Lost in a TikTok rabbit hole one evening, I came across of thread of videos discussing why men are not hired for certain professions and even a discussion on historical facts related to the treatment of the mummified bodies of women. Needless to say, the comments section of these videos was filled with many stories, experiences, and examples from modern times and the history of men “behaving badly.” But more so than just men’s behavior, there appeared to be a common root to all these teachings, understandings, and beliefs that contributed to these behaviors, toxic masculinity. Societal beliefs about what it means to be a man or behave manlily appear to be eroding at the morality of men. This eroding also includes how these beliefs affect everyone in this shared world and the repercussion of those behaviors being left unchecked. This open, frank discussion is meant to approach this subject from the perspective of mental health professionals who work with everyone affected by these beliefs. Toxic masculinity has left no stone unturned in the trauma it causes and the lives it affects.

Sexuality is a crucial aspect often overlooked in the realm of trauma work. It forms an integral part of our identity, and true healing cannot be achieved unless we address all facets of our being. Recognizing and acknowledging the role of sexuality in our lives is essential for comprehensive and holistic trauma recovery. Have you ever thought about what your relationship is to sexual well-being, sexual health, or sexual pleasure? Is there any work in your personal sexual life that needs to be completed? Are you comfortable with exploring all parts of who you are? This discussion focuses on exploring the connection between sex positivity and trauma healing, emphasizing the positive nature of this relationship. Recognizing and embracing a sex-positive mindset is not only beneficial but also an essential step in your healing journey.

Healing from sexual trauma is a topic that needs many different realms of exploration. People’s sexual life is just as diverse as the trauma they experience. And healing from those experiences is going to look, feel, and be sensed differently by everyone. “Kink” or fetish forms of sexual exploration are a healthy way for people to explore aspects of healing that may be unreachable through traditional forms of trauma work. In this podcast, we speak with Brynn Dearie to have an open conversation about what kink is, what it’s not, and how it can be a tool for healing and trauma work.