The Kink Consultant

Four real people, four very different kink journeys, and a whole lot of proof that listening to your kink can actually change your life. Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ http://www.amandadames.com/coaching For the 100th episode of The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda sits down with four former clients to share their real-life stories of kink, BDSM, relationships, desire, and self-discovery. From finding the courage to prioritize a long-suppressed kink, to discovering D/S as an adult virgin, navigating a relationship where partners have different interests, and learning how to bring kink into a long-term partnership, these stories show just how different a kink journey can look. There are no neat fairy-tale endings here. There are hard conversations, changing relationships, boundaries, experimentation, vulnerability, and plenty of growth. If you've ever wondered what could happen when you stop ignoring what you want, this episode is for you. Hear how embracing kink helped these clients become more honest with themselves, communicate more openly, build stronger relationships, and feel more comfortable in their own skin. Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Clinical sexologist Dr. Stacy Friedman joins the podcast to discuss how to talk to your partner about your deepest fantasies, navigate midlife desire, and advocate for your sexual health. Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ http://www.amandadames.com/coaching This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda sits down with Dr. Stacy Friedman, clinical sexologist and intimacy coach, for a conversation on fantasies, desire, and midlife changes. Dr. Stacy shares her personal experience with menopause, hormone replacement therapy, why testosterone is crucial for female libido, and how to advocate for yourself with doctors. They also discuss erectile dysfunction, pegging and anal play shame, alternative lifestyles, and why you shouldn't just ChatGPT your relationship problems. If you have ever struggled to share a fantasy, felt your desire shift in midlife, or wondered how to reconnect with your partner, this episode offers practical advice and compassionate guidance. Head to https://www.swinkation.com/signup and use code TKC50 for up to $400 off Connect with Dr. Stacy Friedman https://drstacyfriedman.com/ https://www.instagram.com/drstacyfriedman/ https://www.youtube.com/@DrStacyFriedman https://tiktok.com/drstacyfriedman https://threads.com/drstacyfriedman https://open.spotify.com/show/1Kgh4gvyxZOMjqQZyfRYnb?si=7340b3b967d843f0 Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Emotional intimacy coach Allana Pratt joins the podcast to discuss psychedelics, kink, and coming home to your body through healing trauma and somatic integration work. Join the Self-Dom Challenge: https://www.amandadames.com/offers/9fk5ewdh/checkout This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda sits down with Allana Pratt, emotional intimacy coach, author, and host of the Intimate Conversations podcast. They explore the difference between the ego and the soul, why healing trauma leads to better kink and more authentic desire, and how to stop sabotaging relationships by coming home to your body. Allana also discusses her work with clients using low-dose psilocybin and cannabis to access the subconscious, integrate wounds, and create lasting change. If you have ever felt stuck in patterns, disconnected from your body, or wondered how trauma affects your kink and relationships, this episode offers a compassionate and eye-opening conversation on healing and embodiment. Head to https://www.swinkation.com/signup and use code TKC50 for up to $400 off Connect with Allana Pratt https://allanapratt.com/ https://allanapratt.com/patreon/ https://www.instagram.com/allanapratt/ https://www.youtube.com/user/AlanaPratt Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Samia Mounts returns for a deep conversation on dismantling the patriarchy, polyamory, and how we can all break free from the systems that hold us back. Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult⁠ This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda sits down with returning guest Samia Mounts, voice actor and host of the Happy Slut podcast. They explore how patriarchy harms everyone, including men, and why dismantling it leads to better sex and deeper connection. They discuss the male loneliness epidemic, why women are not experiencing the same level of loneliness, and how men are cut off from their emotions from a young age. They also explore the connection between polyamory, sexual autonomy, and feminism, why women are reclaiming their desire, and how competitive versus caretaker dynamics play out in society. If you have ever wondered how patriarchy affects your sex life and relationships, this episode offers a compelling and thought-provoking conversation. Somatica Episode: I’m Moving For A Man?!? https://youtu.be/kkAWOiQ4UnM?si=ST0H1gxx6NV3UEyz Head to https://www.swinkation.com/signup and use code TKC50 for up to $400 off Connect with Samia Mounts https://www.samiamounts.com/ https://www.instagram.com/samia.mounts https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBkJT8ttJYCyIS8ig6gZ7pA https://www.tiktok.com/@samia.mounts https://www.samiamounts.com/podcast Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Licensed clinician and author Caroline Hood joins the podcast to discuss the truth about female desire, the impact of mental load, and how to navigate mismatched libido in relationships. Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult⁠ This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda sits down with Caroline Hood, a licensed clinician and author of the upcoming book Sex Begets Sex: Reclaiming Desire as an Act of Female Empowerment. Caroline shares practical advice on how to start conversations about intimacy without blame, why scheduled sex can actually be helpful, and how couples can rebuild connection after years of drifting apart. They also discuss the double standards women face around pleasure, the importance of deconditioning shame, and why oral sex should never have been categorized as foreplay. If you have ever felt disconnected from your desire, struggled with mismatched libido in your relationship, or wanted to reclaim your sexual identity, this episode offers compassionate, actionable guidance. Head to https://www.swinkation.com/signup and use code TKC50 for up to $400 off Connect with Caroline Hood https://www.desireinreallife.com/ https://www.instagram.com/desireinreallife/ https://substack.com/@desireinreallife Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Cate Osborn aka Catieosaurus returns to discuss ADHD, kink, neurodivergent relationships, and how to build sustainable dynamics that work with your brain. Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult⁠ This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda sits down with Cate Osborn, award-winning educator and author of The ADHD Field Guide for Adults. They discuss how ADHD impacts kink dynamics, why structure is so important for neurodivergent doms, and how burnout and overcommitment can derail even the best-intentioned relationships. Cate shares what she has learned from touring her live show, the questions she gets from audiences, and why people just want to be seen. They also explore the intersection of ADHD, sex, and intimacy, and why validation and positive reinforcement are so important for doms too. If you are neurodivergent, kinky, or both, this episode offers practical advice and real talk about making your relationships work with your brain, not against it. Head to https://www.swinkation.com/signup and use code TKC50 for up to $400 off Connect with Catieosaurus https://catieosaurus.com/ https://www.instagram.com/catieosaurus/ Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Melancholy Ghost, Missouri title holder and boundaries educator, joins the podcast to discuss how to set, communicate, and protect boundaries in kink. Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult⁠ This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda sits down with Melancholy Ghost where they discuss the difference why boundaries are essential for safe play, and what to do when someone crosses a line. Melancholy shares her framework for successful negotiations, including the CATS MEOW method she created to help people remember the key elements of communication, attentiveness, time, safety, and observing warning signs. They also explore the history of the leather community, what it means to be an asexual kinkster, and why trust must be earned and not freely given. If you have ever struggled with setting boundaries, knowing how to enforce them, or navigating negotiations in kink, this episode offers practical tools and real talk about protecting yourself and your relationships. Head to https://www.swinkation.com/signup and use code TKC50 for up to $400 off Connect with Melancholy Ghost: https://www.instagram.com/missmelancholyghost/ Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Amanda and her dom sit down for an honest conversation about how they navigate boundaries, fear, and communication in their 24/7 dynamic. Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult⁠ This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda shares a conversation she had with her dom a few months ago where they talk about how they navigate boundaries day to day, the fears that come up for both of them, and how they communicate through the hard stuff. Her dom shares how he models the behavior he wants to see, why consistency is everything, and how he handles bratting, resistance, and mid-scene check-ins. They also explore the role of fear in a BDSM dynamic, the difference between alpha subs and brats, and why communication is the foundation of everything. If you have ever wondered what a 24/7 dynamic actually looks like behind closed doors, this episode offers an unfiltered look at the real work that goes into making it sustainable. Head to https://www.swinkation.com/signup and use code TKC50 for up to $400 off Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Kristen Aut returns to discuss how to date without losing yourself, break free from obsessive patterns, and step into your Hot Girl Energy this summer. Sign-up for the Hot Girl Energy Workshop here: http://www.amandadames.com/hotgirlenergy This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda sits down with returning guest and obsession coach, Kristen Aut. They discuss the patterns that keep women stuck in obsessive dating cycles, why women lose themselves so quickly when they feel chemistry, how to hold excitement without projecting it onto someone else, and why "pick me energy" is out. They also talk about their two-day Hot Girl Energy workshop designed to help women choose themselves, hold their own energy, and stop settling for situationships. If you have ever lost yourself in a relationship or found yourself obsessing over someone who was not right for you, this episode offers practical tools and real talk about breaking the cycle. Connect with Kristen Aut https://www.instagram.com/thekristenaut/ https://www.newbadassyou.com/1to1support Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Miz Darling returns to discuss how to tell your partner about your fetish, navigate shame and fear, and build healthy relationships around kink. Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult⁠ This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda sits down with returning guest and good friend Miz Darling for a conversation about one of the most common questions in the fetish community: how do you tell your partner about your fetish? They explore why shame stops so many people from having the conversation at all, including the story of a client who was considering divorce and an affair before ever speaking to his wife about his desires. Amanda and Miz Darling also discuss their upcoming book, Complicated Pleasures , which explores how fetishists navigate long-term relationships and whether it is possible to make things work with a vanilla partner. If you have ever struggled with telling your partner about your fetish, this episode offers practical advice, reassurance, and real talk about shame, fear, and connection. Know More About The Book Here: https://complicatedpleasures.ca/ Connect with Miz Darling https://mizdarling.ca/ Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠ ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult⁠ Larah Sky is back for another unfiltered conversation covering social media frustrations, kink cruise experiences, and chastity culture. This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda sits down with returning guest and real-life friend Larah Sky. They dive into their experience on the kink cruise that they went to together, including the difference between kinksters and swingers and why many swingers are curious about kink but hesitant to ask. They discuss chastity culture and why Larah believes every man should own a cage, even if he does not wear it every day. They also explore the frustrations of being a sex worker on mainstream platforms, including bot attacks, account bans, and the challenges of maintaining an online presence. Tune in to hear about what happens on a kink cruise, why chastity is about focus and not denial, and what it is really like to be a sex worker navigating social media. Connect with Larah Sky https://www.larahsky.co.uk Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Kinky relationships and vanilla relationships might have more in common than you think. This week on The Kink Consultant Podcast, Amanda speaks with Simone Milasas, global facilitator, author, and creator of Access Consciousness, to talk about how the relationship advice she gives to vanilla couples applies just as powerfully to kinky relationships and BDSM dynamics. They cover the five elements of intimacy you need to build with yourself before you can offer them to a partner, the concept of a "creationship" and how it differs from a traditional relationship, and the one question that can either deepen your connection or finally give you both the clarity to move on. Tune in, get brutally honest with yourself, and find out what becomes possible in your kinky relationships when you stop telling yourself the story that's been keeping you stuck. Connect with Simone Milasas https://www.simonemilasas.com/ https://www.instagram.com/simonemilasas/ https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMNJfnEjT/ Connect with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/⁠ Book A Consult Call with Amanda ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult⁠ Download the BDSM Checklist Here: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560⁠ Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: ⁠https://www.amandadames.com/store

