Sexual Abuse Prevention through Sex Education

How can parents help prevent sexual abuse happening to their kids? In this episode, Deb chats with Sexual Health Educator, Amy Lang. Amy helps educate parents and professionals about sexual abuse prevention by preparing them to have conversations about sex with children from a young age. 

About Amy

A sexual health educator for over 20 years, Amy Lang, MA helps parents of all beliefs talk with kids of any age about the birds and the bees. She also works with youth serving organizations and provides childhood sexuality and sexual abuse prevention training. Amy’s lively, engaging and down-to-earth style makes these uncomfortable topics easier to handle. Her professional clients include the US Air Force Youth and Family Services, Boys and Girls Clubs and numerous early childhood conferences and organizations. Amy’s talks, books, online solution center and podcast helps parents learn how to talk to their kids about this important and awkward part of life. Amy is still married to her first husband and they are getting the hang of parenting their teenage son. She lives in Seattle, WA. You can learn more about Amy and her work at BirdsAndBeesAndKids.com

If you enjoyed our intimate conversation then feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page or rate us highly over on iTunes!

Resources:

Find out more about Amy and her work by checking out her website, podcast and following her on social media:

Website: www.birdsandbeesandkids.com

Podcast: Just Say This!
Phone in to ask a question: 1-206-926-1522

Facebook: @birdsbeeskids

Twitter: @birdsandbees

Books we mentioned:

• C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison
• It’s My Body: A Book to Teach Young Children How to Resist Uncomfortable Touch by Lory Freeman
• I Can Play it Safe by Alison Feigh
• Good Pictures, Bad Pictures: Porn-proofing Today’s Young Kids by Kirsten A. Jenson
• It’s So Amazing! A Book About Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies and Families by Robie H. Harris

Other resources:

• MeetCircle.com – Parental Control for Devices
• ProtectYoungMinds.org
• Rainn.org
• StopItNow.org
• SavvyParentsSafeKids.com

Overcoming Bullying

The trauma of racial bullying can continue affecting people of colour for a long time. Jade Pattenden, who was born in Scotland and then moved to Canada at a young age, has used advice and techniques that she read in self-help books to overcome the trauma of bullying and even find empathy towards those who bullied her.

In this episode, we chat with Jade about moving forward after bullying and discovering that what you were bullied for can be your biggest asset.

About Jade

Jade is the host of  “I’m an Adult, Now What?”, a podcast aimed at anyone who’s trying to find their way as an adult. She works in Vancouver as an actor, background actor and model. Jade is biracial immigrant who spent the first half of her life in Scotland, before moving to Canada. Through trial and error she has slowly been navigating adulthood and feels it’s important to process childhood traumas in order to move forward into a healthy adulthood.

As always, there is some strong language in this episode so make sure to pop on those headphones.

If you enjoyed our intimate conversation then feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page or rate us highly over on iTunes!

Resources:

Find out more about Jade by checking out her website, podcast and following her on social media:

Website: www.jadepattenden.com

Podcast: I’m an adult, now what?

Instagram: @jadepattenden

Twitter: @jadepattenden

Books we mentioned:

Heal Your Body by Louise Hay

Sex With Younger Men

Stevie never expected to have a sexual awakening in her mid-forties, especially one that involved men in their 20’s. After coming out of a passionless marriage, she decided to try online dating in hopes for a conventional relationship with someone around her age. However, things didn’t quite go as planned and before she knew it, she had a whole bunch of young men knocking at her door. 

About Stevie

44-year old Stevie came out of a long passionless marriage and decided to start dating. She set up a profile on the dating app Bumble, went on a few dates with guys around her age but wasn’t feeling it, so she paused the app and kept on living the single life. Little did she know that her young son had got into her phone and changed the age range of her suitors on the dating app to 20-30-year old’s and this launched her right into a sexual awakening!

Heads up that there is definitely some adult content and language in this episode, so make sure to pop on those headphones!!

If you enjoyed our intimate conversation then feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page or rate us highly over on iTunes!

Resources

Check out the Bumble App if you are looking to get back into dating! On Bumble women make the first move! Check out their article on How to stay safe on Bumble.

