Podcast appearances and mentions of Claire Baker

We met Claire Baker during one of our dance fitness classes and we could not be more grateful she chose us as one of her communities! She is a Mom, a partner, a career not-for-profit professional, avid runner & bicyclist, the smiler at CFIT, Weight Watchers Coach, podcast host, and Life Coach…and so so much more! She can help you get out of your own way and move toward what you want in your life! Practical Change Coaching: Works with practical women who want extraordinary lives! The great thing about Claire is that she is a real person, going through real things, and sharing her expertise and experiences to help the world. She educates us in this chat about something she goes through called, Persistent Depressive Disorder, and her outlook on it is logical and motivational. Whether you also go through PDD or just learning about it, you will certainly resonate with her story. Check out the links below to connect with Claire!We are so happy that Claire took the time to chat with us and share her wisdom and her joy. If you want to workout with us, at home or in person, check us out www.CFITfitness.com We would love to have you join the CFIT Community :)Follow us for updates, inspiration, and ridiculousness!F2BR Insta: https://www.instagram.com/fittoberealpodcast/CFIT Insta: https://www.instagram.com/cfitfitness/CFIT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cfitfitness/CFIT Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@cfitfitness?lang=enWatch us on our Youtube Channel! https://youtube.com/@fittoberealpodcast?si=mPS5PgKAkiFt7_pGEmail us! FITtobeRealPodcast@gmail.com**For legal reasons we have to tell you that this podcast is meant for entertainment and educational purposes only. we are not health care professionals. For all of your health, wellness, fitness, and self-care needs please refer to the medical professional in your life. Your primary care physician, your therapist, a certified coach whoever it may be…and then let us know what they say because I guarantee we need to know it too, ok?! okbye.References:https://www.practicalchangecoaching.com/ , Practical Change Coachinghttps://www.practicalchangecoaching.com/podcast.html , Practical Change for Midlife Lesbians Podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/practicalchangecoaching/ , PCC's Instagramhttps://www.facebook.com/practicalchangecoaching , PCC's Facebook

Have you ever overstayed your time in a job, relationship, at an apartment, in an organization, or anywhere else? In this episode, Claire Baker shares how she got out of her own way by recognizing that she was gaslighting herself into staying in untenable work situations. She talks about how she decided on purpose to think about her circumstances in ways that motivated her and benefited her instead of discouraging and defeating her ahead of time so she could make an aligned decision for herself. How might you do the same for yourself if you've been thinking of leaving, but making excuses for why you “should” stay instead?   Watch April and Claire livestream here. 

Claire Baker is a coach, speaker, and author of 50 Things You Need To Know About Periods.For over a decade, Claire has taught women to live in harmony with their bodies, believing menstrual cycle awareness is key to women's wellbeing, creativity, and empowerment.Her online program, Adore Your Cycle, has students in over 35 countries.In 2019, Claire founded Cycle Coach School, a training provider that teaches facilitators how to integrate menstrual cycle coaching into their practice.Known for her authentic voice, she's regularly featured in Red, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Women's Health magazines. Originally from Australia, Claire now calls the U.K. home.Claire's links:Website: https://www.clairebaker.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_/If you are curious about your inner seasons, and are navigating perimenopause, you might enjoy our self-directed online course Perimenopause Unwrapped, which you can find at woman-kind.co.uk We'd be delighted to welcome you, and if you have any questions, you can contact us through our site woman-kind.co.uk or email us at kindness@woman-kind.co.uk Perimenopause Unwrapped https://woman-kind.co.uk/perimenopause-unwrapped-online-course/ Woman Kind https://woman-kind.co.uk/You can buy me a cuppa here https://www.buymeacoffee.com/katecodringtonThe Perimenopause Journal: https://www.katecodrington.co.uk/the-perimenopause-journal-unlock-your-power-own-your-wellbeing-find-your-path/ Free resource library: https://mailchi.mp/a8a0fa08678a/resource-libraryInstagram @kate_codringtonSecond Spring is available from your favourite bookshopPerimenopause Unwrapped online course: https://woman-kind.co.uk/perimenopause-unwrapped-online-course/Perimenopause Starter Kit: https://www.katecodrington.co.uk/perimenopause-starter-kit-online-course/MusicTrust Me (instrumental) by RYYZNArtworkKate's portrait by ...

Pull up a seat to the chat between the Ghetto Country Brandmother® and branding expert Claire Baker. Claire shares her journey from an accidental venture into graphic design to becoming a branding guru, offering insights into the importance of authentic and bullshit-free branding for businesses. With over 27 years in the field, she discusses her approach to making a real difference for smaller companies and solopreneurs by cutting through the corporate jargon and delivering clear, impactful branding solutions. It's a candid and occasionally humorous conversation on standing out and leaving a mark in a crowded market without compromising yourself ----- If your personal brand is having a meltdown and needs nurturing, reach out to Brandma.   And, if you're feel'n some kinda way about this episode, subscribe & follow GCB on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ If you wanna get all up in my business get my book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠That Damn Girl Stuff⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  If you wanna get all up in my brand get my book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Branding, Boundaries & Bullshit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  If you ever want any of my tees go to - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brandma's Dressing Room. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brandmashouse/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/brandmashouse/support

