The Intimate Lifestyle

Authenticity and honesty are concepts that have been iterated time and again in the show and from the guests as one of the key components of successful relationships and meaningful life.

This time around, we have the main proponent of radical honesty to speak about what he’s been advocating and teaching for the last 25 years.

Brad Blanton is a psychotherapist, author, workshop leader, speaker, and the founder of Radical Honesty Enterprises. His team conducts more than a hundred workshops per year, plus coachings and meetup groups to share with the world how radical honesty can positively impact lives.

Brad joins me as this episode’s guest as we talk about his bestselling book Radical Honesty -- a book that changed my life immensely. Some might think that radical honesty can result in judging and hurting people, but what Brad offers is a genuine and honest expression that allows you to transform your life and your relationships.

Brad unpacks the objectives as well as consequences of practicing radical honesty in the various aspects of our lives.  We also touched on a bit of politics too.

Some of the areas we covered in this episode include:

• An overview of his work and business that grew into what it is today, and why he attributes the recent boost of his book sales to Donald Trump. (04:07)
• What radical honesty means, how it goes against society's conventions, and why ‘the fake it ‘til you make it’ attitude of pretending and lying can be detrimental to our lives. (06:04)
• How to engage with people and live life practicing more honesty. (12:46)
• Radical honesty when it comes to job interviews and recruitment. (18:50)
• Why Brad recommends being honest at the risk of offending and hurting people, and the value of forgiveness. (23:59)
• Understanding our assumptions and perceptions of the world, the difference between the two concepts, and the conflicts that arise from these. (29:11)
• The importance of sticking around after you've been honest with someone. (32:50)
• The information that Brad suggests to disclose if someone cheats in a relationship and why the need for these details? (34:28)
• The faulty values of righteousness and moralism. (37:36)
• A proof of how radical honesty works even in the political arena. (43:42)
• Radical honesty in pick-up arts and dating. (45:40)
• The difference between brutal and genuine honesty, and tapping vulnerability and relationship intimacy. (53:09)
• The consequences of practicing radical honesty which can lead to better family or relationship dynamics. (59:27)
• Dealing with the phases of anger, how it leads to forgiveness, and the process of forgiveness. (1:03:04)
• A new workshop his team is working on that merges personal growth with politics. (1:09:29)

Living life authentically is something that I promote so I want more people to learn about it.  If you want to discover more about Radical Honesty and how it can improve your life, get a free copy of Intro to Radical Honesty.

If you’re interested in their workshops and other services, you may reach Brad and his team at www.radicalhonesty.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Brad's books are all available on Amazon, including Radical Honesty and Practicing Radical Honesty.

As for me, I'm still a bit on the fence when it comes to approaching women with radical honesty. I guess I'm going to have to see if it will be effective for me. Maybe I’ll give you an update how it goes.

One place where you can practice radical honesty though is by reaching out to me at ryan [at] theintimatelifestyle [dot] com for your feedback, suggestions, and questions. I’d love to hear your honest thoughts.

Remember to leave us a rating on iTunes.

And check out all the Sex Toys, Coaching, Courses and more at www.theintimatelifestyle.com/access.

Decoding other people’s intentions isn’t always the easiest task. Plus, there always seems to be a disconnect when it comes to men and women understanding each other's needs. The disconnect becomes apparent when individuals are in a relationship and their deficiencies in providing what the other needs become the root of disagreements.

The Intimate Lifestyle invited this week’s guest, John Wineland, to shed some light on this matter. John is an LA-based men's group facilitator, author, speaker and teacher who guides men, women, couples, and groups in the field of spiritual intimacy and yogic sexuality so they may deepen their relationships and connections.

I watched one talk John gave about what men crave and I was immediately hooked to the message he’s sending out to the world. This conversation was mind-blowing for me and I'm excited to share it with you. I must warn you though, expect a lot of realizations and incredible insights that might possibly change your life and how you show up to the world from this episode.

