What Excites Us!

In this episode of What Excites Us, we are thrilled to welcome Amory Jane, a pioneering figure in the world of psilocybin facilitation and sexual wellness. Amory Jane shares her transformative journey from sex educator to becoming one of the first licensed psilocybin facilitators in the United States. Together, we explore the powerful intersection of psychedelic therapy and sexuality, shedding light on its profound healing potential.

Tune in as Amory Jane recounts her early involvement with Measure 109 in Oregon, the groundbreaking legislation that legalized psilocybin in therapeutic settings. She offers deep insights into the essential concepts of set and setting, the different stages of a psilocybin journey, and the critical role facilitators play in creating safe and supportive environments for participants.

Drawing on her rich background in sex education and therapy, Amory Jane explains how psilocybin can help address mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and PMDD. We delve into how this powerful medicine allows people to confront their shadow parts, embrace self-acceptance, and unlock their full potential.

Throughout the conversation, we also explore the importance of integration sessions for sustained healing, overcoming shame in sexuality, and fostering healthier relationships with oneself and others. Plus, Amory gives us a sneak peek into her sex-positive furniture venture, adding a unique twist to her multifaceted career.

Don't miss this enlightening discussion that bridges the gap between psychedelics, therapy, and sexuality, offering hope for personal healing and acceptance.

Episode Highlights:

Amory Jane's path from sex education to psilocybin facilitation.

Insights into Oregon's Measure 109 and the legalization of psilocybin therapy.

The significance of set and setting in psychedelic journeys.

How psilocybin therapy can aid in mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, and PMDD.

Overcoming shame in sexuality through psychedelic experiences.

The critical role of integration sessions post-journey.

Amory’s passion project: a sex-positive furniture company.

Be sure to visit Amory Jane at:
https://www.amoryjane.com/
https://www.triumphantunfolding.com/
Amory.Design

Visit whatexcitesus.com to find past shows, links and more!
And please rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks!

Understanding OCD and Anxiety: Navigating Intimacy with Sarah Hazleton

In this episode we dive into the intricacies of OCD and anxiety, particularly focusing on how they affect intimacy and relationships, with guest Sarah Hazleton, a licensed clinical social worker.

Sarah explains how OCD manifests through intrusive thoughts and compulsions, its impact on relationships, and the different subtypes of OCD including relationship OCD and Pure O. 

We discuss the importance of appropriate therapeutic approaches, like Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), and resources for those seeking help. 

The conversation touches on the stigma and shame surrounding OCD, particularly when it involves sexual and intimate thoughts. Practical advice is provided for those seeking therapy, including how to find qualified therapists through reliable sources. This episode is released in recognition of mental health awareness, emphasizing the significance of understanding and accepting diverse mental health challenges.

Sarah is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker specializing in treatment of OCD and anxiety related disorders. She completed her master’s degree at University of New England in 2007 and spent the early part of her career as a clinician working with children, adolescents, and families experiencing severe and persistent mental health challenges. Over recent years, Sarah has focused her therapy practice on the treatment of OCD and anxiety disorders using Exposure Response Prevention and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as primary treatment modalities. Intimacy, gender, and sexuality are often interwoven in a client's obsessive and anxious thoughts, yet are often not identified by clients as a treatment issue. Sarah hopes to improve awareness of some of the "unspoken and taboo" thoughts and worries people experience. She wants to decrease the stigma felt by people whose OCD and/or anxiety is affecting their relationships, intimacy, and identity.

You can find Sarah at www.hazeltoncounseling.com

The article mentioned at the beginning - https://www.verywellmind.com/impact-of-ocd-on-sex-life-5086811

The International OCD Foundation - https://iocdf.org/

Here are some books recommended by Sarah and the IODCF. Buying them through these links will help support What Excites Us! Thank you! 

The Anti-Anxiety Program: A Workbook of Proven Strategies to Overcome Worry, Panic, and Phobias - Peter J. Norton (Author), Martin M. Antony (Author) - https://amzn.to/4eZWGyL

Coping With OCD: Practical Strategies for Living Well With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Bruce Hyman, PhD with Troy Dufrene - https://amzn.to/3zR8ch7

The OCD Answer Book: Professional Answers to More Than 250 Top Questions About Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
by Patrick B. McGrath, PhD - https://amzn.to/4eFf5kK

"It'll be Okay:" How I Kept Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) from Ruining My Life
by Shannon Shy - https://amzn.to/3XZQ6S5

Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-Based Guide  to Getting Over  Frightening, Obsessive or Disturbing Thoughts - by Sally Winston, PsyD & Martin Seif, PhD - https://amzn.to/3zVtlGQ

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Content Warning

03:05 Understanding OCD and Anxiety

12:16 Types of OCD

17:22 OCD's Impact on Relationships

21:24 Compulsions During Intimacy

25:09 Relationship OCD

32:43 Challenges Faced by Teens with OCD

36:35 Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Explained

47:52 Resources for OCD Support

53:27 Finding the Right Therapist
56:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

My guest CJ, from No Shame with CJ, and I explore how societal norms have shaped our views on aging, particularly for women, and how breaking free from those constraints can open up a world of erotic evolution and neuro-expansion.

