The Peripheral

Who defines relationships? Should relationships be restricted to being emotionally and physically intimate with a single person? Or, in this modern age, is it more practical to have our needs met by multiple consenting individuals? My guest Meredith discusses her open marriage, the nature of polyamory, and why her lifestyle works for her.

What comes after death - not the afterlife, but real life? If both of your parents die and someone asks about them, what do you say? Is it too sad or awkward to discuss how you really feel? On this episode, I speak openly about grief with my guest Hannah. My second guest, Courtney, is an artist specializing in Victorian mourning art who offers insight into how our views of death and mourning have shifted over the years.

When we hear the term “mental illness” we dismiss it as rare, someone else’s problem, or a criminal issue. It isn’t: it’s more common and afflicts more of us than you might believe.  One out of every five adults or around 43.8 million Americans are diagnosed with some form of mental illness every year. This means anyone who isn't suffering directly from mental illness is most likely living with or knows someone who is.  So why is it still being marginalized? This week I share my experience living with my brother who suffered from schizophrenia. My guest Tiffany discusses having bipolar disorder and tackling her personal demons.

Guest Kayla Jane Danger discusses ethical porn and how the industry functions. For all the protest about online information and how it should be free, users often forget that sex workers - most of them female - are trying to earn a livable wage. By downloading their work and not paying for it, users are violating intellectual copyright and effectively breaking the law. www.kayladanger.com www.mydollparts.com

Sometimes the road is less traveled for good reason. In the premiere episode I share how I learn a painful lesson after my older brother  takes me on a dangerous journey, and a listener relates a horrifying, unexpected discovery.