Sex Power Money with Sara Pascoe

Sara speaks to Lucy Whitehouse from Fumble, Gayathiri Kamalakanthan from the School of Sexuality Education (formerly Sexplain UK) & Decolonising Contraception, and Matilda Lawrence-Jubb and Anna Alexander from Split Banana. This live episode was recorded at the London Podcast Festival, programmed by Deborah Frances-White from The Guilty Feminist. More information about Fumble: fumble.org.uk Sexuality Education: schoolofsexed.org Decolonising Contraception: decolonisingcontraception.com Split Banana: splitbanana.co.uk

Sara talks to Fern Champion, an anti-sexual violence campaigner Fern is fighting for better funding for rape support services and for real-time improvement to the lives of rape survivors. Read Fern's article about on the under-funding of Rape Crisis here (https://rapecrisis.org.uk/news/latest-news/comment-survivor-activist-fern-champion-on-the-under-funding-of-rape-crisis/) .

Sara talks to pole dancer Kitty Velour. Kitty Velour is a pole dancer based in Manchester, UK. She travel all over the place performing in cabaret shows and teaching exotic dance workshops! If you wanna join in on the fun, she teachs online pole, floorwork, twerk, and striptease tutorials here: patreon.com/kittyvelour Find her on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kitty_velour/?hl=en) for more!

Sara talks to photographer Julia Schönstädt this week about her work in feminist adult cinema. Hailing from Berlin, Julia Schönstädt is an award winning portrait photographer and video director. She studied Photography Design at Berlin's iconic Lette Verein and earned a Master’s in Photography at the renowned Goldsmiths, University of London. With several scholarships under her belt, she is now based in London, working between Germany and the UK. Her ‘16 Bars Project', a critical examination of the penal system in Germany, was recognised and awarded by The Guardian in 2014. Subsequently, in 2015, a book was published on the same topic by German-publisher, Asso Verlag. In her highly stylised work she always seeks out to explore the dynamic between composition and beauty in the worlds she creates. Her work in feminist adult cinema is an expedition into this new genre, fusioning her background of music video with erotic film. 

In this week's episode Sara speaks to artist and photographer Denisha Anderson. Denisha Anderson is an artist, film-maker and DJ. Her work explores key themes of identity, race and gender; tying into social documentary, fashion and portraiture. Denisha's craft has led to an exhibition at the V&A, national residencies, international magazine features followed by the limited publication of her book Bikes and Bridges, followed by zine The Cock Chronicles. As well as monthly radio residency on Balamii with recent guest features on NTS and Reprezent.  website: www.denishaanderson.com (http://www.denishaanderson.com/) instagram: @Denisha_Anderson (https://www.instagram.com/Denisha_Anderson/) Twitter: Dj_DVibes (https://twitter.com/dj_dvibes?lang=en-gb)

Sara talks to Annabelle and Bella this week, two sex workers who run the @whores_handbags Instagram account. Bella and Annabelle met in 2018 on a paid foursome and realised that they had a lot more in common than their jobs in the sex industry. As well as being full service sex workers, offering sessions ranging from The Girlfriend Experience to fetish and BDSM scenes, they are both academics, writers and proudly queer women, who share an interest in the way sex work intersects with these parts of their lives. This led to the creation of their Instagram account Whores' Handbags (@whores_handbags (https://www.instagram.com/whores_handbags/) ), where they document the everyday realities of selling sex, from being doubly penetrated on the heaviest day of your period to those smaller hurdles such as admin, thrush and making time for your cat. Having found the project therapeutic and relatable for sex workers, as well as insightful and educational to allies, Bella and Annabelle are working on transforming their platform into a website to host writing, zines and other types of content. Follow @whores_handbags (https://www.instagram.com/whores_handbags/) for more to come!

