TonioTimeDaily

“People with autism may stim for the following reasons:

As a form of enjoyment

As an attempt to gain sensory input, e.g., rocking may be a way to stimulate the vestibular (balance) system, whereas hand-flapping may provide visual stimulation

As an attempt to reduce sensory input, such as only making one sound to reduce the impact of a loud, distressing environment. This may particularly be seen in social situations.

To deal with stress and anxiety

To block out uncertainty

For coping with other strong emotions, such as fear, anger, excitement, and anticipation

To manage strong sensations such as noise, light, and heat

They are bored

They feel overwhelmed

To express frustration, especially if they have trouble communicating effectively

To adapt to an unfamiliar environment

To avoid certain activities or situations

They are under-stimulated in terms of a place not having enough sensory input

To reduce pain, such as hurting themselves in another way to take away the pain of bumping their arm, for example.

To self-regulate

To improve their mental health

To help them concentrate on challenging or boring tasks.”

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

“Who can benefit?

You actually can’t access a partner surrogate without already having a licensed therapist, according to Shattuck.

So generally, he says, “someone who begins working with a partner surrogate has already been in sex therapy for a few months or few years and still has a lot of work to do around feeling comfortable with sex, intimacy, dating, and their body.”

The problems that may motivate a client to suggest they incorporate a partner surrogate into their healing process — or for a sex therapist to suggest the same to a client — range from generalized social anxiety to specific sexual dysfunctions or fears.

Some folks who may benefit from the healing powers of partner surrogacy include:

trauma and abuse survivors

folks with little or no sexual experience

penis-owners with erectile dysfunction or early ejaculation

vulva-owners with vaginismus, or other pelvic floor dysfunction that may make penetrative intercourse painful

people who struggle with body acceptance or body dysmorphia

people who have anxiety or fear specifically around sex, intimacy, and touch

folks with disabilities that make it more challenging to have sex.” “How does it work?

Once you and your therapist have decided surrogate partner therapy could benefit you, your sex therapist may reach out to their network of partner surrogates to help you find a potential match.

They may also contact the IPSA Referrals Coordinator for assistance in finding a compassionate, well-trained, certified professional surrogate partner who best fits your needs.

Shattuck calls out that nowadays many partner surrogates have online and social media platforms, so if you stumble on a partner surrogate you think might be a good fit for you, bring it up with your sex therapist.

But to actually work with that particular partner surrogate, both your sex therapist and that partner surrogate will have to sign off.

From there, “the client and partner surrogate will meet to determine whether or not it’s a good fit,” says Shattuck.

The first meeting happens in the sex therapist’s office, but all subsequent meetings happen elsewhere — usually in the surrogate’s office, or the client’s home.

A “good fit” isn’t determined by things like how attracted you are to the surrogate, but rather by feeling like you can (or eventually can) trust them.

Usually, the partner surrogate and sex therapist work together to come up with a treatment plan based on your goals. After that, you and your partner surrogate will work together toward that goal.

Things a treatment plan may incorporate:

making eye contact

meditation

sensate focus

breathing exercises

body mapping

one-way or mutual nudity

one- or two-way touch (above or below clothing)

intercourse (guided by safer-sex practices)

“There isn’t always, or even usually, intercourse between a partner surrogate and the client, but when there is, we focus on building an intimate foundation first,” says Shattuck.

Surrogate partner therapy isn’t a one-and-done thing.

“We work together once a week or so until the client reaches their goals. Sometimes that takes months, sometimes that takes years,” he says.

“Once a client has reached their goals, we have a few closing sessions and then send them off into the real world!” -Healthline

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

“4. You're not counting.

Whether you're doing it a few times a week or once a month, focusing on a number isn't a great way to assess your sex life, says Kristin Zeising, PsyD, a certified sex therapist in San Diego. In a study published in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, researchers randomly assigned couples to double the number of times they had sex. Compared to a control group that went about their lives as normal, those who did the deed more weren't any happier. Putting pressure on yourself to have more sex may turn it into another to-do item, which drives down satisfaction, the research indicates. On the other hand, the study authors say traveling to new locales or going on date nights—opening up natural opportunities to have sex more often—may make it more enjoyable.” -Jessica Migala

