Welcome Brave Lovers! In today's episode, our hosts are joined by renowned Shibari Artist, Kati Bird. Shibari is the Japanese art of decorative rope bondage.  Listen in for this exciting conversation as Kati shares more about the art and how it can be transformative for couples. Kati details how the process involves clear and explicit conversation between partners and can create a somatic experience that evokes emotional intimacy as well as physical. She shares that there is frequent checking in, attunement and the creation of space for communication that can allow participants to experience deeply. This unique practice has many benefits and with Kati helps educate and reduce fear and stigma around the practice of Shibari. If you'd like more information or to work with Kati directly; visit her website at www.shibariunraveled.com Lovers--we are less than one month away from the release of our book. Make sure to order your copy of Brave Love, Great Sex today!

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Welcome Brave Lovers! In today's episode, we answer a mailbag question from a long-time listener. Our listener is a sexual pursuer wanting to know how to improve things in their sexless marriage. Join Laurie and George as they provide expert advice on how to prioritize your relationship during the busy parenting years, identify where you are blocking connection and effective ways to communicate this intimate conversation. Their role play shows how to correct a negative cycle and get the conversation moving in a positive and meaningful direction. Want to get your question answered on an episode? Head over to our website and drop a message in our mailbag. We love to hear from our listeners!

Brave Love, Great Sex out on September 15th--pre-order your copy today!

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In this foreplay replay we talk a lot about romance outside of the bedroom, but what does a romantic interlude look like? “I wish my partner were more romantic in bed” is a statement we often hear from women. “Are you kidding me?” is a retort we often hear from men. “I thought we were done with all the jumping through hoops after we got married.”

While it is true that many men feel as described, it’s also true that both men and women appreciate romance and thoughtfulness in relationships. Bringing romance to a relationship will differ for everyone but based on our experience, there are 4 important elements for adding spice to the bedroom!

Let's break down each of these steps!

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Welcome Brave Lovers! In today's episode, we explore the often overlooked topic of loss during menopause. Navigating this life transition can bring up unexpected grief, changes in identity, and shifts in physical intimacy. Join us as we discuss how to honor these experiences, communicate needs to your partner, and find new ways to connect during the hormonal and emotional tides. Listen in as George and Laurie break the silence and help you find support through this significant chapter of life.

Make sure to pre-order a copy of our book, Brave Love, Great Sex, and follow us on our socials @BraveLoveGreatSex for updates and more relationship tips! As always, keep it hot!

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In this foreplay replay we cover contempt, one of the most dangerous emotions in a relationship. This episode covers the markers of contemptuous behavior and why it's so destructive to a marriage. Laurie and Dr. Adam offer advice on recognizing this powerful emotion and how to bring the humanity back into your relationship.

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Welcome Brave Lovers! In today's episode, we are discussing boundaries. The term boundaries can be found everywhere now on social media and today we are breaking down what healthy boundaries are and are not. There is a lot of misinformation on boundaries and we are here to set the record straight! Join George and Laurie as they discuss what healthy boundaries in a relationship sound like, how to say no with care and how these guardrails protect and support your relationship. You'll also learn more about rigidity and defensiveness disguised as boundaries and how to work yourself out of this dynamic. What do boundaries mean to you and how do they show up in your relationship?

Remember to pre-order a copy of our book now! Brave Love, Great Sex available on September 15th. 

Check out this episode's sponsor (and help the 'pod!):

uberlube.com - Laurie's long-time favorite personal lubricant. Use the code 'bravelove' at checkout to receive a discount!

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When someone is committed to fidelity and their partner absolutely does not want sex—is there any hope?

Technically, sexless is considered less than 10x a year—but for some people, there is no sex. Sometimes each partner still has desire but they don't know how to talk about it. They may even masturbate on their own but feel it's too complicated to share with their partner. Sometimes the sexual pursuer just gives up and becomes a sexual withdrawer.

The danger of a sexless marriage is that the couple may not feel the love of or for their partner and become subject to the temptation of others. They may long for the sexual connection they shared in the beginning; George and Laurie share some ideas about how taking their clothes off again can be safer.

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Welcome Brave Lovers! In today's episode we are talking about how we can achieve better communication even if we have very different communication styles. Laurie and George discuss the idea of relationship continuity. Partners remember something that is important to the other and bring it up or initiate connection. Listen in as they discuss some of the differences between men and women's brains and positive ways to stretch beyond me and care for "us." They offer an expert roleplay to break down to listeners how to get back on track to attunement when continuity is disrupted. A great reminder, it's not just you or me, it's also "we."

Need more support in your relationship? Make sure to sign up for our virtual couples retreat in November and pre-order a copy of our book Brave Love, Great Sex today!

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Let's talk about five primary emotions: joy, fear, anger, sadness, shame, and disgust – feeling all of them is important, especially with your partner. Emotions are the language of the body. They say, "pay attention, something's happening!" But so often we don't pay attention, choosing, consciously or unconsciously, to disconnect...

We may have been raised in homes where anger was expressed in an unhealthy way, joy covered by a wet blanket, or shame used to control and manipulate our behavior. Regardless of how our childhoods taught us to relate to emotions, we can rewrite the script by creating healthy emotional attachments and responses.

While there are many tools we can use to do that, in this episode we're going to talk about co-regulation and co-creation ("CoCo.") And learn how to share and navigate emotions together.

If your loved one is excited, you match their excitement. If your loved one is angry, you honor their anger. Co-regulation is not co-dependency. Co-regulation does not say, "I feel happy only if you're happy." It says, "You feel happy, and I'm happy for you." Co-regulation allows the witness to be there for their partner while also honoring their own emotions.

Most of the time, people don't understand the emotion they're in, and they need someone to support them in a curious and non-judgemental way. Co-creation allows partners to act as witnesses for each other. By asking questions and being present, the witness can help the emoter explore and deepen their understanding of their feelings.

Listen to learn how to apply 'CoCo' to your relationship and create positive shifts in your emotional and sexual cycles! 

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Welcome Brave Lovers! In today's episode we are discussing reaching withdrawers through the body.  When the withdrawer is anticipating something negative, they become activated, freeze and fall into a shame spiral. This shame spiral causes distance in the partnership and is a step in the negative cycle. Creating body awareness, and identifying what feelings are present can help withdrawers slow down and stay engaged. Listeners will learn how to do this today using the acronym ROC. R-elax, O-pen up, C-onnect. George guides the audience through, how to relax, opening up and getting curious, and connecting with others on your experience. This practice builds the skills of self-awareness, regulation and improved communication in relationships. How can you use ROC in your life? Let us know on our instagram @BraveLoveGreatSex and don't forget to pre-order a copy of our book by the same name!

Check out Owen Marcus's organization Meld to find out more.

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