Beyond Desire: How Embodied Pleasure Shapes Modern Culture with Darshana Avila

In this intimate episode of Modern Couples, I sit down with Darshana Avila — somatic s.ex and intimacy coach — to explore what happens when we see s.ex as activism and love a cultural revolution.It only takes 3.5%, even of a minority group, to initiate change!We speak about how the quality of our relationships mirrors the health of our society — and how embodied, s.exually fulfilled humans are the foundation of conscious leadership, community, and change.Darshana and I dive into what it means to reclaim s.exuality in it wholness, not separate from our purpose, politics, or everyday choices. We explore:if our "leaders of the world" actually experienced and embodied wholesome se.xuality.Cultural and linguistic conditioning to disconnect from our pleasure, erotic self and se.xual embodymentHow to bring more erotic intelligence into leadership, partnership, and self-expression.And why being sexually fulfilled is not indulgence — it’s a form of social responsibility.This episode is an invitation to remember that pleasure and purpose belong together, and that the next wave of cultural evolution might just begin in our bedrooms — and in the courage to be fully alive.Darshana Avila is a trauma-informed somatic educator, practitioner and international speaker who helps people reconnect with the most essential aspects of themselves — their truth, their desires, and their capacity for authentic connection. Known for her grounded, candid, and relational approach, she bridges the worlds of embodiment, emotional intelligence, and personal agency with depth and accessibility.Darshana’s work has been featured on Netflix’s Sex, Love & goop, The Guardian, The New Yorker, and numerous leading podcasts.WEBSITEdarshanaavila.com SOCIAL HANDLESinstagram.com/darshana_avilayoutube.com/@darshana-avilalinkedin.com/in/darshana-avilaskool.com/galgasmThis episode is sponsored and hosted by Modern Couples Coaching with the intention to get inspired and have new conversations to rewire our brains for the 10x kind of [email protected]

In this episode of the Modern Couples Podcast, I sit down with Miles Spencer — serial entrepreneur, father, and founder of Reflector AI, a soul-tech company that makes it possible to create digital memories and interactive “elder avatars” of our loved ones. aka. Talking with the dead (note: it's clearly AI and not the dead)What moved me most to watch my own inner monologue during the conversation move from skepticism and creepiness to opportunity and a sincere opportunity for shifting our societies' mindset to legacy awareness and building - which got lost for so many in modern times. We talk about:How love and entrepreneurship shape and challenge each other.What it means to stop pouring love and energy into a “leaky bucket” and start redirecting it.How technology can enable not just memory, but connection and healing.The opportunities and limits: how much contact with 'the dead' (note: it's clearly AI and not the dead) is healthy, and what skills we need to navigate it.Why legacy is more than asset wealth — and how we can consciously document for future generations.For me, this conversation was inspiring and challenging at the same time. It invites us to think beyond our own “relationship code” — across generations, and even across the boundaries of life and death. Which is a skill of the future And after this conversation I am convinced with discernment and awareness, this technological advancement is something I might give a try!About the guest Miles SpencerMiles Spencer is currently CEO and a founder of Reflekta.ai, a Soul Tech company that bridges generations through fully interactive digital legacies. A multi-exit entrepreneur, investor, and storyteller, he is also the author of the Amazon bestseller A Line in the Sand. As former co-host of PBS’s MoneyHunt, Miles has spent his career at the intersection of media, technology, and human-centered narrative. With Reflekta, he is pioneering a new way for families to preserve voice, memory, and values—turning stories into dynamic, spontaneous connections that endure across lifetimes