John and I zeroed in on what men crave and how men can lead, but there are various topics that we’ve touched on including:

• How yogic sexuality enables people to experience sex in a deeper level with a physical, emotional, and energetic component. (03:50)
• What are men and women's different relationship needs and motivation, and how each can help and support the other accomplish these. (06:46)
• Understanding freedom and how it is related to commitment and relationships. (11:11)
• How men crave feminine energy and the qualities men find valuable in women. (16:48)
• Men's realization of their craving for the deepest experience of the feminine heart. (22:57)
• The three levels of masculinity that manifest in the real world and how masculinity can free women. (28:36)
• The concept of leadership, surrender, trust, and the whole power dynamics in relationships. (37:55)
• Masculine qualities that women yearn for but men haven't learned and aren't necessarily trained to be. (47:01)
• How men can assume leadership without stripping women of power and control, what good masculine leadership looks like, and what individuals value in the present time. (50:00)

Now that was a really thought-provoking discussion, wasn’t it? What he teaches should be made available as part of basic life skills and learnings if you ask me. And I definitely urge you to share this episode far and wide so men and women all over the world get to understand each other and themselves a little better.

John and I are merely scratching the surface and if you want more of this, get in touch with John through his website. You can also read his contributions for mindbodygreen, and watch his talks and other videos on YouTube. Also, catch the original talk that I listened to on What Men Crave.

Thoughts, suggestions, inquiries? Email me at ryan [at] theintimatelifestyle [dot] com. Your feedback is highly appreciated!

Remember to leave us a rating on iTunes.

And check out all the Sex Toys, Coaching, Courses and more at www.theintimatelifestyle.com/access.

Now, when I first saw a podcast interview that today’s guest had been a part of entitled ‘Fucking a Man’s Heart Open’, I automatically wondered what it meant.

We have EJ Love, the Love Priestess on today’s show to share her knowledge as a love, relationship, and sex coach. She helps her clients figure out their relationships and lives by focusing on self-love, communication, soul connection, and spiritual rituals.

Before we go directly to this insightful episode, here’s an exclusive offer for The Intimate Lifestyle followers. If you go to adamandeve.com, there is a discount code that you can use to avail of 50% DISCOUNT on any one item, plus FREE SHIPPING. Input the discount code SEXTALKS upon checkout to redeem this deal.

EJ and I had a very interesting discussion where we tackled the female orgasm, fucking a man’s heart open and ghosting, just to name a few. Specifics that we chatted about include:

• How working as an escort steered her into this path and how tantric massage became a catalyst towards positive change. (09:10)
• Who is ultimately responsible for women's orgasm. (15:41)
• Fucking a man's heart open through a woman's vulnerability, and how this realization happened to EJ. (18:48)
• Making it possible to fuck a man's heart open. (27:06)
• Bridging the disconnect between men and women's communication. (35:18)
• Acknowledging men's efforts to make women happy and how we tend to self-sabotage. (42:15)
• The purpose of the process of living and an experiment in practicing radical honesty. (46:25)
• EJ's perception of how we unconsciously encourage people into ghosting us. (51:56)

This is such an enlightening conversation. So many realizations about communication, sex, relationships, and life. I highly suggest that you share this episode with your circle. Everyone can learn a thing or two from this.

If you can’t get enough of this, you can reach EJ through her Website. You can also stay updated with her on Facebook and Instagram.

Check out two resources we’ve mentioned on this episode: Unfuck Yourself and Radical Honesty.

If you would like to recommend any guests, or if you have questions or feedback, you can email me at ryan [at] theintimatelifestyle [dot] com.

Remember to leave us a rating on iTunes.

And check out all the Sex Toys, Coaching, Courses and more at www.theintimatelifestyle.com/access.

Women complain that it's always the creeps and arrogant jerks who approach them. Good men, on the other hand, complain that women always choose these jerks over them.

There's an apparent disconnect in this equation that needs to be addressed, and today's podcast guest might be the key to bridge that gap.

Diana Mandell is a psychotherapist, working as a relationship coach for the last 6 years. She helps men, women, and couples find and maintain healthy and sustainable relationships. Diana and her work have been featured in various international publications including Martha Stuart Weddings, New York Post, and Forbes.