Here are some great articles if you want to have lots of fun casual sex:

• The Unspoken Rules of Casual Sex – GQ Magazine
• What I learned from 10-years of 1-night stands – Shape.com
• A Guide to Safer 1-Night Stands – Clue

Overcoming Bulimia and Self-doubt

In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Wellness & Nutrition Coach and Personal Trainer Jetty Nieuwenhuis about overcoming bulimia and self-doubt.

About Jetty

Jetty Nieuwenhuis is a wellness + nutrition coach and personal trainer who helps her clients get to the route of their self-doubt. Jetty had bulimia for over 20 years. After a long journey battling the illness, she began helping others who needed support. She has also suffered from Lyme Disease and is now a volunteer with the Lyme Disease Association of Alberta.

I hope you enjoy this very empowering conversation but as always, there is some adult language, so make sure to pop your headphones on!

You can also watch this episode over on our YouTube channel by clicking here. 

If you enjoyed our intimate conversation then feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page or rate us highly over on iTunes!

Resources

Find out more about Jetty over on her website and social media:

www.trujetty.com

Instagram: @trujetty

Facebook: @trujetty

Other Resources:

Lisa A. Romano – Life Coach & Author

Social Distancing + Isolation

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, most of us find ourselves stuck at home in self-isolation and practicing social distancing. For some, working from home is normal, for others they’ve lost their jobs and are having to find ways of coping.

In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with numerous people in different situations to find out how they are coping with this unsettling situation.

About Our Guests

Lisa Driver is a Spiritual Teacher, Author and mother of 2 very young ones living in Medicine Hat, AB. With her husband still having to head out to work, and no daycare available, Lisa finds herself having to juggle entertaining her kids while supporting her clients online. Thankfully due to her work and practice, Lisa has managed to balance find a good balance. She has also become a pillar of support for her community. You can find out more about Lisa and her work at www.lisadriver1111.com.

Clea and Andy are two working professionals living in North Vancouver, BC. On a normal day, they would wake up and make their daily commute to the office. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they find themselves navigating working from home in their small 1-bedroom apartment.

Back on Oct 18^th, 2019, Jaymie Johnson embarked on a trip of a lifetime. She had planned an open-ended trip to Europe, mainly France. She came back to Canada unexpectedly on March 16^th and is currently self-quarantined for two weeks in an AirBnB in Vancouver. She doesn’t have her own place and can’t risk compromising her family and friends.

Peggy Liu is a freelance writer and past podcast guest! Peggy currently lives at home with her family including her parents and siblings. Daily life has become challenging as they all navigate being in the same space 24/7.

Daniel Chai is a Vancouver based actor and writer who finds himself out of work due to COVID-19. With all this time on his hands, he is finding creative ways to engage with his friends and community.

Lou Meggatio is a self-employed professional who is pretty used to working from home alongside her husband Adrian. Between them, they have three kids one of which is a teen who thinks that Christmas has come early because he doesn’t have to go to school or find a job! Make sure to follow Lou over on TikTok! You can also find out more about Lou at www.mandalaessentials.com

Joella Cabalu is an independent filmmaker from Vancouver, BC and currently lives in a house with her partner and 2 housemates. With the requirement from the Canadian Government to stay inside, Joella is tempted to set goals and focus on new projects but wonders if this instead should be a time for self-reflection.

I hope you enjoy this very empowering conversation but as always, there is some adult language, so make sure to pop your headphones on!

If you enjoyed our intimate conversation then feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page or rate us highly over on iTunes!

Self-Isolation Tips

Here is a list of tips and things to do while in social isolation:

• Call family + friends either using your phone, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Skype or Zoom.
• Try to stick to a routine, even if it’s a little different from your normal routine.
• Have a party using Google Hangouts or Zoom with your friends.
• Go for a walk with family or roommates or on your own if you need space.
• Host an online trivia night with your friends.
• Sign up for an online course and learn something new.
• Take an online fitness or yoga class.
• Give yourself permission to rest – you don’t have to be productive!
• Acknowledge that this is difficult – take it one day at a time.
• Wash your hands!!

