Babygirl (2024): Desire, Power, and the Courage to Reveal

Babygirl (2024): Desire, Power, and the Courage to Reveal

In this episode of Sex, Bodies, and Cinema, Jason and Ashley explore Halina Reijn’s daring 2024 film Baby Girl, starring Nicole Kidman as Romy, a high-powered CEO whose carefully managed life spirals when she begins a dangerous affair with a much younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson. Co-starring Sophie Wilde and Antonio Banderas, the film pushes into charged territory—blurring lines between consent, power, repression, and self-discovery. We unpack how Baby Girl toys with erotic thriller tropes while delivering something messier and more human: a meditation on risk, authenticity, and the shadows we keep hidden—even from ourselves. Trigger Warning: Discussions of BDSM, power imbalances, infidelity, sexual repression, and coercion. Hosts Jason Goode is a Somatic Sex Educator and Somatic Performance Coach. Learn more about his work and offerings at somarelating.ca [https://www.somarelating.ca]. Ashley Rose is a Sexological Bodyworker & intimacy coach who specializes in internal pelvic care. Visit her website at ashleyelisabethrose.ca [https://www.ashleyelisabethrose.ca] for resources, workshops, and private coaching. Our guest for this episode is Daddy Lobo. Lobo is a bisexual sex worker who strives to bring bisexual representation to as much as he can. He works for a Health Initiative for Men in Sex Work, providing a variety of services to gay, bi, queer men and gender diverse people in Vancouver. He hopes his insights will help people gain a new appreciation for sex work and he hopes to educate and de-stigmatize the industry. X - @daddylobovanxxx IG - @_lobobear_ BlueSky - @daddylobovanxxx Only Fans - @daddylobovanxxx Just for Fans - @daddylobovanxxx Explore Your Relationship Patterns Take Jason’s Hidden Relationship Patterns Quiz [https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/]. Uncover subconscious patterns that influence how you show up in your relationships. Get started with the quiz at https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/ [https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/] Transform Your Relationships Jason also offers The Authentic Intimacy Course [https://authenticintimacycourse.scoreapp.com/] as a follow up to the quiz, designed to help you bring clarity, confidence, and authenticity to your relationships. It’s only $59 and you can use promo code CINEMA25 to get 25% off. Go to: http://www.somarelating.ca [http://www.somarelating.ca] Find the Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZV2L3Qv4TQzXnYSfpFutU [https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZV2L3Qv4TQzXnYSfpFutU] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sex-bodies-and-cinema/id1782598061 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sex-bodies-and-cinema/id1782598061] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sexbodiesandcinema [https://www.youtube.com/@sexbodiesandcinema] Youtube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGjmizQHfiZhIe5WgPnPMQ3XV7iXGOMVY [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGjmizQHfiZhIe5WgPnPMQ3XV7iXGOMVY] Topics Discussed [01:00] Introduction to Baby Girl and its premise [03:00] How the trailer frames the film versus what it actually delivers [07:00] Romy’s opening sex scene with Jacob and what it reveals about desire and repression [14:00] First encounters between Romy and Samuel—the thrill of crossing professional boundaries [23:00] Power dynamics in BDSM versus cinematic portrayals [33:00] The “hotel scene” as a turning point in risk, vulnerability, and arousal [44:00] Samuel’s role as a catalyst for self-exploration—and the question of coercion [56:00] How repression, authenticity, and self-acceptance collide in Romy’s choices [01:08:00] The ripple effects of secrecy on marriage, family, and work [01:15:00] The unexpected compassion from Romy’s daughter and what it says about family bonds [01:22:00] The final moments—risk, remembrance, and the possibility of integration About the Podcast Sex, Bodies, and Cinema explores films that tackle themes of sex, embodiment, and intimacy. Co-hosts Jason Goode and Ashley Rose bring their expertise in somatic sex education and filmmaking to spark thought-provoking conversations. Produced by Jason Goode Editing and Mixing by Taqi Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/ultraviolet [https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/ultraviolet] License code: WPXOH1QWCPRRXJ6L Support the Podcast Please rate, review, and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Share with fellow film lovers and anyone interested in meaningful discussions about sexuality and embodiment!