Heaven & Mercy calludeA Spring Break 14-part Novel.By FinalStand. Listen to the complete episode at Steamy Stories.*Anyone can be who they want to be; the challenge is being who you need to be*Can Zane go 24 hours without sex?My journey to the Dining Hall this Wednesday was enlivened by carrying, bridal style, a sophomore named Courtney while playing out a scene from Tristan and Isolde. I had Rhaine, Joy, and Mercy as escorts/minders, but Rhaine was now defining her responsibility as keeping me from misbehaving, not stopping me, and the other students from having fun.Tristan and Isolde was some kind of chick-flick taken from a Wagnerian play so technically it wasn't on the ‘banned' list. With me was the added bonus that it wasn't homo-erotic (being a guy in a romantic relationship with a girl, in the play) and that I could actually carry Isolde in my arms.A larger than normal crowd had gathered for my dutiful performance and while I generally received rave reviews, I did catch a few girls talking about redoing the skit with a Sampson and Delilah theme. I pledged to avoid girls with shears like the plague. We bunched up around one of the entrances to the Dining Hall as I finished our script and carefully placed her back on her feet.Among the scattering of applause and the press of bodies, I felt Mercy stumble into me. Her eyes were wide, her mouth open in surprise, and her breathing was coming in ragged gasps. My answer came when I looked over her shoulder and saw Rio, looking very casual but pumping her arm rapidly against Mercy's back.When we got into the food line, Rio smirked and began sucking her forefinger which was sticky and slick.“Seriously, in the middle of the crowd? You just couldn't resist?” I teased her.“Next I'm sticking in the butt plug,” she whispered in a conspiratorial manner. “I have it in my book bag and I'm jumping her after BA. Do you want to help?”“I'd rather face dismemberment than break Iona's schedule,” I sighed quietly.“Some He-Man you are,” she giggled. “You'll go five rounds with Gorman but Iona has you pussy-whipped.”“If I have to go, I could hardly pick a better woman,” I responded, and wrapped an arm around Iona's waist and rested my hand on her hip.“Yes, Zane?” Iona looked up at me with an exotic combination of innocence and genius.“Rio reminded me how lucky we are to have you with us,” was my answer.“Oh, that's nice,” Iona beamed up at me. “I thought it had something to do with Rio putting her hand under Mercy Chaplain's skirt.” I chuckled and Rio grumbled.“I have glasses,” Iona stated, “I'm not blind.”“Did anyone else notice?” I inquired.“No. I think Rio was pretty smooth, but if experience has taught me anything, it is Rio who is going to be the troublemaker, not you, Zane,” Iona stated calmly. “I was paying attention to her.”“Oh, Cordelia wanted to know if you could come by the Science Club today around two-thirty and help us with a little problem we are having,” Iona inquired.“What's the problem?” I asked.“Why didn't Cordy ask him herself?” Rio questioned.“I don't know the answer to either of those questions,” Iona admitted.“It is illegal, illicit, and off the record,” Rio pronounced.“No, it is not,” Iona battled back.“Trust me, I've done my share of things I didn't want the authorities to know about and this stinks of that kind of stunt,” Rio explained.“I'll be with Zane; nothing will happen. Besides, we are the Science Club, not an international criminal syndicate,” Iona told Rio.“I'll be okay,” I promised Rio. On the other hand, the Science Club wasn't all flowers, bells, and puppy dog tails.They hacked the school's computer systems, had illegal internet hook-ups, and were re-wiring a dorm floor for my personal pleasure, and Rio's criminal instincts were more often right than wrong. We were able to get our seats and enjoy most of breakfast before Iona nudged me.“Don't you ever answer your messages?” Iona inquired.“I have them all automatically forwarded to you,” I countered. “It seemed like the sanest thing to do.”“But you don't even know what's going on in your life,” she worried.“Darling, I have you to keep me from falling off the face of the Earth. I trust you to keep me on an even keel. Besides, someone hacked my phone yesterday so I'm not sure how safe I would be without you,” I enlightened her.“Someone hacked your phone?” Iona gasped. “Any idea who?”“Cordelia; she put herself at the top of my Handmaiden's list. I didn't mind, but the fact that she did it means it could be done,” I told her. Iona shot an angry glare in Cordelia's direction.“Don't worry about it, Iona,” Rio joked. “Have you known anyone to mess with Zane and not pay for it eventually?”“That doesn't mean I like it,” Iona kept glaring. I tapped her shoulder, then led her gaze to me by tugging on her jaw.“Let it go. In the social hierarchy, we are freshmen, despite any accomplishments. Trust me, I know: There are some fights you don't get into until you are ready. Cordelia likes you because you are useful but don't try her patience too far or she'll break you.”“I don't like it. This is high school all over again,” Iona grumbled.“The major difference,” Rio pointed out, “you have a sick psycho like me and a stud like Zane who have your back. We've left you alone once and that was only in hopes you would get out from under the hammer that was falling on us.”“Oh, we were told about your conversation with the Chancellor. I liked what you said,” I told her thoughtfully, “but I believe Rio and I could have done it better.”“Who would you have quoted?” wondered Iona. I exchanged a fanatical look with Rio.“THIS is SPARTA!” we shouted in unison, “and then we would have kicked her desk out the window,” I added.Iona sighed, looked down at her tray, and grinned while half the dining hall gazed our way.“You two are nuts,” she chuckled.“Ninja Urban Terrorists,” Rio and I declared together, “that's us.” The rest of breakfast passed without incident or too much Humor.It is not the Distance; It is the Weight on your BackGetting out looked to be a bit less friendly as Rhaine, Joy and Mercy added two other girls to their entourage.“Zane, Rio, Iona, we have a duty for you,” Rhaine announced. “You will carry our books, on your knees, and on the sidewalk.”“Well, Kemosabe, do we ignore them or kick their asses?” Rio looked to me. “Man, here I am without my hate-mallet too.”“I'm going for benign indifference,” I informed Rio. “Rhaine, we already have an assigned Handmaiden duty and we are not required to partake of any task that would result in our physical harm.”“We let Christina get away with it because we were isolated and new, but that's not the case anymore,” I explained. “You break the rules and we'll defend ourselves.”“Then we are taking you to the Chancellor's office,” Rhaine declared loudly. At this time my two buddies were despairing over the lack of appearance by our allies but I tend to have more faith in the fairness of Human nature.“Civil disobedience,” I advised Iona. To Rio, I explained, “Make yourself dead weight.” Rhaine's Traditionalists came forward and we three fell to the ground.“Get up,” Joy demanded of Rio.“Nope, not going to happen,” she gleefully shot back. Joy gave Rio a strong nudge with the foot.“What are you doing?” a cold calm voice pierced the setting. It was Coach Dana Gorman.“I, what, we are doing what Rhaine told us to do,” Joy stammered.“Kicking a student is grounds for dismissal,” Dana informed Joy. “Physical violence is only acceptable in self-defense, and only when withdrawal is not an option.”“Coach Gorman, we were told, ” Rhaine began.“Ms. Ritchie, the Board of Directors can alter the Handbook whenever they wish, and if they ever say that bludgeoning another student merely because they disagree with you is permissible, I'll be sure to let you know.”“Yes, Mam,” Rhaine gulped.“You three, stop loafing about and get to class” Gorman addressed us. “We can all hope you flunk out your first semester, but until you do, I am required to make sure you are in your classes at the appointed time. Now go!” she grumbled to Rio, Iona and I.“Yes, Mam,” Iona and I said as we stood up once more. Rio merely growled. We quickly parted Rhaine and company, then headed to class. Soon enough, Christina and her crowd appeared around us.“What tree were you bitches hiding behind?” Rio griped. That did not get her a pleasant response.“Rio, they were always with us,” I said, putting a hand on Rio's shoulder. “They also sent people to get Coach Gorman and others to get Ms. Goodswell in case things went bad. Cappadocia and Wilhelmina were rounding up the troops in case Rhaine tried to force us. By keeping the field clear of obvious forces, we resolved this fight in a way that didn't make us look bad.”“You got all that while talking to Rhaine and watching every sane FFU girl running away from us?” Rio gawked.“If an ally betrays you, they will stand by and watch. If you don't see them, assume they are fighting elsewhere on your behalf, or so the saying goes,” I related.“That sounds like dark matter, you know it is there because you can't see it,” Iona nodded, “but you see its effects.”“Essentially,” Christina remarked.“I'd like to know one thing,” Faith inquired: “Have you slept with Coach Gorman too? She seems to have joined our side very suddenly.”“She's not on our side and she's not our friend, but I did outline how this fight would work. If they break the rules, we break the rules, and chaos ensues. If the Coach keeps things fair, Rio and I will go down by our own faults or succeed on our merits, Christina will still beat Rhaine, and this year might not suck so much for the average student, freshmen included,” I said.“How do you jibe following the rules with having a different girl in your bed every night?” Hope taunted me with a hint of seduction. Heaven looked equal parts embarrassed and sensually hungry.“I don't believe he has a woman in his bed every night,” Christina corrected.“Expecting Zane to sleep alone is like putting a lion among your sheep and expecting to eat lamb next season; theoretically possible, but it goes against his nature,” Hope laughed.“I have not had a woman in my bed every night,” I sniffed indignantly.“Yeah,” Rio rallied to my defense, “there was that night you barred Barbie Lynn and, actually, I think that was the only night, though he didn't sex me up that first night on campus.”“I think it is safe to say that the female student body has made good use of Zane's time here amongst us,” Chastity noted, as she lightly slapped my shoulder.“Well, in case anyone cares, I'm going to a church function tonight and stopping by the Kappa Sigma house on the way back. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish up some Biology reading and go to bed early,” I declared.“And if you find a girl in your bed when you get in?” Hope teased.“He'll assume it is a day ending in ‘y',” Iona snickered.“Et tu, Iona?” Christina stated loftily.“In that case, please spread the word,” I muttered darkly. “I'm coming home and stealing Iona away to my lair for some much needed discipline and loyalty reinforcement.” Iona remained still while the other girls looked around.“Seriously?” Faith wondered.“I play around a lot but never with Iona,” I explained. “If she doesn't lock her door, she's mine.”“Iona, I'll help you barricade the door,” Heaven offered. Iona didn't say anything but the look she shot Heaven clearly stated ‘don't you dare!'The Research Partnership“Zane?” Virginia Goodswell requested my attention as I approached my English class.“Hey, Teach, I'm ready to have my head stuffed with learning,” I grinned.“That's good, because we are choosing Authors and Works today, along with project partners,” Virginia instructed.“So, Ms. Goodswell, who is my boy Zane partnered up with? Or is there going to be a Thunder Dome match to figure that out?” Rio beamed with failed innocence.“Ms. Talon,” my teacher sighed, “it is a volunteer process, and I'm not sure any girl in my class wants to work with Mr. Braxton.”“Zane, when the feeding frenzy begins, jump for the ceiling lights,” Chastity joked with me. At least I hoped she was joking. The ladies wished me luck and we parted ways. After taking our assigned seats, Virginia went over our latest lessons and then introduced us to our semester project. The first thing to decide was the partnerships.“Before we partner up,” Virginia asked the class, “would any of you consider teaming up with Zane Braxton to get this done? Hands please.” Multiple hands flew up. Virginia looked over the class, nodded, and said, “Thank you.” She looked it over, “Raven, Barbara, and Céline, each of you give me the reason why you don't want to work with Zane.”Ms. Goodswell had chosen the three girls who hadn't raised their hands. Barbara and Celine didn't want to work with me because they were afraid I would rape them the moment we were alone, “sigh”. Raven's answer was that she was afraid that my lack of a structured education would make the paper more difficult.Raven Thorpe was awarded the 'honor' of working with me, a designation she groaned over, and other girls glared at her with jealousy. After class she attempted to shoulder past me but I tapped her arm.“Can we talk for a second?” I inquired.“Don't you have to scurry off and take care of your schedule?” she replied blandly.“Can you stop being a bitch for fifteen seconds so we can figure out which author we can work on?” I snapped angrily. She pulled up short as if she expects to be pimp-slapped next.“Okay, who do you have in mind?” she requested. “And if you say William Shakespeare, I am going to smack you with my book bag.”“I was thinking the political works of Edmund Burke,” I suggested. Raven blinked.“Seriously, I didn't think you even knew who Edmund Burke was, much less that he was the father of modern conservatism,” Raven congratulated me. It was almost like she wanted to pat me on the head and give me a doggy bone.“I was thinking of concentrating more on his works during the American Revolution, but if that's what you are more comfortable with, we could cover his later period works instead,” I offered.“Good point, Zane. Let's talk it over during lunch,” Raven suggested.“Zane,” summoned a female voice from outside the classroom.“Go on,” Raven smirked, “enjoy your disproportionate level of abuse.”“You act like I have any choice in the matter,” I shrugged.It was of little consolation that Raven made it ten more feet from the door when she got snatched up too. This time out, my mistress got to point to a feature on her body and I had to give it a flattering description, I know, my life is utter hell.I had no idea where the Science Club met; I even began to get the sinking feeling they carefully controlled any information about themselves, sort of like a secret society, or the CIA.Paige & the Science Club“Hello, I'm Paige,” spoke this girl, who apparently materialized out of the ether. I'm not paranoid; I've spent the past two years in a region where you have to be alert because Tigers are common and I say this girl freaking ghosted me, Man.“I'm with the Science Club. You will come with me right now,” she smiled like said predator cat trying to disguise herself as a white rabbit.“You are albino,” I noted. She had long white hair, alabaster skin, and a red shadow to her eyes. She was also the only girl to date I'd seen with the dark blue jacket that was part of our winter uniform. She also had a jaunty blue hat and white stockings instead of socks.“You have eyes,” she rolled hers, “now come along.” I started to follow her.“So what is this meeting about?” I asked.“It isn't a meeting; we require you for something,” she replied.“What is it?” I became more cautious.“It is a surprise,” she mocked me. “Stop wasting my time and come along.”“Cool, I'm out of here.” I grinned, turned, and left. Paige staggered and seemed unable to grasp my departure.“Where are you going?” she snapped tartly.“To Archery Club,” I replied, while still walking away.“But, but you said you would come,” she stuttered.“Am I a person? Are you?”“Yes and yes,” she replied with irritation.“Are you an idiot or a child? Because those are the only reasons to forgive your spoiled behavior,” I turned and said. Paige glared. “So you assume you are smarter than me and can be rude to someone who is doing you a favor.”“We are the ones doing you a favor,” Paige snapped back. “Now we want you to repay us.”“Did you discuss payment when you did me the favor of rewiring my room? No? Good, because if you had, I would clearly be suffering a form of amnesia,” I gave back. “If you want something, you can ask as a friend or you can offer me something that makes it worth my while. Now go back to Cordelia and tell her you have returned alone because you were so much smarter than me. If you could only 'speak friend', ” I continued walking away.“Wait,” Paige called out nervously. “I, I, ” and I could almost hear the wheels turning. “Speak friend and enter.” I stopped in midstride.“So you read through my school records and know my top ten influences,” I turned and responded. We stared at each other for almost a minute until she finally gave up and put on her sunglasses. I retraced my steps back to her.“Favorite member of the Fellowship?” I tested her.“Legolas,” she responded. I scoffed and she had the Human decency to look embarrassed.“Ha,” I scoffed again. “Horny girls go for the elf; the marrying kind goes for Aragorn.”“Who is yours, then, wise guy?” she volleyed.“Boromir,” I declared my allegiance.“Ah, of course; the veteran warrior in a doomed struggle; he forsakes his honor only to redeem it in a hopeless fight, perishing in the arms of his brothers,” Paige retorted. “I thought you would have gone for Aragorn, the Uncrowned King.”“Hum,” I winced, “my second choice was actually Frodo but that would have sounded gay.”“You can't be gay; you are not clever enough to conceal that,” she stated.“See, now you are sounding like Saruman the White,” I teased.“Let me guess: because I'm an albino,” she grumbled.“You are an albino? I was talking about your facial hair and that arrogant, know-it-all vibe you've got going on,” I joked. Paige stared at me, suddenly speechless, finally taping her chin.“At least you didn't call me Gollum,” she admitted.“Nah; too much hair and not enough skin slime,” I explained as I ran the back of one finger over her cheek. She flinched slightly.“Are you going to, please, come with me now?” she asked much more politely.“Are you going to have sex with me?” I grinned.“WHAT!?!?” she squawked.“Just joshing you,” I smiled. “You are far too pretty to be interested in me. Let's go.”I'd clearly unsettled her because she didn't say another word to me until we were going downstairs in the Clegger Science Building.“Do you really think I'm pretty?” she asked as we finished the last set of stairs.“I must confess I find most women attractive, but you are far prettier than most,” I replied.“Do you still want to have sex with me?” she said in a casual voice. I took her hand and placed it on my heart. “Hah,” she snorted, “I get it; your heart is beating so yes, you want to have sex with me.”“I was going to say that a steady heartbeat indicated I was telling the truth, but someone keeps insisting they are smarter than me,” I teased her. Am I really asking for another sex partner? What's wrong with me?Her reaction wasn't what I expected it to be and then I realized that she still had something over on me, the reason for me being here. Bitch. She opened a door into a dark room and ushered me in. There appeared to be about ten ladies in the room, playing with a variety of electronics.“Delivered as promised,” Paige called out.“What did he hit you with?” a short caramel-skinned girl inquired.“Fellowship of the Ring,” Paige grinned. Mother-fuckers!“Did he offer to have sex with you?” Cordelia asked playfully.“Yes. And not only gave me a 'pretty' but also a 'far prettier'.” Paige gave me a smug look.“Ha, ha, ha,” I muttered. Idiot me forgot that psychology is also a science, and the reason we don't have a chess club at FFU was also evident; the Science Club devoured them.“Come on, Zane,” Cordelia batted her full lashes at me. “We need a little favor and it won't take fifteen minutes.”“Couldn't you simply coerce me into doing this?” I stated. “I'm sure this whole rigmarole of making me think I'm doing you a favor has to be making things more difficult.”“We are all friends here,” Cordelia smiled.“No, if we were all friends here, Iona would be at my side,” I scolded her. “I admit you did a great scam getting me in this room, but you aren't nearly as good at lying to my face as you think you are.”“Iona, ” Paige started to say.“Don't!” Cordelia snapped, then took a deep breath. “If you threaten Iona he will hit you, no,” she corrected, “He'll hit me,” Cordelia reasoned out.“There are eleven of us,” another girl, Pandora Jaspers, stated, somewhat angry and confident.“I've seen him fight, Pandora. I saw him drop Mercy Chaplain. I've seen him fight Cappadocia Davis and Coach Gorman too,” Cordelia said coolly as we stared at one another. “Unless we curl up in a ball on the ground, he'll beat us down. We'll hurt him, but Zane can take more pain than we can because he cares about her.”“On that note, I'm gone again. Good going Paige; I'm sure you can think of something to make your sisters understand,” I shrugged and moved for the door.“Zane, I need you to strip down and let us attach a series of video and biometric sensors so we can create a 'Virtual Zane' for a little project we are working on,” Cordelia blurted out.I had to think hard about this; not because I didn't want to do it but because I had to figure if this was an honest play or another convoluted turn of the screws. I turned and looked at Cordelia.“There was no way in hell you ever thought I was a professor and you miraculously materialized outside my first class with the knowledge I was actually a freshman, damn, Cordelia, can't you just ask for stuff?” I berated her.“If you ask, you depend on another to get what you want; if you deceive, you win or lose on your own abilities,” she shrugged. “Besides, I did ask you to kiss me; remember?”“Good enough; where do you want me to stand?” I responded.“Wait,” Paige gawked. “Now he is doing it.”“Alright ladies,” one girl grinned. “Everyone pay up. I told you we should simply ask him.”With that, I stepped over to a table and began stripping. Slowly the girls around me stopped what they were doing and openly ogled me. I guess the real me was better than the video.“Aren't you curious about what we are going to do?” Pandora inquired.“You are probably going to tell me that I'm posing naked because it is easier to dress an 'uncluttered' form, or something to that effect, but really, I like Cordelia and Iona is one of my two best friends,” I mulled it over. “Besides, in case you missed it, I've seen all your faces.”Once they took that bit of news in, things went along smoothly, though they had some debate amongst themselves on whether my cock needed its own 'reference point', a sensor attached.The amusing thing was, when the girl running the computer imaging asked me to keep my penis still, I had to reply that certain reactions weren't under my control, which caused a rather awkward moment. When I was finally finished there was another quiet interlude as I got dressed.“So,” Cordelia wondered, rocking back and forth on her feet, “if we need more, data, could we get you to come back?”“Sure,” I smiled back, “you know where I live, and you certainly know what my digits are. Cordelia, I want you to consider that if something happens in my room that ends up on the web that betrays the trust people have put in me, I'm not going to come after all of you looking for excuses. Are we clear?”“Is that a threat, Zane?” Cordelia beamed playfully.“Cordelia, I'm always one step away from being tossed out of here on my ass, so those who chose to trust me and take up my cause are doing it because they are decent folk. I'm not like most people; I can't afford to toss friends away like most of the rest of the people in this room seem to be comfortable with.”“Or what,” Paige smirked, “you'll beat us up?”“No, Paige. I value trust, so if you take that away from me, I'll find out what you value and take that away from you,” I stared at her intently.“I know what you are going to say, Paige,” Cordelia jumped in, “and Zane being expelled will only mean that he has no other distractions from dealing with us and he'll still have people inside the school all too willing to help him.”“Zane, how about if something is done, we give you an off switch for various sections?” Cordelia offered.“Sounds great; let me know how the project works out, but now I have to go to Archery,” I replied, before slipping out the door.“How did he know we were going to wire his room?” I overheard Paige whisper to Cordelia.“You don't seriously think he came here solely because we tricked him, do you?” Cordelia answered. “He knew we would try something and he wanted us to know that he knew.” Yes, I had bumbled into the message I'd wanted to get across despite myself.Does Anyone Want Me Here?I had escaped school with a double date for Thursday Night (Chastity and Hope), then stopped by the house to plead with Aunt Jill to let Rio stay for the weekend. I gave a rational case, a compassionate reason, and then fell down on my knees and told her I really, really, really wanted her to stay. Something in that last argument made Jill relent and I phoned the good news to Rio.All that groveling resulted in me making the Festivities Committee Meeting by only two minutes. I swept into the room abruptly and as the story of my life goes, everyone stopped talking and looked at me. A quick scan of the room told me that two of the eight women knew to expect me, or at least some guy, while the others clearly assumed I'd lost my way.“Can we help you, young man?” an older woman with hair mostly turned to gray.“Welcome, Glenn,” Mrs. Wellington said. “Ladies, Pastor William has asked us to introduce Mr. Braxton to the good works of our Church.” There was a pause.“Thank you, Mrs. Wellington, but no one alive calls me Glenn anymore, and I'm not old or accomplished enough to be Mr. Braxton, like my Father or Uncle Tim. My teachers call me Zane.”“Oh, you are at the University?” a third woman asked politely. She was asking if I went to the University of Virginia.“No, I don't go to U V; I go to FFU, it is a long story,” I replied with trepidation.“I have a daughter at Freedom Fellowship,” one of the women responded with concern.“What is her name?” I tried to be polite, what were the odds?“Pandora Jaspers,” Mrs. Jaspers answered.“Seriously? I've done Handmaiden duty for her, and today I saw her at the Science Club,” I sighed with relief.“What did she have you do?” yet another woman inquired intently.“I helped her create an umbrella walkway when it was raining so that all the students could get to class without getting soaked,” I informed them.“Have you been to 'camp'?” a sixth woman hinted at something.“Camp, no, I can't say I've ever been to a camp,” I evaded, because I had no idea what they meant.“That's enough, ladies,” Mrs. Wellington said. “We have business to take care of. We can worry about Mr. Braxton's confusion at a later time.” Oh, they think I'm gay. Camp = Gay camp where fundamentalists are sure I could be cured of being homosexual. I try not to laugh.“Mr. Braxton, I want you to sit at the chair there,” Mrs. Wellington pointed to a chair away from the table, against the wall. “I want you to take personal notes for the members, things that don't go into the official record. Doreen Saxon,” she indicated the gray haired woman “is our secretary. She takes the official notes of the meeting, so pay attention.”The Meeting for the first of September was called to order, the record of attendance including the difficulty of my name, they kept trying to call me Glenn Braxton while I politely asked for Zane. They went with Glenn. The rest of the group worked out like this:Rochelle Wellington was Chairwoman, Kendra Bainbridge was our Treasurer, and Doreen Saxon was the grey-haired Secretary. The rest of the group consisted of Claire Baker, Theresa Geiger, Columbia Jaspers, Heidi Moulin, and Sahara Penny, the Pastor's wife.As the meeting progressed there was little I could do but watch the group dynamics at work. For starters, Bainbridge was at Wellington's throat; they clearly didn't like one another. The other was an oddity; no one interacted with Sahara Penny. I wasn't sure if it was her non-white heritage (Middle Eastern of some sort), her meek nature, or some past sin, but I decided to take advantage of it.I got up quietly and began walking around the table.“Glenn,” Mrs. Saxon asked, but I ignored her because, damn it, how many times do I have to tell them my name is Zane? I walked over and knelt by Sahara.“Zane,” Mrs. Wellington addressed me, “are you looking for the bathroom?” Bingo!“No, Mrs. Wellington. I was hoping to get some background information on the current discussions as well as contact information for the group. Since the rest of you are treating Mrs. Penny like she has the plague, I figured she would be the perfect candidate to tell me what is really going on here,” I grinned at her. “It is always the quiet ones who know the most.”And everyone stopped talking. Sahara not only looked shocked and frightened to see me, she looked like she wanted to sink under the table when I told the rest of them my reason for being here.“I assure you, Mr. Braxton, we are fully including Sahara in the process,” Mrs. Bainbridge snorted indignantly.“I will gladly accept your reprimand if you can please tell me the last five words you said to her since I arrived,” I requested, with as much innocence as I could beg, borrow, or steal.“I asked her about the children's clothing for the Nativity this year,” Kendra said after a long pause.“That was Claire, not Sahara,” I corrected her. “It is in my notes, but I'm sure Doreen can corroborate my recall of events.”“Well,” she said testily, “I'm sure I said something to her.” Silence.“I apologize for disrupting the meeting. I'll crouch here quietly and conference with Sahara while the rest of you complete the business of the day,” I told them, then turned back to Sahara. “Now, what the heck is up with the live turkey at the Thanksgiving celebration?”In the end, I gathered my information, the meeting concluded its business, and the room emptied until it was me, Sahara, Kendra, and Rochelle.“A Christian gentleman would apologize,” Kendra informed me.“Well, I guess that makes us both poor Christians, because a good Christian woman wouldn't have lied to me,” I calmly replied. Kendra gaped like a fish out of water.“Rochelle!” Kendra snapped to the Committee head.“Zane, you apologize to Kendra right now,” she commanded me, without much passion.“Kendra Bainbridge, I apologize for my rude and uncalled for behavior,” I said with a bow. Neither woman had expected me to fold up like that, so all Kendra could do was huff and storm out of the room.“Thank you,” Sahara whispered, as she touched my hand.“I don't always know the right side to fight on but it is usually by the side of the person being bullied,” I grinned. “It is the Christian thing to do,” I added with a wink.That left me with Rochelle Wellington: MILF, Lance the asshole's Mom, and wife of the Mayor.She looked like she wanted to stand up but couldn't. Me, I had a Sorority meeting to get to, I missed dinner so I had to grab something first, and why in the hell was I even thinking what I was thinking? I sat down beside her.“What's wrong?” I began. She looked at me, tired and somehow forlorn.“You wouldn't understand, Mr. Braxton, Zane,” she sighed.“Try me; the worst that could happen is, I give the expression that every teenager gives an adult when something important is being said but we are too caught up in our own lives to understand.”“Oh, good point, young man,” she sighed, “but I'm afraid I don't have anything even remotely interesting to talk about.” I waited patiently. “I'm feeling sorry for myself. My baby is leaving the nest and it has been so long since I've been alone in the house, I don't know what to do with myself.”“Lance is an only child?” I wondered.“Oh, no, he is the youngest of five,” she responded with sadness. My jaw dropped and she stared at me.“What, did you start having kids when you were ten?” I gawked.“What?” she sounded confused.“I have a hard time believing you are forty, much less the mother of five grown children,” I stammered. At first Rochelle was embarrassed and a bit uncomfortable, but slowly the compliment seeped its way into her psyche.“I, I have a home gym,” she suggested as an answer.“Well, whatever you've been doing has worked. Your husband is one lucky guy, and I hope he appreciates you and all you do to look, act, and feel so young,” I wowed her.“I'm not feeling all that young right now,” she slipped back into her depression.“Where does it hurt?” I changed my focus.“I don't know what you mean?” she asked.“People keep their stress in different places; the back of the neck, the mid-back, shoulders, or temples,” I informed her.“I'm not comfortable talking with you about that,” Mrs. Wellington replied warily.“Sure,” I said popping out of my seat. “I apologize if I crossed any lines,” and I made for the door.“Wait, Zane, I apologize. I'm tired and a bit cranky. I know you didn't mean anything and besides, I'm sure you already have a girlfriend,” Rochelle admitted.“Please don't spread this around, but I have several girlfriends at the moment. They know about each other, I'm not going to lie about my sex life, but they are usually interested in different things,” I told her.“You have, multiple girlfriends, different things? Like what kind of different things?” Rochelle spilled out her confused thoughts.“Some women like sexual contact,” I related, “while others like romantic time together, and still others want companionship.” There was another long pause.“But you are at Freedom Fellowship University, ” she trembled.“I've never taken a student's virginity, if that's what you are asking,” I answered.“Oh, I understand. I've taught all my children that they should be virgins on their wedding day,” Rochelle said with some pride.“I have to disagree with that,” I shocked her, “but that is one of the reasons that women are better than girls.”“And how would you know this?” She now turned in her chair to face me, trying to sound affronted but coming across as deeply curious.“Um, I've had sex with girls in their teens and women in their forties, and women know more, pace themselves better, and generally have better bodies,” I explained. “Teen girls need a few more years to fill out.”Rochelle was utterly speechless, and part of that had to do with the fact that I was being frank and honest, yet not openly coming on to her.“You must not think much of me, then,” she mused, “teaching my children my views on virginity.”“Where did you get that from? If anything, you are proving yourself to be an intelligent, warm, caring, and compassionate woman and mother, who happens to look like she's less than forty years old,” I added. “You did what you thought was right. I can't argue with that.”“Well, good,” she replied.“Now for my part, I was taught that a real man gives his lover multiple orgasms and he should never reach fulfillment before his partner does. Any man who does so is being selfish,” I stated.“How did you come by this, thinking?” she inquired with a small voice.“Um, I've had sex around five hundred times with thirty different partners,” I told her, “so I've not only learned from very good teachers, I've field tested their ideas.”“How can you possibly consider yourself a good Christian, Zane?” she accused me.“Compassion, respect for all living things, and forgiveness, that's what I believe in and what Christianity stands for in my eyes,” I explained.“The Bible is clear on sex and the sanctity of the marriage bed,” Rochelle insisted.“Mrs. Wellington, everything after the death of Jesus is conjecture. We both accept that Jesus was the Son of God, but after he dies, who is to say who was being touched by the Divine, who was building on JC's teachings, and who was simply making stuff up,” I held up my hand to stop Rochelle's protest.“The Catholics have a thousand Saints, most of whom we don't hold to be divinely inspired. You chose to believe that virginity is a girl's sacred duty, but I don't recall Christ saying anything on the subject. You can certainly quote later Gospels or the Old Testament, but that makes it your choice, not the Word of God,” I finished up. Another long pause followed.“I keep my stress in the top of my shoulders,” she suddenly said. I stood up and moved behind her, deciding to not question her changing opinion of me.“It helps if you take off your jacket,” I suggested, then helped her shimmy out of it. She tensed up as my hands weighed down lightly on her shoulders so I kept my touch gentle.Two minutes into the massage, I began squeezing harder and harder, moving my palms back and forth over her bra straps from upper arm to neck.“Rochelle,” I whispered into her ear, “I am going to rotate your shoulders.” I rolled over each shoulder one at a time but when I finished, I pushed her slowly forward until she was resting her elbows on the table and held her head on her upturned hands.When I went back to the massage, I worked her over harder and extended my reach from her mid-back to neck. This was clearly a case of begging forgiveness instead of asking permission. I took my time, relaxing her to a completely detached state. When I brought her back to reality, I was kneeling beside her and tapping her on the arm.“Rochelle? Are you okay,” I asked in a gentle, caring voice. Dreamily, she turned her head from its resting place on her arms to look at my eyes straight-on and mere inches away.“What, huh?” she muttered.“How do the shoulders feel? Has your stress gone away?” I inquired.“Yes, yes,” she popped up, alert once more. “It feels really good, in fact. I haven't felt this way in years,” she added with a smile.“I think it is time for us to go,” I suggested. “Can I help you with your jacket?”“Of course,” she nodded. “Thank you for helping an old lady out.” I held it while she put in one arm after the other but when I settled it on her shoulders, I stepped in and held her there for a moment while I pressed myself against her so she could feel how I felt about 'old ladies'.Rochelle froze when she felt my cock, rigid in my slacks, pressed against her ass. I was unsure if I'd gone too far when she pushed ever so slightly against me.“I've got to be going. I will see you on Sunday but I'm home all weekend with one of my girlfriends in case you need me,” I informed her.I slipped out before she could respond because not only did I have a Sorority function to attend, I also needed to figure out where I could score some Viagra because I clearly had no common sense where sex was concerned. Besides, Sahara was obviously in need of attention because Pastor Bill wasn't giving it to her, and Bainbridge was lashing out due to years of sexual frustration, I repeat: I have no common sense.Every One Like a Fingerprint to MeWhen I was racing to get to the Kappa Sigma House, I hardly expected to be met by one of their pledges and absolutely no one else. After I sat down in the den and the pledge, Tina, got me a soda from the kitchen, we found ourselves staring at one another.“So, I'm here on the correct night; right?” I asked.“Yes, you are, Zane,” she bubbled with anticipation.“Where is everybody?” I prodded her.“They are taking care of Sorority business but they will come get us when they are ready,” she grinned. I knew I was missing something but I didn't know what it was.“Is it hot in here?” I wondered.“Yes,” Tina said after a bit of concentration.“Tina, can I have some Advil? I'm getting a headache,” I yawned.“Okay,” Tina responded, still happy, and still sitting down.“Ah, fuck, you drugged me, didn't you?” I groaned. I doubted I could still stand and then proved my doubts as I slid off the chair. “Damn,” I slurred. Tina walked over to me, took my drink away, and gently maneuvered my body to the floor.“If it is any consolation, I was selected as the pledge most likely to seduce you,” she stated with real sympathy. I might have smiled at her, I wasn't sure, but I definitely passed out.Cough! Someone plunged cleaning detergent underneath my nose and fired me back to consciousness. Holy Mother of God, I'm cold, my wrists and ankles hurt, I'm outdoors in the woods illuminated by torches and surrounded in a semi-circle of bare-footed figures in ankle long brown robes and black hoods.I was cold because I was naked and my limbs hurt because I was suspended on a cross, not a 'T' cross but an 'X' cross. I certainly know some kinky, fucked-up people.“Zane,” a modulated voice addressed me, “you are on trial before Kappa Sigma for your treatment of one of our sisters. You have abused the trust of one sister by seeking romantic relations with another. What do you have to say for yourself?”“If the question is that I had relations with Leigh, then had a similar encounter with Paris, then I confess. In my defense, I never sought to deceive either one and will make amends if permitted,” I promised.“Sisters, we have heard his defense. Will any of you vote in his behalf?” she intoned. No one stepped forward.“Zane, we will give you one chance to save yourself. If you fail, you will be shaved bald and painted in a permanent purple dye.” I assume that means seven days on Human skin. “If you can pick out the woman you have wronged, beg her forgiveness, and are forgiven, you will go free.” I was getting pretty nervous since they were all totally covered except for their toes when the 'leader' nodded and the girls all opened their robes to reveal string bikinis in a variety of colors.Their faces were still covered, though that wasn't really a problem for me anymore.“Choose Leigh and Paris, beg their forgiveness, and you may be pardoned,” the 'leader' commanded.“That's not fair,” I answered right back, “because they are not before me now.”“Think carefully,” the girl with the modulated voice cautioned me.“No, seriously; I'm looking at Josephine, Maria, Cynthia, Sarah, Ferrara, Petra, Yvette, Tawny, Jersey, and Monique,” I named them left to right.“What?” Sarah gasped to her assembled sisters. “Do we have name tags on?”Behind me, I heard snickers turn into giggles, Leigh and Paris. Tawny stepped forward.“How did you know?” she inquired, clearly not the girl with the modulated voice.“Ah, Josephine has a birthmark on her ankle, Maria has the darkest skin tone, and Cynthia's breasts don't angle down the middle or to the side but somewhere in the middle.”“Sarah has slender thighs and her calves curve just so below the knee; Ferrara always paints her nails in these crazy patterns; Petra scrapped her knee backpacking two weekends ago; Yvette, has that tattoo over her right nipple; Tawny, you have a slender neck, a, 38C chest, and a strong swell from your waist to your hips; Jersey is the tallest and has that scar she got in a boating accident in high school; and finally, Monique has the perkiest nipples and the most slender calves,” I recited.Man, even the crickets went quiet after that.“Zane, did anyone help you with this test?” Tawny finally asked.“Nope.”“How could they?” Leigh came to my defense. “You didn't make the line-up until thirty minutes ago.”“Jersey, go check his phone log,” Tawny directed her sister.“I'm getting really cold,” I whispered to Leigh. She looked from my eyes to my waist with sympathy. Jersey walked out of the light but quickly returned with my phone.“His last call was at 2:10 p.m. but he did have a data download at 6:45, it seems to be a bunch of women's names and phone numbers,” Jersey relayed the information to them.“It is my church group, I swear. Honestly, they are all married women in the Festivities Committee that bastard of a pastor assigned me to,” I pleaded.“No phone calls?” Tawny persisted.“No phone calls,” Jersey confirmed.“Okay, Zane, how did you know who we were with our faces concealed?” Tawny wondered.“Is that a serious question?” The deafening pause was its own answer. “You are women; I pay attention to women and to me, each female form is as exacting as a fingerprint. Until now I thought all of this was a joke,” I related. “I mean, if you wanted to scare me, you would have given me something difficult to figure out.”“And you picked all this up at one party?” Tawny sounded bewildered.“Have I mentioned how much I like women?” I reminded her.“But you brought twenty women with you; you always had a woman by your side. How?” Tawny still struggled to understand.“I repeat: have I mentioned how much I like women? I see nothing wrong with being with one woman and looking at others, but I believe it is wrong to be with one woman and thinking about someone else,” I explained. “You should always appreciate the one you are with.”“Um, does any sister believe Zane has earned a reprieve?”For two seconds no one reacted, then Jersey stepped forward.“He knew about my scar,” was her excuse. Five more stepped forward right after that and all had done so by the tenth second.“Very well Zane, you are forgiven,” Tawny announced. Yay, me! “But I have one other issue to address. Zane, I can't have you cutting a swath through my girls so I'm going to demand that you stick to one and only one Kappa Sigma per semester.” I stared at her until she finally had to question me. “What?”“I wish you would stop treating me like a child,” I chuckled.“What makes you think I'm not being serious?” Tawny growled.“We've kissed. You can tell a lot about a person in the way they kiss, and you are very caring and thoughtful,” I told her. “Why would I be out here in the woods naked if I didn't trust you?”“You kissed him!” yelped Leigh. Tawny smirked as she looked at her.“You left me alone with a naked Zane in your room; he looked cold and lonely,” she told Leigh. I was cold and lonely because Tawny tossed Leigh out of her own room and then wouldn't let me get dressed, but only Tawny, Christina, and I knew that.“Besides, Zane, you are naked in these woods because we tricked you into our house and spiked your drink,” Tawny pointed out.“Ah, but would I have been dumb enough to take that drink if I hadn't first trusted you enough to show up, wait, that didn't come out right,” I mumbled.“Are you agreeing to my terms?” Tawny teased.“Nope. I prefer to hold to the illusion I'm living in the Free World,” I declared. “You can certainly tell your sisters what to do because they volunteered for this but I only hang out here because all of you have been so nice to me. If I've been a poor guest, I'll just leave, because I'm not going to pretend I like one sister less than another.”“Zane, you are deep in the woods, tied to a cross, and the only people who know you are here are all bound by Sacred Oaths of Sisterhood, Blood, and Secrecy,” Tawny stated sweetly, as she came up and stroked my cheek. “You aren't in the best place to be dumping us.”“Good point,” I agreed defiantly. “Maybe I should wait to get on my high horse when I can actually get on a high horse, but I'm still not going to take it back.”“We could always keep him in our secret basement,” Monique suggested. When everyone looked at her she added, “Hey, he liked my nipples. Finding a guy who is good with nipples isn't as easy as you would think.” Huh, what? I had a definite feeling I was losing control of events.“You have a secret basement?” I gulped. “I didn't know you had a secret basement.”“Well, duh,” Paris snickered. “It wouldn't be much of a secret if you knew about it.”“We are not keeping Zane chained up for our amusement,” Tawny warned the girls. “We specifically changed the Charter back in '02 so that we can no longer keep men on the premises for more than forty-eight hours.” Yay?“We also can't leave him here,” Tawny continued. “I'm sure Christina will have search parties out looking for you before sunrise.”“I'll stay out here and stand guard over him,” Leigh volunteered.“No,” Tawny scolded Leigh. “We can't let him get fucked to death either.” Leigh looked truly heartbroken.“I think we have to let Zane get off this time,” Tawny sighed.“I was trying to get him off,” Leigh grumbled.“Give it a rest, Leigh,” Tawny demanded. “Paris, give our guest something to drink so we can wrap this up.” Paris disappeared behind me, then reappeared with a glass of water.“Drink up,” she smiled beatifically.“Just promise me I'm not going to wake up in some landfill or tied to a lamppost somewhere public,” I groaned.“Drink it down right now and you might wake up next to me,” Tawny challenged. Needless to say, I drank and quickly, because I'm an idiot who keeps too much blood in the wrong head.When I woke up, I was back in the Sorority house with a different sweet pledge smiling at me and that smell of ammonia in my nostrils. She handed me a folded piece of paper.I said 'you MIGHT wake up next to me' the paper read. 'P.S. See you and the Ladies at our Halloween Bash.'“What's your name?” I asked the pledge. This time the home was filled with the noises of occupancy.“Larissa,” she giggled. “So, are you Leigh's boyfriend?”“Ah, no; I'm community property; the other sisters hand me around like a box of chocolates,” I joked.“Really! That is so great,” she bubbled with excitement. “I can't wait until I get initiated. I want you to make me scream the way you had Leigh singing.” Does no one get my jokes?“Larissa, I am sure you will pass your initiation, no sweat,” I told her as I stood up, feeling a bit drunk. Larissa walked with me to the door and gave me a quick peck on the cheek as I turned to head for my car. I made it to campus with seconds to spare. The crawl up to the Solarium was done in relative quiet, though Barbie Lynn decided to sample my tonsils before letting me up.Not two steps inside the door my phone rang.“Hello, is this Zane Braxton?” this familiar voice greeted me.“That would be me. What can I do for you this night?” I responded.“This is Felicity Tolliver. I wanted you to know that I had dinner with Rochelle Wellington tonight and I think having you on her committee has really improved her mood,” she informed me.I reached the top of the landing and nearly dropped the phone. Iona sat nervously on my bed, which she had made up because I never do it that well. She was wearing lingerie that definitely made her whole form much more feminine.“Felicity, Rochelle and I talked mostly, plus I showed her some techniques to help alleviate stress,” I related, “but you can tell her it was a pleasure to work with such a vibrant and beautiful woman. You two are a lot alike.”There was a pause, then,“I'll tell her that,” Felicity said.“I will be at my home in case she needs something this weekend. I would like to see both of you, as would my Aunt,” I offered.“That would be nice,” she sounded upbeat.“We could also discuss getting some FFU girls coming over to your place and the workshops you could teach on campus in October and November,” I suggested.“That sounds great too,” Felicity agreed. “I would like to spend some time at FFU and having some girls know where Lance's house is would be nice. When do you want to meet?”“How about after dinner, say 8 o'clock?” I suggested. “You can bring Lance.”“After dinner is fine but Lance has a church workshop on Saturday nights,” Felicity sighed. Oh hell, does this woman even get taken to first base? “He's always so busy with his fraternity at school, the Young Christian Men's Republican caucus, and the Christian Men's League at church.” Does this guy spend any time with women at all?“Consider it a date,” I replied. “Now I have a very good reason to go to bed, so good night.”“Good night,” she parted in a friendly manner, which allowed me to hang up and start undressing as I approached the bed. I looked down at my bed buddy once I'd stripped down to nothing.“You look lovely, Iona,” I greeted her. “What do you want to do?”“I'll do whatever you want,” Iona said with a tremor in her voice, looking down at her lap. She looked stunning in her burgundy bra and panties, which were far more lace than substance. I felt the hand of, Christina (?) in all this.“Thank you, Iona. What I really want is to lie down, you beside me so that I can look into your eyes and gently trace lines along your body, and then I want to go to sleep with you in my arms. That's what I really want.”“Really?” she perked up in surprise and relief. I crawled under the covers, holding them open so she could join me.“I like this a lot,” she murmured, as she settled in at my side, snug in the covers. I shifted to my side and cupped her chin before exchanging several soft kisses with her. Afterwards, I did as I told her I would; my hand caressed her body, avoiding nipples and pussy but doing my best to get everywhere else. I elicited sensual moans and ticklish giggles.When I had forced her to push me off so she could catch her breath, I felt I had given Iona what she wanted, and more importantly, what she could live with. I sat back and stared at the Moon through my glass roof. Iona's smiling face slowly invaded my view.“I give up, Iona,” I pleaded. “Right now I want some sleep.”“That's okay. I will sit here and watch over you,” she sighed.“That's, that's a little creepy, actually,” I confessed.“I've watched all of the Twilight movies so I know what secretive romances are all about,” Iona explained.Unfortunately, I knew little of the Twilight series of movies. I knew it involved vampires and werewolves and some chick named Bella but I'd never actually seen any of that. Had I known it involved a 100-year-old vampire breaking into some teenager's room and staring down at her while she slept, I would have been much more concerned, but for now I went to sleep.A lesson in wh