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

“The followers of John Wycliffe undertook the first complete English translations of the Christian scriptures in the 14th century. These translations were banned in 1409 due to their association with the Lollards.[33] The Wycliffe Bible pre-dated the printing press but it was circulated very widely in manuscript form, often inscribed with a date which was earlier than 1409 in order to avoid the legal ban. Because the text of the various versions of the Wycliffe Bible was translated from the Latin Vulgate, and because it also contained no heterodox readings, the ecclesiastical authorities had no practical way to distinguish the banned version. Consequently, many Catholic commentators of the 15th and 16th centuries (such as Thomas More) took these manuscripts of English Bibles and claimed that they represented an anonymous earlier orthodox translation. In 1525, William Tyndale, an English contemporary of Martin Luther, undertook a translation of the New Testament.[34] Tyndale's translation was the first printed Bible in English. Over the next ten years, Tyndale revised his New Testament in the light of rapidly advancing biblical scholarship, and embarked on a translation of the Old Testament.[35] Despite some controversial translation choices, and in spite of Tyndale's execution on charges of heresy for having made the translated Bible, the merits of Tyndale's work and prose style made his translation the ultimate basis for all subsequent renditions into Early Modern English.[36]”

Many religionists shame people for not “falling out on the altars.” In religion, going through the motions and not being truly reformed is rampant. There is denominational tribalism, praise and worship tribalism, houses of worship tribalism, popular preacher tribalism, and religious ritualism tribalism. There is what is called “Filthy Rag Theology” within their beliefs, their teachings, their music, their rituals, and their practices. Many of them don’t allow The Greatest Commandment to guide all areas of their lives. They are not even comfortable discussing dinosaurs which is saddening to me. Traditionalists are hypocritically outraged over the Queen James Bible, but they celebrate King James even though he was sexually fluid.

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

“1. A Hunger for Power & Dominance

Both sociopaths and psychopaths are commonly found at the head of corporations, governments, and in positions of great power. This may be no coincidence. Sociopaths have a tendency to be power-hungry and may spend a lot of time and effort attaining positions where they can control, dominate, and have authority over others.2 Once they obtain power, they commonly misuse and abuse it in ways that are irresponsible, destructive, and harmful to others.

2. Devious or Deceptive Tendencies

Another common characteristic of a sociopath is the tendency to be devious, dishonest, or deceptive. Sociopaths are often caught telling lies, exaggerating or distorting the facts, or misrepresenting the truth in order to get what they want.5 When caught in a lie or confronted about their dishonesty, they will use denial, projection, or redirection to squirm out of accountability.4” -Choosing therapy

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

“Spiritual but not religious" (SBNR), also known as "spiritual but not affiliated" (SBNA), or less commonly "more spiritual than religious" is a popular phrase and initialism used to self-identify a life stance of spirituality that does not regard organized religion as the sole or most valuable means of furthering spiritual growth. Historically, the words religious and spiritual have been used synonymously to describe all the various aspects of the concept of religion,[1] but in contemporary usage spirituality has often become associated with the interior life of the individual,[2][1] placing an emphasis upon the well-being of the "mind-body-spirit",[3] while religion refers to organizational or communal dimensions.[4] Spirituality sometimes denotes noninstitutionalized or individualized religiosity.[5] The interactions are complex since even conservative Christians designate themselves as "spiritual but not religious" to indicate a form of non-ritualistic personal faith.[6]” By the way, child me has an equal respect for houses of worship in all religions. I value black African spirituality (honoring my ancestry including my Grandma Clara in all of my life’s decisions and my perspectives on all subject matters.)

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

“1) They threw aside God’s commandments and made the commandments of men and traditions into doctrines. (Mark 7:7-9).

(2) They were more concerned with outer purity rather than the purity of the heart. Jesus said that they cleaned the inside of the cup but inside their hearts were full of wickedness! (See Luke 11:39; Matt. 23:25, 27, 28).

(3) They tithed on herbs which is good but more important matters like justice and the love for God were overlooked. (See Luke 11:32; Matt. 23:23,24). They strained out a gnat but they swallowed a camel. ((Matt 23:24)

(4) They loved the highest seats and public greetings in the market because they were selfish and wanted to be seen by people, to the point of enlarging the borders of their clothes. (Luke 11:43; Matt. 23:5-10; Mark 12:38)

(5) They made people fall. Jesus said that they were like hidden graves that made unsuspecting people fall in. (Luke 11:44).

(6) They did not want people to be healed on the Sabbath that God made for man but yet they would take out their ox if it fell in a pit on Sabbath. (Matt. 13:11-17).