An Education (2009): Desire, Deception, and the Hunger for Life with Jamie Lee Finch

In this episode of Sex, Bodies, and Cinema, Jason and Ashley are joined by author and educator Jamie Lee Finch to explore An Education (2009), a coming-of-age drama directed by Lone Scherfig and written by Nick Hornby. The film, based on journalist Lynn Barber’s memoir, follows Jenny (Carey Mulligan), a bright schoolgirl in 1960s London, who becomes entangled with an older, charming con man, David (Peter Sarsgaard). As Jenny is swept into a sophisticated adult world, the film unpacks themes of power, agency, and the longing for freedom. Trigger Warning: Discussions of grooming, age-gap relationships, societal expectations, and power imbalances. Hosts Jason Goode is a Somatic Sex Educator and Somatic Performance Coach. Learn more at somarelating.ca [https://www.somarelating.ca]. Ashley Rose is a Sexological Bodyworker & Intimacy Coach who specializes in internal pelvic care. Visit ashleyelisabethrose.ca [https://www.ashleyelisabethrose.ca] for resources, workshops, and private coaching. Our guest for this episode is Jamie Lee Finch. Jamie is an author, educator, and bodyworker. She co-hosts the Experiential Anatomy podcast with Dr. Joan Chan and wrote You Are Your Own: A Reckoning with the Religious Trauma of Evangelical Christianity. Find her work at jamieleefinch.com [https://jamieleefinch.com] and on Instagram @jamieleefinch [https://www.instagram.com/jamieleefinch]. Explore Your Relationship Patterns Take Jason’s Hidden Relationship Patterns Quiz [https://authenticintimacycourse.scoreapp.com/]. Uncover subconscious patterns that influence how you show up in your relationships. Get started with the quiz at https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/ [https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/] Transform Your Relationships Jason also offers The Authentic Intimacy Course [https://authenticintimacycourse.scoreapp.com/] as a follow up to the quiz, designed to help you bring clarity, confidence, and authenticity to your relationships. It’s only $59 and you can use promo code CINEMA25 to get 25% off. Go to: http://www.somarelating.ca [http://www.somarelating.ca] Find the Podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZV2L3Qv4TQzXnYSfpFutU [https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZV2L3Qv4TQzXnYSfpFutU] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sex-bodies-and-cinema/id1782598061 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sex-bodies-and-cinema/id1782598061] YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGjmizQHfiZhIe5WgPnPMQ3XV7iXGOMVY [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGjmizQHfiZhIe5WgPnPMQ3XV7iXGOMVY] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sexbodiesandcinema [https://www.youtube.com/@sexbodiesandcinema] Topics Discussed [01:00] Introduction to An Education and its major themes [05:00] Jamie’s personal connection to the film and how it resonated with her coming-of-age journey [12:00] Carey Mulligan’s performance and Jenny’s balancing act between youth and maturity [20:00] The father-daughter dynamic and its post-WWII cultural backdrop [32:00] The seductive pull of sophistication and the illusion of agency in grooming dynamics [45:00] The role of music and cinematography in shaping the film’s emotional tone [52:00] How An Education challenges traditional coming-of-age narratives [01:05:00] The film’s conclusion and the deeper lessons about self-trust and autonomy Additional Resources Lynn Barber’s Memoir:An EducationGoodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6534852-an-education?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=JbiPjcI5Vq&rank=1] Nick Hornby’s Other Works:Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2929.Nick_Hornby?from_search=true&from_srp=true] Jamie Lee Finch’s Course:Your Body is a Personhttps://course.jamieleefinch.com/pages/your-body-is-a-person [https://course.jamieleefinch.com/pages/your-body-is-a-person] About the Podcast Sex, Bodies, and Cinema explores films that tackle themes of sex, embodiment, and intimacy. Co-hosts Jason Goode and Ashley Rose bring their expertise in somatic sex education and filmmaking to spark thought-provoking conversations. Produced by Jason GoodeEditing and Mixing by TaqiMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/ultraviolet [https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/ultraviolet]License code: 9ZNOLBXC6YPVFEWC Support the Podcast Please rate, review, and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Share with fellow film lovers and anyone interested in meaningful discussions about sexuality and embodiment!