Ever wondered if Facebook groups really can help you grow your business?

In this episode, Demi places Daniella in the hot seat to chat about her favourite thing in the world - the MENSTRUAL CYCLE. As a budding Cycle Coach, Daniella is passionate about breaking taboos and normalizing the conversation around the experience of the monthly cycles. We are so excited to be speaking about this, there needs to be more awareness of the power we hold within and the way we can support our body when it communicates with us. As cyclical beings, the first step in supporting the self is always acknowledging our unique and individual experiences. By the end of this 2 part episode, we can guarantee you will walk away with a spark of curiosity and a new fun fact or two to take away. SPECIAL NOTES: > "Inner Seasons" is a term that originated from Alexandra Pope > Code Red by Lisa Lister > Cycles of Belonging by Stella Tomlinson > 50 things you need to know about periods by Claire Baker > Tea Ritual breakdown with Daniella Elias: https://youtu.be/h4M1hGz65uY?si=_x24kkNGvsTsChla >Charting your cycle blog post by Daniella Elias: https://www.daniellaelias.com/self-soul-blog-1/chartingandtrackingyourcycle > Daniellas Womb Wisdom container: https://www.daniellaelias.com/womb-wisdom-container Want to connect? Say hi here:@alignedandunfilteredpodcast@thedaniellaelias@guidedbydemi@thesoulcollectiveness *Intro & Outro song credits: The Adventure Begins by Lunareh #menstruation #period #menstruationmatters #innerseasons #seasonsandcycles #cyclicalbeings #knowyourflow #periodpower#gowiththeflow #innerguidance #innerwisdom #menstrual #periodpositive #restandrecovery

PART TWO: In this episode, Demi places Daniella in the hot seat to chat about her favourite thing in the world - the MENSTRUAL CYCLE. As a budding Cycle Coach, Daniella is passionate about breaking taboos and normalising the conversation around the experience of the monthly cycles. We are so excited to be speaking about this, there needs to be more awareness of the power we hold within and the way we can support our body when it communicates with us. As cyclical beings, the first step in supporting the self is always acknowledging our unique and individual experiences. By the end of this 2 part episode, we can guarantee you will walk away with a spark of curiosity and a new fun fact or two to take away. SPECIAL NOTES: > "Inner Seasons" is a term that originated from Alexandra Pope > Code Red by Lisa Lister > Cycles of Belonging by Stella Tomlinson > 50 things you need to know about periods by Claire Baker > Tea Ritual breakdown with Daniella Elias: https://youtu.be/h4M1hGz65uY?si=_x24kkNGvsTsChla >Charting your cycle blog post by Daniella Elias: https://www.daniellaelias.com/self-soul-blog-1/chartingandtrackingyourcycle > Daniellas Womb Wisdom container: https://www.daniellaelias.com/womb-wisdom-container Want to connect? Say hi here:⁠ @alignedandunfilteredpodcast⁠⁠ @thedaniellaelias⁠⁠ @guidedbydemi⁠⁠ @thesoulcollectiveness⁠ *Intro & Outro song credits: The Adventure Begins by Lunareh #menstruation #period #menstruationmatters #innerseasons #seasonsandcycles #cyclicalbeings #knowyourflow #periodpower#gowiththeflow #innerguidance #innerwisdom #menstrual #periodpositive #restandrecovery

This week we're talking all things periods, and how to live in alignment with the different phases of your menstrual cycle! We're chatting with the incredible Claire Baker, Founder of Cycle Coach School and author of "50 things you need to know about periods".  In this episode we discuss what the menstrual cycle is, and what different phases we experience hormonally each month. Claire tells us about some of the best ways to live in alignment with these phases and the natural cycles of your body. We also discuss how to talk about periods with our children, and how to raise girls who feel comfortable with their menstrual cycle without attaching any shame to it.  Claire Baker is a women's coach, menstrual cycle awareness educator, author & natural fertility teacher. To learn more about Claire, or purchase her book, follow the links below:Claire's Instagram: @_clairebaker_ and @cyclecoachschoolWebsite: https://www.clairebaker.com/Book: https://www.clairebaker.com/bookThis week's sponsor:  This week is sponsored by Olivia Jean, an Australian stylish fashion label providing stylish and versatile handbags.  Each Olivia Jean bag is made from neoprene and are....wait for it...... machine washable!! Forget dirty kids hand prints on your bags, bags filled with cracker crumbs, yoghurt stains and dirty wet wipes can all be gone in a quick wash and your perfect accessory will look brand new again.  Each bag is super stylish, lightweight and also waterproof you can even purchase a separate insert for larger bags if you want additional pockets, turning any stylish bag you wish into a nappy bag and then back into a weekender bag by simply removing the pocket insert.  To check out the Olivia Jean range and purchase your own bag and be on your way to feeling like the ultimate style icon mum head to oliviajean.com.au and use the code BABYBRAIN for 20% off or check them out on instagram @byoliviajean  If you want to keep up to date with all things Baby Brain, make sure to follow us on socials:Instagram: @babybrain.podcast Tiktok: @babybrainpodcastFacebook: Baby Brain PodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Claire Baker released her first book, and went into a hyper-productive mode, galvanised by the new world we were all suddenly pushed into. At the end of 2020 she was depleted, suffering from critic attacks and her ambition completely dissolved. It's only now in early 2023 that her creative energy is returning. In our conversation today we speak about the many ways that intimacy with our cycles manage our creative flow, our energy levels, our sense of confidence and purpose and our overall health. We explore:How cycle awareness helps us to hold the tension during phases of creative ‘wintering', and the deep value of fallow times.The reluctant, bittersweet gratitude both Claire and Sophie feel about the learnings they've received from chronic illness, and burnout, and how it's preparing them for the inevitable changes to come as they head towards menopause, and boosting their inner reserves in readiness. How we can work with inner autumn and inner spring to manage our inner critic and make more space to play and mess up. ---Receive our free video training: Love Your Cycle, Discover the Power of Menstrual Cycle Awareness to Revolutionise Your Life - www.redschool.net/love---The Menstruality Podcast is hosted by Red School. We love hearing from you. To contact us, email info@redschool.net---Social media:Red School: @redschool - https://www.instagram.com/red.schoolSophie Jane Hardy: @sophie.jane.hardy - https://www.instagram.com/sophie.jane.hardyClaire Baker: @_clairebaker_ - https://www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_/

For the last episode of season 6 of Period Story podcast, I'm so thrilled to share my conversation with Claire Baker, the period coach, speaker and author of the book 50 Things You Need To Know About Periods. Claire is a force in the menstrual health community, spreading the message that having a menstrual cycle can be a beautiful thing that can help you know get to know yourself better. In this episode, Claire shares: Why she didn't tell anyone when her period started Her second menarcheWhat #adoreyourcycle really means How she became a menstrual cycle coach How menstrual cycle awareness can help you show up to your life as the full spectrum version of yourself in every phaseHer recommendations for understanding and charting your menstrual cycle Claire says that having a menstrual cycle is a gift and that your menstrual cycle can be your ally. Thank you, Claire!Get in touch with Claire:WebsiteInstagramA transcript is available on www.periodstorypod.comGet in touch with us:Tweet and IG @periodstorypodEmail periodstorypod@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Authentic Sex the tables are turned and Juliet is interviewed by Claire Baker about postpartum sex, what to do when our libido drops after birthing our baby, what to do when our period returns after birth, honouring our bleed as mothers, how to navigate relationship dynamics when both people are primarily in their masculine energy, what it's like to have two children and run a business, spirit babies, mismatched libido ... plus so much more. This episode is ideal for new parents, especially Mums, or Mums-to-be, who want to learn more about how to embrace the full range of experiences that womanhood and motherhood has to offer, whilst also enjoying intimacy and connection.

A Gluten Free Podcast Episode 46 My guest on today's podcast is Senior Director of Communications at Beyond Celiac, Claire Baker. We'll talk about Claire's coeliac diagnosis, Beyond Celiac's mission of working towards a treatment and eventual cure for coeliac disease by 2030 and what current research and studies they are involved with. What we'll cover: * Claire's coeliac diagnosis * Gluten free labelling laws in the US * Background of Beyond Celiac & its mission * Current research and studies being conducted at Beyond Celiac * What a treatment or cure would look like for coeliac disease LinksBeyond Celiac website Follow Beyond Celiac on Instagram Get in touchYou can find me on Instagram @a.gffamily or send an email to aglutenfreefamily@gmail.com You can also find me writing a regular column for The Australian Coeliac magazine under the title 'Gluten Free Dad' released quarterly for Coeliac Australia members.DisclaimerThe content on this podcast is not a substitution for professional medical advice. It is the opinion and experience of the show host and guests. Please seek professional medical advice from a medically qualified professional before making any decisions about your health or diet.

This episode doesn't mess around. The girls dive straight into the complexities of reconciling religion with menstruality, and how working more closely with their cycles has taught them to embrace both darkness and light.They also agree on how comforting and much needed they find the presence of the divine masculine.They have fun talking about how cycle awareness plays a part in their relationships and the importance of allowing our inner weirdo to come out to play.The chat then comes full circle as Claire talks about her desire to call in more masculine beings into this space and how she dreams of inspiring them to embrace their own cyclical nature.Thank you for listening, if you would like to connect with us please use the links below:Nat's IG: https://www.instagram.com/natalie.kmartin/Nat's website: https://www.nataliekmartin.comG's IG: https://www.instagram.com/hormones_in_harmony/G's website https://www.hormonesinharmony.co.ukClaire's IG: https://www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_/Claire's website: https://www.clairebaker.com

Ever wondered what it's like to explore bisexuality and Tantra? Want to know why our libido changes throughout our cycle? Juliet discusses all this and so much more with menstrual cycle coach and natural fertility teacher, Claire Baker. This episode is jam-packed full of great conversations about exploring sex with other women, navigating the possibility of opening a monogamous relationship, menstrual cycle awareness, redefining period sex, exploring Tantra for the first time, and how to support your partner to understand the seasons of your cycle, plus so much more! www.juliet-allen.com