 CJ shares her journey from a shy and quiet person into someone who actively pursues pleasure, non-monogamy, and kink. She has insights on how being intentional can help you age better, navigating hormonal changes, and advocating for yourself in medical settings. Whether it’s debunking myths or embracing alternative pleasures, CJ's has wisdom that anyone can use, and share with your loved ones.

CJ is an alternative pleasure coach and mentor who is all about liberating sexual expression and cultivating new pleasure palates. She gets off on debunking the myths around female aging, desire and desirability as well as talking about the taboo. She loves welcoming midlife + women into alternative pleasures and lifestyles so that they can experience erotic evolution and neuro-expansion as they age. Please follow her on Instagram and her website, she has freebies there including a free call!

https://www.instagram.com/noshamewithcj or @noshamewithCJ
https://www.noshamewithcj.com/

CJ mentions Dr. Marie Claire Haver and Kelly Casperson. Their books are linked below and you buy them through these links We will get a tiny donation, an actual win win!

The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts
By Marie Clare Haver - https://amzn.to/3ZGbjmD

The Galveston Diet: The Doctor-Developed, Patient-Proven Plan to Burn Fat and Tame Your Hormonal Symptoms
By Marie Clare Haver  - https://amzn.to/3zBII7e

Midlife Matters: How to Become Stronger, Live Wiser, and Sail Through Menopause
By Kelly Casperson M.D.  - https://amzn.to/4gJBmiy

You Are Not Broken: Stop "Should-ing" All Over Your Sex Life
By Kelly Casperson M.D. - https://amzn.to/4emVi9y

Please also visit WhatExcitesUs.com
And leave me a message, sign up for our Patreon or listen to past episodes! 

Join us as we welcome Aubri Lancaster, an AASECT certified sexuality educator, to explore the nuanced and often misunderstood realms of asexuality and aromanticism. Aubrey shares her personal journey from conducting adult toy parties to discovering her own asexual and gray romantic identities. We unravel the definitions of asexuality and aromanticism, shedding light on the spectrum of these experiences, including terms like gray romantic. Aubrey's insights challenge societal expectations of romantic relationships and emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting diverse orientations.

Listen in as we unpack the complexity of asexuality and aromanticism, highlighting the diversity within these identities through the lens of the Asexual Community Survey. We discuss how self-identification empowers individuals and the need to create space for all experiences on the spectrum. Aubrey also touches on the societal pressures to make asexuality more palatable and advocates for nuanced understanding and open dialogue about personal experiences, moving beyond mere myth-busting.

If you buy any of the books from these links the podcast will get a small amount, so it’s a great and easy way to support this work. 

Please visit Aubri Lancaster at:
Her Website - AceSexEducator.com
On Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/acesexeducation/ 
On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AubriLancasterSE
On Threads - https://www.threads.net/@acesexeducation

People she mentions:

Miranda Fricker - Epistemic Injustice: Power and the Ethics of Knowing
https://amzn.to/4glOryB

Lisa Orlando - Author of the Asexual Manifesto
https://asexualagenda.wordpress.com/2019/08/01/lisa-orlando-author-of-the-asexual-manifesto-1972/

Myra T. Johnson
https://acearchive.lgbt/artifacts/johnson-asexual-and-autoerotic-women/

Boston Marriages: Romantic but Asexual Relationships Among Contemporary Lesbians Paperback – November 17, 1993, by Esther D. Rothblum (Editor), Kathleen A. Brehony (Editor)
https://amzn.to/3z7vQFT

Bella DePaulo - Single at Heart - https://amzn.to/3XotpXs 

Please also visit whatexcitesus.com for more and how to follow Gwyn

In this episode of 'What Excites Us,' Francis Bollwage shares his mission to foster deep human connections in a world often dominated by digital disconnection. 

He recounts his near-death experience and how it shifted his consciousness, leading him to explore spirituality, sensuality, and community dynamics, specifically through finding the BDSM community.

Francis delves into the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of Shibari, and other types of rope bondage, his workshops designed to foster connection, and the integration of aromatherapy using essential oils to enhance the experience. 

Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of forming connections beyond physical intimacy, embracing spirituality, and the profound impact of aroma on memory and experience.

You can find Francis on:

Instagram: @snarfox.wild.wellness/

Website: wildenergyessentials.com
Facebook: Franciscus D. Peragranator & Wild Energy Essentials
Fetlife: SnarFox 

Please be sure to Rate and Review the podcast on all the places
Please visit WhatExcitesUs.com for past episodes, talking back to me and more

If you would like to help the podcast while getting a treat for yourself please consider these:

Rope Kit - https://amzn.to/3MOZBOW
Foundations of Rope Bondage: A Fun and Friendly Introduction to Rope Fundamentals - https://amzn.to/3XrHCD0

A Beginning Aromatherapy Scents Collection - https://amzn.to/3ZvcOnp

How can exploring your deepest desires transform your life?
Jay House joins us to unravel her fascinating journey from Monogamy to ENM to a celibacy practice. Please join us as we celebrate the joy of human connections, the power of words, and the importance of staying true to one's core values in the journey of personal growth.

We discuss Jay's journey from Mama Gena’s program as the beginning of identifying her true desires, beyond just sexuality, leading to a significant breakup and a redefined understanding of relationships. She shares her shift from being a straight, monogamous woman to embracing identities like polyamorous, ethically non-monogamous, and kinky, revealing the profound changes and personal growth that followed.

Venturing further, we explore the realm of non-romantic, intimate spiritual partnerships, diving into the challenges of defining and understanding these unique connections. Jay discusses her bold six-month celibacy experiment aimed at achieving emotional and nervous system sobriety. She details the journey’s constraints, including avoiding sexual play and genital contact while still engaging in certain kink scenes.

Together, we examine the potential benefits of this personal experiment, emphasizing self-exploration and the importance of setting boundaries for a focused and introspective path.

Finally, we shift our focus to the critical aspect of integration and self-awareness in personal development. Reflecting on various courses and teachings, such as BDSM practices, shamanic kink, and urban tantra, we highlight the value of integrating this knowledge into one’s life. The discussion touches on understanding different parts of oneself and how this awareness fosters better communication and healthier relationships.

To connect with Jay on Substack - https://futuristphilospher.substack.com/
Or on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jaylamarhouse

We talked about these Programs:
-Mama Gena - https://mamagenas.com/
-Kasia Urbaniak - https://www.kasiaurbaniak.com/
-Shamanic Kink - https://www.shamanickink.com/
-Jay was talking about the Professionals Training program that Barbara Carrellas, the author of
-Urban Tantra runs - https://barbaracarrellas.com/
-Om Rupani - https://www.omrupani.com/
-The Five Personality Types by Stephen Kessler - https://the5personalitypatterns.com/

For past episodes, or to talk back, learn more about Gwyn, rate and review the podcast and more, please visit WhatExcitesUs.com

What does it truly mean to feel alive and embrace who you are right now? Join us as we embark on a powerful conversation with Dr. Fanny, the incredible host of "Your Sexyfied Life."

In this episode, Dr. Fanny challenges the relentless societal pressure for self-improvement, advocating instead for finding joy and contentment in our present selves. Drawing from her rich experience in gynecology and the positive feedback on her soothing voice, Dr. Fanny shares her inspiring journey of launching her podcast to help others step out of survival mode and thrive. We also dive into the nuanced process of self-discovery and healing.

Dr. Fanny discusses the importance of individualized wellness over trend-chasing, the courage to embrace our emotional messiness, and the subjective nature of pain. The conversation reaches a poignant climax as we explore the deep connection between sexual energy and life's essence. Dr. Fanny beautifully illustrates how reclaiming this suppressed energy can unlock our creative potential and deepen our connection to life's vibrancy. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to live fully and authentically, despite life's inevitable challenges.

Please visit Dr. Fanny at https://www.fannyleboulanger.com/ And find Your Sexyfied Life wherever you listen to podcasts

Please join the Patreon for What Excites Us for Early and Ad-Free Episodes at www.patreon.com/whatexcitesus

Or just come to whatexcitesus.com

And if you like Facebook Groups, we have one! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1543350126400516

Ever wondered how your attachment style shapes your relationships or why certain emotional blockages manifest as physical pain?

This episode promises to reveal the transformative journey of intimacy through the expert guidance of Shelby Avann, an intimacy coach and healer. With a foundation in attachment theory, sexuality, kink, Tantra, and energy healing, Shelby's approach is multifaceted and deeply insightful.

Learn how Reiki can uncover hidden emotional obstacles and understand the profound connection between your root and sacral chakras and your overall well-being. Shelby Avann’s expertise shines as we explore the complexities of attachment styles and their profound impact on our relationships.

