Ep 316 - Beth + Mark

Today we're talking all about compersion with Marie! What is compersion? Where did this word even come from? Can we foster compersion? Is it possible to have a healthy relationship without compersion? Marie answers all of these questions and more in this amazing conversation!   Dr. Marie Thouin is the founder of Love InSight, a Mindful Dating Coaching practice where she helps people of all ages, genders, and sexual/relationship orientations navigate the path of intimate love—including couples transitioning to non-monogamy and/or alternative relationship structures.   Marie completed her doctoral dissertation on compersion in consensually non-monogamous individuals in the East-West Psychology department at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. She also serves as Editor at the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, a leading peer-reviewed publication in the fields of transpersonal and whole-person psychologies. Learn more on her website: www.whatiscompersion.com   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/

11 Mars 202257min

We're excited to bring Kate and Liam from the Monogamish Marriage back on the show for an update! The last time we talked to them on the podcast was for Episode 20 and so much has changed since then! Kate fell in love... Liam dove into exploring his sexuality.... They launched a podcast to accompany their amazing blog. We talk about it all and they even dish about that time the four of us met in person for the first time almost exactly four years ago. Definitely don't skip this one and after you're done, head over to their website, themonogamishmarriage.com, and check out all of their incredible work and beautiful photos!   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/

9 Mars 20221h 11min

Hilly is in her mid thirties and as far as she can remember, her only "traditional" monogamous relationship was in high school and lasted about two months. She has explored a wide range of different relationship dynamics including swinging and polyamory. She's also very involved in the kink scene and is the first age play advocate we have had on the show. She talks to us about how her dynamic works, what she's learned along the way, and shares with us a bunch resources for anyone who is interested in learning more.   Hilly is also an author, content creator, and runs a Facebook support group for people interested in age play. All of the links to find her work can be found in the show notes link below.   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/

2 Mars 20221h 13min

Hannah and Greg have been together for 13 years and actually took a unique approach to opening their relationship pretty early on. They would spend summers apart and during that time they gave one another the freedom to explore. They talk a lot about that experience and trying to navigate an open relationship without resources or a solid understanding of what they were doing or how to do it. More recently they have revisited the idea of non-monogamy and over the last few years have slowly opened their relationship in a much more tactical way. It hasn't been an easy road and they have learned a lot. We love how vulnerable they both are during this conversation. 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/

23 Feb 20221h 29min

Brooke and her husband began exploring swinging 21 years into their now 30+ year marriage. Swinging led to polyamory, and multiple attempts at quad dynamics before determining that the quad dynamic was not a good fit for them, even if polyamory was. Woven into this incredible story are some amazing conversations on letting go of blame and anger after an infidelity as well as setting boundaries and what happens when you don't. This is a beautiful conversation and we hope you enjoy it.   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 Feb 20221h 9min

Milla is the Director of Marketing and Senior Size Specialist at ONE Condoms and myONE Custom Fit Condoms and she's with us today to talk all things condoms... She's been on a mission to improve sexual health education since her terrible sex-ed experience in high school and she is a blast to talk to. This isn't a boring sex-ed lecture, we promise. Bonus! Save 20% on your order at both ONE and myONE when you use the code NNM!   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/

11 Feb 202250min

Chris identifies as a bisexual, polyamorous woman and has two partners. She feels as if she has been polyamorous since she was in her twenties but didn't have a framework for it. After navigating a series of infidelities on her behalf over the years, her husband approached her and asked to officially open the relationship. They explored a swinging dynamic for a few years until their relationship ultimately ended. Since then, Chris has been on her own journey to figure out what works best for her. We have a great conversation on a wide range of topics, as she shares not only the trials and challenges that she has faced but also the happiness and joy it brings to her life. 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/

9 Feb 20221h 8min

This conversation with Kate and Travis has so much depth, laughter, and love. It's amazing... There isn't much that's conventional about these two and we absolutely love how proud they are and how they support each other.   In a nutshell... They have been together 10 years and married for one. It all started when Travis' friend bet him that he couldn't hook up with Kate. But first, they became roommates. Kate moved in but not to her room... To Travis'. Then they started hooking up, then exploring with threesomes, then within four months Kate was pregnant. Then Kate moved out and they decided to try dating each other instead of just hooking up. Then... Surprise, a second baby! Years later, they're still going strong. Best friends exploring non-monogamy and living life to the fullest. It's a beautiful and fun story.   Last year, Kate and Travis decided to start documenting some of their journey on a podcast called She, My Wife, and I. Check it out to learn more and follow along as they adventure through life together!   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/

2 Feb 20221h 39min