Normalizing Non-Monogamy - Personal Stories of Polyamory, Swinging, and Beyond

It’s been four years since we first talked with Rainy and Paco way back on Episode 262. They’re back today with an update about how their relationship and approach to non-monogamy has evolved and what it’s meant to more fully embrace who they are. They talk about finding freedom in being fully themselves, building chosen family through deep friendships and shared experiences, and embracing their version of non-monogamy which doesn’t fit neatly under any one label. We also explore how ADHD, Autism, C-PTSD, OCD, and their different approaches to sexuality all shape the way they navigate non-monogamy and how they embrace explicit agreements and rules to approach everything as a team. These two are such a delight and this conversation is a beautiful and heartfelt look at the freedom that comes from knowing yourself, communicating openly, and creating relationships on your own terms. Check out the full show notes here. Join the most amazing community of open-minded humans on the planet! Click here to order your very own NNM shirt! $10 Off - Online STI Testing

In this episode, we talk with Trixie, a non-binary genderqueer sex educator, coach, and activist, about their journey to embracing polyamory and overcoming the shame and societal expectations that once made it difficult to express who they were. We explore their expansive approach to love and relationships, where partners, metamours, and deep friendships all have a place, and why honest communication and finding community have been so transformative along the way. We also talk about their gender liberation work, the importance of building inclusive spaces, and what it means to embrace all the ways we can love, connect, and show up authentically. Trixie Lamonte (Ariel) is a professional coach with an expertise in poly, sex, relationships, communication, desire, gender, sexuality, confidence, self-love, BDSM, transformation work, and radical expression. Trixie is a professional workshop facilitator, educator, writer, consultant, performer, public speaker, and ritualist. Trixie is also the founder of Gender Blender, a community dedicated to trans and nonbinary liberation and is proud to be poly, kinky, queer, and a gender rebel. Trixie is well known for hosting hot play parties, gogo dancing, MCing, and poly joy! For more information about all of Trixie's work check out www.polyexcellent.com. Check out the full show notes here. Join the most amazing community of open-minded humans on the planet! Click here to order your very own NNM shirt! $10 Off - Online STI Testing

In this episode, we speak with Steve about life after a 25-year marriage and how seven years of dating and exploring relationships have changed the way he thinks about connection. He shares stories of friendships that became romantic and then returned to friendship, relationships that moved between exclusivity and openness, and the lessons he’s learned about being clear and intentional about what he wants. We talk about the possibilities, and challenges, of fluid relationships, including his current long-distance, non-monogamous relationship and his experience of briefly trying monogamy again before realizing how much pressure it placed on the relationship to become “everything.” Steve also reflects on his belief that relationships are kind of a “final frontier” for learning about ourselves, and his desire to explore that possibility without feeling bound by the societal scripts and expectations of the relationship escalator. Check out the full show notes here. Join the most amazing community of open-minded humans on the planet! Click here to order your very own NNM shirt! $10 Off - Online STI Testing

This week we talk with Victoria about her relationship history and the different paths that led her to non-monogamy, from early experiences with infidelity to exploring swinging and an open marriage with her ex-husband. She takes us through the complicated evolution of that relationship, including the challenges of secrecy, boundary-setting, and discovering her needs for affection, desire, and connection that weren’t being met. Since her marriage ended two years ago, Victoria has been on a journey of figuring out what kind of polyamory works best for her, learning new communication tools, and becoming more comfortable exploring relationships without feeling the need to seek permission. We also talk about her current solo poly life, non-hierarchical polyamory, anchor partners, jealousy, and the many things she continues to learn about herself along the way. Check out the full show notes here. Join the most amazing community of open-minded humans on the planet! Click here to order your very own NNM shirt! $10 Off - Online STI Testing

Forrest has been together with his wife, Joanne, for over 25 years, and about six years ago they decided to open their relationship after navigating mismatched libidos for much of their partnership. Throughout our conversation Forrest discusses how they’ve maintained a deep connection and intimacy throughout their relationship regardless of this mismatch. He also shares the impact of menopause on Joanne’s mental and physical health, along with the changes it brought to their sexual relationship, and the vulnerability and shame they both experienced as they explored non-monogamy while remaining deeply committed to their marriage. We also talk about how Forrest’s partners, Kathy and Annie, have grown to become an important part of their shared life and sources of love and support, particularly following Joanne’s diagnosis with a progressive neurodegenerative disease. This is a beautiful and incredibly moving conversation about love, commitment, chosen family, and what it means to keep showing up for each other through life’s biggest challenges. Check out the full show notes here. Join the most amazing community of open-minded humans on the planet! Click here to order your very own NNM shirt! $10 Off - Online STI Testing