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Misleading sex education, poor sex education, and fear-based messaging around sex can all complicate first sexual encounters. Hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi discuss a variety of ways to practice consent, and cover how therapists can support clients navigating their first sexual encounter. Get free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off IRI's webinars. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

When someone has a deepened sense of self, it can lead to broader understanding when it comes to love, romance, and dating. This is especially true post-divorce. In this episode, hosts Martha Kauppi and Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith discuss how the dating world changes in midlife, bringing real experience to the table, and providing professional insight.  Join Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith on September 25, 2026 for Bridging the Gap: Integrating Sexual Wellness Into Your Practice. More information on the workshop can be found here.  Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Romance to Roommates: Rekindling the Spark" and IRI's webinars. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Heated Rivalry continues to cause a stir, and a lot of its potency comes down to depiction. Hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi explore what makes the show, and novels, such an effective—and surprisingly moving—portrayal of male/male passion. Whether keying in on how the series handles consent, communication, or conveys broader messages, both Skye and Martha agree: there's a lot to love.  Join Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith on September 25, 2026 for Bridging the Gap: Integrating Sexual Wellness Into Your Practice. More information on the workshop can be found here.  Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Read the abstract for Dr. Mims Wilder's dissertation on male/male romance novels here.  Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi cover the powerful cores of consensual non-monogamy at its most harmonious. From communication to consideration to compersion, there are plenty of components to explore.  Considering consensual non-monogamy? Get "8 Steps to Opening Up" for free here.  Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Sign up for the waitlist of a new coaching program for consensually non-monogamous individuals here.  Get Martha Kauppi's book, Polyamory: A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients), here.  To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi dig into some common, prevailing, and harmful or damaging beliefs that many therapists still struggle with when it comes to consensual non-monogamy. Each host offers keen insight on clinical—and personal—paths to providing more sensitive support.  Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Sign up for the waitlist of a new coaching program for consensually non-monogamous individuals here.  Get Martha Kauppi's book, Polyamory: A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients), here.  To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected].

In this episode, hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi discuss how to thoughtfully broach client conversations involving the pursuit of consensual non-monogamy (CNM). Both hosts emphasize the importance of small, practical experiments, curiosity, and compassionate mindfulness.  Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Get free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. Get Martha Kauppi's book, Polyamory: A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients), here.  To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

In this special episode, Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi revisit their time at the Kauppi-led retreat training, Solo Sessions: Relational Renewal Through Individual Interventions. Throughout the conversation, the hosts discuss their roles, key takeaways, and various insights, while expanding on why and how retreat trainings can remain a vital experience for clinicians.  Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Get free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. To stay updated on future Institute for Relational Intimacy retreats, visit here. To learn more about Dr. Fiona O'Farrell, visit here.  To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi talk everyone through why it can be so rejuvenating to take yourself on a solo date night and cherish your own company. Whether it's an act of self-love, a way to boost your energy, help cultivate self-pleasure, or just reacquaint yourself with yourself, a solo date night can be a cathartic intervention in and of itself. Each host offers practical tips and clinical insight into what therapists, clients, and everyone else can gain from the practice.  Get Martha Kauppi's guide to rekindling the spark of a dormant relationship. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi explore the practicality, joys, and numerous benefits of self-pleasure, or "solo play." Each host offers practical guidance for consciously dismantling any stigmas surrounding the topic in an earnest discussion. If you're a therapist who's unsure how or why to have conversations about solo play with your clients, this is a great first stop.  Get Martha Kauppi's guide to rekindling the spark of a dormant relationship.. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

Picking up right where they left off last week, hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi continue to clear up myths about low desire and asexuality. From exploring how labels can help or hinder understanding to highlighting common therapy pitfalls when addressing sexual identity and desire, each host offers a number of practical insights and clinical takeaways. This is part two of a conversation that began with last week's episode, When More Sex Isn't the Goal: Honoring Desire Differences.  Get Martha Kauppi's free guide for couples experiencing sexual challenges. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. If you're interested in learning more about asexuality, please visit the following resources:  The Asexual Visibility & Education Network "What Is Asexuality: Myths and Truths About Being Asexual" Scarleteen's Asexuality Primer Jessica J. Hille's 2023 asexuality literary review

In part one of a two-part episode, hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi explore common misunderstandings about sexual desire, asexuality, and a common, major therapy pitfall. From guiding clients on centering their own experiences to creating space for exploration, each host takes listeners through worthwhile interventions.  Part two will pick up right where this conversation leaves off, deepening the conversation around asexuality, how over-categorizing can be an inconvenience, and so much more.  Get Martha Kauppi's free guide for couples experiencing sexual challenges. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. If you're interested in learning more about asexuality, please visit the following resources:  The Asexual Visibility & Education Network "What Is Asexuality: Myths and Truths About Being Asexual" Scarleteen's Asexuality Primer Jessica J. Hille's 2023 asexuality literary review Thanks for listening!

Hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi conclude their short, three-part series on partners’ sexual impasses, focusing on therapeutic strategies to help couples have better conversations, rather than rushing to decisions. From running small experiments to how embracing playfulness can lower their temperature of disagreement, each host talks through how the right intervention or approach can unlock a strong result.  Get Martha Kauppi's free guide for couples experiencing sexual challenges. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi offer guidance to help therapists and couples navigate situations where partners want different things out of their sexual experiences. Whether its naming specific acts, using clear language, and asking what "sex" actually means to each person, each host offers practical advice that can make a real impact for clients.  Get Martha Kauppi's free guide for couples experiencing sexual challenges. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, hosts Martha Kauppi and Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith discuss how therapists can effectively open—and ground—client conversations involving partners experiencing cases of mismatched desire, seemingly incompatible turn-ons, or other gaps posing challenges. Each host brings clinical expertise to the discussion, offering practical insights and effective interventions on how to navigate the opening of a hard conversation. Get Martha Kauppi's free guide for couples experiencing sexual challenges. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi explain how therapists can support clients navigating loneliness, dating app fatigue, and modern relationship struggles. While it can seem daunting at first blush, today's most popular dating processes can be an opportunity for discernment, self-trust, and growth. Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars. Free training in Martha Kauppi's first-session sex issues assessment. Join the ATSIP waitlist HERE and be the first to know when the course opens for signups. To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here. To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here. Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠[email protected]. Thanks for listening!