November 19, 2025

Welcome to Episode 18, Shades of Pleasure

Four sexologists open up about life, love, and the pursuit of consensual non monogamy.

In this episode, The Crew — Mou, Melissa, Wayne, and Kelly — dive into poly under duress. “Poly under duress” is a term used in consensual non-monogamy communities to describe a dynamic where one partner feels pressured—implicitly or explicitly—to open the relationship, often because the relationship feels at risk if they don’t agree. When that pressure is present, even subtle reluctance around agreements can create power imbalances, coercive undercurrents, and emotional fallout that’s hard to name but easy to feel.

So, what does enthusiastic consent look like when we’re talking about relationship structures, not just sex? And what happens when “agreements” drift into control rather than connection?

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pleasureforthemasses.substack.com