Heaven & Mercy callude (part 10)A Spring Break 13-part Novel.Can Zane go 24 hours without sex?By FinalStand. The player above contains the intro section. Listen to the complete episode by clicking here, at Steamy Stories. *Anyone can be who they want to be; the challenge is being who you need to be*My journey to the Dining Hall this Wednesday was enlivened by carrying, bridal style, a sophomore named Courtney while playing out a scene from Tristan and Isolde. I had Rhaine, Joy, and Mercy as escorts/minders, but Rhaine was now defining her responsibility as keeping me from misbehaving, not stopping me, and the other students from having fun.Tristan and Isolde was some kind of chick-flick taken from a Wagnerian play so technically it wasn't on the ‘banned' list. With me was the added bonus that it wasn't homo-erotic (being a guy in a romantic relationship with a girl, in the play) and that I could actually carry Isolde in my arms.A larger than normal crowd had gathered for my dutiful performance and while I generally received rave reviews, I did catch a few girls talking about redoing the skit with a Sampson and Delilah theme. I pledged to avoid girls with shears like the plague. We bunched up around one of the entrances to the Dining Hall as I finished our script and carefully placed her back on her feet.Among the scattering of applause and the press of bodies, I felt Mercy stumble into me. Her eyes were wide, her mouth open in surprise, and her breathing was coming in ragged gasps. My answer came when I looked over her shoulder and saw Rio, looking very casual but pumping her arm rapidly against Mercy's back.When we got into the food line, Rio smirked and began sucking her forefinger which was sticky and slick.“Seriously, in the middle of the crowd? You just couldn't resist?” I teased her.“Next I'm sticking in the butt plug,” she whispered in a conspiratorial manner. “I have it in my book bag and I'm jumping her after BA. Do you want to help?”“I'd rather face dismemberment than break Iona's schedule,” I sighed quietly.“Some He-Man you are,” she giggled. “You'll go five rounds with Gorman but Iona has you pussy-whipped.”“If I have to go, I could hardly pick a better woman,” I responded, and wrapped an arm around Iona's waist and rested my hand on her hip.“Yes, Zane?” Iona looked up at me with an exotic combination of innocence and genius.“Rio reminded me how lucky we are to have you with us,” was my answer.“Oh, that's nice,” Iona beamed up at me. “I thought it had something to do with Rio putting her hand under Mercy Chaplain's skirt.” I chuckled and Rio grumbled.“I have glasses,” Iona stated, “I'm not blind.”“Did anyone else notice?” I inquired.“No. I think Rio was pretty smooth, but if experience has taught me anything, it is Rio who is going to be the troublemaker, not you, Zane,” Iona stated calmly. “I was paying attention to her.”“Oh, Cordelia wanted to know if you could come by the Science Club today around two-thirty and help us with a little problem we are having,” Iona inquired.“What's the problem?” I asked.“Why didn't Cordy ask him herself?” Rio questioned.“I don't know the answer to either of those questions,” Iona admitted.“It is illegal, illicit, and off the record,” Rio pronounced.“No, it is not,” Iona battled back.“Trust me, I've done my share of things I didn't want the authorities to know about and this stinks of that kind of stunt,” Rio explained.“I'll be with Zane; nothing will happen. Besides, we are the Science Club, not an international criminal syndicate,” Iona told Rio.“I'll be okay,” I promised Rio. On the other hand, the Science Club wasn't all flowers, bells, and puppy dog tails.They hacked the school's computer systems, had illegal internet hook-ups, and were re-wiring a dorm floor for my personal pleasure, and Rio's criminal instincts were more often right than wrong. We were able to get our seats and enjoy most of breakfast before Iona nudged me.“Don't you ever answer your messages?” Iona inquired.“I have them all automatically forwarded to you,” I countered. “It seemed like the sanest thing to do.”“But you don't even know what's going on in your life,” she worried.“Darling, I have you to keep me from falling off the face of the Earth. I trust you to keep me on an even keel. Besides, someone hacked my phone yesterday so I'm not sure how safe I would be without you,” I enlightened her.“Someone hacked your phone?” Iona gasped. “Any idea who?”“Cordelia; she put herself at the top of my Handmaiden's list. I didn't mind, but the fact that she did it means it could be done,” I told her. Iona shot an angry glare in Cordelia's direction.“Don't worry about it, Iona,” Rio joked. “Have you known anyone to mess with Zane and not pay for it eventually?”“That doesn't mean I like it,” Iona kept glaring. I tapped her shoulder, then led her gaze to me by tugging on her jaw.“Let it go. In the social hierarchy, we are freshmen, despite any accomplishments. Trust me, I know: There are some fights you don't get into until you are ready. Cordelia likes you because you are useful but don't try her patience too far or she'll break you.”“I don't like it. This is high school all over again,” Iona grumbled.“The major difference,” Rio pointed out, “you have a sick psycho like me and a stud like Zane who have your back. We've left you alone once and that was only in hopes you would get out from under the hammer that was falling on us.”“Oh, we were told about your conversation with the Chancellor. I liked what you said,” I told her thoughtfully, “but I believe Rio and I could have done it better.”“Who would you have quoted?” wondered Iona. I exchanged a fanatical look with Rio.“THIS is SPARTA!” we shouted in unison, “and then we would have kicked her desk out the window,” I added.Iona sighed, looked down at her tray, and grinned while half the dining hall gazed our way.“You two are nuts,” she chuckled.“Ninja Urban Terrorists,” Rio and I declared together, “that's us.” The rest of breakfast passed without incident or too much Humor.It is not the Distance; It is the Weight on your BackGetting out looked to be a bit less friendly as Rhaine, Joy and Mercy added two other girls to their entourage.“Zane, Rio, Iona, we have a duty for you,” Rhaine announced. “You will carry our books, on your knees, and on the sidewalk.”“Well, Kemosabe, do we ignore them or kick their asses?” Rio looked to me. “Man, here I am without my hate-mallet too.”“I'm going for benign indifference,” I informed Rio. “Rhaine, we already have an assigned Handmaiden duty and we are not required to partake of any task that would result in our physical harm.”“We let Christina get away with it because we were isolated and new, but that's not the case anymore,” I explained. “You break the rules and we'll defend ourselves.”“Then we are taking you to the Chancellor's office,” Rhaine declared loudly. At this time my two buddies were despairing over the lack of appearance by our allies but I tend to have more faith in the fairness of Human nature.“Civil disobedience,” I advised Iona. To Rio, I explained, “Make yourself dead weight.” Rhaine's Traditionalists came forward and we three fell to the ground.“Get up,” Joy demanded of Rio.“Nope, not going to happen,” she gleefully shot back. Joy gave Rio a strong nudge with the foot.“What are you doing?” a cold calm voice pierced the setting. It was Coach Dana Gorman.“I, what, we are doing what Rhaine told us to do,” Joy stammered.“Kicking a student is grounds for dismissal,” Dana informed Joy. “Physical violence is only acceptable in self-defense, and only when withdrawal is not an option.”“Coach Gorman, we were told, ” Rhaine began.“Ms. Ritchie, the Board of Directors can alter the Handbook whenever they wish, and if they ever say that bludgeoning another student merely because they disagree with you is permissible, I'll be sure to let you know.”“Yes, Mam,” Rhaine gulped.“You three, stop loafing about and get to class” Gorman addressed us. “We can all hope you flunk out your first semester, but until you do, I am required to make sure you are in your classes at the appointed time. Now go!” she grumbled to Rio, Iona and I.“Yes, Mam,” Iona and I said as we stood up once more. Rio merely growled. We quickly parted Rhaine and company, then headed to class. Soon enough, Christina and her crowd appeared around us.“What tree were you bitches hiding behind?” Rio griped. That did not get her a pleasant response.“Rio, they were always with us,” I said, putting a hand on Rio's shoulder. “They also sent people to get Coach Gorman and others to get Ms. Goodswell in case things went bad. Cappadocia and Wilhelmina were rounding up the troops in case Rhaine tried to force us. By keeping the field clear of obvious forces, we resolved this fight in a way that didn't make us look bad.”“You got all that while talking to Rhaine and watching every sane FFU girl running away from us?” Rio gawked.“If an ally betrays you, they will stand by and watch. If you don't see them, assume they are fighting elsewhere on your behalf, or so the saying goes,” I related.“That sounds like dark matter, you know it is there because you can't see it,” Iona nodded, “but you see its effects.”“Essentially,” Christina remarked.“I'd like to know one thing,” Faith inquired: “Have you slept with Coach Gorman too? She seems to have joined our side very suddenly.”“She's not on our side and she's not our friend, but I did outline how this fight would work. If they break the rules, we break the rules, and chaos ensues. If the Coach keeps things fair, Rio and I will go down by our own faults or succeed on our merits, Christina will still beat Rhaine, and this year might not suck so much for the average student, freshmen included,” I said.“How do you jibe following the rules with having a different girl in your bed every night?” Hope taunted me with a hint of seduction. Heaven looked equal parts embarrassed and sensually hungry.“I don't believe he has a woman in his bed every night,” Christina corrected.“Expecting Zane to sleep alone is like putting a lion among your sheep and expecting to eat lamb next season; theoretically possible, but it goes against his nature,” Hope laughed.“I have not had a woman in my bed every night,” I sniffed indignantly.“Yeah,” Rio rallied to my defense, “there was that night you barred Barbie Lynn and, actually, I think that was the only night, though he didn't sex me up that first night on campus.”“I think it is safe to say that the female student body has made good use of Zane's time here amongst us,” Chastity noted, as she lightly slapped my shoulder.“Well, in case anyone cares, I'm going to a church function tonight and stopping by the Kappa Sigma house on the way back. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish up some Biology reading and go to bed early,” I declared.“And if you find a girl in your bed when you get in?” Hope teased.“He'll assume it is a day ending in ‘y',” Iona snickered.“Et tu, Iona?” Christina stated loftily.“In that case, please spread the word,” I muttered darkly. “I'm coming home and stealing Iona away to my lair for some much needed discipline and loyalty reinforcement.” Iona remained still while the other girls looked around.“Seriously?” Faith wondered.“I play around a lot but never with Iona,” I explained. “If she doesn't lock her door, she's mine.”“Iona, I'll help you barricade the door,” Heaven offered. Iona didn't say anything but the look she shot Heaven clearly stated 'don't you dare!'The Research Partnership“Zane?” Virginia Goodswell requested my attention as I approached my English class.“Hey, Teach, I'm ready to have my head stuffed with learning,” I grinned.“That's good, because we are choosing Authors and Works today, along with project partners,” Virginia instructed.“So, Ms. Goodswell, who is my boy Zane partnered up with? Or is there going to be a Thunder Dome match to figure that out?” Rio beamed with failed innocence.“Ms. Talon,” my teacher sighed, “it is a volunteer process, and I'm not sure any girl in my class wants to work with Mr. Braxton.”“Zane, when the feeding frenzy begins, jump for the ceiling lights,” Chastity joked with me. At least I hoped she was joking. The ladies wished me luck and we parted ways. After taking our assigned seats, Virginia went over our latest lessons and then introduced us to our semester project. The first thing to decide was the partnerships.“Before we partner up,” Virginia asked the class, “would any of you consider teaming up with Zane Braxton to get this done? Hands please.” Multiple hands flew up. Virginia looked over the class, nodded, and said, “Thank you.” She looked it over, “Raven, Barbara, and Céline, each of you give me the reason why you don't want to work with Zane.”Ms. Goodswell had chosen the three girls who hadn't raised their hands. Barbara and Celine didn't want to work with me because they were afraid I would rape them the moment we were alone, “sigh”. Raven's answer was that she was afraid that my lack of a structured education would make the paper more difficult.Raven Thorpe was awarded the 'honor' of working with me, a designation she groaned over, and other girls glared at her with jealousy. After class she attempted to shoulder past me but I tapped her arm.“Can we talk for a second?” I inquired.“Don't you have to scurry off and take care of your schedule?” she replied blandly.“Can you stop being a bitch for fifteen seconds so we can figure out which author we can work on?” I snapped angrily. She pulled up short as if she expects to be pimp-slapped next.“Okay, who do you have in mind?” she requested. “And if you say William Shakespeare, I am going to smack you with my book bag.”“I was thinking the political works of Edmund Burke,” I suggested. Raven blinked.“Seriously, I didn't think you even knew who Edmund Burke was, much less that he was the father of modern conservatism,” Raven congratulated me. It was almost like she wanted to pat me on the head and give me a doggy bone.“I was thinking of concentrating more on his works during the American Revolution, but if that's what you are more comfortable with, we could cover his later period works instead,” I offered.“Good point, Zane. Let's talk it over during lunch,” Raven suggested.“Zane,” summoned a female voice from outside the classroom.“Go on,” Raven smirked, “enjoy your disproportionate level of abuse.”“You act like I have any choice in the matter,” I shrugged.It was of little consolation that Raven made it ten more feet from the door when she got snatched up too. This time out, my mistress got to point to a feature on her body and I had to give it a flattering description, I know, my life is utter hell.I had no idea where the Science Club met; I even began to get the sinking feeling they carefully controlled any information about themselves, sort of like a secret society, or the CIA.Paige & the Science Club“Hello, I'm Paige,” spoke this girl, who apparently materialized out of the ether. I'm not paranoid; I've spent the past two years in a region where you have to be alert because Tigers are common and I say this girl freaking ghosted me, Man.“I'm with the Science Club. You will come with me right now,” she smiled like said predator cat trying to disguise herself as a white rabbit.“You are albino,” I noted. She had long white hair, alabaster skin, and a red shadow to her eyes. She was also the only girl to date I'd seen with the dark blue jacket that was part of our winter uniform. She also had a jaunty blue hat and white stockings instead of socks.“You have eyes,” she rolled hers, “now come along.” I started to follow her.“So what is this meeting about?” I asked.“It isn't a meeting; we require you for something,” she replied.“What is it?” I became more cautious.“It is a surprise,” she mocked me. “Stop wasting my time and come along.”“Cool, I'm out of here.” I grinned, turned, and left. Paige staggered and seemed unable to grasp my departure.“Where are you going?” she snapped tartly.“To Archery Club,” I replied, while still walking away.“But, but you said you would come,” she stuttered.“Am I a person? Are you?”“Yes and yes,” she replied with irritation.“Are you an idiot or a child? Because those are the only reasons to forgive your spoiled behavior,” I turned and said. Paige glared. “So you assume you are smarter than me and can be rude to someone who is doing you a favor.”“We are the ones doing you a favor,” Paige snapped back. “Now we want you to repay us.”“Did you discuss payment when you did me the favor of rewiring my room? No? Good, because if you had, I would clearly be suffering a form of amnesia,” I gave back. “If you want something, you can ask as a friend or you can offer me something that makes it worth my while. Now go back to Cordelia and tell her you have returned alone because you were so much smarter than me. If you could only 'speak friend', ” I continued walking away.“Wait,” Paige called out nervously. “I, I, ” and I could almost hear the wheels turning. “Speak friend and enter.” I stopped in midstride.“So you read through my school records and know my top ten influences,” I turned and responded. We stared at each other for almost a minute until she finally gave up and put on her sunglasses. I retraced my steps back to her.“Favorite member of the Fellowship?” I tested her.“Legolas,” she responded. I scoffed and she had the Human decency to look embarrassed.“Ha,” I scoffed again. “Horny girls go for the elf; the marrying kind goes for Aragorn.”“Who is yours, then, wise guy?” she volleyed.“Boromir,” I declared my allegiance.“Ah, of course; the veteran warrior in a doomed struggle; he forsakes his honor only to redeem it in a hopeless fight, perishing in the arms of his brothers,” Paige retorted. “I thought you would have gone for Aragorn, the Uncrowned King.”“Hum,” I winced, “my second choice was actually Frodo but that would have sounded gay.”“You can't be gay; you are not clever enough to conceal that,” she stated.“See, now you are sounding like Saruman the White,” I teased.“Let me guess: because I'm an albino,” she grumbled.“You are an albino? I was talking about your facial hair and that arrogant, know-it-all vibe you've got going on,” I joked. Paige stared at me, suddenly speechless, finally taping her chin.“At least you didn't call me Gollum,” she admitted.“Nah; too much hair and not enough skin slime,” I explained as I ran the back of one finger over her cheek. She flinched slightly.“Are you going to, please, come with me now?” she asked much more politely.“Are you going to have sex with me?” I grinned.“WHAT!?!?” she squawked.“Just joshing you,” I smiled. “You are far too pretty to be interested in me. Let's go.”I'd clearly unsettled her because she didn't say another word to me until we were going downstairs in the Clegger Science Building.“Do you really think I'm pretty?” she asked as we finished the last set of stairs.“I must confess I find most women attractive, but you are far prettier than most,” I replied.“Do you still want to have sex with me?” she said in a casual voice. I took her hand and placed it on my heart. “Hah,” she snorted, “I get it; your heart is beating so yes, you want to have sex with me.”“I was going to say that a steady heartbeat indicated I was telling the truth, but someone keeps insisting they are smarter than me,” I teased her. Am I really asking for another sex partner? What's wrong with me?Her reaction wasn't what I expected it to be and then I realized that she still had something over on me, the reason for me being here. Bitch. She opened a door into a dark room and ushered me in. There appeared to be about ten ladies in the room, playing with a variety of electronics.“Delivered as promised,” Paige called out.“What did he hit you with?” a short caramel-skinned girl inquired.“Fellowship of the Ring,” Paige grinned. Mother-fuckers!“Did he offer to have sex with you?” Cordelia asked playfully.“Yes. And not only gave me a 'pretty' but also a 'far prettier'.” Paige gave me a smug look.“Ha, ha, ha,” I muttered. Idiot me forgot that psychology is also a science, and the reason we don't have a chess club at FFU was also evident; the Science Club devoured them.“Come on, Zane,” Cordelia batted her full lashes at me. “We need a little favor and it won't take fifteen minutes.”“Couldn't you simply coerce me into doing this?” I stated. “I'm sure this whole rigmarole of making me think I'm doing you a favor has to be making things more difficult.”“We are all friends here,” Cordelia smiled.“No, if we were all friends here, Iona would be at my side,” I scolded her. “I admit you did a great scam getting me in this room, but you aren't nearly as good at lying to my face as you think you are.”“Iona, ” Paige started to say.“Don't!” Cordelia snapped, then took a deep breath. “If you threaten Iona he will hit you, no,” she corrected, “He'll hit me,” Cordelia reasoned out.“There are eleven of us,” another girl, Pandora Jaspers, stated, somewhat angry and confident.“I've seen him fight, Pandora. I saw him drop Mercy Chaplain. I've seen him fight Cappadocia Davis and Coach Gorman too,” Cordelia said coolly as we stared at one another. “Unless we curl up in a ball on the ground, he'll beat us down. We'll hurt him, but Zane can take more pain than we can because he cares about her.”“On that note, I'm gone again. Good going Paige; I'm sure you can think of something to make your sisters understand,” I shrugged and moved for the door.“Zane, I need you to strip down and let us attach a series of video and biometric sensors so we can create a 'Virtual Zane' for a little project we are working on,” Cordelia blurted out.I had to think hard about this; not because I didn't want to do it but because I had to figure if this was an honest play or another convoluted turn of the screws. I turned and looked at Cordelia.“There was no way in hell you ever thought I was a professor and you miraculously materialized outside my first class with the knowledge I was actually a freshman, damn, Cordelia, can't you just ask for stuff?” I berated her.“If you ask, you depend on another to get what you want; if you deceive, you win or lose on your own abilities,” she shrugged. “Besides, I did ask you to kiss me; remember?”“Good enough; where do you want me to stand?” I responded.“Wait,” Paige gawked. “Now he is doing it.”“Alright ladies,” one girl grinned. “Everyone pay up. I told you we should simply ask him.”With that, I stepped over to a table and began stripping. Slowly the girls around me stopped what they were doing and openly ogled me. I guess the real me was better than the video.“Aren't you curious about what we are going to do?” Pandora inquired.“You are probably going to tell me that I'm posing naked because it is easier to dress an 'uncluttered' form, or something to that effect, but really, I like Cordelia and Iona is one of my two best friends,” I mulled it over. “Besides, in case you missed it, I've seen all your faces.”Once they took that bit of news in, things went along smoothly, though they had some debate amongst themselves on whether my cock needed its own 'reference point', a sensor attached.The amusing thing was, when the girl running the computer imaging asked me to keep my penis still, I had to reply that certain reactions weren't under my control, which caused a rather awkward moment. When I was finally finished there was another quiet interlude as I got dressed.“So,” Cordelia wondered, rocking back and forth on her feet, “if we need more, data, could we get you to come back?”“Sure,” I smiled back, “you know where I live, and you certainly know what my digits are. Cordelia, I want you to consider that if something happens in my room that ends up on the web that betrays the trust people have put in me, I'm not going to come after all of you looking for excuses. Are we clear?”“Is that a threat, Zane?” Cordelia beamed playfully.“Cordelia, I'm always one step away from being tossed out of here on my ass, so those who chose to trust me and take up my cause are doing it because they are decent folk. I'm not like most people; I can't afford to toss friends away like most of the rest of the people in this room seem to be comfortable with.”“Or what,” Paige smirked, “you'll beat us up?”“No, Paige. I value trust, so if you take that away from me, I'll find out what you value and take that away from you,” I stared at her intently.“I know what you are going to say, Paige,” Cordelia jumped in, “and Zane being expelled will only mean that he has no other distractions from dealing with us and he'll still have people inside the school all too willing to help him.”“Zane, how about if something is done, we give you an off switch for various sections?” Cordelia offered.“Sounds great; let me know how the project works out, but now I have to go to Archery,” I replied, before slipping out the door.“How did he know we were going to wire his room?” I overheard Paige whisper to Cordelia.“You don't seriously think he came here solely because we tricked him, do you?” Cordelia answered. “He knew we would try something and he wanted us to know that he knew.” Yes, I had bumbled into the message I'd wanted to get across despite myself.Does Anyone Want Me Here?I had escaped school with a double date for Thursday Night (Chastity and Hope), then stopped by the house to plead with Aunt Jill to let Rio stay for the weekend. I gave a rational case, a compassionate reason, and then fell down on my knees and told her I really, really, really wanted her to stay. Something in that last argument made Jill relent and I phoned the good news to Rio.All that groveling resulted in me making the Festivities Committee Meeting by only two minutes. I swept into the room abruptly and as the story of my life goes, everyone stopped talking and looked at me. A quick scan of the room told me that two of the eight women knew to expect me, or at least some guy, while the others clearly assumed I'd lost my way.“Can we help you, young man?” an older woman with hair mostly turned to gray.“Welcome, Glenn,” Mrs. Wellington said. “Ladies, Pastor William has asked us to introduce Mr. Braxton to the good works of our Church.” There was a pause.“Thank you, Mrs. Wellington, but no one alive calls me Glenn anymore, and I'm not old or accomplished enough to be Mr. Braxton, like my Father or Uncle Tim. My teachers call me Zane.”“Oh, you are at the University?” a third woman asked politely. She was asking if I went to the University of Virginia.“No, I don't go to U V; I go to FFU, it is a long story,” I replied with trepidation.“I have a daughter at Freedom Fellowship,” one of the women responded with concern.“What is her name?” I tried to be polite, what were the odds?“Pandora Jaspers,” Mrs. Jaspers answered.“Seriously? I've done Handmaiden duty for her, and today I saw her at the Science Club,” I sighed with relief.“What did she have you do?” yet another woman inquired intently.“I helped her create an umbrella walkway when it was raining so that all the students could get to class without getting soaked,” I informed them.“Have you been to 'camp'?” a sixth woman hinted at something.“Camp, no, I can't say I've ever been to a camp,” I evaded, because I had no idea what they meant.“That's enough, ladies,” Mrs. Wellington said. “We have business to take care of. We can worry about Mr. Braxton's confusion at a later time.” Oh, they think I'm gay. Camp = Gay camp where fundamentalists are sure I could be cured of being homosexual. I try not to laugh.“Mr. Braxton, I want you to sit at the chair there,” Mrs. Wellington pointed to a chair away from the table, against the wall. “I want you to take personal notes for the members, things that don't go into the official record. Doreen Saxon,” she indicated the gray haired woman “is our secretary. She takes the official notes of the meeting, so pay attention.”The Meeting for the first of September was called to order, the record of attendance including the difficulty of my name, they kept trying to call me Glenn Braxton while I politely asked for Zane. They went with Glenn. The rest of the group worked out like this:Rochelle Wellington was Chairwoman, Kendra Bainbridge was our Treasurer, and Doreen Saxon was the grey-haired Secretary. The rest of the group consisted of Claire Baker, Theresa Geiger, Columbia Jaspers, Heidi Moulin, and Sahara Penny, the Pastor's wife.As the meeting progressed there was little I could do but watch the group dynamics at work. For starters, Bainbridge was at Wellington's throat; they clearly didn't like one another. The other was an oddity; no one interacted with Sahara Penny. I wasn't sure if it was her non-white heritage (Middle Eastern of some sort), her meek nature, or some past sin, but I decided to take advantage of it.I got up quietly and began walking around the table.“Glenn,” Mrs. Saxon asked, but I ignored her because, damn it, how many times do I have to tell them my name is Zane? I walked over and knelt by Sahara.“Zane,” Mrs. Wellington addressed me, “are you looking for the bathroom?” Bingo!“No, Mrs. Wellington. I was hoping to get some background information on the current discussions as well as contact information for the group. Since the rest of you are treating Mrs. Penny like she has the plague, I figured she would be the perfect candidate to tell me what is really going on here,” I grinned at her. “It is always the quiet ones who know the most.”And everyone stopped talking. Sahara not only looked shocked and frightened to see me, she looked like she wanted to sink under the table when I told the rest of them my reason for being here.“I assure you, Mr. Braxton, we are fully including Sahara in the process,” Mrs. Bainbridge snorted indignantly.“I will gladly accept your reprimand if you can please tell me the last five words you said to her since I arrived,” I requested, with as much innocence as I could beg, borrow, or steal.“I asked her about the children's clothing for the Nativity this year,” Kendra said after a long pause.“That was Claire, not Sahara,” I corrected her. “It is in my notes, but I'm sure Doreen can corroborate my recall of events.”“Well,” she said testily, “I'm sure I said something to her.” Silence.“I apologize for disrupting the meeting. I'll crouch here quietly and conference with Sahara while the rest of you complete the business of the day,” I told them, then turned back to Sahara. “Now, what the heck is up with the live turkey at the Thanksgiving celebration?”In the end, I gathered my information, the meeting concluded its business, and the room emptied until it was me, Sahara, Kendra, and Rochelle.“A Christian gentleman would apologize,” Kendra informed me.“Well, I guess that makes us both poor Christians, because a good Christian woman wouldn't have lied to me,” I calmly replied. Kendra gaped like a fish out of water.“Rochelle!” Kendra snapped to the Committee head.“Zane, you apologize to Kendra right now,” she commanded me, without much passion.“Kendra Bainbridge, I apologize for my rude and uncalled for behavior,” I said with a bow. Neither woman had expected me to fold up like that, so all Kendra could do was huff and storm out of the room.“Thank you,” Sahara whispered, as she touched my hand.“I don't always know the right side to fight on but it is usually by the side of the person being bullied,” I grinned. “It is the Christian thing to do,” I added with a wink.That left me with Rochelle Wellington: MILF, Lance the asshole's Mom, and wife of the Mayor.She looked like she wanted to stand up but couldn't. Me, I had a Sorority meeting to get to, I missed dinner so I had to grab something first, and why in the hell was I even thinking what I was thinking? I sat down beside her.“What's wrong?” I began. She looked at me, tired and somehow forlorn.“You wouldn't understand, Mr. Braxton, Zane,” she sighed.“Try me; the worst that could happen is, I give the expression that every teenager gives an adult when something important is being said but we are too caught up in our own lives to understand.”“Oh, good point, young man,” she sighed, “but I'm afraid I don't have anything even remotely interesting to talk about.” I waited patiently. “I'm feeling sorry for myself. My baby is leaving the nest and it has been so long since I've been alone in the house, I don't know what to do with myself.”“Lance is an only child?” I wondered.“Oh, no, he is the youngest of five,” she responded with sadness. My jaw dropped and she stared at me.“What, did you start having kids when you were ten?” I gawked.“What?” she sounded confused.“I have a hard time believing you are forty, much less the mother of five grown children,” I stammered. At first Rochelle was embarrassed and a bit uncomfortable, but slowly the compliment seeped its way into her psyche.“I, I have a home gym,” she suggested as an answer.“Well, whatever you've been doing has worked. Your husband is one lucky guy, and I hope he appreciates you and all you do to look, act, and feel so young,” I wowed her.“I'm not feeling all that young right now,” she slipped back into her depression.“Where does it hurt?” I changed my focus.“I don't know what you mean?” she asked.“People keep their stress in different places; the back of the neck, the mid-back, shoulders, or temples,” I informed her.“I'm not comfortable talking with you about that,” Mrs. Wellington replied warily.“Sure,” I said popping out of my seat. “I apologize if I crossed any lines,” and I made for the door.“Wait, Zane, I apologize. I'm tired and a bit cranky. I know you didn't mean anything and besides, I'm sure you already have a girlfriend,” Rochelle admitted.“Please don't spread this around, but I have several girlfriends at the moment. They know about each other, I'm not going to lie about my sex life, but they are usually interested in different things,” I told her.“You have, multiple girlfriends, different things? Like what kind of different things?” Rochelle spilled out her confused thoughts.“Some women like sexual contact,” I related, “while others like romantic time together, and still others want companionship.” There was another long pause.“But you are at Freedom Fellowship University, ” she trembled.“I've never taken a student's virginity, if that's what you are asking,” I answered.“Oh, I understand. I've taught all my children that they should be virgins on their wedding day,” Rochelle said with some pride.“I have to disagree with that,” I shocked her, “but that is one of the reasons that women are better than girls.”“And how would you know this?” She now turned in her chair to face me, trying to sound affronted but coming across as deeply curious.“Um, I've had sex with girls in their teens and women in their forties, and women know more, pace themselves better, and generally have better bodies,” I explained. “Teen girls need a few more years to fill out.”Rochelle was utterly speechless, and part of that had to do with the fact that I was being frank and honest, yet not openly coming on to her.“You must not think much of me, then,” she mused, “teaching my children my views on virginity.”“Where did you get that from? If anything, you are proving yourself to be an intelligent, warm, caring, and compassionate woman and mother, who happens to look like she's less than forty years old,” I added. “You did what you thought was right. I can't argue with that.”“Well, good,” she replied.“Now for my part, I was taught that a real man gives his lover multiple orgasms and he should never reach fulfillment before his partner does. Any man who does so is being selfish,” I stated.“How did you come by this, thinking?” she inquired with a small voice.“Um, I've had sex around five hundred times with thirty different partners,” I told her, “so I've not only learned from very good teachers, I've field tested their ideas.”“How can you possibly consider yourself a good Christian, Zane?” she accused me.“Compassion, respect for all living things, and forgiveness, that's what I believe in and what Christianity stands for in my eyes,” I explained.“The Bible is clear on sex and the sanctity of the marriage bed,” Rochelle insisted.“Mrs. Wellington, everything after the death of Jesus is conjecture. We both accept that Jesus was the Son of God, but after he dies, who is to say who was being touched by the Divine, who was building on JC's teachings, and who was simply making stuff up,” I held up my hand to stop Rochelle's protest.“The Catholics have a thousand Saints, most of whom we don't hold to be divinely inspired. You chose to believe that virginity is a girl's sacred duty, but I don't recall Christ saying anything on the subject. You can certainly quote later Gospels or the Old Testament, but that makes it your choice, not the Word of God,” I finished up. Another long pause followed.“I keep my stress in the top of my shoulders,” she suddenly said. I stood up and moved behind her, deciding to not question her changing opinion of me.“It helps if you take off your jacket,” I suggested, then helped her shimmy out of it. She tensed up as my hands weighed down lightly on her shoulders so I kept my touch gentle.Two minutes into the massage, I began squeezing harder and harder, moving my palms back and forth over her bra straps from upper arm to neck.“Rochelle,” I whispered into her ear, “I am going to rotate your shoulders.” I rolled over each shoulder one at a time but when I finished, I pushed her slowly forward until she was resting her elbows on the table and held her head on her upturned hands.When I went back to the massage, I worked her over harder and extended my reach from her mid-back to neck. This was clearly a case of begging forgiveness instead of asking permission. I took my time, relaxing her to a completely detached state. When I brought her back to reality, I was kneeling beside her and tapping her on the arm.“Rochelle? Are you okay,” I asked in a gentle, caring voice. Dreamily, she turned her head from its resting place on her arms to look at my eyes straight-on and mere inches away.“What, huh?” she muttered.“How do the shoulders feel? Has your stress gone away?” I inquired.“Yes, yes,” she popped up, alert once more. “It feels really good, in fact. I haven't felt this way in years,” she added with a smile.“I think it is time for us to go,” I suggested. “Can I help you with your jacket?”“Of course,” she nodded. “Thank you for helping an old lady out.” I held it while she put in one arm after the other but when I settled it on her shoulders, I stepped in and held her there for a moment while I pressed myself against her so she could feel how I felt about 'old ladies'.Rochelle froze when she felt my cock, rigid in my slacks, pressed against her ass. I was unsure if I'd gone too far when she pushed ever so slightly against me.“I've got to be going. I will see you on Sunday but I'm home all weekend with one of my girlfriends in case you need me,” I informed her.I slipped out before she could respond because not only did I have a Sorority function to attend, I also needed to figure out where I could score some Viagra because I clearly had no common sense where sex was concerned. Besides, Sahara was obviously in need of attention because Pastor Bill wasn't giving it to her, and Bainbridge was lashing out due to years of sexual frustration, I repeat: I have no common sense.Every One Like a Fingerprint to MeWhen I was racing to get to the Kappa Sigma House, I hardly expected to be met by one of their pledges and absolutely no one else. After I sat down in the den and the pledge, Tina, got me a soda from the kitchen, we found ourselves staring at one another.“So, I'm here on the correct night; right?” I asked.“Yes, you are, Zane,” she bubbled with anticipation.“Where is everybody?” I prodded her.“They are taking care of Sorority business but they will come get us when they are ready,” she grinned. I knew I was missing something but I didn't know what it was.“Is it hot in here?” I wondered.“Yes,” Tina said after a bit of concentration.“Tina, can I have some Advil? I'm getting a headache,” I yawned.“Okay,” Tina responded, still happy, and still sitting down.“Ah, fuck, you drugged me, didn't you?” I groaned. I doubted I could still stand and then proved my doubts as I slid off the chair. “Damn,” I slurred. Tina walked over to me, took my drink away, and gently maneuvered my body to the floor.“If it is any consolation, I was selected as the pledge most likely to seduce you,” she stated with real sympathy. I might have smiled at her, I wasn't sure, but I definitely passed out.Cough! Someone plunged cleaning detergent underneath my nose and fired me back to consciousness. Holy Mother of God, I'm cold, my wrists and ankles hurt, I'm outdoors in the woods illuminated by torches and surrounded in a semi-circle of bare-footed figures in ankle long brown robes and black hoods.I was cold because I was naked and my limbs hurt because I was suspended on a cross, not a 'T' cross but an 'X' cross. I certainly know some kinky, fucked-up people.“Zane,” a modulated voice addressed me, “you are on trial before Kappa Sigma for your treatment of one of our sisters. You have abused the trust of one sister by seeking romantic relations with another. What do you have to say for yourself?”“If the question is that I had relations with Leigh, then had a similar encounter with Paris, then I confess. In my defense, I never sought to deceive either one and will make amends if permitted,” I promised.“Sisters, we have heard his defense. Will any of you vote in his behalf?” she intoned. No one stepped forward.“Zane, we will give you one chance to save yourself. If you fail, you will be shaved bald and painted in a permanent purple dye.” I assume that means seven days on Human skin. “If you can pick out the woman you have wronged, beg her forgiveness, and are forgiven, you will go free.” I was getting pretty nervous since they were all totally covered except for their toes when the 'leader' nodded and the girls all opened their robes to reveal string bikinis in a variety of colors.Their faces were still covered, though that wasn't really a problem for me anymore.“Choose Leigh and Paris, beg their forgiveness, and you may be pardoned,” the 'leader' commanded.“That's not fair,” I answered right back, “because they are not before me now.”“Think carefully,” the girl with the modulated voice cautioned me.“No, seriously; I'm looking at Josephine, Maria, Cynthia, Sarah, Ferrara, Petra, Yvette, Tawny, Jersey, and Monique,” I named them left to right.“What?” Sarah gasped to her assembled sisters. “Do we have name tags on?”Behind me, I heard snickers turn into giggles, Leigh and Paris. Tawny stepped forward.“How did you know?” she inquired, clearly not the girl with the modulated voice.“Ah, Josephine has a birthmark on her ankle, Maria has the darkest skin tone, and Cynthia's breasts don't angle down the middle or to the side but somewhere in the middle.”“Sarah has slender thighs and her calves curve just so below the knee; Ferrara always paints her nails in these crazy patterns; Petra scrapped her knee backpacking two weekends ago; Yvette, has that tattoo over her right nipple; Tawny, you have a slender neck, a, 38C chest, and a strong swell from your waist to your hips; Jersey is the tallest and has that scar she got in a boating accident in high school; and finally, Monique has the perkiest nipples and the most slender calves,” I recited.Man, even the crickets went quiet after that.“Zane, did anyone help you with this test?” Tawny finally asked.“Nope.”“How could they?” Leigh came to my defense. “You didn't make the line-up until thirty minutes ago.”“Jersey, go check his phone log,” Tawny directed her sister.“I'm getting really cold,” I whispered to Leigh. She looked from my eyes to my waist with sympathy. Jersey walked out of the light but quickly returned with my phone.“His last call was at 2:10 p.m. but he did have a data download at 6:45, it seems to be a bunch of women's names and phone numbers,” Jersey relayed the information to them.“It is my church group, I swear. Honestly, they are all married women in the Festivities Committee that bastard of a pastor assigned me to,” I pleaded.“No phone calls?” Tawny persisted.“No phone calls,” Jersey confirmed.“Okay, Zane, how did you know who we were with our faces concealed?” Tawny wondered.“Is that a serious question?” The deafening pause was its own answer. “You are women; I pay attention to women and to me, each female form is as exacting as a fingerprint. Until now I thought all of this was a joke,” I related. “I mean, if you wanted to scare me, you would have given me something difficult to figure out.”“And you picked all this up at one party?” Tawny sounded bewildered.“Have I mentioned how much I like women?” I reminded her.“But you brought twenty women with you; you always had a woman by your side. How?” Tawny still struggled to understand.“I repeat: have I mentioned how much I like women? I see nothing wrong with being with one woman and looking at others, but I believe it is wrong to be with one woman and thinking about someone else,” I explained. “You should always appreciate the one you are with.”“Um, does any sister believe Zane has earned a reprieve?”For two seconds no one reacted, then Jersey stepped forward.“He knew about my scar,” was her excuse. Five more stepped forward right after that and all had done so by the tenth second.“Very well Zane, you are forgiven,” Tawny announced. Yay, me! “But I have one other issue to address. Zane, I can't have you cutting a swath through my girls so I'm going to demand that you stick to one and only one Kappa Sigma per semester.” I stared at her until she finally had to question me. “What?”“I wish you would stop treating me like a child,” I chuckled.“What makes you think I'm not being serious?” Tawny growled.“We've kissed. You can tell a lot about a person in the way they kiss, and you are very caring and thoughtful,” I told her. “Why would I be out here in the woods naked if I didn't trust you?”“You kissed him!” yelped Leigh. Tawny smirked as she looked at her.“You left me alone with a naked Zane in your room; he looked cold and lonely,” she told Leigh. I was cold and lonely because Tawny tossed Leigh out of her own room and then wouldn't let me get dressed, but only Tawny, Christina, and I knew that.“Besides, Zane, you are naked in these woods because we tricked you into our house and spiked your drink,” Tawny pointed out.“Ah, but would I have been dumb enough to take that drink if I hadn't first trusted you enough to show up, wait, that didn't come out right,” I mumbled.“Are you agreeing to my terms?” Tawny teased.“Nope. I prefer to hold to the illusion I'm living in the Free World,” I declared. “You can certainly tell your sisters what to do because they volunteered for this but I only hang out here because all of you have been so nice to me. If I've been a poor guest, I'll just leave, because I'm not going to pretend I like one sister less than another.”“Zane, you are deep in the woods, tied to a cross, and the only people who know you are here are all bound by Sacred Oaths of Sisterhood, Blood, and Secrecy,” Tawny stated sweetly, as she came up and stroked my cheek. “You aren't in the best place to be dumping us.”“Good point,” I agreed defiantly. “Maybe I should wait to get on my high horse when I can actually get on a high horse, but I'm still not going to take it back.”“We could always keep him in our secret basement,” Monique suggested. When everyone looked at her she added, “Hey, he liked my nipples. Finding a guy who is good with nipples isn't as easy as you would think.” Huh, what? I had a definite feeling I was losing control of events.“You have a secret basement?” I gulped. “I didn't know you had a secret basement.”“Well, duh,” Paris snickered. “It wouldn't be much of a secret if you knew about it.”“We are not keeping Zane chained up for our amusement,” Tawny warned the girls. “We specifically changed the Charter back in '02 so that we can no longer keep men on the premises for more than forty-eight hours.” Yay?“We also can't leave him here,” Tawny continued. “I'm sure Christina will have search parties out looking for you before sunrise.”“I'll stay out here and stand guard over him,” Leigh volunteered.“No,” Tawny scolded Leigh. “We can't let him get fucked to death either.” Leigh looked truly heartbroken.“I think we have to let Zane get off this time,” Tawny sighed.“I was trying to get him off,” Leigh grumbled.“Give it a rest, Leigh,” Tawny demanded. “Paris, give our guest something to drink so we can wrap this up.” Paris disappeared behind me, then reappeared with a glass of water.“Drink up,” she smiled beatifically.“Just promise me I'm not going to wake up in some landfill or tied to a lamppost somewhere public,” I groaned.“Drink it down right now and you might wake up next to me,” Tawny challenged. Needless to say, I drank and quickly, because I'm an idiot who keeps too much blood in the wrong head.When I woke up, I was back in the Sorority house with a different sweet pledge smiling at me and that smell of ammonia in my nostrils. She handed me a folded piece of paper.I said 'you MIGHT wake up next to me' the paper read. 'P.S. See you and the Ladies at our Halloween Bash.'“What's your name?” I asked the pledge. This time the home was filled with the noises of occupancy.“Larissa,” she giggled. “So, are you Leigh's boyfriend?”“Ah, no; I'm community property; the other sisters hand me around like a box of chocolates,” I joked.“Really! That is so great,” she bubbled with excitement. “I can't wait until I get initiated. I want you to make me scream the way you had Leigh singing.” Does no one get my jokes?“Larissa, I am sure you will pass your initiation, no sweat,” I told her as I stood up, feeling a bit drunk. Larissa walked with me to the door and gave me a quick peck on the cheek as I turned to head for my car. I made it to campus with seconds to spare. The crawl up to the Solarium was done in relative quiet, though Barbie Lynn decided to sample my tonsils before letting me up.Not two steps inside the door my phone rang.“Hello, is this Zane Braxton?” this familiar voice greeted me.“That would be me. What can I do for you this night?” I responded.“This is Felicity Tolliver. I wanted you to know that I had dinner with Rochelle Wellington tonight and I think having you on her committee has really improved her mood,” she informed me.I reached the top of the landing and nearly dropped the phone. Iona sat nervously on my bed, which she had made up because I never do it that well. She was wearing lingerie that definitely made her whole form much more feminine.“Felicity, Rochelle and I talked mostly, plus I showed her some techniques to help alleviate stress,” I related, “but you can tell her it was a pleasure to work with such a vibrant and beautiful woman. You two are a lot alike.”There was a pause, then,“I'll tell her that,” Felicity said.“I will be at my home in case she needs something this weekend. I would like to see both of you, as would my Aunt,” I offered.“That would be nice,” she sounded upbeat.“We could also discuss getting some FFU girls coming over to your place and the workshops you could teach on campus in October and November,” I suggested.“That sounds great too,” Felicity agreed. “I would like to spend some time at FFU and having some girls know where Lance's house is would be nice. When do you want to meet?”“How about after dinner, say 8 o'clock?” I suggested. “You can bring Lance.”“After dinner is fine but Lance has a church workshop on Saturday nights,” Felicity sighed. Oh hell, does this woman even get taken to first base? “He's always so busy with his fraternity at school, the Young Christian Men's Republican caucus, and the Christian Men's League at church.” Does this guy spend any time with women at all?“Consider it a date,” I replied. “Now I have a very good reason to go to bed, so good night.”“Good night,” she parted in a friendly manner, which allowed me to hang up and start undressing as I approached the bed. I looked down at my bed buddy once I'd stripped down to nothing.“You look lovely, Iona,” I greeted her. “What do you want to do?”“I'll do whatever you want,” Iona said with a tremor in her voice, looking down at her lap. She looked stunning in her burgundy bra and panties, which were far more lace than substance. I felt the hand of, Christina (?) in all this.“Thank you, Iona. What I really want is to lie down, you beside me so that I can look into your eyes and gently trace lines along your body, and then I want to go to sleep with you in my arms. That's what I really want.”“Really?” she perked up in surprise and relief. I crawled under the covers, holding them open so she could join me.“I like this a lot,” she murmured, as she settled in at my side, snug in the covers. I shifted to my side and cupped her chin before exchanging several soft kisses with her. Afterwards, I did as I told her I would; my hand caressed her body, avoiding nipples and pussy but doing my best to get everywhere else. I elicited sensual moans and ticklish giggles.When I had forced her to push me off so she could catch her breath, I felt I had given Iona what she wanted, and more importantly, what she could live with. I sat back and stared at the Moon through my glass roof. Iona's smiling face slowly invaded my view.“I give up, Iona,” I pleaded. “Right now I want some sleep.”“That's okay. I will sit here and watch over you,” she sighed.“That's, that's a little creepy, actually,” I confessed.“I've watched all of the Twilight movies so I know what secretive romances are all about,” Iona explained.Unfortunately, I knew little of the Twilight series of movies. I knew it involved vampires and werewolves and some chick named Bella but I'd never actually seen any of that. Had I known it involved a 100-year-old vampire breaking into some teenager's room and staring down at her while she slept, I would have been much more concerned, but for now I went to sleep.A lesson in why I shouldn't get out of bed in the morning.*Wakefulness is a race we cannot not win; Sleep is remorseless as all salvation should be*I woke up to every heterosexual teenage boy's second favorite dream (the first being a morning blowjob) of a perfume-scented head resting on each shoulder as you wake. There were the tiny complications of only having gone to bed with one woman and that, by their breathing, I could tell they were both awake.“Good morning,” I said cautiously; technically morning since it was 5 a.m.“Good m

