We Haven't Done Anything Yet... So Why Does This Feel So Hard 😏

TPL Book Club 1 ☕: Open by Rachel Krantz

For our first official book club episode, we’re discussing Open by Rachel Krantz — a memoir exploring consensual non-monogamy, power dynamics, abuse, freedom, jealousy, and self-discovery. What started as a book we expected to be erotic quickly turned into something much heavier and more emotionally complex. We talk about: * the unequal power dynamics between Rachel and Adam * gaslighting and manipulation * emotional vs sexual jealousy * why certain dynamics can feel exciting at first… and painful later * how lifestyle spaces can accelerate emotional intimacy * Disney princesses (yes, really) * therapy, individuation, and personal growth inside relationships * why the book still lands on a hopeful note despite everything Rachel went through We also share some thoughts on boundaries, communication, and why exploring relationships intentionally requires more emotional honesty than most people realize. In This Episode We Also Discuss * Sexual language and boundaries during play * Why lifestyle spaces can feel emotionally disarming * “Enlightened” personalities (ie. assholes) in ENM spaces * Kathy Labriola’s work on jealousy and how it's experienced * Masculinity and emotional freedom * Metamour friendships * Future Book Club picks Resources Mentioned * Open by Rachel Krantz - https://a.co/d/0ihlMCvD [https://a.co/d/0ihlMCvD] * Kathy Labriola books/resources - https://www.kathylabriola.com/ [https://www.kathylabriola.com/] * Feel It All: A Therapist's Guide to Reimagining Your Relationship With Sex - https://a.co/d/0cZMVSQ2 [https://a.co/d/0cZMVSQ2] * The Other Significant Others - https://a.co/d/0e8gZJlJ [https://a.co/d/0e8gZJlJ] * Praise - https://a.co/d/07k3m8w7 [https://a.co/d/07k3m8w7] Join the Conversation Have thoughts about the book? Agree with us? Completely disagree? thepartnershiplabpodcast@gmail.com [thepartnershiplabpodcast@gmail.com] We’d also love recommendations for future Book Club episodes. Disclaimer These conversations reflect our own observations and experiences and are not professional or institutional advice.

Your Turn Ons? There's a Word for That 🤯

Protocol: What if the way you experience desire isn’t random—but actually follows a pattern? In this episode, we dive into the concept of Erotic Blueprints, a framework that helps explain how and why we experience arousal, connection, and pleasure differently. We break down all five blueprint types—Energetic, Sensual, Sexual, Kinky, and Shapeshifter—and share real-world examples of what each one looks like in practice. Then things get personal. We reveal our own results, unpack what surprised us, and explore how understanding our blueprints is already changing the way we communicate, connect, and experience intimacy. This conversation isn’t just about sex—it’s about language, self-acceptance, and realizing you might not be “weird”… just misunderstood. 🧪 In This Episode: * What Erotic Blueprints are and why they matter * The 5 blueprint types explained in real-world terms * Our personal results (and what shocked us) * The “shadow sides” that can block connection * How understanding your partner’s blueprint changes everything 🔬 Resources Mentioned: * Erotic Blueprint Quiz (via The Desire Lab) * Sex, Love & Goop (Netflix) * Monogamish Marriage podcast * How to Build a Sex Room (Netflix) 📚 Next Episode: We’re starting our first Listener Lab Book Club with: Open by Rachel Krantz Read along—we’ll be breaking it down next episode. 💬 Join the Conversation: What’s your blueprint? 📩 Email: thepartnershiplabpodcast@gmail.com [thepartnershiplabpodcast@gmail.com] 📱 Instagram: @the_partnership_lab Disclaimer: These conversations reflect our personal experiences and are not professional advice.

Listener Lab 1: 50 Questions Roulette 📖

Listener Lab: Real-time questions, honest answers, and figuring it out as we go What happens when you stop planning—and just start talking? In this episode of The Partnership Lab, we’re trying something new. This is our first Listener Lab: a more relaxed, real-time experiment where we use a few prompts and see where the conversation takes us. Using Fifty Questions to Ask Before Opening Your Relationship, we explore topics like jealousy, connection, communication, and why we’re even doing this in the first place. Some answers come easily. Others don’t. But that’s kind of the point. This isn’t polished. This is us thinking out loud. In This Episode * Introducing Listener Lab: a more interactive, real-time format * Reflecting on feeling “vanilla” and early in the journey * Confidence, comparison, and supporting each other in imbalance * Honesty, identity, and rebuilding as individuals * Challenging traditional narratives and redefining connection * Emotional vs sexual connection: do you need both? * Apps vs real-life connection and building community * Communication, reassurance, and “filling in the gaps” * Growth, curiosity, and the idea of “more life,” not replacement * Why this process is already improving our relationship Contact Contact us with comments, questions, stories, advice, encouragement, or whatever else you want to send: thepartnershiplabpodcast@gmail.com [thepartnershiplabpodcast@gmail.com] Suggested Resources Mentioned in the Episode * 50 Questions to Ask Before Opening Your Relationship — Dr. Rachel Meyer * Dr. Rachel's Naughty Gym Episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naughty-gym-show-building-stronger-non-monogamous-relationships/id1701360007?i=1000735196506 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naughty-gym-show-building-stronger-non-monogamous-relationships/id1701360007?i=1000735196506] * Midwest Love Fest - https://lovefestevents.com/mwlf25/ [https://lovefestevents.com/mwlf25/] * We Can Do Hard Things Astrology Episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/astrology-for-skeptics-sonya-renee-taylor-reads-our-charts/id1564530722?i=1000741471659 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/astrology-for-skeptics-sonya-renee-taylor-reads-our-charts/id1564530722?i=1000741471659] * Open — Rachel Krantz (https://a.co/d/0cepjbvM [https://a.co/d/0cepjbvM]) FUTURE BOOK CLUB EPISODE * Erotic Blueprint Quiz — https://missjaiya.com/ [https://missjaiya.com/] Disclaimer These conversations reflect our own observations and experiences and are not professional or institutional advice. They do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of employers, family, or guests, nor imply their approval of the content shared.

