Keep Them Coming with Kristen Thomas

Professor and author Dr Aditi Paul joined me for a conversation about what's currently going on with college hookup culture. It's been 20 years since I was in college and I was really curious how things compare. Good news - the kids are alright! We discussed their views on safer sex practices, dating apps, finding meaning in hookups, what their thoughts are about commitment, and what induces sexual regret. TW: sexual assault is briefly discussed in the second half of the show.

You can find her at draditipaul.com and Twitter @iamaditipaul.

In honor of Transgender Day of Visibility, Dr Laura Meihofer DPT joined me on this episode of Keep Them Coming. She is a pelvic wellness expert who specializes in treating people who are transgender or intersex. She's a doctor, teacher, and advocate all rolled into one! We discussed how treatments can help with all sorts of issues from shy bladder to sexual pleasure. Dr Meihofer helped explain what intersex means. We also discussed some of our favorite gender affirming toy brands like Enby, Smile Makers, Twisted Mountain, and Fun Factory.

The Mother of Sex Coaching, Dr Patti Britton, who is also one of Kristen's mentors, was today's special guest. Listening to two people who's life revolves around pleasure activism is quite a treat! Dr Patti shared her perspectives on foreplay, pleasure, sexual wellness, and more. She is retiring from Sex Coach U next year, so she shared what is in store after that change. You can find her books The Art of Sex Coaching, Designing and Leading a Successful SAR, and Idiots Guide to Sensual Massage on her website DrPattiBritton.com.

Awkward Essentials founder Frances Tang joined me for a rousing conversations about cum sponges. Her first product video for DripStick had everyone sending me their video asking "have you seen this one?!" I had and I loved it. I've been a fan of Awkward Essentials since I first saw their product! Frances shared her journey from starting in her parents garage to going viral thanks to a Twinkie. She shared her vision for the future, involving other "behind the bathroom door" products.

Find Awkward Essentials on Instagram, TikTok, and their website. Use coachkristen for a discount at checkout.

My guest, Michael Castleman, is a sexual health and wellness journalist who has written books, is a prolific blogger, and he also gives advice at greatsexguidance.com.

Find Jenelle on all socials @TheSTIproject.

I can add a dildo maker to my collection of interesting friends in this life! Mountain of Twisted Mountain Toys joined me on to tell me the story of how he become a sex toy maker. Necessity breeds invention, and he found a need as a bigger bodied person for a better butt plug.

Mountain plans to expand his line of toys, keeping a wide range of bodies, abilities, genders, and queerness in mind. Check out twistedmountaintoys.com or visit his Etsy page. He is entirely word of mouth right now, so let's support this Kansas City maker!

Community advocate Shalese Clay joined me on KTC to share ways she and others are working in the city to help ensure infant and maternal health through Cradle KC and Every Baby To 1. She taught me the ABC's of safe sleep and we discussed the importance of planning a pause between children. In fact, the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County's 'Plan Your Pause' campaign has a goal to educate mothers and families about how good it is for her health and the baby's health to wait around 18 months between pregnancies.

It's the start of Black History Month, and we kicked it off by having real talk about the disparities in medical care for black and BIPOC patients. If black women are much more likely to die during pregnancy and post-partum in the US, and black babies are more likely to survive infancy if they had a black doctor, only one thing is responsible for it - racism. Systemic racism, direct racism, doesn't matter. There's no reason beyond racism that can explain away why black and brown mothers and babies are dying disproportionately in this country.

Fellow SCU Alum Sarah Martin, The Dignified Hedonist, joined me on Keep Them Coming to help us all understand more about the online Manosphere. She has extensively researched Pick Up Artistry (PUA) and some of the leaders in this subculture. We discussed how dehumanizing to men ideologies like red pill, Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW), and PUA can be.

Her approach to helping men leave behind these thoughts and ways is to teach them to be dignified hedonists - Sarah helps horny people get laid with dignity. It was intriguing to hear all about her deep dive into these subcultures!

Mentioned in the episode: Models by Mark Manson. Visit Sarah's website at dignifiedhedonist.com