Adult grooming is often misunderstood -- from what it looks like, to who is most vulnerable, what types of people groom, and why -- most assume it can't happen to them. The fact is, grooming comes in many forms and can happen in any type of relationship - including BDSM dynamics. And because kink often involves power imbalances, it can be especially difficult to recognize in this context.

Whether you're new to kink or a seasoned veteran, episode 199 of American Sex will give you the tools to spot unhealthy power dynamics in BDSM and deconstruct preconceived notions of what manipulative abuse looks like, who can do it, and why. You'll also learn:

• How the 6 stages of grooming apply to D/s dynamics
• How to recognize coercive abuse in BDSM relationships
• How pop culture kink stereotypes fuel grooming within BDSM
• The reasons groomers manipulate & who they are
• How my breakable rules analysis can help you spot unhealthy kink & more

p.s. Don't forget to grab your FREE ticket to the Dom/sub Virtual Summit 2/20-24 where I'll be teaching my "No B.S. Approach to Consent & Safe Words." http://bit.ly.sunnydssummit

Guest Bio – Sunny Megatron

Sunny Megatron is an award-winning Sexologist, BDSM & Certified Sexuality Educator, and media personality. She's the host & executive producer of the Showtime original series, Sex with Sunny Megatron, co-hosts AASECT Award-winning American Sex Podcast and Open Deeply Podcast, and was 2021's XBIZ Sexpert of the Year. Currently, she's the Editor-in-Chief of kink-focused Zipper Magazine.

Known for her one-of-a-kind, build-your-own-adventure approach to sex, kink & relationships, Sunny coined the BDSM community catchphrase, Kink is Customizable™. In her sell-out workshops, her unique brand of "edutainment" seamlessly combines her humorous teaching style, interactive exercises, and the latest sexuality research. Sunny's passion is helping others overcome shame and find their power through play and pleasure. Currently, she's working on her first book, "Customizable Kink: A Strategic Guide to Adult Play."

Episode 199 Helpful Links & Resources

• Sunny Megatron website https://sunnymegatron.com/

• Sunny Megatron TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron?

• Sunny Megatron Twitter https://twitter.com/sunnymegatron

• Sunny Megatron Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sunnymegatron/

• The Dom/sub Virtual Summit 2/20-24 http://bit.ly.sunnydssummit

• Everything You Need to Know About Safewords by Sunny Megatron https://zippermagazine.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-safewords/

• What's the Difference Between a Tradwife & Domestic Service Submissive? https://zippermagazine.com/tradwife-vs-domestic-service-sub/

• BDSM Test American Sex Podcast episode https://sunnymegatron.com/the-bdsm-test/

• 193 - Safewords episode part 1 https://sunnymegatron.com/safewords-consent-kink-is-customizable/

• 194 - Safewords episode part 2 https://sunnymegatron.com/kink-nuance-podcast/

• Kink Academy Online BDSM Learning Library http://bit.ly/kinkacademy

• Sunny's Free Kink Negotiation & Scene Planning Mini-Workbook https://sunnymegatron.gumroad.com/l/negotiationwb

• How to Tell if Your BDSM Relationship is Abusive https://www.vice.com/en/article/panjbz/how-to-tell-if-your-bdsm-relationship-is-abusive

• The 6 stages of grooming https://www.skillsplatform.org/blog/6-stages-of-grooming-adults-and-teens-spotting-the-red-flags/

• Sunny Megatron TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron

• American Sex Podcast Discord Community http://bit.ly/discordasp

• American Sex Podcast Patreon http://patreon.com/americansex

Episode 199 Sponsor & Affiliate Discount Codes/Links

*by using our links & codes you can help support our work while saving a few bucks too—win/win!

• 30-day free trial of Dipsea Stories when you use code SUNNY at http://dipseastories.com/sunny

• Go to http://GreenChef.com/sunny60 and use code sunny60 to get 60% off plus free shipping

• Build your credit score with http://Kikoff.com

• Shameless Sex Podcast https://www.shamelesssex.com/

• Sex Talk With My Mom Podcast http://www.sextalkwithmymom.com/

• Pleasure Podcasts Network https://www.pleasurepodcasts.com/

• Hot & Healthy Erotic Humiliation recorded class https://gum.co/humiliationclass

• 15% off most items from Stockroom https://bit.ly/sunnystockroom15 with code SUNNY _______________________________________________________________

–To support American Sex podcast/Sunny Megatron & help offset the cost of providing no-charge education: http://patreon.com/americansex

–Get friendly with us on Twitter at @AmericanSexPod & sunnymegatron.com