If you are feeling sick then please follow the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

If you are struggling to cope and don't have anyone to reach out to then here are some resources that may help:

• Crisis Canada Hotline at 1.833.456.4566. They have amazing trained volunteers available 24/7. For more information visit their website www.crisisservicescanada.ca.
• If you are having suicidal thoughts then please contact 1-800-SUICIDE.
• The LifeLine Canada Foundation also has a list of Canadian, USA and international crisis centres.
• Click here for a list of Suicide Crisis Hotlines in other countries.

When to Divorce Your Spouse

Are you in a relationship that is "comfortable" but deep down something doesn't feel right? Do you want to leave your spouse but have been terrified to have the "conversation"? Then this episode is for you.

In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Dr. Courtney Paré. Courtney, a licensed naturopathic doctor who went through a divorce in 2018. This made her realize how important relationships are to our wellbeing. She then began incorporating relationship coaching into her work.

About Courtney

After 6 years in private practice as a naturopathic doctor specializing in mental health and trauma work, Courtney witnessed the incredible power our core beliefs have over our health, happiness, and dreams, and that in shifting our beliefs we can shift our world.

She began incorporating relationship coaching into the work with her patients after noticing that at the crux of many people’s struggles was the relationship they had with themselves, an intimate partner, or their family of origin.

Courtney empowers motivated individuals to own their worth and desires, and deeply connect with themselves and others through living vulnerably and authentically.

I hope you enjoy this very empowering conversation but as always, there is some adult language, so make sure to pop your headphones on!

If you enjoyed our intimate conversation then feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page or rate us highly over on iTunes!

You can catch the video of our conversation click here to head over to our YouTube channel!

Resources

Find out more about Courtney and her work over on her website and social media:

www.naturalhealthresourcesrichmond.com

Instagram: @dr_courtney_pare

Facebook: @drcourtneypare

Other Resources:

The New Rules of Marriage: What You Need to Know to Make Love Work by Dr. Terri Neil

The Influential Women Podcast by Melanie Tonia-Evans

Cripping Up Sex with Eva

In this episode of Uncomfortable, Debbie chats with Eva Sweeney, creator of Cripping Up Sex with Eva. Eva is a genderqueer disabled female who works primarily as a sex educator and freelance writer. Eva started doing this work when she was a teen and realized that there was no information on how to integrate her sexuality with her disability. 

About Eva

Through her platform Cripping Up Sex With Eva, Eva Sweeney gives classes about sex and disability, topics that are not talked about nearly enough in our society. As a queer teen with cerebral palsy, Eva could not find adequate information about integrating her sexuality with her disability–so she created the information herself. She now has over 15 years of experience giving workshops all over the country about sex and disability. Through Cripping Up Sex With Eva, she continues to do workshops both in-person and online and she has an online store with pre-recorded classes. Additionally, she has two blogs: Cripping Up Reviews, where she reviews sex toys through an accessible lens, and Crip Q’s where she answers anonymous questions about sex and disability.

As always we hope you enjoy this conversation but given the subject, there is some adult content, so make sure to pop your headphones on!

If you enjoyed our intimate conversation then feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page or rate us highly over on iTunes!

If you want to watch the video of our conversation click here to head over to our YouTube channel!

Resources

Find our more about Eva and her work over on her website and social media:

www.crippingupsexwitheva.com

Instagram: @crippingupsex

Facebook: @crippingupsexwitheva

Twitter: @crippingupsex

Pinterest

Other Resources:

• Podcast: Doing It! with Hannah Witton
• YouTube: Squirmy & Grubs

Online Stores:

• We-Vibe
• Hot Octopuss

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome is something that so many of us deal with. Not feeling “good enough” can stop us from pursuing a certain career, standing up for what we believe in, or even doing something fun like erotic dancing!

In this episode, Debbie chats with Erica Courdae, Certified Coach and Entrepreneur. Erica’s work primarily focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She explains her take on Imposter Syndrome and speaks to how the lack of diversity in the media contributes to that deeply rooted feeling of “not being good enough”. 