Eyes Wide Shut (1999): Unmasking Desire in Relationships

In this episode of Sex, Bodies, and Cinema, Jason and Ashley dive deep into Stanley Kubrick’s provocative 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The film follows Dr. Bill Harford on a bizarre, night-long journey through the hidden worlds of desire and secrecy after his wife, Alice, shares her secret fantasy of another man. As Bill navigates his own sexual awakening, the couple’s relationship faces a crisis of trust, power, and unspoken truths. Trigger Warning: Discussions of infidelity, power dynamics, sexual fantasies, and intense emotional distress. Hosts Jason Goode is Somatic Sex Educator and Somatic Performance Coach. Learn more about his work and offerings atsomarelating.ca [http://somarelating.ca]. Ashley Rose is a Sexological Bodyworker & intimacy coach who specializes in internal pelvic care. Visit her website at ashleyelisabethrose.ca [http://ashleyelisabethrose.ca] for resources, workshops, and private coaching. Explore Your Relationship Patterns Take Jason’s Hidden Relationship Patterns Quiz [https://kiki-g8bvhlnj.scoreapp.com/]. Uncover subconscious patterns that influence how you show up in your relationships. Get started with the quiz at https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/ [https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/] Transform Your Relationships Jason also offers The Authentic Intimacy Course [https://kiki-mbaj0de5.scoreapp.com] as a follow up to the quiz, designed to help you bring clarity, confidence, and authenticity to your relationships. It’s only $59 and you can use promo code CINEMA25 to get 25% off. Go to: http://www.somarelating.ca [http://www.somarelating.ca] Topics Discussed [01:00] Introduction to Eyes Wide Shut and the film's main premise [02:00] Jason and Ashley’s personal history with the film and Stanley Kubrick’s filmmaking style [06:00] The power dynamics in the opening scene between Bill and Alice [15:00] Exploring the theme of masking and unmasking in the film’s cinematography [25:00] The role of Christmas symbolism and its connection to alienation and the commercialization of life [32:00] The pivotal moment where Alice shares her secret fantasy and how this triggers a crisis in Bill’s character [45:00] The clinical yet erotic atmosphere of the secret society orgy and the power dynamics within [56:00] Domino’s role as one of the few characters showing integrity and humanity [01:03:00] The significance of the morgue scene and the emotional reckoning it triggers for Bill [01:12:00] The final scene and Alice’s statement about being “awake,” unpacking its emotional and spiritual implications for Bill and Alice’s relationship [01:20:00] Conclusion on the complex layers of desire, power, and relationships explored in Eyes Wide Shut Additional Resources Eyes Wide Open [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/318531.Eyes_Wide_Open], a memoir on the writing of the script: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/318531.Eyes_Wide_Open [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/318531.Eyes_Wide_Open] Stanley Kubrick: a Life in Pictures: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278736/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278736/] Cosmo Meens’ website has great resources around navigating desire: https://www.himerosproject.com/resources [https://www.himerosproject.com/resources] Also, sign up for Cosmo Meens’ Anatomy of Desire workshop [https://somaticsexeducators.com/webinars/the-anatomy-of-desire-a-method-for-consent/?fbclid=IwY2xjawG8TPFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUoM3hJnZg8L4TK37z_HrV9Zg_P7otzNgNIIoHuAZYYiME7u3hP9t0daTA_aem_-pkVCzCTG7eEMYIoSGnG1A] to learn more about how to communicate your unspoken desires. About the Podcast Sex, Bodies, and Cinema explores films that tackle taboo subjects of sex, embodiment, and intimacy. Co-hosts Jason Goode and Ashley Rose bring their expertise in somatic sex education and filmmaking to spark thought-provoking conversations. Produced by Jason Goode Editing and Mixing by Taqi Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/ultraviolet [https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/ultraviolet] License code: 3UEKTOITJOY0Q2PO Support the Podcast Please rate, review, and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform. Share with anyone who loves movies and meaningful discussions about sexuality and embodiment!