Why does the word "masculinity" feel so loaded? I went looking for answers, and found the perfect person to break it down. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Salis, a behavioral health writer and researcher with a master's degree in sexual health and over a decade of experience in addiction and emotional abuse recovery. We get into the difference between toxic masculinity and what Matt calls emotional masculinity and why the manosphere is selling men a losing strategy. We also talk about emotional safety, resentment processing, the connection between vulnerability and sexual satisfaction, and how the consent culture in the kink community offers a model for healthier relationships everywhere. If you have ever wondered what masculinity looks like without the toxicity, or how emotional intimacy actually impacts your sex life, this conversation is going to change the way you think about both. Tune in, take what resonates, and keep exploring what feels authentic to you. Connect with Matt Salis https://soberandunashamed.com/ https://un-toxicated.com/ Connect with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/ Book A Consult Call with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult Download the BDSM Checklist Here: https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560 Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: https://www.amandadames.com/store

Finding your perfect match is already hard enough. Now try finding one who also matches you in the kink department. In this episode, I sit down with Shea Primus, CEO and founder of Upper Echelon Matchmaking, for a conversation about what kinky dating actually looks like when you get serious about finding the right person. We talk about how she went from vanilla matchmaker to scouting FetLife events and kink parties for her clients, the most common mistakes kinky singles make when dating, and what it really takes to find someone who is compatible with both your lifestyle and your dynamic. We also get into her own kink journey, boundaries, and why knowing exactly what you want is the most powerful thing you can bring to the search. If you have been navigating kinky dating and feeling like the odds are stacked against you, this episode is going to shift your perspective in the best way. Tune in, take what resonates, and keep exploring what feels authentic to you. Connect with Shea Primus https://upperechelonmatchmaking.com/ https://instagram.com/shaeprimusmatchmaker Connect with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/ Book A Consult Call with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult Download the BDSM Checklist Here: https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560 Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: https://www.amandadames.com/store

Ever wondered what life looks like when you have a 24/7 kink dynamic, a career in the sex space, and a child to raise? Get seated because Athena Gale is giving us a sneak peek of what it actually looks like. In this episode, I sit down with Athena Gale, intimacy and kink expert, sex copywriter, and mom of an almost 11-year-old, to talk about what it genuinely looks like to be a kinky parent. We get into how she maintains a 24/7 dynamic while raising a child, how she handles age-appropriate conversations about bodies, sex, and consent in a house full of sex toys, and why your kink life does not have to disappear the moment kids enter the picture. She also shares her practical advice for kinky parents who feel like they have had to put that part of themselves on hold, including the one thing she does every single week to keep her dynamic grounded no matter how busy life gets. If you are a kinky parent trying to figure out how to hold onto your dynamic, or you are just curious what that life looks like behind the scenes, this episode is for you. Tune in, take what resonates, and keep exploring what feels authentic to you. Connect with Athena Gale https://www.instagram.com/athena_gayle/ https://www.thesexcopywriter.com/ Connect with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/ Book A Consult Call with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult Download the BDSM Checklist Here: https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560 Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: https://www.amandadames.com/store

I was invited onto the podcast Couples Therapy in 7 Words with Dr. Bruce Chalmer and Judy Alexander, two proudly vanilla people who sat down with me to ask the exact questions so many people secretly have about kink, BDSM, fetishes, sexual shame, and desire. I loved this conversation so much that I immediately asked if I could re-share it here for all of you. In this episode, we talk about what kink actually is, some misconceptions about BDSM, and the difference between a kink and a fetish. I also talk about why so many people struggle to communicate their sexual desires, and how shame keeps people trapped in silence for years. We dive into consensual non-consent, primal play, cross-dressing, fetish exploration, relationship compatibility, dom/sub dynamics, masculinity, vulnerability, and why kinky people often become better communicators than many vanilla couples. This conversation goes far beyond sex and becomes a grounded discussion about BDSM relationships, emotional honesty, and healthy communication in intimate relationships. If you’ve ever felt confused about kink, curious about BDSM, or simply wanted a more compassionate and realistic conversation about kink education, this episode is for you. Connect with Dr. Bruce Chalmer and Judy Alexander https://couplestherapyinsevenwords.com/ Watch Our Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Wacw1Cz7JfM See you at Hedonism II this October! Use the code TKC50 to get $200 off! https://www.swinkation.com/ Connect with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/ Book A Consult Call with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult Download the BDSM Checklist Here: https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560 Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: https://www.amandadames.com/store

Dating coach, Connell Barrett returns to the podcast and this time we’re diving into one of the biggest questions people struggle with in dating: how the hell do you actually bring up kink? In this episode, we talk about how to introduce kink naturally without making someone feel objectified, overwhelmed, or unsafe. Connell shares his perspective as someone who explored the kink world through Feeld, how he rewrote his dating profile to attract kinky women without coming across as creepy, and why “normal” is one of the sexiest compliments you can receive on a dating app. We also get into flirting versus fawning, masculine leadership in dating, why so many men are terrified of being perceived as creepy, and how self-doubt is quietly ruining modern dating. Plus, we unpack why submissive men still need leadership energy, why women often want men to lead the date regardless of kink dynamic, and why kink is really just flirting dialled all the way up. If you’ve ever struggled with talking about sex, introducing kink, or reading the room on a date this episode is for you! Connect with Connell Barrett https://datingtransformation.com/ https://www.instagram.com/datingtransformation/ See you at Hedonism II this October! Use the code TKC50 to get $200 off! https://www.swinkation.com/ Connect with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/ Book A Consult Call with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult Download the BDSM Checklist Here: https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560 Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: https://www.amandadames.com/store