About Erica

Erica Courdae has dedicated her life to expanding how others interact with the world through powerful conversations. As an entrepreneur + certified coach her work is frequently focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), imperfect allyship, and imposter syndrome. This work has taken her across the country onto stages and into communities as a key speaker and educator. Erica also has a podcast that features open conversation and dialogue on the topics of her work and more, Pause on the Play. Her support and leadership facilitates engaged conversations within 6 figure communities, international podcasts, and live events to connect people and create change.

As always we hope you enjoy this conversation but there is plenty of adult language, so make sure to pop your headphones on!

If you enjoyed our intimate conversation then feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page or rate us highly over on iTunes!

Resources

Find our more about Erica and her work over on her website and social media:

www.ericacourdae.com

Instagram: @ericacourdae

Facebook: @ericacourdae

And don’t miss Erica’s upcoming Ideal Client Workshop where she will help you dig deep and figure out your values!

Subscribe to Erica & India’s podcast Pause on the Play!

Other Resources:

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
• The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer
• Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Homesickness + Searching For Identity

Do you consider your birthplace to be part of your identity? What happens when you move away from that place? Do you lose part of who you are? Or are you recreating your identity? What does it mean to be a settler in Canada?

In this episode, Debbie chats with Victoria Spooner, radio show host, musician and fellow Brit who moved to Canada 7.5 years ago. Victoria struggles with homesickness and trying to figure out her identity.

About Victoria

Victoria Spooner is a communications professional, musician and broadcaster from South London, currently living in Vancouver on unceded, Coast Salish territory. Victoria hosts The Storytelling Show, She-Boom! and Last Orders on Vancouver Co-op Radio. She also makes radio, audio docs, podcasts, songs and the best cup of tea you’ve ever tasted.

Victoria and Debbie explore homesickness and how it is connected to one's sense of identity. As always we hope you enjoy this conversation but there is plenty of adult language, so make sure to pop your headphones on!

If you enjoyed our intimate conversation then feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page or rate us highly over on iTunes!

Resources

Find our more about Victoria over on her social media profiles:

Twitter @urban_sorceress

Instagram @urbansorceress

Mix Cloud: www.mixcloud.com/victoriaspooner/

Podcasts:

Red Man Laughing with Ryan McMahon

The Adam Buxton Podcast

Sex Education for Parents & Kids

We all learned about the birds and the bees at some point – at school, on YouTube, from our friends, or *cringe* from THAT TALK with our parents. But maybe talking sex with your parents or kids doesn’t have to be that weird?

In this episode, Debbie chats with Kim Cook, sex educator, nurse, and author of Teen World Confidential, about how parents (and their kids) can normalize conversations about sex, relationships, masturbation, identity, and more!

National Sex Education day is on February 2. Take up the challenge and spend 10 minutes talking to your kids about sex.

About Kim

Kim Cook, the author of Teen World Confidential: Five Minute Topics to Open Conversation about Sex and Relationships, is a Certified Health Education Specialist and a former elementary school nurse. As an educator, she supports parents to have healthy and productive conversations about sex and relationships with their kids. Understanding that parents often need support to get the conversations started, she has initiated the National Sex Education Day campaign, which encourages parents to spend just ten minutes engaging in age-appropriate conversations with their children on February 2nd.

This is a fun and educational conversation. However, if you don't want to talk about sex with your kids just yet, then you might want to pop your headphones on! 

Resources

Find our more about Kim over on her websites and social media:

www.teenworldconfidential.com

www.nationalsexeducationday.com

Twitter @twconfidential

Instagram @twconfidential

Books:

Teen World Confidential: Five Minute Topics to Open Conversation About Sex and Relationships by Kim T. Cook

Condom Nation: The U.S. Government’s Sex Education Campaign from World War I to the Internet by Alexandra M. Lord

Podcasts:

• 6-Minute Sex Ed with Kim Cavill
• Sex Positive Families with Melissa Carnagey

Websites:

• Amaze.org
• Planned Parenthood
• Family Planning UK
• Centre for Disease Control (USA)
• PFLAG.org

Check out the resources page on Kim’s website for a list of resources as well as some great videos!!