Take This Waltz (2011): The Dance of Desire and the Boundaries of Fidelity

In this episode of Sex, Bodies, and Cinema, Jason and Ashley dive into Sarah Polley’s Take This Waltz (2011), a poignant and emotional drama that explores the complexities of desire, fidelity, and the search for meaning in relationships. Starring Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby, and Sarah Silverman, the film follows Margot (Williams), a married woman who finds herself torn between her stable, familiar life with her husband Lou (Rogen) and the magnetic allure of Daniel (Kirby), an artist living across the street. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses themes of emotional conflict, infidelity, and personal identity within relationships. Please take care when listening. Hosts: Jason Goode is a Somatic Sex Educator and Somatic Performance Coach. Learn more about his work and offerings at somarelating.ca [http://somarelating.ca]. Ashley Rose is a Sexological Bodyworker & intimacy coach who specializes in internal pelvic care. Visit her website at ashleyelisabethrose.ca [http://ashleyelisabethrose.ca] for resources, workshops, and private coaching. Explore Your Relationship Patterns: Take Jason’s Hidden Relationship Patterns Quiz [https://kiki-g8bvhlnj.scoreapp.com/]. Uncover subconscious patterns that influence how you show up in your relationships. Get started with the quiz at https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/ [https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/]. Transform Your Relationships: Jason also offers The Authentic Intimacy Course [https://authenticintimacycourse.scoreapp.com/]as a follow up to the quiz, designed to help you bring clarity, confidence, and authenticity to your relationships. It’s only $59 and you can use promo code CINEMA25 to get 25% off. Go to: http://www.somarelating.ca [http://www.somarelating.ca] Topics Discussed: [03:00] Ashley and Jason’s initial thoughts on the film’s portrayal of longing, dissatisfaction, and the emotional struggles of Margot and Lou. [10:00] The role of Margot’s emotional needs and how she navigates her connection with Daniel in contrast to her relationship with Lou. [17:30] Exploring the dynamics of love, routine, and passion within Margot and Lou’s marriage and the underlying themes of emotional suffocation and longing. [25:00] The role of Daniel (Luke Kirby) in challenging Margot’s self-perception and her understanding of desire and intimacy. [35:00] The importance of communication and emotional vulnerability in relationships—how misaligned desires and emotional needs can create tension and confusion. [45:00] A deep dive into the film’s portrayal of the inner conflict that Margot experiences, and how her relationship with Daniel invites her to confront her personal desires. [55:00] The film’s ending: Margot’s journey toward self-realization, emotional acceptance, and the inevitable gap between what we desire and what we can achieve in our relationships. [1:05:00] A reflection on how Take This Waltz challenges romantic conventions and offers a deeper look at the complexities of modern love and desire. Additional Resources: Take This Waltz - on IMDb [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1788391/]. Katherine Monk’s excellent book on Canadian Cinema: Weird Sex and Snowshoes [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/311527.Weird_Sex_and_Snowshoes]. Cosmo Meens’ website has great resources around navigating desire: https://www.himerosproject.com/resources [https://www.himerosproject.com/resources] Sign up to watch SSE Cosmo Meens’ Anatomy of Desire workshop [https://somaticsexeducators.com/webinars/the-anatomy-of-desire-a-method-for-consent/?fbclid=IwY2xjawG8TPFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUoM3hJnZg8L4TK37z_HrV9Zg_P7otzNgNIIoHuAZYYiME7u3hP9t0daTA_aem_-pkVCzCTG7eEMYIoSGnG1A]. Mating in Captivity [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27485.Mating_in_Captivity]- Esther Perel’s exploration of the tension between love and desire, this book helps couples address how to keep desire alive in long-term relationships and navigate the complexities of fidelity, intimacy, and attraction. About the Podcast: Sex, Bodies, and Cinema explores films that tackle taboo subjects related to sex, embodiment, and intimacy. Co-hosts Jason Goode and Ashley Rose bring their expertise in somatic sex education and filmmaking to spark thought-provoking discussions. Produced by: Jason Goode Editing and Mixing by: Taqi Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/ultraviolet https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/ultravioletLicenseLicense code: Z4EEWFS5NCW8VM6H

