Amory

As more and more of us share our stories and begin to normalize polyamory, we need people like Heath Schechinger to work systemically to shift policies, laws and societal structures to support the NEW modern family. I was lit up after this conversation with Heath, and share the vision he described at the end of the podcast!

Please take a few minutes to check out some of the advocacy work he is doing, and see if you are called to jump on board any of the initiatives!

OMG, I LOVED this conversation with Melanie Curtin...and for men who have sex with women, this will be paradigm shifting for you! Ladies - you're also going to be soooooo validated listening to Melanie's sex research findings!

In this podcast you'll hear Melanie share about:

- The important information that women are NOT telling men about sex...and why!

- What women are craving from men (inside and outside the bedroom)

- And...the Heart/C0ck Matrix - what it is and how men can cultivate heart AND power.

In this solo episode, I not only give you a relationship update, but I also go deep into how to use boundaries to create a MORE loving relationship.

If you resonate with this episode and want to work together:

"Everything you think you know about kink, throw it out the window!" - Sunny Megatron

I am LOVING the conversation I had with Sunny Megatron, host of American Sex podcast, where we dig deep into the essence of kink. There are many overlaps with open relating as it relates to creating mutual agreements, seeking consent, communicating boundaries, intentionally exploring emotional states, and so much more!

As a 2nd time guest on Amory, Amber Gordon and I dive into one of the biggest parts of our lives - our work. Amber looks at relationships systemtically - not only our romatic relationships, but also and especially the relationships we have in the workplace. She gives incredible insight around how we can revolutionize the workplace to be an environment that supports our personal growth and development. Amber is committed to sharing tools with people around communication, accountability of nervous system regulation, and so much more!

You can connect with Amber on IG @letgo.and.lead - she's incredible and will support you in creating the workplace relationships you desire! 

Leah Marshall is the founder and leader of the Esther Perel Discussion Group on Facebook, a community of approximately 15,000 members from across the globe who regularly discuss relationships, intimacy, sex, desire, and infidelity. Leah practices solo polyamory and shares some of what she has learned, her challenges, and her love of learning about relationships! 

You probably already know Jessica Fern. She is the author of Polysecure, where she shares her take on Attachment Theory from the lens of polyamory. In this episode of Amory, gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book called Polywise. Her focus is on the deeper root issues in engaging in open relationships. The topics include understanding the paradigm shift from monogamy to polyamory, exposing the cracks in existing relationships, new skills needed for relationship success, opportunity to catalyze a personal awakening...and so much more. 

Jessica will be publishing a Polysecure workbook later this year, and her next book Polywise in 2023. 

Don't worry - there are more resources on Jessica's website (www.jessicafern.com) so you don't have to wait! 

What are multidimensional emotions, and why is it important to understand them? Have you ever felt love and pain at the same time? How about joy and sorrow? In this episode, Kyle and Megan discuss a framework to better understand the complex emotional world within each of us. It's a world you'll be heavily stepping into if you practice open relating. 

Resources mentioned: 

Marty's doing an Amory cameo by sharing his self-love journey via the body.  It's an incredible transformation over 7 years that I witnessed first hand. Marty is his usual vulnerable self and he shares intimate personal stories, as well as resources you can use as he did to empower yourself through your body. Want more on this topic! I interviewed Kyle as well, and recorded myself sharing my own story - both are shared on Patreon (www.patreon.com/amorypodcast) 

Can you feel love without feeling pain? What happens when you discuss changes in the relationship BEFORE they happen? Can you create a sense of safety as you step into the unknown? Kyle and Megan open up vulnerably about possible changes in their relationship, based on unmet needs. AND, they get closer in the process. 

Join The Conversation! https://bit.ly/3GGFpJm

Kyle interviewed me in mid-November while we were on a two week trip together. It was emotional for me to be asked these questions - Kyle knows me so well so he really went into the heart of a few issues around motherhood while practicing polyamory, self-worth and my vision of the future. I invite you to consider how you would answer these questions for yourself!!! 

To learn more or sign up for Aligned 2022 please message megan@meganbhatia.com or send a message on Instagram through @amorypodcast. Thank you! 