But before we go to the meat of the conversation, I would like to remind you of this amazing deal from adamandeve.com where listeners of the Intimate Lifestyle get 50% OFF on any one item and FREE SHIPPING. Just use the promo code SEXTALKS when you checkout.

Today, Diana and I discussed the state of human social interactions, why women are attracted to jerks and helping shy guys to build confidence to talk with women. Some of the specific topics we chatted about include:

• Diana’s background and her current work as a relationship coach. (03:58)
• The paradoxical social interaction dilemma people are having these days, an idea on how to improve communication, and ways technology can sometimes sabotage it. (04:40)
• How her past experience in dating and relationships as a 'shit magnet' motivated her to help shy guys in dating and relationships. (09:59)
• Doing roleplays and her level of involvement when working with her clients. (16:51)
• Treading the line between being confident enough to approach women and being misconstrued as creepy or cocky. (22:03)
• Why guys think that being a jerk can win the girl, why girls sometimes choose jerks and ways for shy guys to find a girl. (30:14)
• The looks-personality dynamics, attraction, the friendzone, and Tinder. (35:46)
• Crossing the friendzone, expressing interest, and taking control of a situation or interaction. (45:11)
• The mindset shift Diana guides her clients through and what happens during and is included in her coaching. (57:16)
• Diana's concept of the numbers game by dating smarter. (1:03:03)

I hope this episode was able to provide insights and practical tips for shy men to get the confidence boost that they want and need, men in general on how to better interact with women, and for women to play a more active role in dating.

If you want to reach Diana and learn more about the services she offers as a coach, visit her website at dianamandell.com.

Do you have suggestions or questions for the show? I want to hear your thoughts and ideas. Give me a shout out at ryan [at] theintimatelifestyle [dot] com.

Remember to leave us a rating on iTunes.

And check out all the Sex Toys, Coaching, Courses and more at www.theintimatelifestyle.com/access.

This week’s guest is an expert that we’ve previously had in the show. His name – Phil Mistlberger. Phil is a transpersonal therapist for more than 30 years. His workshops on personal growth, shadow work, and depth psychology were a treasure trove of knowledge for me. I want to share the lessons I’ve acquired through his guidance to the Intimate Lifestyle listeners and so I’ve brought him back to the show.

Phil joins us to share his insights and expertise on a subject that people usually sweep under the rug. More recently though, people have been expressing this emotion so openly for everyone to see via social media. I’m talking about Anger.

Phil talks about how this seemingly primal reaction can serve as your gateway into understanding complex human behavior and emotions.  Some specifics that Phil and I touched on in this truly informative episode are:

• Why I am scared of talking to Phil about anger, what's the deal with fearing anger. (03:55)
• What's a green knight, who's the green knight in our lives, and what's their role? (07:27)
• The importance of our attitude, introspection, mindfulness, and boundaries on our reaction and response to external stimuli. (09:47)
• A mountain retreat and an ill-tempered dog that made Phil realize his own faults and how shifts in consciousness can create changes in his reality. (19:21)
• Holding anger for too long, the reason for seeking vengeance, and the reason for forgiveness. (23:19)
• The three ways to deal with anger, the value in understanding it, and what happens when we refuse to take responsibility for our actions and emotions. (32:20)
• Tibetan Buddhist teachings on transforming anger towards clarity, and preventing the vengeance game. (41:36)
• Repressed anger and idle minds manifesting as depression or anxiety, and methods to break out of these through creative outlets or honest communication. (44:31)
• I tell Phil that I forgot to hit record, tell him about my fear of his anger (due to previous work over the years with him), and his response. I kept this in because, although vulnerable for me, it's a great example of this topic (56:46)
• How anger and our perception of other people's anger prevent us from communicating authentically. (57:31)

This episode is a goldmine of information when it comes to managing our anger and how it affects our day-to-day. It is something that almost everyone can use in their lives and pick up important points from.

Connect with Phil or learn more about his services by checking out his website PTMistleberger.Com, CRTrainings.Com or by joining the SamuraiBrotherhood.Com.

If you want to hear our previous conversation, click here. I also highly recommend that you check out the books that Phil wrote. They are all available on Amazon.