Inside the Women's Pleasure Retreat: Fear, Desire, Firsts.... And a Pussy Snorkel??🤿

FIELD NOTES: What does it actually feel like to step into something new—for the first time, for real? In this episode of The Partnership Lab, the research phase turns into lived experience. Roz returns from a women’s pleasure retreat, and together we unpack what actually happened—not just the events themselves, but the emotional, mental, and relational impact of stepping outside the familiar. From fear and self-reflection to desire, communication, and first physical experiences, this episode captures what it looks like when theory becomes reality. Not perfectly. Not cleanly. But honestly. This isn’t the idea of it anymore. This is what it feels like. In This Episode * Inside the women’s retreat: setting, structure, and first impressions * Acknowledging fear—and what happens when you say it out loud * Desire vs. anxiety: learning to listen to what you actually want * Left brain vs. right brain: fear, control, and curiosity * Using your inner critic as a tool instead of a barrier * Consent frameworks (FRIES) and what “enthusiastic” really means * Practicing “the ask” and how to clearly communicate desire * First experiences: flogging, sensual touch, and group dynamics * Overstimulation, boundaries, and learning your limits in real time * Discovering unexpected turn-ons (and surprises along the way) * What it felt like to be home vs. away—for both Roz and Max * Jealousy, anxiety, and communication gaps from the partner perspective * What we’d change next time (especially around communication) Contact us at with comments, questions, stories, advice, encouragement, or whatever else you want to send: thepartnershiplabpodcast@gmail.com [thepartnershiplabpodcast@gmail.com] Suggested resources mentioned in the episode: * Expansive Connection — https://www.expansiveconnection.com/ [https://www.expansiveconnection.com/] * Sapio Tours — https://sapiotours.com/ [https://sapiotours.com/] * Monogamish Marriage Podcast — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-monogamish-marriage/id1586549659 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-monogamish-marriage/id1586549659] * BDSM Test — https://bdsmtest.org/ [https://bdsmtest.org/] * How to Build a Sex Room — https://www.netflix.com/title/81220971 [https://www.netflix.com/title/81220971] * Erotic Blueprint Quiz — https://missjaiya.com/ [https://missjaiya.com/] * Where Should We Begin? (ice breaker card game) - Esther Perel * Beyond Anxiety — Martha Beck * The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk * Roz's Strappy Red Outfit from Garden Party (you're welcome) - https://a.co/d/0bnYwcer [https://a.co/d/0bnYwcer] Disclaimer These conversations reflect our own observations and experiences and are not professional or institutional advice. They do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of employers, family, or guests, nor imply their approval of the content shared.

We Haven't Done Anything Yet... So Why Does This Feel So Hard 😏

PROTOCOL ENTRY: What does it actually look like to prepare—mentally, emotionally, and relationally—before taking your first step into something new? In this episode of The Partnership Lab, we’re in the research phase. Before anything happens, before any lines are crossed, before any real-world experiences—we’re doing the work. Roz is preparing for a women’s retreat focused on pleasure, desire, and self-discovery, and together we walk through what that preparation actually looks like in real time. From homework assignments and self-reflection exercises to a live hall pass conversation, this episode captures the questions, boundaries, and emotions that come up before taking a first step. This isn’t a recap. This is the lead-up. In This Episode * What we’ve been up to since Episode 1 * Roz’s upcoming women’s retreat and what drew her to it * The “homework” assignments leading up to the retreat * Erotic blueprints and BDSM test results * A real-time hall pass conversation (before anything happens) * Boundaries, communication, and how we’re approaching this intentionally * Excitement, fears, and what we’re both feeling going into it Contact us at with comments, questions, stories, advice, encouragement, or whatever else you want to send: thepartnershiplabpodcast@gmail.com [thepartnershiplabpodcast@gmail.com] Suggested resources mentioned in the episode: * Expansive Connection - https://www.expansiveconnection.com/ [https://www.expansiveconnection.com/] * Sapio Tours - https://sapiotours.com/ [https://sapiotours.com/] * Monogamish Marriage Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-monogamish-marriage/id1586549659 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-monogamish-marriage/id1586549659] * BDSM Test - https://bdsmtest.org/ [https://bdsmtest.org/] * How to Build a Sex Room - https://www.netflix.com/title/81220971 [https://www.netflix.com/title/81220971] * Erotic Blueprint Quiz - https://missjaiya.com/ [https://missjaiya.com/] * Roz's Walk-On Music: * https://music.apple.com/us/album/stand-out/1452864288?i=1452864786 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/stand-out/1452864288?i=1452864786] * https://music.apple.com/us/album/high-hopes/1361152002?i=1361152303 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/high-hopes/1361152002?i=1361152303] * Max's Walk-On Music (Secret Show Note Easter Egg): * https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-man/1440900336?i=1440900406 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-man/1440900336?i=1440900406] Disclaimer These conversations reflect our own observations and experiences and are not professional or institutional advice. They do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of employers, family, or guests, nor imply their approval of the content shared.