Resources:

• Nasreen Sheikh video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=956WWBGN5bc

Join The Conversation! https://amorypodcast.com/product/the-conversation/ 

Lots of laughs in this one as Kyle and I describe coffee cup relationship mistakes...aka: the desire to be right. It shows up everywhere - in our intimate relationships, in our workplaces, and society at large. So, what do we do with this desire to be right? How do we navigate through it in a healthy way that actually supports our growth, individually and collectively? We hope you get a good laugh with us on this one! 

Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Sara Blakely on Failure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZEPbyIA8XI

Ok, going to put ourselves out there even MORE on this episode of Amory. We give you the play by play of how our relationship(s) led us to embrace personal power...not politics, regarding a very hot topic these days. We hold open a space for people to have personal choice when it comes to their bodies, for all things. If you'd like to discuss more - you know how to reach us! 

Noticing how we dominate ourselves and others is the first place to start if we're going to create a Partnership Paradigm in this world. We can also create healthy boundaries so that other people and institutions don't take our power through domination tactics. Kyle and I will discuss  Riane Eisler's book called "The Power of Partnership" during our first book club on Nov 24th. Accessible to Patrons at the $10/month tier. 

We invite you to consider how deeply the domination paradigm is embedded in our current society (and in ourselves) and step into creating a Partnership society! In this episode, we bring in concepts and tools from Riane Eisler (The Power of Partnership) and Marshal Rosenberg (Nonviolent Communication) in order to practice creating partnerships on all levels (from inside out). 

Kyle and Megan highligh both domination and partnership societies that are both existing in the world everyday bring this to life by sharing contrasting experiences from a recent trip to Austin. 

Want more? Join as a Patron (at the $10/month tier) for a book club conversation on "The Power of Partnership"  - Nov 24th, 7pm central time. 

Resources:

• The Power of Partnership by Riane Eisler
• Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg

Yes, this is Marty's last Amory episode. Yes, he deleted his IG account. No, we didn't break up. We have a loving partnership, we're still living together and raising kids together. AND...I have mixed feelings of ending a beautiful chapter of Marty, Kyle and I sharing our polyamorous journey. I am very excited to be continuing Amory with Kyle and so excited for all of the topics we'll be exploring with you. So...happy, sad, grateful, nostalgic, excited...everything at once. More details in the podcast episode, of course. 

Megan shares a practice she has been using to identify and release fear, and replace it with gratitude. This practice can be helpful as you step into uncertainty in life...and there's a lot of that these days, regardless of your relationship structure! 

We are opening up Amory into a bigger conversation of what it means to create healthy relationships with ourselves and others. Kyle and Megan get into philosopher mode to discuss how our relationship to our body, mind, feeling and spiritual side affects our lives. Polyamory is one part of this larger converstaion of how we are relating to everything in our world...constructing the very reality we live in. Come philosophize with us and let us know what you think! How is your system upgrading now? 

Megan & Kyle discuss why it has been impactful to understand Attachment Theory and Codependency, and how it has shown up in their relationship. Why is this topic important in polyamory? Because the more aware we are of our own attachment styles, and possible codependencies, the more we empower ourselves to create the relationships we want. 

Resources: Polysecure by Jessica Fern 

Regardless of relationship structure, we have all experienced jealousy at one point or another in our lives. Do we see it as an opportunity to grow, or do we treat it as our limit of what's possible for us and our lives? We believe that with the right tools, it's possible identify the root fear, insecurity or limiting beliefs and consciously become more secure in ourselves and our relationships. This episode of Amory is a recorded version of a webinar by Megan, where she shares the tools she learned by transforming her relationship to jealousy. If you'd like a deeper dive, we have made our "Transforming Jealousy" available to all on a pay-what-you-can option. www.amorypodcast.com

Resources mentioned:

Wondering what to do if your metamours aren't talking to each other? It was a hard 5 months while Marty and Kyle didn’t communicate. However during that time, I (Megan) stayed in a relationship with both of them. We all had some major learning lessons around forgiveness, self-love, and empowered action that we share in this episode. The more we travel down this path, the more I believe we are quantumly entangled (listen for the story in the podcast). Thank you for joining us on this journey we call life!

