Matija Vid Pecek Black (she/he/they, aka Nikki Lapore) has been exploring shibari for nearly a decade-but this isn’t just about knots. For Nikki, rope is a way to connect with energy, nature, and the soul itself. Think flowers, forests, and the freedom of tying yourself as a ritual of release and self-discovery.

In this episode, Mya and Fox dive into Nikki’s unique world, covering:

• How rope becomes self-expression and boosts confidence

• The art and ritual of self-tying

• Connecting with nature through rope

• Their creative rope process—from choosing the perfect organic rope to dying it with natural pigments (yes, including bones—gloves required!)

• What makes rope art—and whether it even needs an audience

• Rope’s place in their life, work, and Croatian culture

• And their vision for future druidic-goth-art adventures

Plus, hear Mya’s mind completely blown when she realizes she totally misunderstood one of Nikki’s offerings.

Listener Bethany asks Fox and Mya a deceptively simple question: after nine years of making the Rope Podcast, what’s actually changed about their rope - and the way they think about it?

The answer turns into a wide-ranging, honest reflection on how rope evolves over time: through experimentation, relationships, community, aging, and life doing what life does.

In this episode, they talk about:

• How their intents in rope have shifted - and why that matters

• Using experimentation to uncover what truly sits at the core of their rope practice

• How the ties in Fox’s rope system have changed over the years

• How changes in relationship style reshaped how they think about and position rope partners

• Mya’s journey from early innocence into a deeper engagement with safety, consent, and responsibility as a bottom

• What’s changed in the rope scene around them - and how that’s influenced their choices

• A key lesson from doing rope cross-culturally, and how it transformed their approach to consent

• Some of the biggest shifts in how they approach rope, and what prompted them

• The tying styles they’ve explored, abandoned, or kept

• How age and changing lives have altered what rope looks like now

• How tying outside their rope partnership has evolved for each of them

• Ways they try to live their values in rope, even when it’s uncomfortable

• What hasn’t changed - and why those constants still matter

• And yes… cuddly rope and TV rope

This conversation feels like sitting down with old friends who’ve carried rope through some of life’s biggest transitions and come out with deeper curiosity and clearer priorities. Part reflection, part history, and part check-in, it’s a look at what it really means to grow with rope over the long term.

Click to listen, and consider: what’s changed in your rope over the years - and what’s stayed the same?

We’re back with Part 2 of our festive special — and this time, our guests share the rope scenes that stuck with them long after the ropes came off.

Just like Part 1, the stories range from playful to profound, from photoshoots to performances - and this time, more than one takes us outdoors. Just like in the last episode the line between these is often blurred, in part because the very physicality of rope makes it impossible to fake.

In this episode, you’ll hear from:

• Pearl and Bayowolf, who turned a difficult situation into unexpected connection, laughter, and community

• Mistress J, whose spontaneous outdoor tie with her partner caught the attention of her local community

• The Bondage Otter, sharing a photoshoot that blurred the line between art and intimacy

• Fox, reflecting on a shoot that beautifully captured the spirit of local cultural festival

If you haven’t yet listened to Part 1, don’t miss it — the two episodes make the perfect pair for the holiday season.

It’s that time of year again — one of our favourite (and most popular!) episodes: where our wonderful guests from throughout 2025 share one of their favourite rope scenes.

This year’s stories span the full spectrum of rope — from performance to photoshoot, labbing to play — and show just how beautifully blurred those boundaries can be. Expect moments of connection, creativity, and curiosity in every description.

In this episode, you’ll hear from:

• Lee Harrington, who enacts a deep desire for self-suspension in nature, in harmony with the elements

• Claire, who dives into rope science and geeky joy during a rope bottom lab session

• KinkNamePending, whose performance teeters on the line between scene and spectacle

• petite Pretzel, who shares a ‘sticky’ memory of a photoshoot

Whether you’re drawn to the technical, the emotional, or the artistic sides of rope, this episode offers inspiration for every listener.

Simple in structure but rich in potential, the Waitress tie is a versatile classic often seen in power exchange rope- but that’s only the beginning.

In this episode, Fox and Mya dive into the layers of this tie:

• Fresh, less gendered names and interpretations

• What makes up the tie (and some fun variations to try)

• Contexts where it shines—from sensual play to practical restraint

• The sensations it can evoke

• Key risks and safety considerations

• Personal stories of how Fox and Mya have used and adapted it

Discover why this understated tie deserves a place in your rope toolkit.

Are you in condition to do rope? And what does that really mean?

