Podcast Interview: Eve Rickert, Co-Founder of Thorntree Press, Co-Author of “More Than Two”
Cheers Sexy People!
I am super thrilled to share my latest podcast interview with you, Part One and Part Two, that I recorded with DC-based polyamory family lawyer, Ben Schenker. Ben and I met cyberly and then over a live telephone call (yes people still talk on the phone! Ha!) when he reached out to me several months ago. Then we finally got together to create this highly informative and educational podcast interview that focuses on his family law practice. Ben is licensed to practice in DC, MD, and PA in the United States with a focus on LGBT family law, trusts and estates, and a special interest in polyamorous and alternative family structures. He is originally from Boston with a playful and self-deprecating sense of humor — so he took it in stride (yet with some “sour grapes”) that my native Philadelphia Eagles walloped his Boston Patriots earlier this year. Haha! Interesting this post releases the day after Trump supposedly disinvited the Eagles from The White House. Moving on! Ben was formerly a tax lawyer but now focuses on family formation law specifically with alternative families (non-marital, polyamorous, LGBT, solo poly). We also happened to record on the International Day of Families. So cool! I find this topic absolutely fascinating partly because I am a nerd by nature. I enjoyed asking Ben LOTS of questions about the various ins and outs of family law as it relates to alternative families, and I trust that you will enjoy hearing his answers based on his expertise. If you like what you hear in the interview, please note that Ben will be presenting at PolyDallas Millennium mid-July this year! Consider going to his workshop. Ben, it was such an incredibly pleasure meeting you in person and spending several hours getting to know each other and your much needed work in the polyamorous and LGBT communities. I highly value what you do, and will recommend you whenever the opportunity presents itself! Keep doing the awesome work that you do!
Some topics we discuss in this entertaining and educational interview:
— How he identifies as a queer / bisexual jew.
— He discusses his own personal journey of discovery of polyamory four years ago.
— Why he believes that creativity, high intelligence, and geekiness can be hallmarks of many folks in the polyamorous community.
— He tells us about his worst poly moment that happened at a funeral.
— Ben informs us of his challenges with coordinating time management on important holidays (eg. priorities of who to spend time with on special calendar dates).
— How one of the problems he encounters is getting others to understand what polyamory is all about — that it’s not just about sex and swinging —> it’s so much more complicated than that.
— How and why he moved from tax law to polyamory family law. Spoiler Alert: PASSION played a part in his decision.
— His belief and observation that families do best when they are stable and are protected.
— Why he finds his work exceptionally satisfying as it relates to justice and law coupled with the family unit.
— We go over unusual and interesting ideas such as Adult Adoption, Defacto Parenting, and Parenting Plans as it relates to alternative family creation. Fascinating!
Thank you Ben, for being so awesomely generous with your time, for your tireless work helping alternative families feel protected and stable, and for sharing your wisdom and insights with us via the podcast interview Part One and Part Two! It was informative, inspirational, and so fun! Follow Ben’s work at www.polyamory.law, and also on Twitter @polyamorylawyer.
To hear the podcast, go to the Podcast link here and subscribe to the Loving Without Boundaries podcast, and check out Episodes 81 and 82 with Ben. Also, please help spread awareness of alternative lifestyles and create more tolerance for consensual non-monogamy in the world at large by Rating and Reviewing the Loving Without Boundaries podcast in iTunes. It only takes a few minutes.
If you would like to be interviewed either in written form or via audio on the podcast, please feel free to contact me and we will set something up. Thank you!
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT OFFER – We continue to have some exciting goings on here at Loving Without Boundaries (LWB). We now have exclusive content for you via the LWB podcast and my Patreon page for those who choose to become a patron. Please visit the link to check out how you can come join the party over at Patreon! Want to hear more from our amazing interviewees? You got it! Want to dig deeper into the community and your fellow poly folk? Right on, let’s do it! Want free coaching sessions? It’s all there! Come join us, and enjoy exclusive content made just for you, our patrons of this work!
UPCOMING EVENTS
1) Coup/3 Goals (Chicago, Illinois), June 14th, 2018 – This workshop series is focused on the various ideals of navigating one’s personal journey in relationships, and the freedom of love and happiness created in non-traditional dynamics. Click the link above to learn more, register, and see more about other events in the series! Here is the Facebook page about the events. Stay tuned for recordings of my panel with Ruby Johnson at the first workshop!
2) World Domination Summit (WDS) Meetup: Sex Positivity and Alternative Relationships as a Path to Living a Passionate Life (Portland, Oregon), Saturday, June 30th, 1:30–3pm – Ever wonder how to be comfortable with deepening intimacy while enjoying more mindful sex, or how to build trust and acceptance in relationships? This presentation is for those seeking more understanding and practical guidelines around sex positivity, living an authentic life, and will discuss definitions and types of alternative relationship structures (such as consensual non-monogamy (CNM)/polyamory). NOTE: You do NOT need to be a WDS attendee to come to this meetup that is being held at the locally famous McMenamins Ringlers Pub. Come join the fun, the adventure, and the celebration of uniqueness!
3) Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit (SFS) (Alexandria, Virginia), August 2–5, 2018 – The Sexual Freedom Summit features human rights activists, sexuality educators and researchers, professionals from the legal and medical fields, authors, sexual freedom movement leaders and organizational partners all working toward the time when sexual freedom is fully recognized as a fundamental human right. This Summit is for EVERYONE interested in learning about the issues in the realm of sexual freedom, advancing their current knowledge and in gaining the tools to actually create the change we need to accomplish. I already have my ticket! I hope to see you there!
4) HGTV Calling Any Polyamorous House Hunters – HGTV’s popular show “House Hunters” wants to feature polyamorous groups in upcoming shows. The producer’s thoughts are to highlight polyamorous groups that might all be buying a house together for two reasons: It’s about time to feature less traditional families doing everyday things (like buying a house!) and also because instead of 2 different points of view, there might be 3 or 4 or more. Their intent is not to exploit, but to show that polyamory is one more option for families in the 21st century.
The ideal groups would be “out” because House Hunters would never want someone’s appearance on the show to jeopardize anyone’s livelihood etc. They also do not mention last names or addresses when they shoot the show, as a precaution. If you or someone you know is in the market to buy a new home, please get in touch with Laura Chambers via email (laura_chambers@pietown.tv) or by phone (818-205-0642).
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See you on the flip side, lovely community! Keep being brave, compassionately vulnerable, and uniquely and authentically you!
Wishing you peace, love and happiness,
(and thrilling, fun sex too!)
Kitty
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