In this episode of the Modern Couples Podcast, I sit down with Analena Fuchs — intuitive Human Design & Gene Keys guide, creator of the Intuitive Human Design Teacher Certification, and host of the True Sidereal Summit. Analena brings a rare lens to modern spirituality by weaving Human Design with true sidereal astrology — a system that uses the actual astronomical sky rather than the traditional tropical zodiac.What struck me most in our conversation was how this evolution in astrology and the impact on the sense of self as well as the impact on relationships feels so divinely timed. Asking us to let go of ego and attachments, and step even more into wholeness, compassion and embracing life to its fullest.For me, this conversation is about permission — to stop squeezing yourself into outdated boxes, to relate from alignment instead of performance, and to see spirituality as something deeply embodied, not abstract or aesthetic. It made me reflect on what becomes possible when we update the internal map to match the real sky.As so often, I consider this conversation: advanced.There is basic tutorials on sidereal astrology out there - just check the dates, because there have been recent shifts, probably causing future higher demands in this topic. We talk about:• How Human Design and Genekeys tranform relationships - What is True Sidereal Astrology- What happens when you find out about different astrologies- How to handle and be with the different designs without getting lost or confused- How to use different astrology in every day situations- Which Astrology should you now use? E.g. for your child and education?- How do you deal with the realization that you and your partner lived "outdated" designs?- Is there a right or wrong? - How to deal with the pain of letting go of an identity? ego deathThis episode invites a quiet revolution in how we see ourselves and the people we love — not as fixed identities, but as evolving constellations finally aligned with the real sky.About Analena and the links mentioned in the episodeAnalena Fuchs is an Intuitive Human Design & Gene Keys Guide and creator of the Intuitive Human Design Teacher Training Certification. She helps conscious leaders stop people-pleasing and step into their power using her unique holistic Human Design approach. As host of the True Sidereal Summit and a 3+ year podcast veteran, Analena is a leading voice in the human design space, teaching practitioners to read charts as complete stories rather than isolated elements.https://analenafuchs.com/ probably soon offering True Sidereal HD Bodygraph but for now...Calculate a free Bodygraph Mandala: https://harmonic-explorer.onrender.com/bodygraphFor experts, here is how to calculate it yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEOU7tO1vnQFor more information about Ophichus, Ill soon invite a new guest. More about Modern-Couples Coaching, subscribe to our channel, subscribe to our newsletter, or send an email for coaching/mentoring requests.

In dieser Folge spreche ich mit Phi von Phi Loves Astrology – und ich kann dir sagen: dieses Gespräch hat mich wirklich bewegt. Da ich selbst seit über 10 Jahren mit Astrologie, insbesondere Human Design, lebe und arbeite, ist für mich völlig klar, das dieses Wissen ein Game Changer für private und berufliche Beziehungen ist!Wir haben gemeinsam darüber gesprochen,🌌 wie Astrologie zu einem Werkzeug für Selbstentdeckung wird – weit entfernt von simplen Horoskopen in Zeitschriften.💫 wie Paare durch das Wissen um ihr Chart mehr Mitgefühl, Klarheit und Verbindung entwickeln können.🪐 wie auch Unternehmer:innen und Gründer:innen die Sterne nutzen können, um harmonischere Entscheidungen zu treffen, Teams stärkenorientiert aufzubauen und Projekte im besseren Moment zu starten.🌙 welche Rituale und kleinen Übungen Paare im Alltag integrieren können, um spielerisch und tief zugleich mit der Astrologie zu arbeiten, unterstützt von den Energien der Planeten.Wenn du neugierig bist, wie du deine Beziehung, dein Business oder dich selbst mit Hilfe der Sterne neu sehen kannst, dann ist diese Episode für dich.Wenn du dein Wissen zu Astrologie täglich vertiefen möchtest, schau dir phi loves astrologie an.Wenn du einen Beziehungscoach suchst, der im Einklang mit astrologischem Wissen, insbesondere Human Design, arbeitet, bin ich dein Paar Coach!Jedes Coaching, individuel oder als Paar, beinhaltet ein Human Design Beziehungs reading!Mehr Infos auf www.modern-couples.com

