Cheers Sexy People!
Hello, Loving Without Boundaries (LWB) community! My heart goes out to you during these challenging times. I hope you are doing your best to keep safe. Sharing inspirational stories of hope, inclusion, and healthy lifestyles are more important than ever. If you are looking for ways to connect with loved ones you are separated from, check out this blog post that I shared recently. On to another inspiring story…
I am so absolutely delighted to share my latest podcast interview that I released recently with the fantastic team: Sharon M. Flicker, Michelle D. Vaughan, and Marie Thouin, who have recently published a peer-reviewed paper on compersion. I had previously interviewed Marie (See Episode 165) and Michelle (See Episode 64) on the podcast and know Sharon through our work on the APA Division 44’s Committee on Consensual Non-Monogamy. It was lovely to reconnect with all of them again. I very much enjoyed hearing about their important research and what they have learned as a result. Thank you all for your amazing work, and all of your contributions to this community that needs and values your wisdom and research so much! Keep going like I know you will!
Here are their bios:
Dr. Sharon M. Flicker is a clinical psychologist who researches intimate relationships, most recently focusing on consensual non-monogamy and love languages. She is licensed to practice psychology in NY and PA and is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at California State University – Sacramento. Dr. Flicker currently serves as the co-lead of the Inclusive Education initiative of the American Psychological Association’s Division 44 Committee on Consensual Non-Monogamy.
Michelle D. Vaughan, Ph.D. is a white, cis, pan, queer, able-bodied, polyamorous psychologist and an Associate Professor in the School of Professional Psychology at Wright State University. She serves as the Executive Director of PolyColumbus, a co-lead within APA Division 44’s Committee on Consensual Non-Monogamy and an editor and co-author of The Handbook of CNM Affirming Mental Health Practice from Rowman & Littlefield.
Marie Thouin, Ph.D. is the founder of Love InSight, a mindful dating & relationship coaching practice where she helps people of all backgrounds design intentional love lives. Marie completed her doctoral dissertation on compersion in consensually non-monogamous individuals at the California Institute of Integral Studies. She also serves as Editor at the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, a leading peer-reviewed publication in the field of whole-person psychologies.
Some topics we discuss in this fun, informative, and entertaining interview:
- What is compersion and the origin of the word.
- How writing the paper together came about.
- The three main themes they identified in their research.
- What factors influence a person’s ability to feel compersion.
- The myth that you can’t experience compersion and jealousy at the same time.
- How you can develop a compersive attitude.
- What barriers to compersion might exist, especially when it comes to metamours.
- The difference between envy and jealousy.
- Tune in to listen to this fantastic podcast episode!
Thank you Sharon, Michelle and Marie for being so wonderfully generous with your time, and for sharing your research and insights with us via the podcast interview! It was enlightening, interesting, and so fun! You can learn more about each of them on their websites and social media channels: Sharon’s website and Twitter; Michelle on Twitter; and Marie’s business website, her compersion website and her Instagram.
To hear the podcast, go to the Podcast link here and subscribe to the Loving Without Boundaries podcast, then check out Episode 192 with Sharon M. Flicker, Michelle D. Vaughan, and Marie Thouin. 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 LWB 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!
ANNOUNCEMENT — GUEST PODCAST APPEARANCES
I recently have had the honor of being featured on these awesome podcasts:
Normalizing Non-Monogamy Podcast, Episode 179 as I share my story with them.
Indie Author Weekly Podcast, Episode 112 in which I talk about writing my book, “The Jealousy Survival Guide.”
The Open Nesters Podcast, Episode 14 and hear me chat with them on jealousy, compersion, and how to handle a deep relationship.
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT OFFER – We have exclusive content for you via the LWB podcast and my Patreon page. Want to hear more from our amazing interviewees? You got it! Right on, let’s do it! Want monthly “Hangouts” with yours truly and other patrons? Cool! Let’s do it! It’s all there! Come join us, and enjoy exclusive content made just for you, our patrons of this work!
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ONLINE
Free LWB Facebook Group for Healthy, Sex Positive, Open Relationships — Ready to explore healthy, connected (and virtually jealousy-free) open relationships? It’s all possible – especially when surrounded by a community of people already doing it. There’s an abundance of rock star information posted in the group daily by our amazing members. We create a safe place to engage that’s fun and thrilling! Click here and request to join our free group!
UPCOMING POLY-FRIENDLY EVENTS
RelateFest: September 15-18, 2022 | Miami, FL
Produced by the Esther Perel Discussion Group, Leveled Up Love and WeDeepen, RelateFest is for people who love exploring relationships, questioning relationship norms, learning new skills, and connecting with others. Open to singles and couples, RelateFest brings the principles of curiosity and conscious relating to a safe space for learning, connection, and play. The event features relationship experts holding interactive workshops, small group discussions, and immersive experiences. All relationship structures, orientations, and gender identities are welcome.
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
Need more specific help aligning your relationships with who you are?
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