This week Sara talks to Anand Patel, a doctor specialising in sexual function, working with health care professionals and the public to challenge views, reduce embarrassment and improve understanding. [Trigger warning: eating disorder discussion] Dr Anand Patel is a GP based in inner London and also works at the Centre for Men’s Health on Harley Street treating sexual dysfunction and testosterone deficiency. He is a committee member of the British Society for Sexual Medicine (http://www.bssm.org.uk/) and secretary to the Primary Care Testosterone Advisory Group (http://www.pctag.uk/) . He has worked in television, including decoding sexual desires on Channel 5s My Secret Sex Fantasy and most recently I co-hosting The Pleasure Podcast (https://thepleasurepodcast.com/) , focusing on sex, relationships and intimacy. Dr Anand trains doctors to think about sexual function as both symptom and health issue affecting people physically and psychologically, and hopefully gives them the tools to talk about sex openly and supportively with patients. He doesn't just talk about why sexual problems can happen, but what effect they can have and how we can practically support people into making positive changes - this is often where sex toys comes in! His background as a school teacher and head of PSHE means he recognises some of the challenges young people face these days with the impact of social media, online dating and pornography changing sexual expectations and behaviours. He's also working with MaSC (Men and Social Conditions) to create up a porn addiction workshop for those gay men who have been affected by pornography and social media, reducing the pleasure they take in sex themselves and the negative view they have of their bodies and the unattainable images of others. Basically Dr Anand really wants people to enjoy their bodies without shame and maintain healthy sexual relationships. Resources: The fabulous College of Sex and Relationships Therapists (https://www.cosrt.org.uk/) who work to support people with relationship issues and/or sexual problems. You can find a therapist near you for a confidential discussion.    You may also be able to access psychosexual therapy via your local sexual health clinic and/or be referred by your GP. Unfortunately services might be more limited in access due to COVID19.   In London, the Albany Trust (https://www.albanytrust.org/) is a charity offering some low cost counselling and has a special interest in supporting LGBT+ people.   London Friend (https://londonfriend.org.uk/) is a charity that supports LGBT+ people with a variety of services but particularly mental health services especially those struggling with drug addiction.  The Sexual Advice Association ( https://sexualadviceassociation.co.uk/) is a charity who have produced a website and free app (https://sexualadviceassociation.co.uk/app/) that allows you to complete sex quizzes/questionnaires about sexual dysfunction for you OR for your partner! It then suggests what the likely problem might be and links you to useful information leaflets and resources.   I’ve found Gary Wilson very interesting on porn’s effects on people (https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/) . More about the shaky bridge study (https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/psysociety/fear-and-love-on-a-shaky-bridge/#:~:text=In%20the%20case%20of%20the,based%20arousal%20to%20sexual%20attraction.&text=Some%20evidence%20for%20heightened%20sexual,S.%2C%20%26%20Singer%2C%20J.E.) mentioned in the episode. Find Dr Anand Patel's podcast The Pleasure Podcast here (https://thepleasurepodcast.com/) . Sara's book Sex Power Money (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sex-Power-Money-Sara-Pascoe/dp/0571336000/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1596721997&sr=1-1) is out now in paperback! 

Sara is joined by Alex Feis-Bryce, the founding CEO of National Ugly Mugs which supports Sex Workers throughout in the UK when they become victims of crime. They discuss the gender disparity in selling sex, the controlled zone in the Holbeck Estate and the Secret Diary of a Call Girl. Thank you for listening, I hope you enjoyed the series. Here is some more about Alex Feis-Bryce: Alex was the founding CEO of National Ugly Mugs (https://uknswp.org/um/) , an award-winning charity which supports sex workers throughout the UK when they become victims of crime and advocates for their human rights.  He is currently the CEO of RightsInfo (https://rightsinfo.org/) , a charity which promotes human rights in the UK.

This week Sara speaks to Niki and Laura from the English Collective of Prostitutes, which campaigns for decriminalisation of sex work, about politicians, the police, and the current laws affecting sex work around the world. Niki Adams and Laura Watson are spokeswomen for the English Collective of Prostitutes, a national organisation of sex workers working both on the streets and indoors which campaigns for decriminalisation and safety. They oppose austerity cuts and fight for housing and other survival resources so that women can leave prostitution if and when they want and highlight the fact that most sex workers are mothers trying to do the best for their family. The ECP provides daily support to sex workers and has won important legal precedents including cases which have helped establish sex workers’ right to the protection of the law against rape and other violence.   They are frequently called on to provide expert testimony to politicians, the media, and others on decriminalisation and the impact of current laws and policies.

This week Sara talks to Joana Nastari about the rights of workers under capitalism, the role of art and the similarities between comedy and stripping. As always, thank you so much for listening, here is more about my brilliant guest this week, Joana Nastari: Joana Nastari is a Brazilian-British actor, poet, writer and community organiser. Creator of multi-award winning theatre show “Fuck You Pay Me” a Love letter to strippers. Co-organiser of Big Queer Latin Disco Brazilian Wax, Oval House Associate Artist & Stripper of the Year 2018. Keep your eyes peeled for Brazilian Wax parties and Fuck You Pay Me tour later in the year, follow here:

This week Sara's guest is Anna Arrowsmith, they discuss Anna's writing and career, feminism and the UK's laws around porn. Dr Anna Arrowsmith is the author of Rethinking Misogyny: Men's Perceptions of Female Power in Dating Relationships (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rethinking-Misogyny-Perceptions-Relationships-Sexualities/dp/147246351X) . Formerly, she was the UK's first female porn director, Anna Span since 1998 and continues to be an advocate for those working in the various sex industries worldwide.  You can find out more about her at her websites: 

Thank you so much for listening – to find out more about Sophie Mathisen you can watch some of her media appearances if you pop her name in google videos and keep an eye out for her documentary about Seeking Arrangement.

Hello and thank you so much for listening. This weeks guests were Sophie Duker and Dr Annabel Sowemimo here are the bios of the fantastic work they are doing and where to find out more: 

Thank you so much for listening and thank you to the fantastic Hallie Rubenhold. Here is a bit more information on the author:

Comedian Sara Pascoe turns her attention to things that really matter to humans – sex, power and money. In this podcast series, Sara interviews people who have experience around sex work, stripping and porn. As an accompaniment to her book Sex Power Money, this series allows people who are so often talked *about* to speak for themselves, as well as exploring the history of whore stigma, the ramifications of our current laws around selling sex and the overt racism found in porn.  The Sex Power Money podcast is coming soon, subscribe for more... Sara Pascoe is a highly acclaimed comedian, writer and actor. Her extensive TV credits include the BBC solo stand-up special LadsLadsLads, BBC2's Frankie Boyle's New World Order and Comedians Giving Lectures on Dave, which she hosts. Her first book Animal: The Autobiography of a Female Body is being developed into a full series.