Intimacy Matters

GUEST INTERVIEW with Betty Martin - The Art Of Receiving And Giving

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1733499/open_sms] Intimacy Matters - Featuring Betty Martin To celebrate International Podcast Day we are thrilled to release this exciting episode of Intimacy Matters. Nicola Foster and Jason Porthouse sit down with the wonderful human Betty Martin, creator of the Wheel of Consent and author of The Art of Receiving and Giving. Together, they dive into how understanding consent can transform (yes, really!) your relationships and intimacy. Key Highlights: * The Wheel of Consent: Betty shares how her groundbreaking model helps people understand the difference between giving, receiving, and taking in relationships, sparking deeper connection and passion. * The Power of Asking for What You Want: Explore the vulnerability, empowerment, and thrill of clearly asking for your desires—and how this simple practice can transform intimate relationships. * Overcoming Blocks Around Receiving and Taking: Why so many people struggle with receiving touch for their own pleasure and how the Wheel helps unlock freedom and joy in giving and taking. * Domain - what is it and why does it matter? * For Couples Stuck in a Rut: Nicola explains how she uses the Wheel of Consent in her work with long-term couples to break out of routines and reignite their intimacy. Resources: * Betty Martin’s Book: The Art of Receiving and Giving – Discover how the Wheel of Consent can reshape your approach to intimacy. * Free Resources: Check out Betty’s website for loads of valuable content to explore the Wheel further. * Reignite Your Intimacy: Dive into Nicola’s online course, Reigniting Intimacy, packed with exercises to deepen connection and rediscover passion. Listen & Subscribe: Don’t miss this exciting and insightful episode! Follow Intimacy Matters on your usual podcast platform and visit RealRelating.com for more intimacy-boosting content. If you're ready to take the next step in deepening your connections, register for Nicola's newsletter - free ideas, tips, resources and details of upcoming events https://www.realrelating.com/newsletter [https://www.realrelating.com/newsletter] If you'd like to contact us - suggestions for topics, guests, brickbats or bouquets - find us at www.realrelating.com/podcast. [https://www.realrelating.com/podcast] Connect with Us: Visit www.realrelating.com and follow Nicola on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/realrelatingwithnicola/ [https://www.instagram.com/realrelatingwithnicola/] Subscribe and Review: Subscribe on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/intimacy-matters/id1560947607 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/intimacy-matters/id1560947607]and leave a review to help us create supportive content. Contact Us: Email us at info@nicola-foster.com with questions or topic suggestions. We'd love to hear from you!

Coping With Adversity In Relationship

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1733499/open_sms] Coping With Adversity In Relationship: Communication, Self-Care, and Support Episode Summary: This episode explores how partnerships are tested by life’s challenging events like illness, bereavement, miscarriage, and unemployment. We discuss how stress can take couples out of sync, and provide strategies for navigating tough times together. Key Topics Discussed: We start by examining the impact of significant life events on relationships, highlighting how stress disrupts daily life. Often, couples facing adversity become adversarial or disconnected. A major theme is the vulnerability involved in asking for help. We address the challenges of seeking and receiving support, offer some  practical self-care tips, and discuss ways to navigate boundaries and consent. If you're ready to take the next step in deepening your connections, register for Nicola's newsletter - free ideas, tips, resources and details of upcoming events https://www.realrelating.com/newsletter [https://www.realrelating.com/newsletter] If you'd like to contact us - suggestions for topics, guests, brickbats or bouquets - find us at www.realrelating.com/podcast. [https://www.realrelating.com/podcast] Connect with Us: Visit www.realrelating.com and follow Nicola on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/realrelatingwithnicola/ [https://www.instagram.com/realrelatingwithnicola/] Subscribe and Review: Subscribe on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/intimacy-matters/id1560947607 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/intimacy-matters/id1560947607]and leave a review to help us create supportive content. Contact Us: Email us at info@nicola-foster.com with questions or topic suggestions. We'd love to hear from you!