In this episode, I sit down with Alexander Beiner, author of The Bigger Picture: How Psychedelics Can Help Us Make Sense of the World and a thought leader at the intersection of psychedelics, culture, and human connection.What moved me most in this conversation was Alexander’s way of weaving together personal relationship insights with a bigger vision for culture and community. He speaks with clarity about how psychedelics have not only deepened his 15-year marriage but also taught him lessons in empathy, radical honesty, and truly stepping into another’s perspective.Disclaimer:This conversation includes discussion of psychedelics. Nothing in this episode is intended as medical advice, encouragement, or recommendation to use psychedelic substances. Psychedelics remain illegal in many jurisdictions and can carry significant health, legal, and psychological risks. Always do your own research and seek professional guidance from qualified healthcare providers.This isn’t just about psychedelics. It’s about love, resilience, and what it takes to show up in partnership, even when it gets messy. It’s about asking ourselves: how do we relate—period? To our partners, our community, and even the natural world.In our conversation we explore:How psychedelics can unlock radical empathy and new perspectives in long-term loveWhy MDMA was once used in couples therapy and what makes it powerful for relationshipsThe importance of preparation, intention, and integration when using altered states togetherHow our digital world is reshaping trust, intimacy, and communityWhy relationships, like ceremonies, require phases of letting go and beginning anewThis episode is for you if you’re curious about what it really means to relate with depth and courage in a time of post-truth, AI tricksters, and shifting cultural landscapes.Disclaimer:This conversation includes discussion of psychedelics. Nothing in this episode is intended as medical advice, encouragement, or recommendation to use psychedelic substances. Psychedelics remain illegal in many jurisdictions and can carry significant health, legal, and psychological risks. Always do your own research and seek professional guidance from qualified healthcare providers.

In this episode, I sit down with a role model Modern & Entrepreneurial Couple — Anna and Kaspar — and I have to say: their story deeply moved me.To witness how they live Love as Art, Family as Ceremony, and Community as Home felt both grounding and inspiring. They embody so much of what I believe modern couples can aspire to: a love that is intentional, sacred, and alive.What touched me most is how they balance it all — a healthy biohacker lifestyle, partnership, parenting, and growing businesses. Not perfectly, but consciously. They show that challenges can be invitations into deeper intimacy, and that “messy” moments are not failures, but doorways into growth.I am passionate to share this conversation with you, because I believe their way of holding love as sacred is a beacon for all of us navigating modern relationships.We dive into:Why true love requires aligning on deeper values, not just chemistryHow radical honesty and nervous system awareness transform conflict into connectionThe role of music, ceremony, and community in weaving their love storyWhy making conscious sacrifices actually strengthens you as a coupleAnna and Kaspar reminded me that love was never meant to be easy — it was meant to be sacred, alive, and worth showing up for every single day.About Anna & KasparKaspar van der Meulen is beststelling author, breathwork specialist and public speaker. Find out more about his work, here: https://breathworkmasterclass.com/Anna Catharin HeilAnna is serial entrepreneur, public speaker, musician, ceremonialist, birth doula and biohacker.Find out more about her work here https://annaheil.comTogether as a couple they are loving parents and hold psychedelic's circles and events in the NetherlandsFor more about Modern Couples, check out www.modern-couples.com or follow Marcella on IG

most of us invest more into learning how to drive a car than into learning how to create nurturing relationships