Resources:

As a dear friend says: "There is no hiding in polyamory". It's so true. In this episoode, Kyle & Megan talk about how by embracing the polyamorous relationship style, they accelerated their self-discovery & self-love. What has your experience been? Have you been able to face fears, overcome insecurities and love yourself more through polyamory? What have been the hardest parts? What has been the most rewarding? 

This episode of Amory was SO FUN to record! Amber Gordon is a high-energy, catalytic coach who found the box of the her traditional Graduate level education to be just too small, and not able to honor the authetic inner truth of her clients. So, she pivoted to become a coach, which allows her to support (not pathologize) her clients following non-traditional paths like polyamory, BDSM, LGBTQ+, kink, etc.  She does one-on-one coaching, and is starting a new group coaching program for female identifying people called Wildfire Collective! Link in her IG profile - @strikeignite.coaching If this episode stirs something inside - DM Amber or Megan to join a women's program - both 8 weeks long, and sure to catalyze you to step into your power and authentic self!  

After 6 months apart, we (Kyle and Megan) are back together and creating again, this time in Costa Rica! In this episode, we discuss our how our struggles offered us a path to create a more secure relationship with ourselves and each other, and how we are viewing this phase of our relationship. New possibilities are in the air! 

Resources mentioned in the show:
- Tara Brach - https://www.tarabrach.com/
- Lee Harris - https://www.leeharrisenergy.com/
- Paul Selig - https://paulselig.com/
- Dr. Joe Dispenza - https://drjoedispenza.com/

Just as Kyle is about to leave Zanzibar, heading to Chicago, we all catch up and reflect on the last month or two of our lives. Even though we're still separated by thousands of miles, the themes of Compassion & Boundaries for ourselves and in our relationships is loud and clear. And, with compassion and boundaries we create the space for more healing - individually, in our polyamorous relationships and collectively as a planet. As always, we are extremely vulnerable about the breakdowns and breakthroughs of our lives and we hope that they support you on your journey! 

Kyle and I (Megan) realized that our default setting on our relationship was open when we started...so we went through a journey of closing it, in order to consiously open it. The theme for us is being conscious in relating to each other. We recap what we've both been learning over the last few months of being apart.  We had different paths that led to the same place and that has allowed us to create a more healthy, secure relationship.

As a parent, I am CRAVING more books that normalize polyamory through vocabulary and story that kids can easily understand. That's why I was SO excited to interview Mariana about the book she's written "A Color Named Love". She is non-monogamous herself, and when thinking about having kids she noticed a lack of children's books normalizing love in ALL of it's forms. Mariana is launching a Kickstarter campaign to illustrate and publish the book. I'm so happy to support her and invite you to do the same! 

Here's the link to support and order a copy of the book! https://bit.ly/2Ukt7k4 

I (Megan) recorded this over a month ago, and didn't listen to it...until last night. And, it just so happens that I needed the message in this recording. I feel now is the right time to share this with you. It's one of my most vulnerable recordings to date. If you want to participate in a conversation about the topics I discuss, please leave a comment here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/43574852

Resource mentioned: Fantastic Fungi - https://fantasticfungi.com/

Conor and Brittany have been sharing their open relationship experience for four years on youtube.  It was so fun to interview them about their poly relationship, especially how they allow for their relationship to evolve.  To learn more about their journey, check out www.conorandbrittany.com 

Link to the video mentioned on podcast and IG post: http://bit.ly/conormovesout

We are ALL over the place on this one...attachment theory, long distance relationships, closed or open container...but the main theme is "Are we relating to each other from a place of fear or safety?"  How have you experienced when you relate through fear? How do you feel when you relate from a place of safety? How do yout personally move through the fear? 

One of the misconceptions about polyamory is that the relationship is always open. There are times and places for a "closed' relationship, where the partners can establish a sense of safety in the relationship. That is what Kyle and Megan explore in this episode, after they nearly let their fear get the best of them. Instead, they decided to ask for what they need while they are apart - a focus on each other (and their other partner).  The best thing about polyamory is that you can create the agreement of the relationship(s) based on what you need in the moment...and it is always open to shift again!