Heaven & Mercy callude (part 10)A Spring Break 13-part Novel.Can Zane go 24 hours without sex?By FinalStand. The player above contains the intro section. Listen to the complete episode by clicking here, at Steamy Stories. *Anyone can be who they want to be; the challenge is being who you need to be*My journey to the Dining Hall this Wednesday was enlivened by carrying, bridal style, a sophomore named Courtney while playing out a scene from Tristan and Isolde. I had Rhaine, Joy, and Mercy as escorts/minders, but Rhaine was now defining her responsibility as keeping me from misbehaving, not stopping me, and the other students from having fun.Tristan and Isolde was some kind of chick-flick taken from a Wagnerian play so technically it wasn't on the ‘banned' list. With me was the added bonus that it wasn't homo-erotic (being a guy in a romantic relationship with a girl, in the play) and that I could actually carry Isolde in my arms.A larger than normal crowd had gathered for my dutiful performance and while I generally received rave reviews, I did catch a few girls talking about redoing the skit with a Sampson and Delilah theme. I pledged to avoid girls with shears like the plague. We bunched up around one of the entrances to the Dining Hall as I finished our script and carefully placed her back on her feet.Among the scattering of applause and the press of bodies, I felt Mercy stumble into me. Her eyes were wide, her mouth open in surprise, and her breathing was coming in ragged gasps. My answer came when I looked over her shoulder and saw Rio, looking very casual but pumping her arm rapidly against Mercy's back.When we got into the food line, Rio smirked and began sucking her forefinger which was sticky and slick.“Seriously, in the middle of the crowd? You just couldn't resist?” I teased her.“Next I'm sticking in the butt plug,” she whispered in a conspiratorial manner. “I have it in my book bag and I'm jumping her after BA. Do you want to help?”“I'd rather face dismemberment than break Iona's schedule,” I sighed quietly.“Some He-Man you are,” she giggled. “You'll go five rounds with Gorman but Iona has you pussy-whipped.”“If I have to go, I could hardly pick a better woman,” I responded, and wrapped an arm around Iona's waist and rested my hand on her hip.“Yes, Zane?” Iona looked up at me with an exotic combination of innocence and genius.“Rio reminded me how lucky we are to have you with us,” was my answer.“Oh, that's nice,” Iona beamed up at me. “I thought it had something to do with Rio putting her hand under Mercy Chaplain's skirt.” I chuckled and Rio grumbled.“I have glasses,” Iona stated, “I'm not blind.”“Did anyone else notice?” I inquired.“No. I think Rio was pretty smooth, but if experience has taught me anything, it is Rio who is going to be the troublemaker, not you, Zane,” Iona stated calmly. “I was paying attention to her.”“Oh, Cordelia wanted to know if you could come by the Science Club today around two-thirty and help us with a little problem we are having,” Iona inquired.“What's the problem?” I asked.“Why didn't Cordy ask him herself?” Rio questioned.“I don't know the answer to either of those questions,” Iona admitted.“It is illegal, illicit, and off the record,” Rio pronounced.“No, it is not,” Iona battled back.“Trust me, I've done my share of things I didn't want the authorities to know about and this stinks of that kind of stunt,” Rio explained.“I'll be with Zane; nothing will happen. Besides, we are the Science Club, not an international criminal syndicate,” Iona told Rio.“I'll be okay,” I promised Rio. On the other hand, the Science Club wasn't all flowers, bells, and puppy dog tails.They hacked the school's computer systems, had illegal internet hook-ups, and were re-wiring a dorm floor for my personal pleasure, and Rio's criminal instincts were more often right than wrong. We were able to get our seats and enjoy most of breakfast before Iona nudged me.“Don't you ever answer your messages?” Iona inquired.“I have them all automatically forwarded to you,” I countered. “It seemed like the sanest thing to do.”“But you don't even know what's going on in your life,” she worried.“Darling, I have you to keep me from falling off the face of the Earth. I trust you to keep me on an even keel. Besides, someone hacked my phone yesterday so I'm not sure how safe I would be without you,” I enlightened her.“Someone hacked your phone?” Iona gasped. “Any idea who?”“Cordelia; she put herself at the top of my Handmaiden's list. I didn't mind, but the fact that she did it means it could be done,” I told her. Iona shot an angry glare in Cordelia's direction.“Don't worry about it, Iona,” Rio joked. “Have you known anyone to mess with Zane and not pay for it eventually?”“That doesn't mean I like it,” Iona kept glaring. I tapped her shoulder, then led her gaze to me by tugging on her jaw.“Let it go. In the social hierarchy, we are freshmen, despite any accomplishments. Trust me, I know: There are some fights you don't get into until you are ready. Cordelia likes you because you are useful but don't try her patience too far or she'll break you.”“I don't like it. This is high school all over again,” Iona grumbled.“The major difference,” Rio pointed out, “you have a sick psycho like me and a stud like Zane who have your back. We've left you alone once and that was only in hopes you would get out from under the hammer that was falling on us.”“Oh, we were told about your conversation with the Chancellor. I liked what you said,” I told her thoughtfully, “but I believe Rio and I could have done it better.”“Who would you have quoted?” wondered Iona. I exchanged a fanatical look with Rio.“THIS is SPARTA!” we shouted in unison, “and then we would have kicked her desk out the window,” I added.Iona sighed, looked down at her tray, and grinned while half the dining hall gazed our way.“You two are nuts,” she chuckled.“Ninja Urban Terrorists,” Rio and I declared together, “that's us.” The rest of breakfast passed without incident or too much Humor.It is not the Distance; It is the Weight on your BackGetting out looked to be a bit less friendly as Rhaine, Joy and Mercy added two other girls to their entourage.“Zane, Rio, Iona, we have a duty for you,” Rhaine announced. “You will carry our books, on your knees, and on the sidewalk.”“Well, Kemosabe, do we ignore them or kick their asses?” Rio looked to me. “Man, here I am without my hate-mallet too.”“I'm going for benign indifference,” I informed Rio. “Rhaine, we already have an assigned Handmaiden duty and we are not required to partake of any task that would result in our physical harm.”“We let Christina get away with it because we were isolated and new, but that's not the case anymore,” I explained. “You break the rules and we'll defend ourselves.”“Then we are taking you to the Chancellor's office,” Rhaine declared loudly. At this time my two buddies were despairing over the lack of appearance by our allies but I tend to have more faith in the fairness of Human nature.“Civil disobedience,” I advised Iona. To Rio, I explained, “Make yourself dead weight.” Rhaine's Traditionalists came forward and we three fell to the ground.“Get up,” Joy demanded of Rio.“Nope, not going to happen,” she gleefully shot back. Joy gave Rio a strong nudge with the foot.“What are you doing?” a cold calm voice pierced the setting. It was Coach Dana Gorman.“I, what, we are doing what Rhaine told us to do,” Joy stammered.“Kicking a student is grounds for dismissal,” Dana informed Joy. “Physical violence is only acceptable in self-defense, and only when withdrawal is not an option.”“Coach Gorman, we were told, ” Rhaine began.“Ms. Ritchie, the Board of Directors can alter the Handbook whenever they wish, and if they ever say that bludgeoning another student merely because they disagree with you is permissible, I'll be sure to let you know.”“Yes, Mam,” Rhaine gulped.“You three, stop loafing about and get to class” Gorman addressed us. “We can all hope you flunk out your first semester, but until you do, I am required to make sure you are in your classes at the appointed time. Now go!” she grumbled to Rio, Iona and I.“Yes, Mam,” Iona and I said as we stood up once more. Rio merely growled. We quickly parted Rhaine and company, then headed to class. Soon enough, Christina and her crowd appeared around us.“What tree were you bitches hiding behind?” Rio griped. That did not get her a pleasant response.“Rio, they were always with us,” I said, putting a hand on Rio's shoulder. “They also sent people to get Coach Gorman and others to get Ms. Goodswell in case things went bad. Cappadocia and Wilhelmina were rounding up the troops in case Rhaine tried to force us. By keeping the field clear of obvious forces, we resolved this fight in a way that didn't make us look bad.”“You got all that while talking to Rhaine and watching every sane FFU girl running away from us?” Rio gawked.“If an ally betrays you, they will stand by and watch. If you don't see them, assume they are fighting elsewhere on your behalf, or so the saying goes,” I related.“That sounds like dark matter, you know it is there because you can't see it,” Iona nodded, “but you see its effects.”“Essentially,” Christina remarked.“I'd like to know one thing,” Faith inquired: “Have you slept with Coach Gorman too? She seems to have joined our side very suddenly.”“She's not on our side and she's not our friend, but I did outline how this fight would work. If they break the rules, we break the rules, and chaos ensues. If the Coach keeps things fair, Rio and I will go down by our own faults or succeed on our merits, Christina will still beat Rhaine, and this year might not suck so much for the average student, freshmen included,” I said.“How do you jibe following the rules with having a different girl in your bed every night?” Hope taunted me with a hint of seduction. Heaven looked equal parts embarrassed and sensually hungry.“I don't believe he has a woman in his bed every night,” Christina corrected.“Expecting Zane to sleep alone is like putting a lion among your sheep and expecting to eat lamb next season; theoretically possible, but it goes against his nature,” Hope laughed.“I have not had a woman in my bed every night,” I sniffed indignantly.“Yeah,” Rio rallied to my defense, “there was that night you barred Barbie Lynn and, actually, I think that was the only night, though he didn't sex me up that first night on campus.”“I think it is safe to say that the female student body has made good use of Zane's time here amongst us,” Chastity noted, as she lightly slapped my shoulder.“Well, in case anyone cares, I'm going to a church function tonight and stopping by the Kappa Sigma house on the way back. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish up some Biology reading and go to bed early,” I declared.“And if you find a girl in your bed when you get in?” Hope teased.“He'll assume it is a day ending in ‘y',” Iona snickered.“Et tu, Iona?” Christina stated loftily.“In that case, please spread the word,” I muttered darkly. “I'm coming home and stealing Iona away to my lair for some much needed discipline and loyalty reinforcement.” Iona remained still while the other girls looked around.“Seriously?” Faith wondered.“I play around a lot but never with Iona,” I explained. “If she doesn't lock her door, she's mine.”“Iona, I'll help you barricade the door,” Heaven offered. Iona didn't say anything but the look she shot Heaven clearly stated 'don't you dare!'The Research Partnership“Zane?” Virginia Goodswell requested my attention as I approached my English class.“Hey, Teach, I'm ready to have my head stuffed with learning,” I grinned.“That's good, because we are choosing Authors and Works today, along with project partners,” Virginia instructed.“So, Ms. Goodswell, who is my boy Zane partnered up with? Or is there going to be a Thunder Dome match to figure that out?” Rio beamed with failed innocence.“Ms. Talon,” my teacher sighed, “it is a volunteer process, and I'm not sure any girl in my class wants to work with Mr. Braxton.”“Zane, when the feeding frenzy begins, jump for the ceiling lights,” Chastity joked with me. At least I hoped she was joking. The ladies wished me luck and we parted ways. After taking our assigned seats, Virginia went over our latest lessons and then introduced us to our semester project. The first thing to decide was the partnerships.“Before we partner up,” Virginia asked the class, “would any of you consider teaming up with Zane Braxton to get this done? Hands please.” Multiple hands flew up. Virginia looked over the class, nodded, and said, “Thank you.” She looked it over, “Raven, Barbara, and Céline, each of you give me the reason why you don't want to work with Zane.”Ms. Goodswell had chosen the three girls who hadn't raised their hands. Barbara and Celine didn't want to work with me because they were afraid I would rape them the moment we were alone, “sigh”. Raven's answer was that she was afraid that my lack of a structured education would make the paper more difficult.Raven Thorpe was awarded the 'honor' of working with me, a designation she groaned over, and other girls glared at her with jealousy. After class she attempted to shoulder past me but I tapped her arm.“Can we talk for a second?” I inquired.“Don't you have to scurry off and take care of your schedule?” she replied blandly.“Can you stop being a bitch for fifteen seconds so we can figure out which author we can work on?” I snapped angrily. She pulled up short as if she expects to be pimp-slapped next.“Okay, who do you have in mind?” she requested. “And if you say William Shakespeare, I am going to smack you with my book bag.”“I was thinking the political works of Edmund Burke,” I suggested. Raven blinked.“Seriously, I didn't think you even knew who Edmund Burke was, much less that he was the father of modern conservatism,” Raven congratulated me. It was almost like she wanted to pat me on the head and give me a doggy bone.“I was thinking of concentrating more on his works during the American Revolution, but if that's what you are more comfortable with, we could cover his later period works instead,” I offered.“Good point, Zane. Let's talk it over during lunch,” Raven suggested.“Zane,” summoned a female voice from outside the classroom.“Go on,” Raven smirked, “enjoy your disproportionate level of abuse.”“You act like I have any choice in the matter,” I shrugged.It was of little consolation that Raven made it ten more feet from the door when she got snatched up too. This time out, my mistress got to point to a feature on her body and I had to give it a flattering description, I know, my life is utter hell.I had no idea where the Science Club met; I even began to get the sinking feeling they carefully controlled any information about themselves, sort of like a secret society, or the CIA.Paige & the Science Club“Hello, I'm Paige,” spoke this girl, who apparently materialized out of the ether. I'm not paranoid; I've spent the past two years in a region where you have to be alert because Tigers are common and I say this girl freaking ghosted me, Man.“I'm with the Science Club. You will come with me right now,” she smiled like said predator cat trying to disguise herself as a white rabbit.“You are albino,” I noted. She had long white hair, alabaster skin, and a red shadow to her eyes. She was also the only girl to date I'd seen with the dark blue jacket that was part of our winter uniform. She also had a jaunty blue hat and white stockings instead of socks.“You have eyes,” she rolled hers, “now come along.” I started to follow her.“So what is this meeting about?” I asked.“It isn't a meeting; we require you for something,” she replied.“What is it?” I became more cautious.“It is a surprise,” she mocked me. “Stop wasting my time and come along.”“Cool, I'm out of here.” I grinned, turned, and left. Paige staggered and seemed unable to grasp my departure.“Where are you going?” she snapped tartly.“To Archery Club,” I replied, while still walking away.“But, but you said you would come,” she stuttered.“Am I a person? Are you?”“Yes and yes,” she replied with irritation.“Are you an idiot or a child? Because those are the only reasons to forgive your spoiled behavior,” I turned and said. Paige glared. “So you assume you are smarter than me and can be rude to someone who is doing you a favor.”“We are the ones doing you a favor,” Paige snapped back. “Now we want you to repay us.”“Did you discuss payment when you did me the favor of rewiring my room? No? Good, because if you had, I would clearly be suffering a form of amnesia,” I gave back. “If you want something, you can ask as a friend or you can offer me something that makes it worth my while. Now go back to Cordelia and tell her you have returned alone because you were so much smarter than me. If you could only 'speak friend', ” I continued walking away.“Wait,” Paige called out nervously. “I, I, ” and I could almost hear the wheels turning. “Speak friend and enter.” I stopped in midstride.“So you read through my school records and know my top ten influences,” I turned and responded. We stared at each other for almost a minute until she finally gave up and put on her sunglasses. I retraced my steps back to her.“Favorite member of the Fellowship?” I tested her.“Legolas,” she responded. I scoffed and she had the Human decency to look embarrassed.“Ha,” I scoffed again. “Horny girls go for the elf; the marrying kind goes for Aragorn.”“Who is yours, then, wise guy?” she volleyed.“Boromir,” I declared my allegiance.“Ah, of course; the veteran warrior in a doomed struggle; he forsakes his honor only to redeem it in a hopeless fight, perishing in the arms of his brothers,” Paige retorted. “I thought you would have gone for Aragorn, the Uncrowned King.”“Hum,” I winced, “my second choice was actually Frodo but that would have sounded gay.”“You can't be gay; you are not clever enough to conceal that,” she stated.“See, now you are sounding like Saruman the White,” I teased.“Let me guess: because I'm an albino,” she grumbled.“You are an albino? I was talking about your facial hair and that arrogant, know-it-all vibe you've got going on,” I joked. Paige stared at me, suddenly speechless, finally taping her chin.“At least you didn't call me Gollum,” she admitted.“Nah; too much hair and not enough skin slime,” I explained as I ran the back of one finger over her cheek. She flinched slightly.“Are you going to, please, come with me now?” she asked much more politely.“Are you going to have sex with me?” I grinned.“WHAT!?!?” she squawked.“Just joshing you,” I smiled. “You are far too pretty to be interested in me. Let's go.”I'd clearly unsettled her because she didn't say another word to me until we were going downstairs in the Clegger Science Building.“Do you really think I'm pretty?” she asked as we finished the last set of stairs.“I must confess I find most women attractive, but you are far prettier than most,” I replied.“Do you still want to have sex with me?” she said in a casual voice. I took her hand and placed it on my heart. “Hah,” she snorted, “I get it; your heart is beating so yes, you want to have sex with me.”“I was going to say that a steady heartbeat indicated I was telling the truth, but someone keeps insisting they are smarter than me,” I teased her. Am I really asking for another sex partner? What's wrong with me?Her reaction wasn't what I expected it to be and then I realized that she still had something over on me, the reason for me being here. Bitch. She opened a door into a dark room and ushered me in. There appeared to be about ten ladies in the room, playing with a variety of electronics.“Delivered as promised,” Paige called out.“What did he hit you with?” a short caramel-skinned girl inquired.“Fellowship of the Ring,” Paige grinned. Mother-fuckers!“Did he offer to have sex with you?” Cordelia asked playfully.“Yes. And not only gave me a 'pretty' but also a 'far prettier'.” Paige gave me a smug look.“Ha, ha, ha,” I muttered. Idiot me forgot that psychology is also a science, and the reason we don't have a chess club at FFU was also evident; the Science Club devoured them.“Come on, Zane,” Cordelia batted her full lashes at me. “We need a little favor and it won't take fifteen minutes.”“Couldn't you simply coerce me into doing this?” I stated. “I'm sure this whole rigmarole of making me think I'm doing you a favor has to be making things more difficult.”“We are all friends here,” Cordelia smiled.“No, if we were all friends here, Iona would be at my side,” I scolded her. “I admit you did a great scam getting me in this room, but you aren't nearly as good at lying to my face as you think you are.”“Iona, ” Paige started to say.“Don't!” Cordelia snapped, then took a deep breath. “If you threaten Iona he will hit you, no,” she corrected, “He'll hit me,” Cordelia reasoned out.“There are eleven of us,” another girl, Pandora Jaspers, stated, somewhat angry and confident.“I've seen him fight, Pandora. I saw him drop Mercy Chaplain. I've seen him fight Cappadocia Davis and Coach Gorman too,” Cordelia said coolly as we stared at one another. “Unless we curl up in a ball on the ground, he'll beat us down. We'll hurt him, but Zane can take more pain than we can because he cares about her.”“On that note, I'm gone again. Good going Paige; I'm sure you can think of something to make your sisters understand,” I shrugged and moved for the door.“Zane, I need you to strip down and let us attach a series of video and biometric sensors so we can create a 'Virtual Zane' for a little project we are working on,” Cordelia blurted out.I had to think hard about this; not because I didn't want to do it but because I had to figure if this was an honest play or another convoluted turn of the screws. I turned and looked at Cordelia.“There was no way in hell you ever thought I was a professor and you miraculously materialized outside my first class with the knowledge I was actually a freshman, damn, Cordelia, can't you just ask for stuff?” I berated her.“If you ask, you depend on another to get what you want; if you deceive, you win or lose on your own abilities,” she shrugged. “Besides, I did ask you to kiss me; remember?”“Good enough; where do you want me to stand?” I responded.“Wait,” Paige gawked. “Now he is doing it.”“Alright ladies,” one girl grinned. “Everyone pay up. I told you we should simply ask him.”With that, I stepped over to a table and began stripping. Slowly the girls around me stopped what they were doing and openly ogled me. I guess the real me was better than the video.“Aren't you curious about what we are going to do?” Pandora inquired.“You are probably going to tell me that I'm posing naked because it is easier to dress an 'uncluttered' form, or something to that effect, but really, I like Cordelia and Iona is one of my two best friends,” I mulled it over. “Besides, in case you missed it, I've seen all your faces.”Once they took that bit of news in, things went along smoothly, though they had some debate amongst themselves on whether my cock needed its own 'reference point', a sensor attached.The amusing thing was, when the girl running the computer imaging asked me to keep my penis still, I had to reply that certain reactions weren't under my control, which caused a rather awkward moment. When I was finally finished there was another quiet interlude as I got dressed.“So,” Cordelia wondered, rocking back and forth on her feet, “if we need more, data, could we get you to come back?”“Sure,” I smiled back, “you know where I live, and you certainly know what my digits are. Cordelia, I want you to consider that if something happens in my room that ends up on the web that betrays the trust people have put in me, I'm not going to come after all of you looking for excuses. Are we clear?”“Is that a threat, Zane?” Cordelia beamed playfully.“Cordelia, I'm always one step away from being tossed out of here on my ass, so those who chose to trust me and take up my cause are doing it because they are decent folk. I'm not like most people; I can't afford to toss friends away like most of the rest of the people in this room seem to be comfortable with.”“Or what,” Paige smirked, “you'll beat us up?”“No, Paige. I value trust, so if you take that away from me, I'll find out what you value and take that away from you,” I stared at her intently.“I know what you are going to say, Paige,” Cordelia jumped in, “and Zane being expelled will only mean that he has no other distractions from dealing with us and he'll still have people inside the school all too willing to help him.”“Zane, how about if something is done, we give you an off switch for various sections?” Cordelia offered.“Sounds great; let me know how the project works out, but now I have to go to Archery,” I replied, before slipping out the door.“How did he know we were going to wire his room?” I overheard Paige whisper to Cordelia.“You don't seriously think he came here solely because we tricked him, do you?” Cordelia answered. “He knew we would try something and he wanted us to know that he knew.” Yes, I had bumbled into the message I'd wanted to get across despite myself.Does Anyone Want Me Here?I had escaped school with a double date for Thursday Night (Chastity and Hope), then stopped by the house to plead with Aunt Jill to let Rio stay for the weekend. I gave a rational case, a compassionate reason, and then fell down on my knees and told her I really, really, really wanted her to stay. Something in that last argument made Jill relent and I phoned the good news to Rio.All that groveling resulted in me making the Festivities Committee Meeting by only two minutes. I swept into the room abruptly and as the story of my life goes, everyone stopped talking and looked at me. A quick scan of the room told me that two of the eight women knew to expect me, or at least some guy, while the others clearly assumed I'd lost my way.“Can we help you, young man?” an older woman with hair mostly turned to gray.“Welcome, Glenn,” Mrs. Wellington said. “Ladies, Pastor William has asked us to introduce Mr. Braxton to the good works of our Church.” There was a pause.“Thank you, Mrs. Wellington, but no one alive calls me Glenn anymore, and I'm not old or accomplished enough to be Mr. Braxton, like my Father or Uncle Tim. My teachers call me Zane.”“Oh, you are at the University?” a third woman asked politely. She was asking if I went to the University of Virginia.“No, I don't go to U V; I go to FFU, it is a long story,” I replied with trepidation.“I have a daughter at Freedom Fellowship,” one of the women responded with concern.“What is her name?” I tried to be polite, what were the odds?“Pandora Jaspers,” Mrs. Jaspers answered.“Seriously? I've done Handmaiden duty for her, and today I saw her at the Science Club,” I sighed with relief.“What did she have you do?” yet another woman inquired intently.“I helped her create an umbrella walkway when it was raining so that all the students could get to class without getting soaked,” I informed them.“Have you been to 'camp'?” a sixth woman hinted at something.“Camp, no, I can't say I've ever been to a camp,” I evaded, because I had no idea what they meant.