How to nurture a long-term, thriving, healthy and expansive relationship in these unprecedented, unpredictable modern times. In this deep and heart-opening conversation, Marcella welcomes Dajana — relationship mentor, author, speaker, and medium — who has been with her husband for 25 years. Together, they talk about the zeitgeist (the spirit of our times) and how external factors like media, economic uncertainty, and rapid technological change impact couples and the way we relate. Dajana shares for the first time her personal journey about navigating challenges like financial instability and infertility with radical honesty, energy awareness, and a daily decision for love.Marcella and Dajana also reflect on:Why inner work and energy awareness need to be non-negotiable in modern relationships.The importance of being of service, and shared values in overcoming crisis.How to consciously prepare for partnership rather than “fix it” once it’s broken.The importance of coaches, mentors, or elders in navigating modern love.Why couples must learn to balance external chaos with inner stability and ultimately learn how to balance and recharge their energy.This episode is for anyone who wants to understand how to stay committed, resilient, and loving — not in spite of challenges, but through them. And for anyone wondering why it often feels so hard.Love is a choice!2 relationship coaches, and many shared principles and beliefs. If you want to elevate your love, feel into who do you think will click best with your relationship. For simplicity, we joked: Gen X & older probably more for Dajana, Gen Y & younger probably more Marcella.Modern Couples Coaching was founded in 2020 and supports ambitious humans to rewire their brain to 10x their love!For more information: www.modern-couples.com& book one of the limited free discovery calls with Marcella.https://www.instagram.com/marcellaannabrebaum/About DajanaDajana and her husband Uwe help spiritually open couples and individuals who want to live in a happy and fulfilling relationship.https://www.instagram.com/medium_dajanahttps://www.facebook.com/dajana.meissner14

What if the way we relate—romantically, socially, and creatively—is based on outdated illusions?In this thought-provoking conversation, Sara Pignatelli, a Portuguese visual and music artist, shares her journey of conscious relating, breaking free from relationship norms, and the intersection of art, nature, and deep self-exploration.This episode is a raw and honest look at:The illusion of marriage and traditional couplehood—and what happens when we question these social constructs.The power of plant medicine in reshaping how we experience love, intimacy, and connection.The importance of emotional safety as an individual (especially when single) and how to cultivate it.Holding high standards in relationships without fear of being “too much.”Sara’s vibrant, charismatic, and boundary-pushing artistry is reflected not just in her work, but in the way she lives, thinks, and loves. Her perspective challenges us to rethink the stories we’ve been told about love and partnership—and to create our own.Sara is a creative force whose deep connection with nature, sound, and visual expression shapes her work in unique and meaningful ways. To explore her art and music, visit:🌿 www.sarapignatelli.com🎨 Instagram: @sara__pignatelliAt the end of our talk, Sara references Dr. Tara Swart and her insights on neuroscience and relationships. If you want to dive deeper, this is the interview she mentions:🎥 Watch it hereLove & Relationships on Your TermsIf this conversation resonates with you and you’re eager to elevate your relationships, Let's connect. Whether you're single, in a relationship, or redefining love on your own terms, our coaching programs offer the tools, insights, and structure to help ambitious humans to create deep, conscious and lasting connections.🖤 Join the movement and explore your next level in love:Learn more about Love10x & Modern Couples Coaching

In this powerful episode, we dive into the deep roots of people pleasing—how it shows up in romantic relationships, how it’s entangled with your family system, and why healing it isn’t just about setting boundaries… it’s about reclaiming your truth.Caitlyn shares her personal and professional journey through family constellation work and the sacred rites of passage within the Bwiti tradition.We explore:The hidden cost of people pleasing in intimacyHow inherited family dynamics shape your love patternsWhat true healing looks like when you move beyond performative self-careThe spiritual depth of Bwiti and its initiation rituals for polarity and intimacyThis conversation is for those ready to stop abandoning themselves in love.🔥 Want to go deeper?→ Apply for one of 3 limited 1:1 Discovery Calls→ Join our free Monthly Masterclass & connect with other conscious, high-performing couples💌 Modern Couples Linktree with all current offers bio.site/marcellaannabrebaum#ModernCouples #Love10x #FutureFitLove #EmotionalMastery #RelationshipHealing Caitlyn Cook is international practitioner and facilitator in mindful-somatic healing informed by Internal Family Systems. She works with people to heal trauma and knotty issues in their mind, relationships, family dynamics, se.uality and purpose. Her influences include Bwiti (an African spiritual tradition), Tantra and mindfulness. She's also a facilitator with ISTA, an international school for sacred se.ual shamanism.→ Join our free Monthly Masterclass & connect with other conscious, high-performing couples💌 ⁠Modern Couples Linktree with all current offers⁠ bio.site/marcellaannabrebaum