Embrace: A Podcast for Survivors by Survivors about Sex and Intimacy

This practice episode follows on from discussion episode 6, which explored arousal anatomy & orgasm. Today's practice, guided by Dae (they/them) is titled ‘self exploration' and supports us to embody the concepts learnt in the corresponding discussion episode. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone Embrace is a project of BRISSC, the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (www.brissc.org.au).

In this final episode of Embrace Susan (she / her) and Dae (they/them) share an open and reflective discussion on vulva anatomy, arousal and orgasm. Often a subject shroud in shame and taboo, Susan and Dae bring fun, lightness and informative insight into these wondrous and important pleasure parts. Framed in a context that acknowledges the unique and significant impact of sexual violence, Dae offers practical reflections of their own journey to regaining intimate pleasure. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone Embrace is a project of BRISSC, the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (www.brissc.org.au).

This practice episode follows on from discussion episode 5, which explored consent. Today's practice, guided by Michelle (she/her) is titled ‘be with boundaries' and supports us to embody the concepts learnt in the corresponding discussion episode. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone Embrace is a project of BRISSC, the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (www.brissc.org.au).

This practice episode follows on from discussion episode 5, which explored consent. Today's first practice, guided by Dilsah (she/her) is titled ‘feel into a yes' and supports us to embody the concepts learnt in the corresponding discussion episode. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone Embrace is a project of BRISSC, the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (www.brissc.org.au).

In episode of 5 of Embrace Dilsah, Michelle and Kendra talk about consent. Michelle (she/her) is a rape survivor and Dilsah (she/her/they/them) is a survivor of violences. In this discussion Michelle and Dilsah critique the lack of consent education they received as children and young people. They also pull apart ‘contractual' notions of consent (as influenced by the criminal justice system) and explore what consent feels like in their bodies. Consent is thought about both in terms of creating and maintaining boundaries as well as consent that enables and sustains pleasure. Again, in the spirit of ‘emergent theory', Michelle and Dilsah talk about consent issues they are currently wrestling with & untangling. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone Embrace is a project of BRISSC, the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (www.brissc.org.au). References: ‘Sex for One' by Betty Dodson ‘Emergent Strategy' by Adrienne Marie Brown

This practice episode follows on from discussion episode 4, which explored triggers & trigger plans. Today's practice, guided by Olivia (she/her), is titled ‘memories are just guests' and supports us to embody the concepts learnt in the corresponding discussion episode. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone Embrace is a project of BRISSC, the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (www.brissc.org.au).

In episode of 4 of Embrace Olivia, Dilsah and Kendra breach the subject of triggers. Olivia (she/her) is a survivor of incest and Dilsah (she/her/they/them) is a survivor of violences. In this discussion Olivia and Dilsah define triggers, share their old strategies for dealing with triggers and explore how somatics has shifted their relationships to and ways of thinking about triggers. In the spirit of ‘emergent theory', they also name their current trigger edges. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone Embrace is a project of BRISSC, the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (www.brissc.org.au).

This practice episode follows on from discussion episode 3, which explored the concept of resilient edge of resistance. Today's practice, guided by Anna (she/her), is titled ‘exploring edges through stretching' and supports us to embody the concepts learnt in the corresponding discussion episode. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone Embrace is a project of BRISSC, the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (www.brissc.org.au).

In episode of 3 of Embrace, Susan (she/her) is joined by Anna (she/her) and Jen (she/her) who share how they lean into their edgy or challenging experiences in a way that allows growth and change while still feeling resilient. Using a practical tool called The Resilient Edge of Resistance, Anna and Jen (both survivors of sexual violence) explore the practicalities of creating sustainable change without feeling overwhelmed or pushing through. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone Embrace is a project of BRISSC, the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (www.brissc.org.au).

This practice episode follows on from discussion episode 2, which explored somatic processes and embodied safety. Today's practice, guided by Susan (she/her), is titled ‘creating a container' and supports us to embody the concepts learnt in the corresponding discussion episode.

Episode 2 of Embrace is an honest discussion between Kavita (she / her), Dae (they / them) and Susan (she / her) exploring their experiences of somatic processes and how they achieve embodied safety in the context of everyday life. This discussion offers insights and learnings that Kavita and Dae discovered as survivors of sexual violence, on their journeys to reconnect and feel safe in their bodies after trauma. These reflections offer an important starting point for anyone seeking to rebuild their capacity to feel their body and heal their relationship with sex and pleasure. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone References: Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-m2YcdMdFw 'Sexual Healing: Transform the Sacred Wound' by Peter Levine

This practice episode follows on from discussion episode 1, which was an introduction to Embrace. Today's practice, guided by Susan (she/her) is titled ‘agenda versus intention' and supports us to embody the concepts learnt in the corresponding discussion episode.

Episode 1 of Embrace is an introduction of the two hosts, Kendra (she/her) and Susan (she/her). Kendra and Susan are both support and community education workers at BRISSC – the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre. Today's discussion will create a container for podcast series. You are invited to join them in their reflections on the intersections between feminism, sex, somatics and trauma. It was informal and juicy conversations just like these that birthed the Embrace project. Embrace music by Squidgenini Embrace art by Elly Malone