“That's enough, ladies,” Mrs. Wellington said. “We have business to take care of. We can worry about Mr. Braxton's confusion at a later time.” Oh, they think I'm gay. Camp = Gay camp where fundamentalists are sure I could be cured of being homosexual. I try not to laugh.“Mr. Braxton, I want you to sit at the chair there,” Mrs. Wellington pointed to a chair away from the table, against the wall. “I want you to take personal notes for the members, things that don't go into the official record. Doreen Saxon,” she indicated the gray haired woman “is our secretary. She takes the official notes of the meeting, so pay attention.”The Meeting for the first of September was called to order, the record of attendance including the difficulty of my name, they kept trying to call me Glenn Braxton while I politely asked for Zane. They went with Glenn. The rest of the group worked out like this:Rochelle Wellington was Chairwoman, Kendra Bainbridge was our Treasurer, and Doreen Saxon was the grey-haired Secretary. The rest of the group consisted of Claire Baker, Theresa Geiger, Columbia Jaspers, Heidi Moulin, and Sahara Penny, the Pastor's wife.As the meeting progressed there was little I could do but watch the group dynamics at work. For starters, Bainbridge was at Wellington's throat; they clearly didn't like one another. The other was an oddity; no one interacted with Sahara Penny. I wasn't sure if it was her non-white heritage (Middle Eastern of some sort), her meek nature, or some past sin, but I decided to take advantage of it.I got up quietly and began walking around the table.“Glenn,” Mrs. Saxon asked, but I ignored her because, damn it, how many times do I have to tell them my name is Zane? I walked over and knelt by Sahara.“Zane,” Mrs. Wellington addressed me, “are you looking for the bathroom?” Bingo!“No, Mrs. Wellington. I was hoping to get some background information on the current discussions as well as contact information for the group. Since the rest of you are treating Mrs. Penny like she has the plague, I figured she would be the perfect candidate to tell me what is really going on here,” I grinned at her. “It is always the quiet ones who know the most.”And everyone stopped talking. Sahara not only looked shocked and frightened to see me, she looked like she wanted to sink under the table when I told the rest of them my reason for being here.“I assure you, Mr. Braxton, we are fully including Sahara in the process,” Mrs. Bainbridge snorted indignantly.“I will gladly accept your reprimand if you can please tell me the last five words you said to her since I arrived,” I requested, with as much innocence as I could beg, borrow, or steal.“I asked her about the children's clothing for the Nativity this year,” Kendra said after a long pause.“That was Claire, not Sahara,” I corrected her. “It is in my notes, but I'm sure Doreen can corroborate my recall of events.”“Well,” she said testily, “I'm sure I said something to her.” Silence.“I apologize for disrupting the meeting. I'll crouch here quietly and conference with Sahara while the rest of you complete the business of the day,” I told them, then turned back to Sahara. “Now, what the heck is up with the live turkey at the Thanksgiving celebration?”In the end, I gathered my information, the meeting concluded its business, and the room emptied until it was me, Sahara, Kendra, and Rochelle.“A Christian gentleman would apologize,” Kendra informed me.“Well, I guess that makes us both poor Christians, because a good Christian woman wouldn't have lied to me,” I calmly replied. Kendra gaped like a fish out of water.“Rochelle!” Kendra snapped to the Committee head.“Zane, you apologize to Kendra right now,” she commanded me, without much passion.“Kendra Bainbridge, I apologize for my rude and uncalled for behavior,” I said with a bow. Neither woman had expected me to fold up like that, so all Kendra could do was huff and storm out of the room.“Thank you,” Sahara whispered, as she touched my hand.“I don't always know the right side to fight on but it is usually by the side of the person being bullied,” I grinned. “It is the Christian thing to do,” I added with a wink.That left me with Rochelle Wellington: MILF, Lance the asshole's Mom, and wife of the Mayor.She looked like she wanted to stand up but couldn't. Me, I had a Sorority meeting to get to, I missed dinner so I had to grab something first, and why in the hell was I even thinking what I was thinking? I sat down beside her.“What's wrong?” I began. She looked at me, tired and somehow forlorn.“You wouldn't understand, Mr. Braxton, Zane,” she sighed.“Try me; the worst that could happen is, I give the expression that every teenager gives an adult when something important is being said but we are too caught up in our own lives to understand.”“Oh, good point, young man,” she sighed, “but I'm afraid I don't have anything even remotely interesting to talk about.” I waited patiently. “I'm feeling sorry for myself. My baby is leaving the nest and it has been so long since I've been alone in the house, I don't know what to do with myself.”“Lance is an only child?” I wondered.“Oh, no, he is the youngest of five,” she responded with sadness. My jaw dropped and she stared at me.“What, did you start having kids when you were ten?” I gawked.“What?” she sounded confused.“I have a hard time believing you are forty, much less the mother of five grown children,” I stammered. At first Rochelle was embarrassed and a bit uncomfortable, but slowly the compliment seeped its way into her psyche.“I, I have a home gym,” she suggested as an answer.“Well, whatever you've been doing has worked. Your husband is one lucky guy, and I hope he appreciates you and all you do to look, act, and feel so young,” I wowed her.“I'm not feeling all that young right now,” she slipped back into her depression.“Where does it hurt?” I changed my focus.“I don't know what you mean?” she asked.“People keep their stress in different places; the back of the neck, the mid-back, shoulders, or temples,” I informed her.“I'm not comfortable talking with you about that,” Mrs. Wellington replied warily.“Sure,” I said popping out of my seat. “I apologize if I crossed any lines,” and I made for the door.“Wait, Zane, I apologize. I'm tired and a bit cranky. I know you didn't mean anything and besides, I'm sure you already have a girlfriend,” Rochelle admitted.“Please don't spread this around, but I have several girlfriends at the moment. They know about each other, I'm not going to lie about my sex life, but they are usually interested in different things,” I told her.“You have, multiple girlfriends, different things? Like what kind of different things?” Rochelle spilled out her confused thoughts.“Some women like sexual contact,” I related, “while others like romantic time together, and still others want companionship.” There was another long pause.“But you are at Freedom Fellowship University, ” she trembled.“I've never taken a student's virginity, if that's what you are asking,” I answered.“Oh, I understand. I've taught all my children that they should be virgins on their wedding day,” Rochelle said with some pride.“I have to disagree with that,” I shocked her, “but that is one of the reasons that women are better than girls.”“And how would you know this?” She now turned in her chair to face me, trying to sound affronted but coming across as deeply curious.“Um, I've had sex with girls in their teens and women in their forties, and women know more, pace themselves better, and generally have better bodies,” I explained. “Teen girls need a few more years to fill out.”Rochelle was utterly speechless, and part of that had to do with the fact that I was being frank and honest, yet not openly coming on to her.“You must not think much of me, then,” she mused, “teaching my children my views on virginity.”“Where did you get that from? If anything, you are proving yourself to be an intelligent, warm, caring, and compassionate woman and mother, who happens to look like she's less than forty years old,” I added. “You did what you thought was right. I can't argue with that.”“Well, good,” she replied.“Now for my part, I was taught that a real man gives his lover multiple orgasms and he should never reach fulfillment before his partner does. Any man who does so is being selfish,” I stated.“How did you come by this, thinking?” she inquired with a small voice.“Um, I've had sex around five hundred times with thirty different partners,” I told her, “so I've not only learned from very good teachers, I've field tested their ideas.”“How can you possibly consider yourself a good Christian, Zane?” she accused me.“Compassion, respect for all living things, and forgiveness, that's what I believe in and what Christianity stands for in my eyes,” I explained.“The Bible is clear on sex and the sanctity of the marriage bed,” Rochelle insisted.“Mrs. Wellington, everything after the death of Jesus is conjecture. We both accept that Jesus was the Son of God, but after he dies, who is to say who was being touched by the Divine, who was building on JC's teachings, and who was simply making stuff up,” I held up my hand to stop Rochelle's protest.“The Catholics have a thousand Saints, most of whom we don't hold to be divinely inspired. You chose to believe that virginity is a girl's sacred duty, but I don't recall Christ saying anything on the subject. You can certainly quote later Gospels or the Old Testament, but that makes it your choice, not the Word of God,” I finished up. Another long pause followed.“I keep my stress in the top of my shoulders,” she suddenly said. I stood up and moved behind her, deciding to not question her changing opinion of me.“It helps if you take off your jacket,” I suggested, then helped her shimmy out of it. She tensed up as my hands weighed down lightly on her shoulders so I kept my touch gentle.Two minutes into the massage, I began squeezing harder and harder, moving my palms back and forth over her bra straps from upper arm to neck.“Rochelle,” I whispered into her ear, “I am going to rotate your shoulders.” I rolled over each shoulder one at a time but when I finished, I pushed her slowly forward until she was resting her elbows on the table and held her head on her upturned hands.When I went back to the massage, I worked her over harder and extended my reach from her mid-back to neck. This was clearly a case of begging forgiveness instead of asking permission. I took my time, relaxing her to a completely detached state. When I brought her back to reality, I was kneeling beside her and tapping her on the arm.“Rochelle? Are you okay,” I asked in a gentle, caring voice. Dreamily, she turned her head from its resting place on her arms to look at my eyes straight-on and mere inches away.“What, huh?” she muttered.“How do the shoulders feel? Has your stress gone away?” I inquired.“Yes, yes,” she popped up, alert once more. “It feels really good, in fact. I haven't felt this way in years,” she added with a smile.“I think it is time for us to go,” I suggested. “Can I help you with your jacket?”“Of course,” she nodded. “Thank you for helping an old lady out.” I held it while she put in one arm after the other but when I settled it on her shoulders, I stepped in and held her there for a moment while I pressed myself against her so she could feel how I felt about 'old ladies'.Rochelle froze when she felt my cock, rigid in my slacks, pressed against her ass. I was unsure if I'd gone too far when she pushed ever so slightly against me.“I've got to be going. I will see you on Sunday but I'm home all weekend with one of my girlfriends in case you need me,” I informed her.I slipped out before she could respond because not only did I have a Sorority function to attend, I also needed to figure out where I could score some Viagra because I clearly had no common sense where sex was concerned. Besides, Sahara was obviously in need of attention because Pastor Bill wasn't giving it to her, and Bainbridge was lashing out due to years of sexual frustration, I repeat: I have no common sense.Every One Like a Fingerprint to MeWhen I was racing to get to the Kappa Sigma House, I hardly expected to be met by one of their pledges and absolutely no one else. After I sat down in the den and the pledge, Tina, got me a soda from the kitchen, we found ourselves staring at one another.“So, I'm here on the correct night; right?” I asked.“Yes, you are, Zane,” she bubbled with anticipation.“Where is everybody?” I prodded her.“They are taking care of Sorority business but they will come get us when they are ready,” she grinned. I knew I was missing something but I didn't know what it was.“Is it hot in here?” I wondered.“Yes,” Tina said after a bit of concentration.“Tina, can I have some Advil? I'm getting a headache,” I yawned.“Okay,” Tina responded, still happy, and still sitting down.“Ah, fuck, you drugged me, didn't you?” I groaned. I doubted I could still stand and then proved my doubts as I slid off the chair. “Damn,” I slurred. Tina walked over to me, took my drink away, and gently maneuvered my body to the floor.“If it is any consolation, I was selected as the pledge most likely to seduce you,” she stated with real sympathy. I might have smiled at her, I wasn't sure, but I definitely passed out.Cough! Someone plunged cleaning detergent underneath my nose and fired me back to consciousness. Holy Mother of God, I'm cold, my wrists and ankles hurt, I'm outdoors in the woods illuminated by torches and surrounded in a semi-circle of bare-footed figures in ankle long brown robes and black hoods.I was cold because I was naked and my limbs hurt because I was suspended on a cross, not a 'T' cross but an 'X' cross. I certainly know some kinky, fucked-up people.“Zane,” a modulated voice addressed me, “you are on trial before Kappa Sigma for your treatment of one of our sisters. You have abused the trust of one sister by seeking romantic relations with another. What do you have to say for yourself?”“If the question is that I had relations with Leigh, then had a similar encounter with Paris, then I confess. In my defense, I never sought to deceive either one and will make amends if permitted,” I promised.“Sisters, we have heard his defense. Will any of you vote in his behalf?” she intoned. No one stepped forward.“Zane, we will give you one chance to save yourself. If you fail, you will be shaved bald and painted in a permanent purple dye.” I assume that means seven days on Human skin. “If you can pick out the woman you have wronged, beg her forgiveness, and are forgiven, you will go free.” I was getting pretty nervous since they were all totally covered except for their toes when the 'leader' nodded and the girls all opened their robes to reveal string bikinis in a variety of colors.Their faces were still covered, though that wasn't really a problem for me anymore.“Choose Leigh and Paris, beg their forgiveness, and you may be pardoned,” the 'leader' commanded.“That's not fair,” I answered right back, “because they are not before me now.”“Think carefully,” the girl with the modulated voice cautioned me.“No, seriously; I'm looking at Josephine, Maria, Cynthia, Sarah, Ferrara, Petra, Yvette, Tawny, Jersey, and Monique,” I named them left to right.“What?” Sarah gasped to her assembled sisters. “Do we have name tags on?”Behind me, I heard snickers turn into giggles, Leigh and Paris. Tawny stepped forward.“How did you know?” she inquired, clearly not the girl with the modulated voice.“Ah, Josephine has a birthmark on her ankle, Maria has the darkest skin tone, and Cynthia's breasts don't angle down the middle or to the side but somewhere in the middle.”“Sarah has slender thighs and her calves curve just so below the knee; Ferrara always paints her nails in these crazy patterns; Petra scrapped her knee backpacking two weekends ago; Yvette, has that tattoo over her right nipple; Tawny, you have a slender neck, a, 38C chest, and a strong swell from your waist to your hips; Jersey is the tallest and has that scar she got in a boating accident in high school; and finally, Monique has the perkiest nipples and the most slender calves,” I recited.Man, even the crickets went quiet after that.“Zane, did anyone help you with this test?” Tawny finally asked.“Nope.”“How could they?” Leigh came to my defense. “You didn't make the line-up until thirty minutes ago.”“Jersey, go check his phone log,” Tawny directed her sister.“I'm getting really cold,” I whispered to Leigh. She looked from my eyes to my waist with sympathy. Jersey walked out of the light but quickly returned with my phone.“His last call was at 2:10 p.m. but he did have a data download at 6:45, it seems to be a bunch of women's names and phone numbers,” Jersey relayed the information to them.“It is my church group, I swear. Honestly, they are all married women in the Festivities Committee that bastard of a pastor assigned me to,” I pleaded.“No phone calls?” Tawny persisted.“No phone calls,” Jersey confirmed.“Okay, Zane, how did you know who we were with our faces concealed?” Tawny wondered.“Is that a serious question?” The deafening pause was its own answer. “You are women; I pay attention to women and to me, each female form is as exacting as a fingerprint. Until now I thought all of this was a joke,” I related. “I mean, if you wanted to scare me, you would have given me something difficult to figure out.”“And you picked all this up at one party?” Tawny sounded bewildered.“Have I mentioned how much I like women?” I reminded her.“But you brought twenty women with you; you always had a woman by your side. How?” Tawny still struggled to understand.“I repeat: have I mentioned how much I like women? I see nothing wrong with being with one woman and looking at others, but I believe it is wrong to be with one woman and thinking about someone else,” I explained. “You should always appreciate the one you are with.”“Um, does any sister believe Zane has earned a reprieve?”For two seconds no one reacted, then Jersey stepped forward.“He knew about my scar,” was her excuse. Five more stepped forward right after that and all had done so by the tenth second.“Very well Zane, you are forgiven,” Tawny announced. Yay, me! “But I have one other issue to address. Zane, I can't have you cutting a swath through my girls so I'm going to demand that you stick to one and only one Kappa Sigma per semester.” I stared at her until she finally had to question me. “What?”“I wish you would stop treating me like a child,” I chuckled.“What makes you think I'm not being serious?” Tawny growled.“We've kissed. You can tell a lot about a person in the way they kiss, and you are very caring and thoughtful,” I told her. “Why would I be out here in the woods naked if I didn't trust you?”“You kissed him!” yelped Leigh. Tawny smirked as she looked at her.“You left me alone with a naked Zane in your room; he looked cold and lonely,” she told Leigh. I was cold and lonely because Tawny tossed Leigh out of her own room and then wouldn't let me get dressed, but only Tawny, Christina, and I knew that.“Besides, Zane, you are naked in these woods because we tricked you into our house and spiked your drink,” Tawny pointed out.“Ah, but would I have been dumb enough to take that drink if I hadn't first trusted you enough to show up, wait, that didn't come out right,” I mumbled.“Are you agreeing to my terms?” Tawny teased.“Nope. I prefer to hold to the illusion I'm living in the Free World,” I declared. “You can certainly tell your sisters what to do because they volunteered for this but I only hang out here because all of you have been so nice to me. If I've been a poor guest, I'll just leave, because I'm not going to pretend I like one sister less than another.”“Zane, you are deep in the woods, tied to a cross, and the only people who know you are here are all bound by Sacred Oaths of Sisterhood, Blood, and Secrecy,” Tawny stated sweetly, as she came up and stroked my cheek. “You aren't in the best place to be dumping us.”“Good point,” I agreed defiantly. “Maybe I should wait to get on my high horse when I can actually get on a high horse, but I'm still not going to take it back.”“We could always keep him in our secret basement,” Monique suggested. When everyone looked at her she added, “Hey, he liked my nipples. Finding a guy who is good with nipples isn't as easy as you would think.” Huh, what? I had a definite feeling I was losing control of events.“You have a secret basement?” I gulped. “I didn't know you had a secret basement.”“Well, duh,” Paris snickered. “It wouldn't be much of a secret if you knew about it.”“We are not keeping Zane chained up for our amusement,” Tawny warned the girls. “We specifically changed the Charter back in '02 so that we can no longer keep men on the premises for more than forty-eight hours.” Yay?“We also can't leave him here,” Tawny continued. “I'm sure Christina will have search parties out looking for you before sunrise.”“I'll stay out here and stand guard over him,” Leigh volunteered.“No,” Tawny scolded Leigh. “We can't let him get fucked to death either.” Leigh looked truly heartbroken.“I think we have to let Zane get off this time,” Tawny sighed.“I was trying to get him off,” Leigh grumbled.“Give it a rest, Leigh,” Tawny demanded. “Paris, give our guest something to drink so we can wrap this up.” Paris disappeared behind me, then reappeared with a glass of water.“Drink up,” she smiled beatifically.“Just promise me I'm not going to wake up in some landfill or tied to a lamppost somewhere public,” I groaned.“Drink it down right now and you might wake up next to me,” Tawny challenged. Needless to say, I drank and quickly, because I'm an idiot who keeps too much blood in the wrong head.When I woke up, I was back in the Sorority house with a different sweet pledge smiling at me and that smell of ammonia in my nostrils. She handed me a folded piece of paper.I said 'you MIGHT wake up next to me' the paper read. 'P.S. See you and the Ladies at our Halloween Bash.'“What's your name?” I asked the pledge. This time the home was filled with the noises of occupancy.“Larissa,” she giggled. “So, are you Leigh's boyfriend?”“Ah, no; I'm community property; the other sisters hand me around like a box of chocolates,” I joked.“Really! That is so great,” she bubbled with excitement. “I can't wait until I get initiated. I want you to make me scream the way you had Leigh singing.” Does no one get my jokes?“Larissa, I am sure you will pass your initiation, no sweat,” I told her as I stood up, feeling a bit drunk. Larissa walked with me to the door and gave me a quick peck on the cheek as I turned to head for my car. I made it to campus with seconds to spare. The crawl up to the Solarium was done in relative quiet, though Barbie Lynn decided to sample my tonsils before letting me up.Not two steps inside the door my phone rang.“Hello, is this Zane Braxton?” this familiar voice greeted me.“That would be me. What can I do for you this night?” I responded.“This is Felicity Tolliver. I wanted you to know that I had dinner with Rochelle Wellington tonight and I think having you on her committee has really improved her mood,” she informed me.I reached the top of the landing and nearly dropped the phone. Iona sat nervously on my bed, which she had made up because I never do it that well. She was wearing lingerie that definitely made her whole form much more feminine.“Felicity, Rochelle and I talked mostly, plus I showed her some techniques to help alleviate stress,” I related, “but you can tell her it was a pleasure to work with such a vibrant and beautiful woman. You two are a lot alike.”There was a pause, then,“I'll tell her that,” Felicity said.“I will be at my home in case she needs something this weekend. I would like to see both of you, as would my Aunt,” I offered.“That would be nice,” she sounded upbeat.“We could also discuss getting some FFU girls coming over to your place and the workshops you could teach on campus in October and November,” I suggested.“That sounds great too,” Felicity agreed. “I would like to spend some time at FFU and having some girls know where Lance's house is would be nice. When do you want to meet?”“How about after dinner, say 8 o'clock?” I suggested. “You can bring Lance.”“After dinner is fine but Lance has a church workshop on Saturday nights,” Felicity sighed. Oh hell, does this woman even get taken to first base? “He's always so busy with his fraternity at school, the Young Christian Men's Republican caucus, and the Christian Men's League at church.” Does this guy spend any time with women at all?“Consider it a date,” I replied. “Now I have a very good reason to go to bed, so good night.”“Good night,” she parted in a friendly manner, which allowed me to hang up and start undressing as I approached the bed. I looked down at my bed buddy once I'd stripped down to nothing.“You look lovely, Iona,” I greeted her. “What do you want to do?”“I'll do whatever you want,” Iona said with a tremor in her voice, looking down at her lap. She looked stunning in her burgundy bra and panties, which were far more lace than substance. I felt the hand of, Christina (?) in all this.“Thank you, Iona. What I really want is to lie down, you beside me so that I can look into your eyes and gently trace lines along your body, and then I want to go to sleep with you in my arms. That's what I really want.”“Really?” she perked up in surprise and relief. I crawled under the covers, holding them open so she could join me.“I like this a lot,” she murmured, as she settled in at my side, snug in the covers. I shifted to my side and cupped her chin before exchanging several soft kisses with her. Afterwards, I did as I told her I would; my hand caressed her body, avoiding nipples and pussy but doing my best to get everywhere else. I elicited sensual moans and ticklish giggles.When I had forced her to push me off so she could catch her breath, I felt I had given Iona what she wanted, and more importantly, what she could live with. I sat back and stared at the Moon through my glass roof. Iona's smiling face slowly invaded my view.“I give up, Iona,” I pleaded. “Right now I want some sleep.”“That's okay. I will sit here and watch over you,” she sighed.“That's, that's a little creepy, actually,” I confessed.“I've watched all of the Twilight movies so I know what secretive romances are all about,” Iona explained.Unfortunately, I knew little of the Twilight series of movies. I knew it involved vampires and werewolves and some chick named Bella but I'd never actually seen any of that. Had I known it involved a 100-year-old vampire breaking into some teenager's room and staring down at her while she slept, I would have been much more concerned, but for now I went to sleep.A lesson in why I shouldn't get out of bed in the morning.*Wakefulness is a race we cannot not win; Sleep is remorseless as all salvation should be*I woke up to every heterosexual teenage boy's second favorite dream (the first being a morning blowjob) of a perfume-scented head resting on each shoulder as you wake. There were the tiny complications of only having gone to bed with one woman and that, by their breathing, I could tell they were both awake.“Good morning,” I said cautiously; technically morning since it was 5 a.m.“Good m

