Ep 278 - Jill + Stephen

Meshai and her husband have been married for 17 years but only in the last few years have they explored non-monogamy. For them, they oscillate between more of a casual swinging approach and something that looks more like polyamory. We have amazing conversations with her about living life to the fullest, how non-monogamy forces you to see yourself, and how she sort of ended up exploring her sexuality without really recognizing there was anything to explore. At least until everything clicked! Meshai also comes from a very religious background and she talks with us about how she approaches non-monogamy and religion. This is an amazing conversation and we hope you enjoy it!   Meshai is dually licensed and certified in both Trauma Therapy and Sex Therapy. She believes in the power of living as one’s authentic self, and the freedom that comes from changing perspectives. She loves putting the puzzle pieces together of a couple's sexual energy and aiding them in positive and explorative movement.   Her coaching work implements creative synergy, openness, self-expression, and the confrontation of challenges through self-determination. She helps individuals from diverse populations move forward with their goals while being fully aware that trauma can play on the whole person. To learn more about how to work with Meshai, head over to Expansive Connection.   Check out the full show notes here. Click here to learn about our upcoming in-person events! Click here to join our upcoming Virtual Meet and Greets! Join Our Patreon Community! $10 Off - Online STI Testing https://www.normalizingnonmonogamy.com/

27 Huhti 20221h 8min

We are so excited about this conversation with Gary that is all about the power of play in life and in relationships! Gary Ware is the Founder of Breakthrough Play, a corporate facilitator, keynote speaker, certified coach, and self-proclaimed Creative Catalyst. Gary has over 14 years of experience in the corporate world holding various leadership positions. Being a multifaceted individual Gary also comes with nearly a decade of experience as a performer in improv theatre. After experiencing burnout in his pursuit for success and happiness, he realized that what was missing was play. Committing to a life of play is what led Gary to discover his passion for facilitating. Gary uses the power of applied improvisation and other playful methods to assist people in unlocking creativity, confidence, and better communication. Gary was recently featured as one of the Top 100 HR influencers of 2021 by the Engagedly HR software platform. When Gary isn't leading workshops or speaking, you can find him learning magic or off on an adventure with his wife Courtney and son Garrett.   Check out the full show notes here. Click here to learn about our upcoming in-person events! Click here to join our upcoming Virtual Meet and Greets! Join Our Patreon Community! $10 Off - Online STI Testing https://www.normalizingnonmonogamy.com/

22 Huhti 20221h 3min

Pam and Jim are nudists who live in Florida and have been exploring non-monogamy together since they met about three years ago.   Jim is 83 and started exploring his sexuality a few years ago and identifies as a pansexual who loves crossdressing! He leans more towards the polyamorous side of things.   Pam is 69 and enjoys things a bit more casual. She identifies as the monogamous half of their mono-poly dynamic.   However, it's not so simple... Pam and Jim go to orgies together every few weeks and have an absolute blast! During this conversation they share with us how they ended up starting to explore non-monogamy in their sixties and seventies, and why it was the right time for each of them. They also dig into challenges they have faced along the way and how much closer swinging together has brought them. This interview is absolutely incredible, as are Pam and Jim. Enjoy!   Check out the full show notes here. Click here to learn about our upcoming in-person events! Click here to join our upcoming Virtual Meet and Greets! Join Our Patreon Community! $10 Off - Online STI Testing https://www.normalizingnonmonogamy.com/

20 Huhti 20221h 12min

This conversation with Anna is amazing in so many ways! They have been exploring non-monogamy and polyamory for over 12 years after coming from a background of serial monogamy and codependency. They're super honest and transparent about the work that had to be done there to show up in a more authentic way. We also have a great conversation about control in relationships that is quite impactful.   Anna is also the President of Atlanta Polyamory and the owner of Love Positive Counseling. They're passionate about providing a safe space for individuals, couples, poly units, and families to find their innate potential and achieve their dreams, regardless of gender, orientation, race, religion, or love-style. They feel called to help people find internal and external peace by living and loving more authentically.   Anna's experience includes 19+ years practicing BDSM, 12+ years loving polyamorously, and 9+ years of gender exploration. They received their Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kennesaw State University and a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Argosy University (Atlanta). They also received their LPC license in 2018 and my CPCS in 2020.   Check out the full show notes here. Click here to learn about our upcoming in-person events! Click here to join our upcoming Virtual Meet and Greets! Join Our Patreon Community! $10 Off - Online STI Testing https://www.normalizingnonmonogamy.com/

13 Huhti 20221h 4min

CJ and her husband have been together for over 18 years, she has kids, a great job... She had it all. But, as she described it, she had it all and had a bit of a "mid-life crisis" around age 30! For the last few years, she and her husband have been slowly opening their relationship. During this wonderful conversation she shares the whole story along with some amazing strategies for how they approach difficult conversations, navigating boundaries, and bringing intentionality back to your relationship. She also leaks some spoilers for her new book "Into The Open." Enjoy this fantastic interview and then go grab a copy of her book!   Check out the full show notes here. Click here to learn about our upcoming in-person events! Click here to join our upcoming Virtual Meet and Greets! Join Our Patreon Community! $10 Off - Online STI Testing https://www.normalizingnonmonogamy.com/

6 Huhti 20221h 8min

This conversation with Evita is amazing from start to finish. She has been exploring non-monogamy for about 10 years. She is incredibly honest with us about the challenges and the huge benefits that transitioning from monogamy to swinging to polyamory has brought her. This is one of those conversations that sticks with you for a while and that can so easily be applied to any relationship regardless of whether or not it is open. We talk about jealousy, transitioning relationships, boundaries, hilarious bloopers, and much more! After listening, go follow Evita on Instagram and Facebook for more amazing content and to work with her as a coach.   Check out the full show notes here. Click here to learn about our upcoming in-person events! Click here to join our upcoming Virtual Meet and Greets! Join Our Patreon Community! $10 Off - Online STI Testing https://www.normalizingnonmonogamy.com/

30 Maalis 20221h 41min

Layla was so focused on her business and other aspects of life that sex and relationships fell off the radar completely. She woke up one day after three and a half years of not having sex, with a plan... She came up with a bucket list and a one year plan to check as much off of it as she could. Her one year plan started six years ago and stuck. Not only did it stick, it transformed the way she approaches relationships and all aspect of her life.   She shares with us how she came up with her plan, how it played out, and what she learned along the way. She's incredibly honest and transparent about everything and it's really refreshing. After you listen to this interview, head over to check out her podcast, The Curious Girl Diaries, where she goes even deeper into her experiences.   Check out the full show notes here. Click here to learn about our upcoming in-person events! Click here to join our upcoming Virtual Meet and Greets! Join Our Patreon Community! $10 Off - Online STI Testing https://www.normalizingnonmonogamy.com/

23 Maalis 20221h 20min

Jon met his current wife toward the end of his previous marriage after he and his ex-wife began exploring non-monogamy together. He and his current wife have been working together to slowly open their relationship as well. Jon talks about how different security levels and attachment styles shape the two relationships. We also have an amazing conversation about how relationships ending or transitioning doesn't mean the relationship was a failure. Jon is also the author of a new novel, I Am My Beloveds, that has non-monogamous themes throughout and is influenced partly by his own journey. This is an amazing conversation. Join us!   Check out the full show notes here. Click here to learn about our upcoming in-person events! Click here to join our upcoming Virtual Meet and Greets! Join Our Patreon Community! $10 Off - Online STI Testing https://www.normalizingnonmonogamy.com/

16 Maalis 20221h