(7) They burdened people with unnecessary traditions and did not raise a finger to help. (Luke 11:46; Matt. 23:4)

(8) They built the sepulchers of the prophets that their own ancestors killed. (Luke 11:47, 48; Matt. 23:29-31). In fact they killed Jesus. (See Matt. 12:14; 21:33-46; Matt. 27:20-22).

(9) They took away the key of knowledge. They blocked people from getting into heaven and they themselves did not get in. (Matt. 23:13, Luke 11:52; John 12:42,43)

(10) They devoured widows’ houses! (Matt. 23:14)

(11) They said long prayers pretending that they were righteous. (Matt. 23:14)

(12) They went on land and sea to convert people and they made those converts twice a child of hell as themselves! (Matt. 23:15)

(13) They forbade people from swearing by the gold of the temple but they swore by the temple itself! (Matt. 23:16,17)

(14) They talked and do not did not do anything. (Matt 23:3). They even praised God with their lips and their heart was far from Him. (Matt. 7:6).

(15) They were fools, blind guides and hypocrites. (Matt 23:16-25; Luke 11:44,46; 12:1-3). John the Baptist called them vipers (Matt. 3:7).

16) They loved to tempt, accuse and oppose Jesus. (Matt. 16:1; 19:3; Mark 8:11; 10:2; 12:13; Luke 6:7). They continuously tried to entangle Him in His talk (Matt. 22:15). Paul, who was a Pharisee, told of his own nature before his conversion:

"I (Paul) verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."

So when he came on the scene after Jesus' ascension he persecuted the Christian Church.

(17) They asked for a sign to believe when many were already given. If given yet another sign they would not believe. (Luke 22:66, 67). Note that the incident mentioned in the given text was after three and a half years of Jesus working miracles, healing all types of diseases and even raising the dead! 18) There is hope even for “Pharisees”. Acts 6:7 tells us what happed after Jesus went back to Heaven and His disciples preached after being filled with the Holy Spirit. It says:

“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” “In every religion there is love, yet love has no religion.” “My religion is, to live through Love.” “Be certain that in the religion of Love there are no believers and unbelievers. LOVE embraces all.” “I belong to no religion, my religion is love, my heart is my temple.” -Rumi quotes

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

“Film-maker and previous award-winner Erika Lust hosted a talk and Q&A event at the awards, as she also had several films nominated this year.

Lust sees her work in opposition to that of the mainstream, and wants to offer other ways of filming sex. Too often the films offer a weak setting and storyline before focussing on the sex, and one kind of sex at that.

“Mainstream porn lacks creativity and a narrative. They only care about sets of genitals banging together as the woman enjoys fake pleasure until they get their money shot. The man enjoying his orgasm with no thought to the woman's pleasure at all. The performers are cloned stereotypes, everybody abiding to the same standards. Body hair is seen as something undesirable, or God forbid if you're not thin or muscular like an Action Man. There are no interesting stories, relatable character or good sex. It's bad sex that's given porn a bad name.” Lust playfully stated in her TEDx Talk in Vienna that “I’m not trying to get women out of porn, I’m trying to get women into porn!” As a director herself, Lust wants more women in control of production, more female directors and writers in porn can help redress the sexual balance in the industry. Lust leads by example:

“I want others to continue to be inspired by the work I do, I want to encourage other women to get into leading roles within the adult film industry, as directors, producers and scriptwriter. That way we can get more of the porn we want out there and express our perspective, our desires and our pleasure.”

The argument is that with more women in porn, porn becomes more equal, and more feminist naturally. By engaging women in the porn film industry, a female audience is more likely to follow.

“I love working with (almost) all female team and having a real customised aspect to my filmmaking. It is key in allowing me to make exactly what I want and experiment with different themes, techniques and contexts.” Female pleasure is rarely explored within mainstream pornography, rather the women are there to be objectified or to service their male co-stars. Lust’s work portrays both male and female pleasure.

“I create an environment which satisfies the viewer with realistic interpretations of real fantasies. The performers look like and play characters that are like the guy or girl on the street, they are natural, individual and attractive in their own unique way. The sex is real, you can see the pleasure, the sweat, the touching and hear the sounds. The performers caress, enjoy and pleasure one another.”

As for the audience, Lust does not discriminate. Her films do not specifically target a female audience, but anyone who wants to watch them.

“I make my films with a feminist mind, and that means equality to all sexes,” Lust explains. “My films portray men and women as equals with consideration to everyone's pleasure, fantasies and desires.” A more realistic portrayal of sex engages an audience in a more profound and enjoyable way. The Feminist Porn Awards celebrates those taking steps to create erotica which mirrors the sex we like to have - that which acknowledges mutual pleasure.