On this episode of Food Allergy Talk, I welcome Claire Baker, Senior Communications Director at Beyond Celiac, the leading celiac disease advocacy organization in the United States. Claire was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2010. Her symptoms, which included long-term severe anemia, GI problems, brain fog and more, revealed that she may have gone undiagnosed for decades. Today we will discuss with Claire celiac disease – what it is, symptoms, diagnosis and management. As well as Beyond Celiac and their role in the Celiac community. We also talk about:Cross contactGetting "glutened" after removing gluten from dietGetting a proper official diagnosis from medically certified doctors and the pitfalls of self-diagnosis Reading labelsDining OutDiversity Sharing Your StoryResearch and Clinical TrialsHidden sources of gluten such as make-up, medicines and more.Beyond Celiac resources, community initiatives, and where to find them online:Beyond Celiac website is www.BeyondCeliac.org and it's packed with resources and ways to donate and get involved.A handy guide to label reading is here: www.beyondceliac.org/gluten-free-diet/reading-food-labelsBeyond Celiac will have a special initiative this summer that supports three of their big research efforts, which can be found here: www.BeyondCeliac.org/SummerBeyondAnd Beyond Celiac social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondceliacInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondceliacTwitter: https://twitter.com/beyondceliacYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/beyondceliacLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-celiacListen online anytime: https://foodallergypi.com/the-food-allergy-talk-podcast/ or on any podcast player.

