Trigger Proof with Mikki Bey

The Problem With “Implied Consent” in Relationships

Do you feel disconnected during intimacy, even when you’re in a relationship?Have you ever said “yes” when your body wasn’t fully on board?Or wondered why sex feels more confusing than connecting?In this episode of Trigger Proof with Mikki Bey, emotional regulation coach Mikki Bey sits down with Brian Gibney, surrogate partner and intimacy coach, for a bold and deeply necessary conversation about sex, safety, and nervous system regulation.Brian explains what surrogate partner therapy actually is, how it works alongside traditional therapy, and why so many adults are dysregulated around intimacy. Together, they unpack the emotional, cultural, and religious conditioning that has shaped how we approach sex — often leaving us disconnected from our bodies, our boundaries, and our voice.You’ll learn why emotional safety is the foundation of truly satisfying intimacy — and why great sex has less to do with performance and more to do with attunement.In this conversation, Mikki and Brian explore:• What surrogate partner therapy is — and who it’s for• How dysregulation shows up in sex and intimacy• The difference between implied consent and full-body yes• Why attunement creates deeper emotional and physical connection• How scarcity and urgency sabotage intimacy• The “May I / Will You” exercise for building safety and trust• How to stop abandoning yourself during sex• Practical tools for singles and couples to build sexual self-awarenessBrian also shares how most adults were never taught how to communicate desire, boundaries, or consent — and how slowing down, using your words, and building safety can transform intimacy into a healing experience.If you’ve ever felt touch-deprived, misunderstood, disconnected from pleasure, or unsure how to express what you truly want, this episode will expand your perspective on what safe sex actually means.This is more than a conversation about sex.It’s about emotional regulation, agency, healing, and learning how to relate to another human without urgency, extraction, or self-abandonment.Connect with Brian GibneyWebsite: https://briangibney.orgConnect with Mikki BeyDownload Mikki’s Free Emotional Regulation Bundle (ebook, workbook, and masterclass): https://themikkibeygroup.com/inquiryfWebsite: https://www.themikkibeygroup.com/LinkedIn: Mikki BeyInstagram: / getmikkibey

The Problem With “Implied Consent” in Relationships

Do you feel disconnected during intimacy, even when you’re in a relationship?Have you ever said “yes” when your body wasn’t fully on board?Or wondered why sex feels more confusing than connecting?In this episode of Trigger Proof with Mikki Bey, emotional regulation coach Mikki Bey sits down with Brian Gibney, surrogate partner and intimacy coach, for a bold and deeply necessary conversation about sex, safety, and nervous system regulation.Brian explains what surrogate partner therapy actually is, how it works alongside traditional therapy, and why so many adults are dysregulated around intimacy. Together, they unpack the emotional, cultural, and religious conditioning that has shaped how we approach sex — often leaving us disconnected from our bodies, our boundaries, and our voice.You’ll learn why emotional safety is the foundation of truly satisfying intimacy — and why great sex has less to do with performance and more to do with attunement.In this conversation, Mikki and Brian explore:• What surrogate partner therapy is — and who it’s for• How dysregulation shows up in sex and intimacy• The difference between implied consent and full-body yes• Why attunement creates deeper emotional and physical connection• How scarcity and urgency sabotage intimacy• The “May I / Will You” exercise for building safety and trust• How to stop abandoning yourself during sex• Practical tools for singles and couples to build sexual self-awarenessBrian also shares how most adults were never taught how to communicate desire, boundaries, or consent — and how slowing down, using your words, and building safety can transform intimacy into a healing experience.If you’ve ever felt touch-deprived, misunderstood, disconnected from pleasure, or unsure how to express what you truly want, this episode will expand your perspective on what safe sex actually means.This is more than a conversation about sex.It’s about emotional regulation, agency, healing, and learning how to relate to another human without urgency, extraction, or self-abandonment.Connect with Brian GibneyWebsite: https://briangibney.orgConnect with Mikki BeyDownload Mikki’s Free Emotional Regulation Bundle (ebook, workbook, and masterclass): https://themikkibeygroup.com/inquiryfWebsite: https://www.themikkibeygroup.com/LinkedIn: Mikki BeyInstagram: / getmikkibey

Why Men Struggle With Emotions and How to Change That

Do you ever look successful on the outside — career intact, responsibilities handled, image polished — but internally feel like you’re barely holding it together?In this episode of Trigger Proof with Mikki Bey, emotional regulation coach Mikki Bey sits down with Marcus CJ Lewis, life coach, speaker, and men’s wellbeing advocate, for one of the rawest conversations yet on addiction, masculinity, identity, and emotional regulation.Marcus shares his journey from high-functioning addiction — including crystal meth, alcohol, and a 30-year porn addiction — to sobriety, self-awareness, and leadership. He opens up about domestic violence, depression, dysregulated parenting, and the moment he calls his “spiritual rock bottom” — a morning that forced him to confront himself and choose change.You’ll hear what emotional regulation actually looks like in real life: grieving old identities, interrupting addictive patterns, managing arousal and impulse, sitting with discomfort instead of escaping it, and learning how to tell yourself “no” without shame.In this conversation, Mikki and Marcus explore:• The hidden face of high-functioning addiction• How dysregulated parenting shapes adult emotional patterns• Why change feels violent — and why that’s part of growth• Addiction as an attempt to self-soothe unresolved pain• The role of identity work in breaking long-term addictive cycles• How emotional regulation helps men master impulse and arousal• Bringing authenticity and spirituality into corporate leadership• Why recovery is about awareness, compassion, and moment-to-moment presenceMarcus also shares practical tools that supported his recovery — journaling, changing environments, breathwork, identity shifts, and learning to sit with emotional discomfort instead of numbing it.If you’ve ever struggled with impulse, addiction, shame, or the pressure to “protect and provide” without support, this episode offers a powerful reminder: emotional regulation isn’t weakness — it’s leadership.Connect with Marcus CJ LewisWebsite: https://marcuscjlewis.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/marcuscjlewisLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcuscjlewisFacebook: https://facebook.com/marcuscjlewisConnect with Mikki BeyDownload Mikki’s Free Emotional Regulation Bundle (ebook, workbook, and masterclass): https://themikkibeygroup.com/inquiryfWebsite: https://www.themikkibeygroup.com/LinkedIn: / mbcmbaInstagram: / getmikkibey

