NOT AT THE SAME TIME. Well, in the same conversation, just not both at once, you know what I mean. We check in on progress since a healthy breakthrough in our understanding of our own sex life, and recount a particularly unhealthy "breakthrough" off the highway somewhere in suburban Massachusetts.
As we discuss, we had such an incredible response to our last conversation, opening up about the ways we continue to struggle with our sex life. Kind people reached out to empathize and share their nearly identical feelings and experiences, and I think Caroline and I were both surprised to discover how much shame we had each been feeling, and how much hearing from others helped us in leaving that shame behind and thinking about growth.
People also reached out with books, podcasts, and online education programs.
An observation: sex education resources and sex positivity culture, at least what I've been exposed to, are dominated by white educators and creators. If anyone has been exposed to a broader, better view (or deeper research on this observation) please share.
We also reference Resmaa Menakem's red-pill-relevation book My Grandmother's Hands, and couldn't remember his name! There it is, and a Bookshop link to buy.
Riley
Acknowledgments
Thanks as always to our wonderful family and friends who have helped along the way. Specifically, our muse @floriandelomme for his generosity in allowing us the use of his Tulum sunset in our cover art; @anka1027 for her knowledge of all things podcasting; her renaissance husband @gnarliehewson for our highly rad intro and outro music; and, of course, @mollylophotography and @edwardslater, whose empathy and talent are on display in every photo of our wedding (and could be for yours—message them directly or visit their website).