• Rude Awakening
• The Dangerous Magi
• The Inner Light

Chime in the conversation by emailing me at ryan [at] theintimatelifestyle [dot] com for your feedback, questions or suggestions. I want to hear your thoughts.

Remember to leave us a rating on iTunes.

And check out all the Sex Toys, Coaching, Courses and more at www.theintimatelifestyle.com/access.

Before we go straight to this week’s episode, I urge you to work on your Intimate Lifestyle by going to adamandeve.com. The Intimate Lifestyle listeners get an exclusive 50% DISCOUNT on any one item and FREE SHIPPING by using promo code SEXTALKS upon checkout.

Now, on to our guest. Stef Sifandos is a relational alchemist, international speaker, and author. Stef is also a co-founder of a startup that offers content related to personal growth. Now, if the concept of relational alchemy threw you off somewhat, don't you worry as this is exactly what we have decided to unpack on this episode for the listeners.

Stef and I enjoyed this conversation as we chatted about belief systems, the power of language, handling pain and creating positivity out of it. Some of the specific areas we talked about are:

• Bali and the startup that he’s been involved in. (02:24)
• The services he offers via StefSifandos.com providing people a space to gain clarity, transform their lives and improve their relationships. (09:08)
• What alchemy and relationship alchemy means. (11:36)
• The importance of being in a relationship and/or with a partner that allows us to be of service to something greater than ourselves. (21:41)
• Ways that ignorance can be healthy, the role of language in our perception of the world, and the various factors that influence our lives. (29:55)
• Two ways to grow and learn effectively through our own and others’ experiences. (42:55)
• Understanding the nine areas of life for better personal growth. (46:16)
• The importance of gaining clarity of our purpose in to attract the relationship we desire and a life of happiness, wellness, and compassion. (51:08)
• A 6-step cycle to deal with pain sustainably by practicing gratitude, introspection, self-love, and healing towards transformation. (57:30)

I hope you found the episode insightful -- maybe learn a thing or two from the multitude of concepts Stef and I discussed today.

If you want to connect with Stef, you can reach him via Instagram, Facebook, or through his website.

Thoughts, suggestions, inquiries? Email me at ryan [at] theintimatelifestyle [dot] com. Your feedback is always welcome and highly appreciated to improve the show.

Remember to leave us a rating on iTunes.

And check out all the Sex Toys, Coaching, Courses and more at www.theintimatelifestyle.com/access.

When you think of sex parties, you might picture one of those rowdy college parties with overflowing alcohol and drugs. Where people are having intoxicated sex and wakes up the next day without any memory of what happened last night.

Today's guest hosts sex parties. The parties that Kim/Cleopatra calls 'play parties' is the complete opposite of the party that was described earlier though. It is so classy, it starts with conversations over wine and cheese, posh accents are optional. I recently became a part of one of her invite-only sex party, and if there's one word to describe it, it was amazing. Or maybe epic.

I invited her to the podcast so we can talk about everything that happens in her sex parties, how she organizes them, the interaction between the participants, and how to get invited. Some of the things discussed in our conversation are:

• A little backstory on our lives that led us to Vancouver and the path we chose. (04:06)
• People's reactions, and double-standards, when she talks about her play party experience. (10:46)
• How she got into the world of play parties. (15:21)
• The empowering and gratifying experience of play parties relating to consent. (20:41)
• What led her to start coordinating and hosting her own play parties. (27:11)
• My experience with the available matches in sex clubs and our basis for attraction. (32:30)
• Networking, the platforms used, and the selection process for Kim's play parties. (40:28; 47:00)
• The play party experience and how sensory overload impacts sexual performance. (41:21)
• The rules of Kim's play parties, cleaning your junk rituals, and the significance of the olfactory sense in sex. (54:35; 1:06:19)
• The experience of joining her play party and the general attitude of the people in the party. (1:08:25)
• Why she recommends sex parties instead of joining a couple for a threesome. (1:12:40)
• Why it's ok to see women coming even if the men are not. (1:24:14)
• Ensuring sexual health, preventing sexually transmitted infections and/or diseases, and even limiting transmission of hepatitis C. (1:31:13)
• Dealing with drama and disagreements. (1:39:15)
• Setting an awesome atmosphere and setting boundaries through communication. (1:46:35)
• The endorphin-boosting ambiance of the party. (1:54:28)
• What single guys must do to be able to get invited to Kim's play parties. (1:59:34)

This conversation can certainly get you curious and reel you in into the lifestyle, doesn't it?  Think you have what it takes to be a part of this one of a kind sexual experience? Email [email protected] for details.

