We were super jazzed to have psychotherapist and author of "Polysecure", Jessica Fern, return with her co-author David Cooley to chat about their new book, "Polywise" which is an amazing resource on healthy relating. We discuss restorative relationship conversations, parts work, codependency, ambiamory and how Eastern philosophy helped shaped their journey, as well as we dive into their own relationship history. Eye-opening and genuine conversation with two awesome humans! We had a blast!

NOTE: Outtakes at the end!

"Polywise: A Deeper Dive into Navigating Open Relationships" by Jessica Fern and David Cooley @Thornapple Press

You may not have heard about Ambiamory - the ability to be in either monogamous or polyamorous relationships. For those who identify as Ambiamorous, like Leanne, there are challenges and gifts. We invite you to explore what Leanne's journey of Ambiamory is like.

If you're confused about why your mono-mind is so active when you really WANT to be polyamorous, or you wonder why as a monogamous person you can't shake the need to have other connections, this may be the episode for you!

Leanne & Greg Million are International Certified Relationship, Sexuality and Empowerment Coaches specializing in polyamory, consensual non-monogamy, kink and alternative lifestyles. Join our FB group: Empowered Poly Relationship Support and Advice.

Reach out to us directly at [email protected] and [email protected].

Steeped in the mindset of possessiveness and ownership, entitlement can show up in ANY relationship, and polyamory is no exception. We chat about what entitlement is and how it's different than deserving, about the ways in which people feel entitled to you and why it's important to shift away from it when it does show up for you. Join us (Leanne & Greg Million) as we share our insights from our own experiences as well as what we've observed as Relationship Coaches. And sometimes we have an "aha" moment during one of these shows!

Here's the article that Leanne couldn't remember the name of:

#polyamory #relationshipcoach #ethicalnonmonogamy #relationshipadvice #breakingup #breakups #endingarelationship #shiftingarelationship #polyamorous #openrelationship #openrelationships #relationshipcoaching #howtobreakup #managingabreakup

In this episode, we take a look at how to mindfully frame a breakup in a healthy way, managing our feelings, holding space for the other person and dealing with potentially challenging or difficult breakups.

During this podcast, we actually had a slight misunderstanding. Leanne had offered the idea of bringing to your partner how you would like to be broken up with, and Greg misheard this as "ask your partner how they'd like to be broken up with". Subsequently, Leanne didn't correct him, but went with the flow (as she is wont to do) and assumed she'd said it incorrectly. We missed that left turn and ended up in Albuquerque (if you know, you know). Ultimately, it all turned out fine in the end with some important discussion.

Trigger warning: we mention situations where someone may be at risk and need to leave immediately, and we also mention getting help if you are in danger from yourself or others. These are not discussed in detail.

Reference to the book "Illunimata: a Return to Prayer" by Marianne Williamson.

#openrelationship #polyamory #relationshipcoach #ethicalnonmonogamy #openrelationship #polyamorous #polyamorousrelationship #polyamory #relationshipcoach #relationshipcoaching

As Relationship Coaches specializing in consensual non-monogamy and polyamory, we see a lot of stress occurring around meeting your partner's partner (your "meta").  

So in this episode we ask...What are some things to consider when you are deciding whether or not you want to meet your meta(s)? Why might your partner be feeling obligated to meet their meta(s)? Why do some people choose not to meet their meta(s)? 

We chat about all of these and then give you some great TIPS for those of you who decide to go ahead and meet your meta(s).  

#sexualhealth #safersex #polyamory #sexuallytransmitteddiseases #std #sexuallytransmittedinfections #ethicalnonmonogamy #openrelationship #polyamorous #polyamorousrelationship #polycoach #relationships #relationshipcoach #relationshipcoaching

In this VERY IMPORTANT episode, we discuss what sexual health is, address the stigma of STIs and how we can help normalize having "the talk", disclosure, consent, and Leanne's journey with her own STI.   Disclaimer: The contents of this episode should not be used in place of medical advice. We encourage you to consult with your local STI health clinic or doctor when making decisions around your health.   NOTE: Cytomeglovirus, although discusssed, is not considered an STI.   (Apologies for the sound quality for Leanne - her lapel mic wasn't working!)

#consensualnonmonogamy #ethicalnonmonogamy #poly #polyamorous #polyamory #openingup #disentangling #mononormativeprogramming #codependency #enmeshment #boundaries #relationshipcoaching #relationshipcoach #ethicalnonmonogamy #ENM #CNM 

Opening Up from being monogamous, whether you're solo poly or from a couple, is very challenging no matter which relationship dynamic you choose on the consensual non-monogamy spectrum. We take a look at what the most challenging aspects of Opening Up are, and how you can navigate them, including codependency, enmeshment, disentangling, autonomy, boundaries and communication.  If you want to learn more about what to consider when Opening Up, or even if you've already opened up, but are struggling and want to know if there was something you should be tending to, this is the episode for you!

Trigger warning: abusive relationships are mentioned, no detail given. 

#consensualnonmonogamy #ethicalnonmonogamy #poly #polyamorous #polyamory #kitchentablepoly #triads #cohabitation #triangulation

What is it we are drawn to in seeking out Kitchen Table Poly? What are some of the challenges and how can we manage them?  In this episode we take a swim in the deeeeeep end of the poly pool...where you and your metamours (your partner's partners) hang out, socialize, and maybe even live together! Sometimes Triads organically occur in these situations, and our special guest and friend, Sex, Love & Relationship Coach Ellecia Paine, knows from her own experience what opportunities and challenges KTP offers. 

You can find Ellecia online at elleciapaine.com, on IG @elleciapaine and you can follow her podcast, "Nope, We're NOT Monogamous" on Spotify, Google and Apple.

#consensualnonmonogamy #ethicalnonmonogamy #poly #monopoly #polyamorous #polyamory #monogamous #openingup #relationships #relationshipdynamics #relationshipadvice #relationshipcoaching

In this episode we dive into one of the more challenging relationship dynamics on the planet - the Polyamorous and Monogamous pairing. We will share with you our personal experiences as well as our experiences as Relationship, Sexuality and Empowerment coaches as we chat about poly-bombing, guilt, helicopter partnering, ambiamorous-ness, relationship snobbery, disentangling, KTP (kitchen table poly - where partners and metas feel comfortable enough to spend time together) and parallel poly (keeping relationships separate) and relationship identities.  We'll give you some things we found helpful when navigating the particularly bumpy landscape of this challenging but also very rewarding relationship dynamic. 

#monogamy #openingup #polyamory #polyamorous #monopoly #griefinrelationships #relationshipstructures #relationshipdynamics #relationshipcoaching #poly #ethicalnonmonogamy #consensualnonmonogamy #relationshipadvice 

In this episode we tackle the grief that comes, as Greg puts it, as "many little deaths" when opening up a previously monogamous relationship. It isn't easy and many of us struggle, even unconsciously, with moving through the grief as we adjust to all the changes that come with opening up. The messages that we receive all of our lives about what love is and isn't create conflict in our minds as we grapple with pushing back against our identities, societal norms and expectations others have of us. 

NOTE: our definition of "solo poly" was incomplete. Here's a blog that explain many nuances to the term in this person's experience of it: https://solopoly.net/2014/12/05/what-is-solo-polyamory-my-take/

If you're struggling with grief, please reach out to us at [email protected] or [email protected].

Here is Leanne's Poly Playlist on Spotify reference in the episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qMkzemGbyazOaY7q0gcAf?si=ca0b191b3c0d4d41

And the song she was struggling to remember is: "I'm Free" by The Soup Dragons ...AND there is another one on the list called "Free" by Donovan Frankenreiter.