Discover the four primary attachment styles—secure, anxious, dismissive avoidant, and fearful avoidant—and gain insights into how these patterns are formed and how they can evolve over time. Shelby shares practical tools for identifying core wounds, setting healthy boundaries, and moving towards a more secure attachment style, fostering not just improved relationships but also personal growth and emotional resilience.

Our conversation doesn't stop there. We dive into Shelby's specialized three-month coaching program tailored for the queer, kink, and polyamory communities, highlighting the benefits of one-on-one versus group coaching. Learn about the importance of self-consent, body awareness, and how understanding Jaya's Erotic Blueprints can revolutionize your sexual experiences. Shelby's vision for accessible online programs underscores the potential for significant, positive change, creating ripples of transformation within our communities.

Join us for an episode brimming with insights and practical tips for fostering intimacy and healing.

Learn more about Shelby and her offerings at:
https://www.shelbyavann.ca
And follow her on IG:
https://www.instagram.com/shelby.avann

Please Rate and Review What Excites Us if you listen on Spotify or Apple Pods, and be sure you are subscribed!

If you would like to treat yourself while helping out the podcast please consider buying items through our links:

Your Blueprint for Pleasure: Discover the 5 Erotic Types to Awaken―and Fulfill―Your Desires by Jaiya - https://amzn.to/3XJoEZW

You can see all past episodes and learn more about Gwyn or coaching with Gwyn at:
WhatExcitesUs.com

And please join us on Patreon! whatexcitesus.com/patreon

Unlock your inner strength and build confidence by embracing kink in both intimate settings and daily life!

Join me, Gwyn Isaacs, as I share personal updates and engage in an enlightening conversation with Amy Rowan, the Suburban Sexologist. Discover how kink can dismantle societal stigma and enhance personal empowerment, leading to profound changes not just in the bedroom but throughout your life.

Navigate your intimate relationships with newfound clarity by exploring boundaries and preferences through practical tools like the "yes, no, maybe" list. Learn how effective communication and respect for each other's limits can deepen intimacy and trust. We also share innovative strategies, such as using Google Docs for feedback and making small daily requests, to empower you to confidently express your desires.

These techniques can positively influence your life outside the bedroom as well. Delve into the nuanced dance between pain and pleasure in kink, emphasizing the crucial aspects of consent, safety, and aftercare. Understand the power dynamics between tops and bottoms, the importance of safe words, and how regular check-ins can ensure a pleasurable experience for all.

Lastly, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Amy Rowan for her valuable insights and leave you with a warm note of appreciation for your continued support on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

You can find Amy at TheSuburbanSexologist.com

The Patreon for What Excites Us! - Patreon.com/whatexcitesus

To Join the Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1543350126400516

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Gwyn Isaacs interviews Julia Sheldon, also known as Auntie Julia or Ask Auntie Julia, about the healthy relating camp for teens that she is creating. They discuss the importance of healthy relationships and how the camp aims to set teenagers up for success in all areas of their lives. Julia shares details about the camp, including the activities, sleeping arrangements, and the focus on experiential learning. They also touch on Julia's work with adults and how she helps them navigate their relationships. This episode provides valuable insights for both teenagers and adults on how to relate better with others and foster healthier relationships.

About the Guest(s):
Julia Sheldon, also known as Auntie Julia or Ask Auntie Julia, is a sex and relationship educator for teens. She has been working with teenagers for 25 years and has a degree in sexuality, marriage, and family studies from St. Jerome's University. Julia is the founder and director of Connection Camp, a healthy relating camp for teens. She is passionate about empowering teenagers to have healthy relationships and providing a safe space for them to be themselves.

Key Takeaways:
Connection Camp is a healthy relating camp for teens that aims to set teenagers up to have the kinds of relationships they want in their lives.
The camp provides a safe and inclusive environment where teenagers can openly discuss, learn about, and understand the dynamics of healthy relationships.
The camp focuses on experiential learning, using activities, games, and workshops to teach teenagers about consent, boundaries, emotional regulation, and more.
Julia and her team of staff members, who come from diverse backgrounds, are committed to modeling healthy relationships and providing a supportive and non-judgmental space for teenagers.
The camp offers opportunities for personal growth, self-discovery, and building strong friendships, and aims to empower teenagers to be accountable for their physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Connection Camp website: connectioncamp.org
Auntie Julia's website: askauntiejulia.com
Auntie Julia on Instagram: @askauntiejulia
The Emotional Lives of Teenagers by Lisa Damour: book

https://thesuburbansexologist.com/gwyn-isaacs
whatexcitesus.com