And if you want to up your intimacy game but not decided on joining a sex party yet... Check out adamandeve.com for sex toys, lubes, props, and so much more. Listeners of the Intimate Lifestyle get an exclusive 50% DISCOUNT + FREE SHIPPING just by inputting discount code SEXTALKS upon checkout.

Lastly, email me at ryan [at] theintimatelifestyle [dot] com if you have feedback or inquiries -- your thoughts are highly appreciated. We read them so we can improve the show and make it an even better experience for you.

Remember to leave us a rating on iTunes.

And check out all the Sex Toys, Coaching, Courses and more at www.theintimatelifestyle.com/access.

Before we go straight to our conversation, I would like to remind everyone that Adam and Eve are offering FREE SHIPPING plus 50% OFF to the Intimate Lifestyle listeners. Use the exclusive coupon code SEXTALKS at checkout when you shop at adamandeve.com!

Now, get ready because this episode is about to get heavy. This conversation is so mind-blowing that I found myself at a loss for words at some points. A treasure trove of information and insights on the human psychology and sexuality awaits you as we have no less than Farzana Jaffer Jeraj to scratch the surface of this iceberg.

Farzana Jaffer Jeraj is a motivational speaker, coach, hypnosis trainer and best-selling author, among the many other hats she put on. Her career spans more than 20 years with a mission to help people realize their potential and achieve their goals.

Today, we talk about subconscious sexual communication, and if the term alone discombobulates you, Farzana aims to shed light on the subject. We delved into the link of our upbringing, how our parental figures communicated, and how these impact our communication styles when it comes to relationships and sex in adulthood.

Farzana aims to explain this complex subject in layman's term for more people to understand. Some of the topics that Farzana touched into and explained are:

• What a coach was called before it was called a coach and which big-name provided her first training. (06:06)
• How cognitive neuroscience work to understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviour, among others, are formed. (08:54)
• The link between hypnosis, emotional responses, communication styles, and our parental figures. (17:33)
• Children's hypnosis-ready state and how one's upbringing determines communication styles in their adult life. (22:02)
• The difference between extroverted and introverted communicators and how to identify them. (28:33)
• How the communication styles of the parents (or the lack of communication) affect their children's future sexual expression. (37:54; 47:43)
• Introversion and extroversion as it manifests in relationships and sex. (46:15)
• What is involved in Farzana's hypnotherapy programs and sessions. (50:37)
• People's various love languages and different expectations from relationships and sex. (57:51)
• How one's sexual expression isn't based on their gender but their upbringing. (1:03:10)

If you want to know more about Farzana and the services that she offers, connect with her through her website. Check out her  Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter as well for updates.

Also, if you want to get more in-depth information on the books Farzana and I have been discussing on this episode, they are available online. The books are The Erotic Mind by Jack Morin and Professional Hypnotism Manual by John Kappas. 

Lastly, chime in the conversation - I want to hear your thoughts! Email me at ryan [at] theintimatelifestyle [dot] com. Until next time!

Remember to leave us a rating on iTunes.

And check out all the Sex Toys, Coaching, Courses and more at www.theintimatelifestyle.com/access.

Herpes is a condition transmitted via skin-to-skin contact. It affects mucosal surfaces like the mouth and around the genitals, and skin in other parts of the body. For most people, however, it is viewed as nothing but a sexually transmitted infection brought about by unprotected sex and promiscuity – and this got to change.

To help us veer away from this stigma and understand the condition more, I invited Laureen Herve Dupenher to the podcast. Laureen has herpes and she unpacks the truth about the condition, living with it, and all its details through her YouTube Channel Laureen HD.  