The Fantastic World of Fantasy

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1733499/open_sms] Prepare to dive into the wonderful world of sexual fantasy in this episode. We'll uncover the prevalence of fantasy in human sexuality and its vital role in exploring desires and boundaries. From understanding the functions of fantasy to exploring popular categories like multi-partner sex, taboo acts, and gender role exploration, we'll provide practical insights and tips for talking about fantasy without tears! Learn how open communication and shared exploration of fantasies can deepen intimacy and foster more trust and more fun. Join us for a lively discussion on embracing sexual fantasy. The research we talk about is from Justin Lehmiller https://www.instagram.com/justinjlehmiller/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/justinjlehmiller/?hl=en] He has a book all about fantasy here: https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Me-What-You-Want/dp/0738234966/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=lehmiller&qid=1611166990&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=lehmillercom-20&linkId=0c99986e1ae7823ed732345dff5bda7e&language=en_US [https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Me-What-You-Want/dp/0738234966/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=lehmiller&qid=1611166990&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=lehmillercom-20&linkId=0c99986e1ae7823ed732345dff5bda7e&language=en_US] If you're ready to take the next step in deepening your connections, register for Nicola's newsletter - free ideas, tips, resources and details of upcoming events https://www.realrelating.com/newsletter [https://www.realrelating.com/newsletter] If you'd like to contact us - suggestions for topics, guests, brickbats or bouquets - find us at www.realrelating.com/podcast. [https://www.realrelating.com/podcast] Connect with Us: Visit www.realrelating.com and follow Nicola on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/realrelatingwithnicola/ [https://www.instagram.com/realrelatingwithnicola/] Subscribe and Review: Subscribe on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/intimacy-matters/id1560947607 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/intimacy-matters/id1560947607]and leave a review to help us create supportive content. Contact Us: Email us at info@nicola-foster.com with questions or topic suggestions. We'd love to hear from you!

Anna Sansom - Writing The Erotic

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1733499/open_sms] In this episode we welcome erotic author Anna Sansom.  We chat to Anna about all things erotic - and how we can get in touch with our own desires through creativity, even when it might feel really challenging.  We also discuss her book Desire Lines [https://amzn.eu/d/248PhUg] - part memoir, part guide to reclaiming our erotic nature. Anna is a queer cis woman (pronouns: she/her) who is endlessly curious about how we experience and express our unique sexual selves. She started writing erotica over two decades ago, has had a full-length erotic novel published and several short stories in anthologies and online.  She has a PhD in occupational therapy and is the co-creator of In Touch with Yourself, a guided journey for women who want to reconnect with their pleasure, sensuality, and sexuality, using creative, playful, and empowering personal practices. She loves drinking tea, swimming in the sea, and talking to her cats. You can find her at annasansom.com [http://www.annasansom.com] and intouchwithyourself.co.uk [http://www.intouchwithyourself.co.uk], and on Facebook (@AnnaSansomWriter) and Instagram (@Anna_Sansom_Writer). Anna's Substack is at https://annasansom.substack.com/ [https://annasansom.substack.com/] If you're ready to take the next step in deepening your connections, register for Nicola's newsletter - free ideas, tips, resources and details of upcoming events https://www.realrelating.com/newsletter [https://www.realrelating.com/newsletter] If you'd like to contact us - suggestions for topics, guests, brickbats or bouquets - find us at www.realrelating.com/podcast. [https://www.realrelating.com/podcast] Connect with Us: Visit www.realrelating.com and follow Nicola on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/realrelatingwithnicola/ [https://www.instagram.com/realrelatingwithnicola/] Subscribe and Review: Subscribe on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/intimacy-matters/id1560947607 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/intimacy-matters/id1560947607]and leave a review to help us create supportive content. Contact Us: Email us at info@nicola-foster.com with questions or topic suggestions. We'd love to hear from you!

Endings

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1733499/open_sms] Endings, though difficult, are an essential part of life. Whether it's a breakup, divorce, or the loss of a loved one, endings can be traumatic. In the podcast we talk about how society often downplays the significance of endings, offering clichés like "plenty more fish in the sea," which fails to acknowledge the pain and complexity of separation. Research shows that the pain of a breakup can trigger physical responses similar to those of physical injury. Heartbreak is real and can have a profound impact on our well-being. What can we do to support ourselves during these times? We also talk about conscious uncoupling, as popularized by Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin - what is it and how do you go about it? Recommended resources: Book: The Wisdom of a Broken Heart - Susan Piver [https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Susan-Piver/The-Wisdom-of-a-Broken-Heart--How-to-Turn-the-Pain-of-a-B/28636073?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwuJ2xBhA3EiwAMVjkVKtr6OUnxx4qJ0xf1zH4gZX1wvdFYrjBBm4PNV4IXbqFRQ3M__dROxoC3BEQAvD_BwE] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast for more discussions on intimacy and relationships. If you're ready to take the next step in deepening your connections, register for Nicola's newsletter - free ideas, tips, resources and details of upcoming events https://www.realrelating.com/newsletter [https://www.realrelating.com/newsletter] If you'd like to contact us - suggestions for topics, guests, brickbats or bouquets - find us at www.realrelating.com/podcast. [https://www.realrelating.com/podcast] Connect with Us: Visit www.realrelating.com and follow Nicola on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/realrelatingwithnicola/ [https://www.instagram.com/realrelatingwithnicola/] Subscribe and Review: Subscribe on Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/intimacy-matters/id1560947607 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/intimacy-matters/id1560947607]and leave a review to help us create supportive content. Contact Us: Email us at info@nicola-foster.com with questions or topic suggestions. We'd love to hear from you!