In My Blood: The STD Stigma

It's the final episode of Season Three! We're talking body parts. What are the body parts that turn you on? Do you have a specific fetish? Have you struggled with a partner's body part fetish?

The team talk about the negative experiences - Injuries, emotional tolls, violated agreements, abuse. It's important to know how to overcome the truly negative experiences within kink and BDSM - not just the comical experiences.

What is CNC? What is it not? How can the topic of wanting to do CNC be broached? Why should you do it (if you want to), and what should you be mindful of with this risky kink activity?

What is a trigger? Why do we have them? Do they follow a set format? What can you do if you've triggered your partner? What can you do if you realize you've been unexpectedly triggered?

We talk about the importance of discussing sexual health with potential partners, STD/STI testing, and the statistics of sexually transmitted infections and diseases.  Recommended listening: In My Blood by Shawn Mendes

Subspace, Domspace, Topspace, Bottomspace... What are each of these spaces? How does one reach it? Is it a good thing? What if you don't reach it? How does it feel? Is it different for different people? Learn more about the headspaces of kink. Recommended listening: Rocketman by Taron Egerton

Believe it or not, kinksters feel shame about their kinks, even without being directly shamed for it. We talk about our struggles, the things that help deal with feelings of shame or inadequacy related to our kinks, and ask why we shame ourselves for things that come naturally.  Recommended listening: Ashamed by Jamestown Story

Lots of things are risky in kinky play: STDs, Rope/Implements, Safe words, etc. What do you need to be mindful of in general, and what steps should you take if you don't feel safe?  Recommended listening: Safety Dance by Men Without Hats

Part of our "What's It Like Being..?" series, the team explore what it's means being submissive: How it feels, the pros and cons, and why it fulfills a part of us nothing else can. Recommended listening: Happiness In Slavery by Nine Inch Nails.

There's a big difference between being Dominant and being Domineering. A bully does not make a Dom. So what are some of the things you should look out for as red flags and warning signs? Recommended Listening: Mean by Taylor Swift