Flirting is supposed to be fun, not complicated. In this episode, I’m joined by dating coach and author Connell Barrett for a conversation about flirting, confidence, dating apps, rejection, and why so many people are overthinking connection. We talk about authenticity in dating, the difference between charming persistence and creepy persistence, why trying too hard is one of the biggest turn-offs, and how flirting is really just about making someone feel seen. Connell also shares practical dating advice for approaching people in real life, navigating dating apps without losing your mind, and why confidence has less to do with “alpha energy” and more to do with honesty, playfulness, and presence We also get into pickup artist culture, negging, ghosting, rejection sensitivity, and the very real loneliness so many people are dealing with right now. There’s dating horror stories, flirting examples that somehow become weirdly kinky, and a lot of honest conversation about what actually creates attraction beyond status, money, or “the three sixes.” If dating has been feeling exhausting, performative, or impossible lately, this episode is going to feel like a very refreshing reality check. Connect with Connell Barrett https://datingtransformation.com/ https://www.instagram.com/datingtransformation/ Connect with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/ Book A Consult Call with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult Download the BDSM Checklist Here: https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560 Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: https://www.amandadames.com/store

I have combined my most popular solo episodes to answer your most asked questions about kink, BDSM, dom/sub dynamics, and relationships. In this episode, we talk about how to safely find kink communities, what healthy BDSM relationships actually look like, navigating kinky and vanilla relationships, building confidence as a dom or sub, and the communication skills that make power exchange dynamics work long term. We also get into common red flags in kink spaces, how to introduce your desires to a partner, and why so many people struggle with feeling “not kinky enough” or “too much” at the same time If you’ve been curious about BDSM, exploring kink for the first time, or trying to build healthier communication and trust inside your relationships, this episode is going to give you practical advice, honest conversations, and reassurance that you’re definitely not the only one figuring this out. Tune in, take what resonates, and keep exploring what feels authentic to you. Take the BDSM Test: https://www.bdsmtest.org Speak Your Desires with Confidence - Download this FREE step-by-step guide to having open, honest, and judgment-free conversations about kink, boundaries, and pleasure. https://www.amandadames.com/Speak-Your-Desires-with-Confidence-opt-in-1 Connect with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/ Book A Consult Call with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult Download the BDSM Checklist Here: https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560 Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: https://www.amandadames.com/store

You’d think being a sex writer would make dating easier, right? Apparently not. In this episode, I sit down with Gabrielle Cassel, a queer sex and wellness journalist whose work you’ve probably read in Cosmopolitan, GQ, Women’s Health , and more. We start with the article that hit a little too close to home, why being a sex educator can actually make dating harder, not easier. Gabrielle shares what it’s like to be either instantly oversexualised or immediately written off the second someone finds out what she does, and how that completely changes the dynamic before it even begins. We get into the reality of dating when people project their fantasies onto you, assume what you’re into, or decide they’re not “enough” before even getting to know you Gabrielle also shares about her journey from identifying as lesbian to bisexual, how attraction can evolve in ways you don’t expect, and why your sexuality is so much bigger than just who you’re attracted to. We unpack the pressure to explain yourself, the importance of curiosity in connection, and why your career, your desires, and your identity don’t have to make sense to anyone else to be valid. If you’ve ever felt misunderstood in dating, boxed in by assumptions, or like you’re constantly having to “explain yourself” just to be seen, this one is going to hit. Read Gabrielle’s article here: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a70484661/sex-writer-dating-struggle-sex-therapy/ Connect with Gabrielle: https://www.instagram.com/gabriellekassel/ Connect with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the_kinkconsultant/ Book A Consult Call with Amanda https://www.amandadames.com/book-a-consult Download the BDSM Checklist Here: https://www.amandadames.com/resource_redirect/landing_pages/2151620560 Courses and Resources to Help Your Kink Journey: https://www.amandadames.com/store