“Viewers can see themselves in my films. They feel like they could live out that scenario. That's what makes it more satisfying, erotic and fun!” "Mainstream porn lacks creativity and a narrative. They only care about sets of genitals banging together until they get their money shot - with no thought to the woman's pleasure at all" -Jenny Guerin By the way, the acting and the scripts in porn tend to be subpar.

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

“There is a widespread cross-cultural stereotype suggesting that atheists are untrustworthy and lack a moral compass. Is there any truth to this notion?” opens a new paper published in PLOS One, investigating the relationship between moral values and religious belief or disbelief. The paper describes the results of four surveys of 4,622 atheists and theists across America and Sweden, examining the relationship between religious belief – or lack thereof – and moral values. “The most general take-home message from these studies is that people who do not believe in God do have a moral compass. In fact, they share many of the same moral concerns that religious believers have, such as concerns about fairness, and about protecting vulnerable individuals from harm,” said study author Tomas Ståhl of the University of Illinois at Chicago in a statement. There still seem to be widespread negative attitudes towards atheists worldwide. In a 2019 Pew poll, an average of 45 percent of people across 34 countries say that belief in God is necessary to be moral and have good values. Only 60 percent of respondents to a 2020 Gallup poll would vote for an atheist presidential candidate, whereas 95 percent would vote for a Catholic candidate, 93 percent would vote for a Jewish candidate, and 80 percent would vote for an evangelical Christian.

The studies in this paper investigated the participant’s endorsement of Liberty/oppression and amoral tendencies, as well as the five foundations of the Moral Foundations Theory: Care/harm, Fairness/cheating, Loyalty/betrayal, Authority/subversion, and Sanctity/degradation.

The first two studies described in the paper used Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform, a website to crowdsource responses, to survey hundreds of US residents. From this data, religiosity was found to be unrelated to amoral tendencies and endorsement of Liberty/oppression, as well as individualizing moral foundations of care and fairness. However, atheists were found to have a weaker endorsement of binding moral foundations such as deference to authority, sanctity, and in-group loyalty.

“It is possible that the negative stereotype of atheists as immoral may stem in part from the fact that they are less inclined than religious people to view respect for authority, ingroup loyalty, and sanctity as relevant for morality, and they are more likely to make moral judgments about harm on a consequentialist, case by case basis,” said Ståhl. The second two studies surveyed thousands of individuals across America and Sweden – America is a more religious country, whereas Sweden is very secular. Data from these studies showed the same pattern of results as the previous two.

These studies also took into account credibility-enhancing displays and perception of existential threat, examining whether they had an influence on having religious beliefs. Credibility-enhancing displays involve important members of the community engaging in behaviors in service of religious beliefs that would be personally costly if the beliefs were false. The data showed that less exposure to credibility-enhancing displays, lower perception of existential threat, as well as a more analytical cognitive style, was associated with a lack of religious belief.

As a whole, these results support the notion that the moral compass of atheists is just as good as the moral compass of theists. However, atheists are more likely to assess the morality of actions based on their consequences, whereas religious people tend to endorse moral values that promote group cohesion. As Ståhl writes in the paper: “Atheism merely implies the absence of religious belief, and says nothing about what positive beliefs the disbeliever holds.” -IFL Science Bye way, believing is not knowing and knowing is not believing. Knowing means realness and believing is a possibility of a lack of realness. I embrace complexities, nuances, complications, and gray areas.

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

“Doubt as a path towards (deeper) belief lies at the heart of the story of Saint Thomas the Apostle. Note in this respect the theological views of Georg Hermes:

... the starting-point and chief principle of every science, and hence of theology also, is not only methodical doubt, but positive doubt. One can believe only what one has perceived to be true from reasonable grounds, and consequently one must have the courage to continue doubting until one has found reliable grounds to satisfy the reason.[3]

Christian existentialists such as Søren Kierkegaard suggest that for one to truly have belief in God, one would also have to doubt one's beliefs about God; the doubt is the rational part of a person's thought involved in weighing evidence, without which the belief would have no real substance. Belief is not a decision based on evidence that, say, certain beliefs about God are true or a certain person is worthy of love. No such evidence could ever be enough to pragmatically justify the kind of total commitment involved in true theological belief or romantic love. Belief involves making that commitment anyway. Kierkegaard thought that to have belief is at the same time to have doubt.[4][5]”

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support