Intimacy Matters

Send us Fan Mail 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,...

Send us Fan Mail 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 examin...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 - part memoir, part guide to reclaiming our erotic nature. Anna is a queer cis woman (pronouns: she/her) who is endlessly curious abou...

Send us Fan Mail 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 tha...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the latest episode of the Intimacy Mattters podcast where we dive into intimacy and relationships.  Highlights of this episode include: Sex Frequency: How often is "normal"? Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire:  Why knowing the difference makes ALL the difference. Navigating Differences: Contrary to popular  belief, sex can improve with time through exploration,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Nicola and Jason dive into the crucial topic of consent within established relationships. We explore the dynamics of consent using the "wheel of consent" framework, addressing common questions and concerns about ongoing consent. Emphasizing open communication and mutual respect, we reflect on our own experiences with non-consensual touch and discus...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Nicola and Jason talk to author and psychotherapist Silva about the myths surrounding 'sex addiction'. It's become a buzzword of late, with celebrities caught in the 'Me Too' movement citing it as a reason for their behaviour. In his book 'Compulsive Sexual Behaviours',  Silva challenges the notion that sex can be addictive at all...

Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of the never-ending battle over how to load the dishwasher? 🍽️ Do you and your partner feel like you're constantly at odds? 🤔 In our latest podcast episode, we explore the fascinating concept of polarity in relationships and how it impacts every aspect of our lives. Join us as we discuss: The two types of people who load dishwashers: the precision-driven Scandi...

Send us Fan Mail We're back! After a LONG hiatus (the longest in podcast history?) Intimacy Matters returns. In this episode we tell you some of what's been going on, what will be coming up, and begin with our A to Z of Relating with 'Appreciation'. Show notes: Love Languages Quiz: https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language If you're ready to take the next step in de...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we talk to Adam Wilder about all sorts of interesting stuff - how Togetherness, his school of connection and online community, started; safety versus authenticity (and how to navigate between them); the collective and the individual; 'us and them' and how we can use our common experiences to foster connection. We also touch on men's work, how we brin...

Send us Fan Mail Ruth Culver talks to us about the fascinating world of Internal Family Systems therapy, and her work linking IFS with Polyvagal Theory.  Sounds complex? You'll be an expert after this podcast, which is full of learning and warmth too.  Ruth talks about how we process trauma and how IFS can help us to gently access this and ultimately heal ourselves and our relationships. Ruth...

Send us Fan Mail We talk to acclaimed relationship and intimacy expert Jan Day.  We discuss Living Tantra, her school of intimacy and relating,  and her forthcoming book. We look at what constitutes a conscious relationship and how to cultivate one, and get some advice on practices that couples can use to help keep intimacy alive in long term relationships. For more information visit Jan's we...

Send us Fan Mail Janet McGeever is an educator,  speaker, psychotherapist and author, based in Australia. Together with Diana Richardson she wrote Tantric Sex and the Menopause, and regularly hosts women's and couples workshops in Australia.  We chat to Janet about her background and path to becoming a teacher, menopause issues, how we change as we age, the differences between the sexual resp...

Send us Fan Mail We chat to sex and relationship therapist Cate Mackenzie about being in lockdown with your partner, the importance of flirting and the difference between Turtles and Octopuses.   Cate introduces us to the practice of Bridging as away of enhancing communication, and the importance of 'going slow'.  We also find out how it was to do couples therapy 'live' on air...

Send us Fan Mail In which our intrepid duo lay out their stall.  Why a podcast?  What is Intimacy Matters all about?  What do we hope to achieve, and what can you, dear listener, expect?  And finally, what does Alanis Morissette have to do with ANY of this?  All will be revealed ... Contact us here: www.realrelating.com If you're ready to take the next step in deepening your connections, regi...

Send us Fan Mail Kalindi Jordan is a teacher working with women and couples to help them reclaim their innate sensuality.  We talk to her about the roots of shame, coming back to the body, giving and receiving,  and the effects of trauma in blocking our pleasure.  We look at the importance of working with others to help healing, and the power of group work. Kalindi can be found here: kalindijordan...