the sort of failure incited via consensual emotional sado-masochism

@EbiBex is a a queer, masochistic bottom who (along with her partner @DWL), participates and teaches at national and international events. In this discussion that covers edgeplay and some intense BDSM experiences and kinks, Fox and Mya discuss with EbiBex the concept of emotional sadomasochism, and what it might look like when played with in rope. EbiBex really shared so much of herself in personal approach to this vulnerable topic, and Fox and Mya appreciated her contribution a great deal, and hope you enjoy her lively exploration of this sensitive area. The discussion also covers: ◦ EbiBex’s journey into rope ◦ How the wider rope scene has changed, especially for rope bottoms, even in the six or so years she’s been in it ◦ Definitions and examples in rope of terms such as degradation, humiliation, objectification and shame ◦ How to negotiate for this kind of play, and discussion of risk profiles and safety ◦ The idea of ‘rope cuckholding’ ◦ The differences for her between this and Non emo rope scenes ◦ Her views on subspace and the pressure the concept puts on scenes ◦ Her recommendations if you want to start exploring emotional sadomasochism with your rope

Fox and Mya discuss the rope concept of Microbondage - tying up smaller body parts, with small diameter ‘rope’. They discuss in the episode: * What parts of the body you might want to tie * Different reasons that tops and bottoms might be interested in this type of rope * How it feels to be in this type of rope * The kind of bottoms who might NOT enjoy this type of rope and why * Risks to different parts of the body to look out for (or just….weirdnesses bottoms might not like) * How and when you might use it in a scene * General safety considerations Plus find out Mya’s favourite part of her body to be microbondaged… Fox is on fire with his jokes in this episode so be warned ;)

Fox and Mya discuss a listener suggestion from @z4DDy who said he would love to hear a discussion about sensuous rope. He suggested topics included: different means to create sensuousness, rope handling for sensuality, physical connection to enhance sensual connection, suspension types with sensuality and experiences of sensuality in rope. Fox and Mya dig into the area and address his questions as well as: * Sensual versus sexual rope * How tops can use their bodies and physical sensation to create more sensuality * Sensual rope handling * How the bottom can increase the level of sensuality in a rope scene * Non-rope factors to increase the level of sensuality in a scene * The importance of creating a sense of safety with each other to increase sensuality * The pros and cons of music * Creating more sensuality in the different phases of a suspension tie * Micro-expressions and why to pay attention to them in your partner * How different types of bottom’s touch can express different emotions * Mindfulness, presence and headspace This episode was sponsored by FrictionLive.CA Check them out!

Fox and Mya continue their interview with author and educator Andrew James, Ph.D.on building eroticism through power exchange and rope. In the episode, AJ discusses with Fox and Mya his thoughts on: * How a Rope Daddy might express himself differently from a Rope Master and how partners can express different power exchange archetypes with rope * How it might work when a D-type is inside the rope, and the s-type is outside the rope * Practical tips on how to make a rope scene more erotic * Re-affirming consent and desire in a rope scene in a power exchange context * Playing with emotions such as erotic shame and fear in rope * Rituals in rope to enhance the power dynamic * Practical constraints on play in the real world - including doing rope with a disability * His experience with the queer and LGBTQ+ community and how he has seen the rope world change in ways that echo that * The huge variety of diversity in rope now, and what that means Note - If you haven’t already listened to part 1 of this episode, check it out. Author of 6 books on alternative relationships and sexuality, including the wonderful Erotic Slavehood (as Christina Abernathy) and the way of the pleasure slave, AJ is A trans man who identifies as both a Master and a Daddy. Involved in D/s and the kink community since 1992, he has been in a 24/7 authority-transfer dynamic with his wife for 8 years. This episode was sponsored by FrictionLive.CA Check them out!