Claire, a Filipino strength and conditioning coach and exercise physiology researcher based in Thailand, returns for part two of her conversation with Mya and Fox. With over 15 years of experience coaching people of all ages, shapes, and abilities, she brings a science-informed, body-positive approach to rope bottoming—one that combines strength, mobility, and awareness.

Her perspective couldn’t be more different from Mya’s go-with-the-flow style, and this time the hosts explore how conditioning, recovery, and mindset work together to build a rope journey that’s sustainable, safe, and deeply rewarding.

In this episode, they discuss:

• The difference between conditioning and simply “getting fit”

• Why you might want to condition yourself for rope, not just in rope

• How rope is a marathon, not a sprint

• Re-setting expectations for your body after time away from rope

• Building the mental approach needed for long-term rope practice

• Activities that help your body adapt to different rope challenges

• Using the rope session itself as conditioning

• What rope can learn from sports science

• How conditioning supports safety and longevity

• The role of bodyweight exercises in building body awareness

• Why establishing a “body baseline” matters

• Breathwork and recovery

• Conditioning for “smexy-times” rope

• The eight senses and their role in rope play

You don’t have to do any of this (Mya) —but if you love understanding the body, or you’re a science and exercise geek at heart (Fox!), this is a must-listen.

Share your thoughts in the comments—and listen now on all podcast platforms!

Claire, a Filipino strength and conditioning coach and exercise physiology researcher based in Thailand, brings a fresh, evidence-informed perspective to rope bottoming. Fascinated by how the body responds to rope—physically and psychologically—she’s exploring how strength, conditioning, and awareness can deepen your connection to your own body in rope.

Her approach couldn’t be more different from Mya’s ‘just turn up’ style, so the hosts sat down with her to unpack how labbing, movement, and mindful training can transform the rope experience.

In this episode, they discuss:

• What “labbing” as a rope bottom really means

• How to use labbing to discover your body’s strengths and weak spots

• Understanding your body’s physical and emotional responses to rope

• Overcoming mental and physical challenges through labbing

• Handling surprises and unmet expectations

• How rope shapes—and is shaped by—the body

• Why yoga with rope feels so different from yoga without it

• Using rope as a tool for body awareness and self-connection

• The three key questions Claire asks before every session

• Simple exercises to prepare for rope and tune in afterward

Expect a thoughtful conversation at the intersection of science, embodiment, and rope.

Do you lab your ties as a bottom? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Fox is thrilled to share his new novella, Blood Ties, where rope, vampires, and a lush French medieval world collide. Expect vivid sensory detail, authentic rope play, and a story that’s equal parts seductive and thrilling.

In this episode, Mya and Fox explore the inspirations and ideas behind the book, including:

- Why vampires? And how vampirism mirrors aspects of Fox’s sexuality

- The unexpected parallels between kink and vampirism

- Rope: more than just a prop—why it’s central to the story

- Shifting from non-fiction rope photography to erotic fiction

- Balancing fantasy with reality, and knowing when to bend the rules

- The kinks and activities woven seamlessly into the tale

- Why written erotica still has a vital place in a video-saturated world

- Bringing a medieval setting to life without losing the erotic edge

Plus, Mya shares her favourite line from the book, and Fox reads a tantalising excerpt that will leave you begging for more.

Workshops aren’t just about what you pack-they’re about the mindset you bring with you. In this follow-up to Part 1, Fox and Mya dive into the mental and emotional side of preparing for a rope workshop, so you can show up curious, confident, and ready to grow.

In this episode, they explore:

• Handling different values between you and your educators

• Why curiosity, respect, and an open mind matter most

• How to set yourself up for learning success

• Giving and receiving feedback effectively

• Strategies to get the most from every learning opportunity

• Being a rope magpie vs. following a single rope guru

• Capturing and retaining your learnings

• Asking great questions (without hogging the floor!)

• Supporting your educators and helping create a great class

• Navigating safety, consent, and peer pressure in workshops

• Making the most of the social side of workshops

Getting ready for your first (or tenth!) rope workshop? Fox and Mya have been to plenty of in-person rope events, and every time they pick up new tricks to make the most of the experience.

In this episode, they share their best prep strategies so you can walk in confident, relaxed, and ready to learn. They cover:

• What makes a rope workshop different from your usual rope play

• Smart packing tips (so you don’t forget the essentials)

• What to check with organisers or educators before you arrive

• Outfit choices that actually work for workshops

• How to handle food, drink, and energy across a full day of learning

• Capturing your learnings so they stick

• Who to attend with—and how to find the right workshop partner

• Switching roles at workshops

• Getting the most from auditing

Whether you’re brand new to workshops or a seasoned attendee, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you get the absolute most from your next rope adventure.