The Problem With “Implied Consent” in Relationships

Do you feel disconnected during intimacy, even when you’re in a relationship?Have you ever said “yes” when your body wasn’t fully on board?Or wondered why sex feels more confusing than connecting?In this episode of Trigger Proof with Mikki Bey, emotional regulation coach Mikki Bey sits down with Brian Gibney, surrogate partner and intimacy coach, for a bold and deeply necessary conversation about sex, safety, and nervous system regulation.Brian explains what surrogate partner therapy actually is, how it works alongside traditional therapy, and why so many adults are dysregulated around intimacy. Together, they unpack the emotional, cultural, and religious conditioning that has shaped how we approach sex — often leaving us disconnected from our bodies, our boundaries, and our voice.You’ll learn why emotional safety is the foundation of truly satisfying intimacy — and why great sex has less to do with performance and more to do with attunement.In this conversation, Mikki and Brian explore:• What surrogate partner therapy is — and who it’s for• How dysregulation shows up in sex and intimacy• The difference between implied consent and full-body yes• Why attunement creates deeper emotional and physical connection• How scarcity and urgency sabotage intimacy• The “May I / Will You” exercise for building safety and trust• How to stop abandoning yourself during sex• Practical tools for singles and couples to build sexual self-awarenessBrian also shares how most adults were never taught how to communicate desire, boundaries, or consent — and how slowing down, using your words, and building safety can transform intimacy into a healing experience.If you’ve ever felt touch-deprived, misunderstood, disconnected from pleasure, or unsure how to express what you truly want, this episode will expand your perspective on what safe sex actually means.This is more than a conversation about sex.It’s about emotional regulation, agency, healing, and learning how to relate to another human without urgency, extraction, or self-abandonment.Connect with Brian GibneyWebsite: https://briangibney.orgConnect with Mikki BeyDownload Mikki’s Free Emotional Regulation Bundle (ebook, workbook, and masterclass): https://themikkibeygroup.com/inquiryfWebsite: https://www.themikkibeygroup.com/LinkedIn: Mikki BeyInstagram: / getmikkibey