Fox and Mya go deep into power exchange, erotic slavery and rope with in this interview with Andrew James, Ph.D., an author and educator in the field of alternative sexualities. Author of 6 books on alternative relationships and sexuality, including the wonderful Erotic Slavehood (as Christina Abernathy) and the way of the pleasure slave, AJ is A trans man who identifies as both a Master and a Daddy. Involved in D/s and the kink community since 1992, he has been in a 24/7 authority-transfer dynamic with his wife for 8 years. In the episode, hear Fox and Mya talk to AJ about: * AJ’s entry into the kink scene and how he first encountered rope * Terminology and what power exchange means to him * How to come back to sex and kink after a period without it in a relationship * Using rope to meet different emotional needs * How power dynamics can develop and strengthen intimacy * How to integrate rope into a power exchange relationship * How a D-type can demonstrate strong power exchange in a rope scene * How an s-type can best show their submission when being tied Episode sponsored by FrictionLive.ca who offer live streamed kink-related video classes. Go check them out! Note - once again, our guest was so interesting we’ve had to split it into two episodes - so look out for part two coming next!

Fox and Mya explore the world of cosplay, fetish modelling and the challenges of navigating the kink world as a person of colour with the vibrant and creative MakiRoll. Based in Washington DC, in the USA, she has over twelve years of cosplay and seven years as an entertainer where she has entertained the masses as a panelist, shibari model, burlesque performer, side show performer, and much more. In the episode, hear Fox and Mya talk to MakiRoll about: * Her rocky start in the world of rope bondage, and some of the challenges she had as a new rope bottom * How she developed her bottoming skills and a discussion of the importance of bottom advocacy * How she creates her incredible cosplay looks * The sensations of mixing latex and rope * Discussion of some of her rope shoots, including favourites and the most challenging * How she collaborates on shoots with riggers and photographers on shoots * How rope and cosplay have helped her build a healthier relationship with herself * Her work facilitating the Kink in Color panel at BlerdCon * How being black has affected her journey in rope * Advice for BIPOC listeners on how to navigate kink spaces * Suggestions on how non-BIPOC can support BIPOC in kink

Fox and Mya discuss bamboo in rope - specifically when it’s being used directly within the tie; such as tying limbs to the bamboo, or sliding it into the tie. They also talk about: * Why you might want to use bamboo, and some of its mechanical properties * How might you use bamboo in a tie and what it can do * Ideas to use bamboo really painfully! * Challenges of tying with bamboo and how you might overcome some of these * And of course - safety and risk management with bamboo

In part two of the interview, and Fox and Mya go behind the scenes with Zero-Gi and SamJay about one of their photos, the incredible TK vertical hang from a bridge in Central Park. In the episode, hear them discuss their stunning collaboration further, including: * Walking through how they created their iconic shot against a bridge in Central Park * How SamJay and Zero-Gi’s D/s relationship does - and doesn’t - play out in this project * They answer some of the wilder questions people have about how they create the art (spoiler alert - it doesn’t involve helicopters or cranes!) * The toughest challenges of their shoots from each of their perspectives: rope model; rigger and photographer * How they manage risks and danger * New York city’s unique history and how their project has been the beneficiary of the work of pride and the LGBTQ+ community * Advice on how you can improve your own photos * Their collaborations and what they’ve got coming up with Feterotica * Weather play! The incredible NYC Street Shibari project team consists of rope model Zero-Gi, photographer The Dirty Archangel, and rigger Sam Jay. Their gorgeous project brings shibari to the streets with iconic backdrops from New York city contrasted with Zero-Gi doing incredible feats of rope Note - this is the second of a two-part interview, catch the previous episode for part one!

An interview with SamJay and Zero-Gi of the NYC Street Shibari team Fox and Mya interview two of the team behind the incredible NYC Street Shibari project, which consists of rope model Zero-Gi, photographer The Dirty Archangel, and rigger Sam Jay. Their project brings shibari to the streets with iconic backdrops from New York city contrasted with Zero-Gi doing incredible feats of rope, such as hanging from a vertical chest harness off a bridge in central park. Fox and Mya talk to SamJay and Zero-Gi about the project, its inspiration, and how they work together with The Dirty Archangel to make their art. In the episode, hear them discuss their fascinating collaboration, including: * How they both got into rope, and how the NYC Street Shibari project started * The extent they go to to research the risks of their ties * The unique blend of experiences and talents the team possess between them * The unusual culture, laws and history of New York that enable them to create their art * The reactions from bystanders and law enforcement and how they handle them * What colours of underwear say to those looking at it and the colour that doesn’t sell! * How they distinguish between art and kink in what they do and how they share shibari with others Note - this is the first of a two-part interview, catch the next episode for part two!