Basic Instinct (1992): Exposing the Hidden Eroticism of the Classic Film Noir

In this episode, we dive deep into the 1992 erotic thriller Basic Instinct, directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas. The film follows a troubled police detective, Nick Curran, as he investigates the brutal murder of a rock star that leads him into a complex, manipulative relationship with the seductive suspect, Catherine Tramell, played by Sharon Stone. With its provocative exploration of power, desire, and the blurred lines between control and submission, Basic Instinct challenges the boundaries of the erotic thriller genre. Through its iconic performances, Hitchcockian influences, and controversial moments, the film raises questions about manipulation, sexuality, and the cost of obsession. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses themes of sexual manipulation, violence, consent, and power dynamics that may be triggering for some listeners. Hosts: Jason Goode is a Somatic Sex Educator and Somatic Performance Coach. Learn more about his work and offerings at somarelating.ca [https://somarelating.ca]. Ashley Rose is a Sexological Bodyworker & Intimacy Coach specializing in internal pelvic care. Visit her website at ashleyelisabethrose.ca [https://ashleyelisabethrose.ca] for resources, workshops, and private coaching. Explore Your Relationship Patterns: Take Jason’s Hidden Relationship Patterns Quiz [https://kiki-g8bvhlnj.scoreapp.com/]. Uncover subconscious patterns that influence how you show up in your relationships. Get started with the quiz at https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/ [https://somarelatingquiz.scoreapp.com/]. Transform Your Relationships: Jason also offers The Authentic Intimacy Course [https://authenticintimacycourse.scoreapp.com/] as a follow up to the quiz, designed to help you bring clarity, confidence, and authenticity to your relationships. It’s only $59 and you can use promo code CINEMA25 to get 25% off. Go to: http://www.somarelating.ca [http://www.somarelating.ca] Find the podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZV2L3Qv4TQzXnYSfpFutU [https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZV2L3Qv4TQzXnYSfpFutU] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sex-bodies-and-cinema/id1782598061 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sex-bodies-and-cinema/id1782598061] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sexbodiesandcinema [https://www.youtube.com/@sexbodiesandcinema] Youtube Music:https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGjmizQHfiZhIe5WgPnPMQ3XV7iXGOMVY [https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGjmizQHfiZhIe5WgPnPMQ3XV7iXGOMVY] Topics Discussed: [00:20] Introduction to Basic Instinct and the film's premise [02:56] Ashley and Jason’s personal history with Basic Instinct and their initial impressions of the film [05:00] Director Paul Verhoeven’s filmmaking style and his approach to subverting Hollywood tropes [09:46] Michael Douglas's performance as Nick Curran and his portrayal of a flawed protagonist [12:00] Sharon Stone’s rise to fame and her iconic portrayal of Catherine Trammell [18:00] Exploring the power dynamics between Catherine and the male characters in the film [24:35] The famous interrogation scene: power, control, and manipulation [29:00] Female empowerment in Basic Instinct: Catherine as both a projection of male fantasy and a symbol of overt power [34:00] Basic Instinct as a deconstruction of film noir and erotic thrillers, with references to Hitchcock and classic Hollywood [40:00] Michael Douglas’ character, Nick, and his vulnerability in the face of Catherine’s control [45:00] The controversial and complex dynamics surrounding Sharon Stone’s interrogation scene [50:00] The juxtaposition of Catherine’s overt power and Beth’s covert manipulation [56:00] Analyzing the Hitchcockian influences in the film’s cinematography, particularly the use of light and shadows [1:00:00] The film’s exploration of control, dominance, and vulnerability within sexual relationships [1:03:00] The ambiguity of the ending and the role of personal drives and societal projections [1:04:00] The final thoughts on the film’s cultural commentary on sexuality, power, and the genre of erotic thrillers [1:15:00] The lasting cultural impact of Basic Instinct and its role in shaping the erotic thriller genre Additional Resources: The Wheel of Consent by Betty Martin: a foundational framework for understanding giving, receiving, and consent. Watch her videos on YouTube: Betty Martin's YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@BettyMartin] Jack Morin’s The Erotic Mind: A book that explores the psychology of eroticism, which ties into the themes discussed in the episode about arousal, power, and inhibition. Find it HERE [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174777.The_Erotic_Mind]: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174777.The_Erotic_Mind About the Podcast Sex, Bodies, and Cinema explores films that tackle taboo subjects of sex, embodiment, and intimacy. Co-hosts Jason Goode and Ashley Rose bring their expertise in somatic sex education and filmmaking to spark thought-provoking conversations. Produced by: Jason Goode Editing and Mixing by: Taqi Music from #Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/t/infraction/ultraviolet License code: DJUI2FMUPKUJOEPR Support the Podcast Please rate, review, and follow the show on your favorite podcast platform. Share with anyone who loves movies and meaningful discussions about sexuality and embodiment!