<p><br></p><p>BDSM. Two seconds after hearing that word, most people picture whips, chains, leather, and some kind of expensive basement situation. (Just me? Okay, just me.)</p><br><p>This week, certified somatic sex and relationship coach Melissa Vranjes breaks down what BDSM actually is — and spoiler: it's a much wider, far less terrifying spectrum than you think.</p><br><p>We cover:</p><ul><li>What BDSM really means (and what it definitely doesn't have to mean)</li><li>Why so many people are secretly curious about power play, restraint, and dominance, and feel weirdly ashamed about it</li><li>The psychology behind dominant people wanting to submit, and vice versa</li><li>How to go from "we've vaguely thought about this" to actually trying it, without a cringe disaster</li><li>The beginner's menu: easy, low-stakes things to explore first</li><li>Consent conversations that don't feel like a workplace health and safety briefing</li><li>Safewords, aftercare, and the mistakes people make, copying what they've seen online</li><li>And this week's Pleasure Practice to try at home</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Whether you're deeply curious, mildly intrigued, or just here to find out what all the fuss is about, this one's for you.</p><br><p><em>Don't start with a whip and a prayer. Start here. </em></p><br><p>How to Have Sex is a shame-free sex education podcast hosted by broadcaster Jay-Jay Feeney and certified sex and relationship coach Melissa Vranjes. Every episode is designed to educate, inform, and start the conversations that most of us were never taught to have.</p><br><p>This podcast is proudly sponsored by <strong>Wild Secrets</strong>.</p><p>Shop online at <a href="http://www.wildsecrets.co.nz/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.wildsecrets.co.nz</a> &amp; use the code <strong>HAVESEX</strong> for 20% off sitewide…</p><p>Pleasure Delivered.</p><br><p><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO OUR SUBSTACK </strong><a href="https://hthspodcast.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://hthspodcast.substack.com</a></p><p><strong> INSTAGRAM </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/howtohavesexpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/howtohavesexpodcast</a></p><p><strong>FACEBOOK </strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HowToHaveSexPodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/HowToHaveSexPodcast</a></p><p><strong>YOUTUBE</strong> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Howtohavesexpodcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@Howtohavesexpodcast</a></p><p><strong>EMAIL</strong> <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a></p><p><strong>Support the podcast! </strong><a href="https://buymeacoffee.com/howtohavesex" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://buymeacoffee.com/howtohavesex</a></p><br><p>How To Have Sex is produced by <strong>PodLab</strong>, Auckland. <a href="https://www.podlab.co.nz/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.podlab.co.nz</a></p><br><p><strong>HOSTS:</strong></p><p><strong> Jay-Jay Feeney</strong> – Media Personality</p><p>Instagram/TikTok: @JJFeeneyNZ</p><p>Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JayJayFeeney</p><br><p><strong>Melissa Vranjes – </strong>Certified Somatic Sex &amp; Relationship Coach</p><p>www.melissavranjes.com</p><p>Instagram: @melissavranjes</p><br><p>Ready to feel more confident, connected, and turned on in your body?<strong> Join Sex School here: </strong>https://www.melissavranjes.com/sex-school</p><p><strong> </strong></p><br><p><strong> </strong></p><br><p><br></p><br><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>