Why Men Struggle With Emotions and How to Change That

Do you ever look successful on the outside — career intact, responsibilities handled, image polished — but internally feel like you’re barely holding it together?In this episode of Trigger Proof with Mikki Bey, emotional regulation coach Mikki Bey sits down with Marcus CJ Lewis, life coach, speaker, and men’s wellbeing advocate, for one of the rawest conversations yet on addiction, masculinity, identity, and emotional regulation.Marcus shares his journey from high-functioning addiction — including crystal meth, alcohol, and a 30-year porn addiction — to sobriety, self-awareness, and leadership. He opens up about domestic violence, depression, dysregulated parenting, and the moment he calls his “spiritual rock bottom” — a morning that forced him to confront himself and choose change.You’ll hear what emotional regulation actually looks like in real life: grieving old identities, interrupting addictive patterns, managing arousal and impulse, sitting with discomfort instead of escaping it, and learning how to tell yourself “no” without shame.In this conversation, Mikki and Marcus explore:• The hidden face of high-functioning addiction• How dysregulated parenting shapes adult emotional patterns• Why change feels violent — and why that’s part of growth• Addiction as an attempt to self-soothe unresolved pain• The role of identity work in breaking long-term addictive cycles• How emotional regulation helps men master impulse and arousal• Bringing authenticity and spirituality into corporate leadership• Why recovery is about awareness, compassion, and moment-to-moment presenceMarcus also shares practical tools that supported his recovery — journaling, changing environments, breathwork, identity shifts, and learning to sit with emotional discomfort instead of numbing it.If you’ve ever struggled with impulse, addiction, shame, or the pressure to “protect and provide” without support, this episode offers a powerful reminder: emotional regulation isn’t weakness — it’s leadership.Connect with Marcus CJ LewisWebsite: https://marcuscjlewis.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/marcuscjlewisLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcuscjlewisFacebook: https://facebook.com/marcuscjlewisConnect with Mikki BeyDownload Mikki’s Free Emotional Regulation Bundle (ebook, workbook, and masterclass): https://themikkibeygroup.com/inquiryfWebsite: https://www.themikkibeygroup.com/LinkedIn: / mbcmbaInstagram: / getmikkibey

How Neurodivergent Black Women Lose Themselves Trying to Cope

Do you ever feel constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, or emotionally reactive—yet can’t explain why, even though you’re “doing everything right”?In this episode of Trigger Proof with Mikki Bey, emotional regulation coach Mikki Bey sits down with Dr. Samara Toussaint, psychologist, mental health practice owner, and neurodivergence advocate, for a powerful conversation on emotional regulation, masking, and the often-missed reality of neurodivergence in Black women.Dr. Samara shares her personal journey of being late-diagnosed as autistic, and how years of masking, perfectionism, and burnout are often misread as personal failure instead of nervous system overload. Together, they unpack how emotional dysregulation, trauma, culture, and neurodivergence intersect—and why so many Black women are misdiagnosed, undiagnosed, or overlooked entirely.You’ll learn how emotional regulation can support healing, self-understanding, and nervous system safety—whether or not you’re neurodivergent.In this conversation, Mikki and Dr. Samara explore:• What neurodivergence really means (beyond ADHD and autism stereotypes)• The difference between masking, code-switching, and self-abandonment• Why burnout and perfectionism are major signs of emotional dysregulation• How neurodivergence shows up differently in Black women• Why late diagnosis is so common—and so costly• The impact of culture, bias, and misdiagnosis on Black women’s mental health• When emotional regulation coaching helps—and when assessment and accommodations are neededIf you’ve ever felt like life feels harder than it should, or you’ve been told you’re “too emotional,” “too sensitive,” or “not trying hard enough,” this episode may help you finally understand what’s really happening—and how to support yourself with more compassion and clarity.Connect with Dr. Samara ToussaintInstagram & TikTok: @schoolpsychdrt(Link in bio for private practice, assessments, and resources)Website: www.path2growthcounseling.comConnect with Mikki BeyDownload Mikki’s Free Emotional Regulation Bundle (ebook, workbook, and masterclass):https://www.themikkibeygroup.com/inquiryfWebsite: https://www.themikkibeygroup.com/LinkedIn: / mbcmbaInstagram: / getmikkibey