
The Perils of Compulsory Monogamy (And Why Polyamory Won't Fix This!) with Mel Cassidy
11/6/2025
0:00
1:09:22
The topic of polyamory seems to be everywhere these days. From articles in The Atlantic
describing it as the ruling class's latest fad, to the controversy surrounding Aubrey Marcus and “radical monogamy” (essentially polygamy), polyamory is highly present in the media right now.
But is polyamory really a new trend? Is it even new at all? Or is it a way of relating that predates colonialism and recalls a time when humans were less isolated and more communal?
In this week’s episode of Sex Is Medicine, Devi and Alaina speak with somatic relationship coach Mel Cassidy about their new book, Radical Relating: A Queer and Polyamory-Informed Guide to Love Beyond the Myth of Monogamy
Described as a provocative, trauma-informed guide to post-monogamy, this book helps readers build liberated relationships rooted in empowerment, equity, and authenticity.
Join Devi, Alaina, and Mel for an in-depth conversation about the myths and misrepresentations of polyamory and how to navigate non-monogamy from a “woke” perspective.
In this episode, we will:
- Deconstruct myths and misrepresentations surrounding polyamory
- Explore the difference between polyamory and polyfuckery
- Learn how and why the nuclear family was created (and how it does NOT reflect our human history)
- Uncover how and why the nuclear family model creates suffering for families and communities
- Highlight toxic approaches to non-monogamy that perpetuate patriarchy and white supremacy culture
- Understand the role of queerness in non-monogamy
And so much more!
About Mel Cassidy
Mel Cassidy is a somatic relationship coach committed to the path of liberatory love and rewilding intimacy. They specialize in working with queer and questioning humans (and those who love them), exploring post-monogamous relationships—with a focus on polyamory, solo polyamory, and relationship anarchy.
They are of Irish, Greek, and Romani descent and have lived in 3 countries, across 3 continents. They currently live in British Columbia, Canada, and work with clients and students worldwide. Their first book, Radical Relating: A Queer and Polyamory-Informed Guide to Love Beyond the Myth of Monogamy, is published by North Atlantic Books.
Find them on Instagram/Facebook/Substack/Insight Timer @radicalrelating or visit radicalrelating.ca
Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)
Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!
Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!
Send your questions to [email protected]
Learn more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.com
Find out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program.
See you next week!
With Love,
Devi and Alaina
describing it as the ruling class's latest fad, to the controversy surrounding Aubrey Marcus and “radical monogamy” (essentially polygamy), polyamory is highly present in the media right now.
But is polyamory really a new trend? Is it even new at all? Or is it a way of relating that predates colonialism and recalls a time when humans were less isolated and more communal?
In this week’s episode of Sex Is Medicine, Devi and Alaina speak with somatic relationship coach Mel Cassidy about their new book, Radical Relating: A Queer and Polyamory-Informed Guide to Love Beyond the Myth of Monogamy
Described as a provocative, trauma-informed guide to post-monogamy, this book helps readers build liberated relationships rooted in empowerment, equity, and authenticity.
Join Devi, Alaina, and Mel for an in-depth conversation about the myths and misrepresentations of polyamory and how to navigate non-monogamy from a “woke” perspective.
In this episode, we will:
- Deconstruct myths and misrepresentations surrounding polyamory
- Explore the difference between polyamory and polyfuckery
- Learn how and why the nuclear family was created (and how it does NOT reflect our human history)
- Uncover how and why the nuclear family model creates suffering for families and communities
- Highlight toxic approaches to non-monogamy that perpetuate patriarchy and white supremacy culture
- Understand the role of queerness in non-monogamy
And so much more!
About Mel Cassidy
Mel Cassidy is a somatic relationship coach committed to the path of liberatory love and rewilding intimacy. They specialize in working with queer and questioning humans (and those who love them), exploring post-monogamous relationships—with a focus on polyamory, solo polyamory, and relationship anarchy.
They are of Irish, Greek, and Romani descent and have lived in 3 countries, across 3 continents. They currently live in British Columbia, Canada, and work with clients and students worldwide. Their first book, Radical Relating: A Queer and Polyamory-Informed Guide to Love Beyond the Myth of Monogamy, is published by North Atlantic Books.
Find them on Instagram/Facebook/Substack/Insight Timer @radicalrelating or visit radicalrelating.ca
Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)
Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!
Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!
Send your questions to [email protected]
Learn more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.com
Find out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program.
See you next week!
With Love,
Devi and Alaina
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