She joins the podcast to provide an overview of the basics and some hot topics. So, listen up to this episode and learn about:

• Her YouTube channel and the types of content she produces. (02:29)
• The basics of herpes transmission and susceptibility. (04:12)
• The best type of protection against herpes. (09:36)
• Discerning between actual symptoms and the paranoia of the symptoms and transmission. (12:49)
• Being diagnosed with herpes and her journey with the condition. (16:46)
• Managing expectations and practicing transparency with partners. (22:36)
• Healing physically and psychologically from the trauma of contracting herpes. (31:27)
• Moving towards acceptance, regaining self-confidence, and shared responsibility between partners. (39:21)
• The statistics surrounding herpes. (47:23)
• People's responses and reactions upon disclosing that she has herpes. (50:45)

If you want to know more about Laureen and her experience, subscribe to her YouTube channel, Laureen HD. You can also stay updated with her via Instagram, and Facebook.

I’m hoping that this has been insightful for you as it has been for me. Coming from the previous episode that delved into testicular cancer and this one about herpes, I’m looking forward to the Intimate Lifestyle educating more people about the realities of sex-related health conditions. I urge you to share this episode with your network so more people get informed.

Thoughts, suggestions, or inquiries? Email me at ryan [at] theintimatelifestyle [dot] com. I make sure to read those – and respond if needed.

Remember to leave us a rating on iTunes.

And check out all the Sex Toys, Coaching, Courses and more at www.theintimatelifestyle.com/access.

Bryan Stacy is back on the show. For those who did not catch my first interview with him, it is available here.  In that episode, we talked about Biem, an app Bryan co-founded with the goal of better sexual health, safer sex, and sex-positivity.

This time around, Bryan and I will talk about his testicle – yes, singular. You see, he had testicular cancer and had one of his testicles removed – which is why we're using the singular form of the noun. Bryan will recount the events leading to his testicular cancer diagnoses, what happened during his bout with the affliction, getting over this seemingly traumatic phase, and lessons learned.

It was an awesome and informative conversation that we shared where we covered topics such as:

• The efficiency and redundancy of our bodily organs and functions. (02:12)
• Why he waited three months before going to the doctor despite symptoms. (03:18)
• Chlamydia, treating it, and its complications. (04:38)
• Self-diagnosing and the texture of a cancer-inflicted testicle. (07:40)
• The real reason why he finally got checked and how long must you actually wait before getting checked. (11:04)
• How testicular cancer spreads, the stages, the extent of damage in each stage, and the age group in most danger of testicular cancer. (13:18)
• The rapid-succession emotional rollercoaster and questions he had upon learning about testicular cancer. (15:20; 18:15)
• What orchiectomy is, how it is done, and opting out of the prosthetic testicle. (16:16; 18:27)
• Women's reactions to his lone nut and how it affects sexual performance. (20:37; 26:42)
• The type of testicular cancer he had and the options given to him to prevent relapse. (28:41)
• Why he thinks he manifested testicular cancer on himself. (41:46)
• Fears people experience related to reproductive and sexual health. (43:47)
• How Brian sees that the ordeal positively affected him by just talking and connecting with people. (34:22; 48:54; 51:49)
• How he thinks his testicular cancer affects his testosterone levels. (1:02:45)
• Bryan’s advice to people and how the app, Biem, is trying to fill the void by providing a safe space and credible resource about sexual health. (58:06; 1:06:31)

I did say on the Biem episode that Bryan’s testicular cancer story is worthy of one full episode, and here it is – I hope you enjoyed it. There’s so much to know, learn, realize… from Bryan’s insights, his experience and the mindset he took on the obstacle he went through.

Connect with Bryan on Instagram. To know more about Biem, visit their website BiemTeam.com. The app is available on both Android and iOS devices.

Share this episode to raise awareness about testicular cancer and inspire others with Bryan’s journey. For questions and feedback, email me at ryan [at] theintimatelifestyle [dot] com – I’d love to hear from you.

Remember to leave us a rating on iTunes.

And check out all the Sex Toys, Coaching, Courses and more at www.theintimatelifestyle.com/access.