Kate Avery and Claire Baker of Beyond Celiac are joined by Doug Jacobstein, M.D. and Dan Leffler, M.D. for this town hall discussion, focusing on how patients are a pivotal aspect of developments in the celiac research community. Both panelists speak about their experiences with clinical trials and how new research can emerge with the help of patient participation.

“That time of the month” - We all know what this is code for right?   We create separation when we speak in ‘code' about our own body. Part of the shaming, silencing & taboo around periods is our participation in not naming them.   In Claire's household, she has changed her language (& over several years educated her partner to do the same).   In her household, they name it - “I'm bleeding”   There's a reason women feel the subtle need to silence their own periods - we're discussing those reasons with period coach Claire Baker on the podcast. Unpacking these subtle generation - old reasons is useful in understanding how the silence & shaming came to be.    But it's our bodies that create the future. How you speak about your period determines the future for periods.   In this discussion with Jenna & Claire we explore: Why we have been socialized to think of periods as messy, inconvenient affairs - naming the generation & centuries-old systems suppressing the magic of menstruation Claire & Jenna share their first bleed experiences & the practices they now bring to their bleed Cycle awareness - what is it, how to get started & what to do if your period is painful or you feel selfish for making your world revolve around your bleed Initiation and self-initiation (at any age) into the womb cave   Claire Baker is a sought-after period coach, author and speaker. For nearly a decade Claire has taught thousands of women how to live in harmony with their menstrual cycle, rather than working against it. Claire believes menstrual cycle awareness is the missing key in women's wellbeing, empowerment and creativity, and her immersive online courses and workshops inspire women to know their flow and become the authority in their own lives. Claire's online program Adore Your Cycle has students in over 35 countries.   With a background in visual arts and creative business, Claire is a certified health and lifecoach, has studied Menstruality Leadership and is a trained natural fertility teacher. Known for her authentic voice and ability to ‘make periods fun', Claire is regularly featured in publications such as Red, Glamour, and Women's Health magazine. Originally from Australia, Claire now lives in sunny East London and spends her days coaching, teaching, writing, dancing and being as close to trees as she possibly can.   Find out more about Claire's work at https://www.clairebaker.com   -------------- RESOURCES Resources mentioned in this podcast: Find out more about Claire's work at https://www.clairebaker.com Feminine Embodiment Coaching - an emotional embodiment & vulnerability-based professional training for coaches School of Embodied Arts Leave a podcast review on iTunes here Thought or reflection to share? Leave a comment on Instagram here   Find Jenna on the following platforms: Website: http://jennaward.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennaward.co/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennawardco/   We hope you enjoyed today's podcast. Make sure you subscribe so you'll be updated when new episodes become available. Also, it would be greatly appreciated if you would take a few moments to leave your feedback. Simply click on “ratings and reviews” then “write a review” on iTunes to get started. Your reviews are so helpful in making future episodes even better. We would also appreciate it if you share the podcast with your friends or anyone who you think might enjoy these episodes. The School of the Embodied Arts podcast is also available on Spotify.

Jyoti Chadda is my cycle coach sister, its an honour and exciting to introduce you to her and her cycle work rooted in the traditions of Ayurveda and Yoga. Jyoti explains that Ayurveda translates to "knowledge of life" and she describes it as a very holistic science, the sister science of yoga, and a philosophy wherein the physical and energetic bodies are understood as a whole rather than individual and separate parts.In our conversation Jyoti shares how she weaves together her own traditions of Ayurveda and Yogic Philosophy into her cycle work, and the wisdom that Ayurveda teaches us about menstrual cycle awareness. Tune in to hear more about:Jyoti's journey from school teacher to cycle coach and biz owner,An overview of the three doshas which I think of now as being energetic archetypes and how they are expressed within us and within the three phases of the Ayurvedic menstrual cycle. What we might experience if one of these doshas is out of balance in us and in our cycle and tips for coming back to balance. Her new podcast which is coming in April: Decolonising Wellness, which is a must listen!! Jyoti is the founder of My Wellness Company @mywellnesscompany, a yoga & meditation teacher, menstrual cycle coach and holistic wellness practitioner. She is on a mission to make wellbeing accessible to everybody as they reconnect to themselves - after all this is our birthright! Jyoti does this using a range of holistic wellness modalities including yoga, menstrual cycle awareness, Ayurveda and more. Her brand new podcast has just launched called Decolonising Wellness and it's a must listen for anyone in the wellness space. Links Learn more about Jyoti's offerings and get your free wellness tools at www.mywellnesscompany.co.uk and follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mywellnesscompany.Listen to Decolonising Wellness podcastThe books Jyoti referenced are Ṛtu Viḍyā: Ancient Science Behind Menstrual Practices by Sinu Joseph and Maisie Hill's book Period Power. Jyoti and I referenced Claire Baker as one of our teachers, and its her Cycle Coach training that we are both Mentors on together this year. Connect with meSubscribe and join my free Wild Flow CommunityTake my short course Find Your FThanks so much as ever for supporting me to host Wild Flow Podcast! It means such a lot to receive your ratings, reviews, and to be tagged in your IG stories @charlotte.pointeaux.coach! Please share with your soul sisters who are learning to honour their cycles and live as an embodied cyclical woman too, so they can receive the wisdom they're searching for. Find the full show notes at https://charlottepointeaux.com/podcast/ Charlotte xxx PS: Would you love to belong to a soul-nourishing sisterhood of women who are deeply connected to their inner seasons, cycles and body's wisdom? If so, I'd love to invite you to become a treasured member of our Wild Flow Coven membership and Subscribe for your free cycle magick rituals guides. Want to dive deeper and be held in your own private container for inner healing? Find my coaching and programs here at https://charlottepointeaux.com/coaching/

Let's continue the challenge to be more intentional concerning your health. Listen in as I explain the 4 phases of your monthly cycle and how you better live in sync with your cycle.   Most women have never heard this information before. Share this. Together, let's help more women learn to look for the predictable patterns in their bodies as well, so they can be intentional in their health.   Links from today's episode: Has this podcast made a difference in your life? You can buy me coffee. Buy me a coffee (well in my case, a cup of tea) to show support for the show: https://susanseay.ck.page/products/buy-me-coffee Periods by Claire Baker https://amzn.to/2Zy7dQO   My website: http://susanseay.com For more information on my products: http://susanseay.com/shop To learn more about the books mentioned on the show: https://www.amazon.com/shop/susanlseay (this is an affiliate link. When you purchase using this link I am compensated, but you pay nothing extra. Thank you for using this link as a way of supporting the content on the show.) Connect with Susan Seay Facebook // Instagram // www.facebook.com/SusanLSeay/ http://instagram.com/susanlseay Ways you can support this show: Help me to connect with more moms who could use a mentor that offers lots of encouragement and practical tools. If you know a mom who desires to be more intentional but just doesn't know how… Share this episode  Post about this episode on your Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter - add - #MentorforMomsPodcast to your post

PART 2/3 Welcome back to the Earth Within Podcast with your host - Sophie French. This episode is Part 2 of 3 Part Series with our incredible guest Charlotte Pointeaux. In today's episode we cover: Charlotte maps out the cycles you can work with and the similarities and difference between them We unpack the Cyclical Wisdom Map originally mapped by Jane Hardwicke Collings and Claire Baker in Cycle Coach School Including the; circadian rhythm, the moon cycle, the menstrual cycle, a woman's life cycle, the seasons and the life cycle of a flower. Charlotte is a Wild Feminine Cycle and Embodiment Coach here for the awakened woman who is ready to reclaim her body, menstrual cycle, and feminine power to lead, live and love in flow with nature's wisdom. MENTIONED; Jane Hardwicke Collings Claire Baker - Founder of Cycle Coach School Red School CONNECT WITH CHARLOTTE Listen to Charlotte's Podcast - Wild Flow Podcast www.charlottepointeaux.com www.firstmooncircles.com Instagram: @charlotte.pointeaux.coach CONNECT WITH SOPHIE Instagram @sophiefrench___ www.sophie-french.com.au email - hello@sophie-french.com.au

How do we as facilitators create intentional, sacred online spaces that foster connection? How do we embrace all of the facets of ovulation, both the sparkly ones and the shadowy ones? What are some of the differences between menstrual cycle awareness and fertility awareness? In this conversation, Nat interviews Claire Baker, a a sought-after period coach, author and speaker. For nearly a decade Claire has taught thousands of women how to live in harmony with their menstrual cycle, rather than working against it. Claire believes menstrual cycle awareness is the missing key in women's wellbeing, empowerment and creativity, and her immersive online courses and workshops inspire women to know their flow and become the authority in their own lives. Claire's online program Adore Your Cycle has students in over 35 countries. Find Claire's work at clairebaker.com. Take her free class, Start to Chart. Check out Cycle Coach School. Find Nat's work on Instagram and take FAM Fundamentals.

This week, political attention has been focused on Westminster, COP26 and a trip to Gibraltar. Brian is joined by Elena Whitham, Graham Simpson and Claire Baker. And this week, the podcast says goodbye to regular co-host Alistair Grant, as he leaves The Herald for pastures new. We'd like to thank him for his brilliant contributions over the last year._______________________________________________Produced by Elle Duffy and Ema Sabljak for The Herald.Contact the producers on podcasts@heraldscotland.co.ukMusic from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/curiosityLicense code: SFVY2IZ7ELOZLWMR See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome back to the Us Anxious Folk podcast! After a short break, I'm back with episode 7 - all about how I went from hating and constantly skipping my periods to coming off the pill, using more enviro-friendly period products, and really coming to a place of sacred nurturing and acceptance of my menstrual cycle. Mentioned in this episode: Claire Baker and her book 50 Things You Need To Know About Periods Nat Kingroudis Sara Avant Stover and her book The Way of The Happy Woman Come As You Are - Emily Nagoski Modibodi Period Underwear Lunette Menstrual Cups   To be a guest on the show, please contact me at hello@iamlaurenrose.com You can find me on instagram @laurenr_rose

Welcome back to the Earth Within Podcast with your host - Sophie French, I love having you here. In this solo episode I explore; - Getting to know the sensations and voice of Intuition vs Inner critic - The rhythm of your intuition vs inner critic - Concepts of working with your inner critic by Claire Baker and Red School - The role of cycle awareness including menstrual + moon cycle phases to attune to MENTIONED; Claire Baker - Founder of Cycle Coach School - who I've almost finished my certification with! yay! Red School who termed the Inner Critic at home in the premenstrual phase. Join me in ENLIVEN for 6 or 12 weeks - all details on my website Connect with Sophie Instagram @sophiefrench___ www.sophie-french.com.au email - hello@sophie-french.com.au

Period Coach, Claire Baker has built a wildly successful, impactful, vision-led business as an author, teacher and leader in the menstruality field. In this episode we go behind the scenes of her business, exploring how she works with the superpowers and vulnerabilities of her menstrual cycle to create potent programmes, manage her team skillfully, lead with integrity and find the pleasure in her creative process.We explore:How Claire rides off the momentum of inner spring, paces her workflow to protect her vulnerable new ideas, and invites her playful, innocent maiden self to explore and experiment.The natural magnetism of inner summer, and how to harness our capacity to be seen in this phase to create connections, nurture relationships and express ourselves with confidence. How Claire manages her inner critic and imposter syndrome in inner autumn, uses the power of discernment to evaluate and wrap up her work and crafts space to be in her creative cave. Practical guidance to create space for visioning in inner winter, to receive insights, be your own ‘oracle' and clarify the most potent next steps for your work.  ---Registration is open for our 2022 Menstruality Leadership Programme. You can check it out here. (https://www.redschool.net/menstruality-leadership-programme-2022)---The Menstruality Podcast is hosted by Red School. We love hearing from you. To contact us, email info@redschool.net---Social media:Red School: @red.school (https://www.instagram.com/red.school)Claire Baker: @_clairebaker_ 

I chatted with my mentor, colleague and beautiful friend Claire Baker about how we can work with the enchantress archetype to empower us to grow an aligned, soulful and impactful coaching business, and to embody feminine leadership in a patriarchal world.Claire and I share a love of the Enchantress Archetype, who is big bold and badass, and as I put it, "she's kind of a vibe we want to be calling into our businesses". This conversation is juicy, rich, evocative, inspiring and nurturing all in one and is one of my favourite episodes of my Wild Flow Podcast.We flowed through topics from:Who is the Enchantress and what does she mean to us both?Why we would want the Enchantress energy to support us to lead in our business, especially when we're challenged and need to dig deep?How we can call on her to be with us and where she lives in our menstrual cycles, seasons and psyche.Examples of how the healthy, mature Feminine aspect shows up versus the immature Maiden aspect,What Feminist business practices are, and how this helps to heal the Sisterhood, and Sister Wounds.How to honour your sacred creativity, and how to collaborate and empower yourself and other women around you,And we touch on what its like to work with other women who are at different points in their cycle to you. Get this juice in your ears, and if you love it (I know you will!) be sure to share it with a sister, business bestie, cycle awareness devotee or someone who you'd love to tune in. And if you love it I would be so grateful if you'd like to leave a rating or review to support this podcast to reach more women who need to remember this ancient wisdom, thank you!About ClaireClaire Baker is a sought-after period coach, author and speaker. For nearly a decade Claire has taught thousands of women how to live in harmony with their menstrual cycle, rather than working against it. Claire believes menstrual cycle awareness is the missing key in women's wellbeing, empowerment and creativity, and her immersive online courses and workshops inspire women to know their flow and become the authority in their own lives. Claire's online program Adore Your Cycle has students in over 35 countries. With a background in visual arts and creative business, Claire is a certified health and life coach, has studied Menstruality Leadership and is a trained natural fertility teacher. Known for her authentic voice and ability to ‘make periods fun', Claire is regularly featured in publications such as Red, Glamour, and Women's Health magazine. Originally from Australia, ClairThanks so much as ever for supporting me to host Wild Flow Podcast! It means such a lot to receive your ratings, reviews, and to be tagged in your IG stories @charlotte.pointeaux.coach! Please share with your soul sisters who are learning to honour their cycles and live as an embodied cyclical woman too, so they can receive the wisdom they're searching for. Find the full show notes at https://charlottepointeaux.com/podcast/ Charlotte xxx PS: Would you love to belong to a soul-nourishing sisterhood of women who are deeply connected to their inner seasons, cycles and body's wisdom? If so, I'd love to invite you to become a treasured member of our Wild Flow Coven membership and Subscribe for your free cycle magick rituals guides. Want to dive deeper and be held in your own private container for inner healing? Find my coaching and programs here at https://charlottepointeaux.com/coaching/

It's a big week in Scottish politics, and in this latest episode of The Brian Taylor Podcast, conversation focuses on the prospect of a second independence referendum in the wake of the Programme for Government released earlier this week, as well as Boris Johnson's new tax to fund health and social care.Brian is joined by Miles Briggs of the Scottish Conservatives, Fiona Hyslop of SNP and Claire Baker of Scottish Labour. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Zahra Claire Baker was an 11 year old Australian girl living with her father Adam Baker and his new wife Elisa in North Carolina, USA. She was betrayed by those who should of cared about and for her. Instead her step mother ended up pleading guilty to her murder. Was Zahra's death an accident?

 On the show this week we  are bursting at the seems with  guests from all across the country who are fighting against dodgy developers and trying to protect our ancient wild life.  We are joined by Claire Baker from Owlthrope field action Group, Rosie Pierson from Better Braintree Together and Marge Powner from Friends of Carrington Moss. Together they  form the Community Planning Alliance (@CommunityPlann1).  A coalition  of hundreds of community groups across the country trying to preserve local wild life. We discuss why the planning system so favourable to developers, How the Tories plan to make it more so, the friction between decarbonizing, planning and the Green Belt and building local groups that can network nationally. This episode was not sponsored by Mad Max shout outsSheffield and Rotherham wild life trust@WildSheffieldCPRE Essex@CpreEssex Steven at Civic Voice@civic_voice Save greater Manchester Green Belt group @SGMGB2017Amelia Horgan and her new book "Lost in Work"@AmeliaHorganSarah Jaffe and also her new book "Work wont love you back"@sarahljaffeThis show was recorded on the 7th of May 2021If you like the show tell your comrades!Find us on Twitter:@MCRGND_PODInsta: ManchestergndpodFB:MCRGNDPODYou can support the show and get some of that sweet, sweet exclusive content head towww.patreon.com/mcrgndpodOr if you'd prefer to give a one off donation we also have a PayPalpaypal.me/mcrngndpod We've launched our Patreon!head over to patreon.com/mcrgndpod to support the show and get some sweet exclusive content!Or give a one off donation at paypal.me/mcrngndpod

Hello gorgeous lady, This is episode 16 with Claire Baker. This conversation is everything that I dreamt of when I imagined having conversations about our Womanhood. Over the years Claire and I have had many deep and beautiful chats – and what I know for certain is that there is something very special and unique about her. Claire has such an evident, and genuine care of our collective womanhood – and a way of deeply honouring women. I admire that about her so much. Many years ago Claire Baker started talking about periods on the internet. And in my opinion lead the way in revolutionizing how we live and thrive as menstruating women. Claire's teaching and friendship has been beautifully instrumental in reacquainting me with my own menstrual cycle and what it truly means to live as a forever changing, always evolving cyclic woman. If as a collective we continue to look in all the places, we are told to fear as women – I know Claire will be there holding the torch and lovingly bringing our menstruation out into the light for our reclaiming – and for that I am so SO grateful. It is my absolute pleasure to welcome the exquisite, Claire Baker to Womanhood.

Dans cet épisode, je te partage mon expérience comme étudiante dans la formation Cycle coach training de Claire Baker en 2020-2021. Toutes les infos sur cycle coach training de Claire : https://www.clairebaker.com/cycle-coach Guide gratuit pour apprendre à observer ton cycle menstruel : http://commedeslapins.com/outilcyclemenstruel Pour me suivre sur Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mariepierdeschenes_/ Pour te joindre à la communauté inclusive & féministe : http://bit.ly/communautéif Pour lire le blogue : https://commedeslapins.com/blogue/

Claire Baker, Senior Communications Director of Beyond Celiac, joins Mike and Cam to talk about some great initiatives going on at Beyond Celiac, including "Raise Your Voice" and their work toward identifying celiac disease in underserved communities, helping to support and diagnose people who might otherwise be left without answers.

Claire Baker, Senior Communications Director of Beyond Celiac, joins Mike and Cam to talk about some great initiatives going on at Beyond Celiac, including "Raise Your Voice" and their work toward identifying celiac disease in underserved communities, helping to support and diagnose people who might otherwise be left without answers.Listen to the full episode here: https://celiacprojectpodcast.libsyn.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Claire Baker is a sought-after period coach, author, speaker, and natural fertility teacher. For nearly a decade now she’s taught thousands of people how to live in harmony with their menstrual cycle instead of against it. She believes menstrual cycle awareness is the missing link in people’s wellbeing, empowerment, and creativity. We get deep into the menstrual cycle, the phases, the moon cycle, and the seasons. You can learn to live intuitively with your cyclic nature and harness your feminine energy in order to live your most vibrant, empowered life. Claire is the best person to talk to about all of this, and has so much to share with the world. We Chat About: How Claire got into her work The moon cycle and menstruation The 4 seasons and menstruation Honoring the different cycles in your life How birth control affects your natural cycles Identifying the postpartum period The connection between menstruation and birth Resources: https://www.clairebaker.com/ (clairebaker.com) Instagram: http://instagram.com/_clairebaker_ (@_clairebaker_) Read: https://www.clairebaker.com/book ("50 Things You Need to Know About Periods") Connect With Me: Join the waitlist for my https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mS7mxcm1c423G8sbsnOCr7d6_nu8sPXLA-S91aBnrsI/edit (Summer Hormone Coaching) https://www.nourishedwithnina.com/free-workbook-how-to-intuitively-connect-to-your-cycle (FREE WORKBOOK) - Learn how to support the 4 phases of your cycle! https://www.nourishedwithnina.com/private-hormone-coaching (Private Hormone and FAM Coaching) https://calendly.com/nourishedwithnina/private-reiki-session (Book a Reiki Session) Let’s be friends on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourishedwithnina/ (@nourishedwithnina) Healing Hormones is a production of http://crate.media (Crate Media)

I am jumping up and down at the moment and ever so excited to introduce today's guest today...CLAIRE BAKER! I have followed Claire for a few years now and her period and cycle wisdom has been pivotal in my own personal journey of coming off the pill and learning my cycle and its ebbs and flows. I was sooo pumped when Claire said yes to being on my podcast! I'm sure you know what to expect already from this episode, but we cover off on all the juicy cycle wisdom and also hear more about Claire's journey and where she is now. We also talk about the sacredness of period blood and how we can honour our bodies and Mother Earth during our menstrual cycle. Get into this episode! Claire Baker is a sought-after period coach, author and speaker. For nearly a decade Claire has taught thousands of women how to live in harmony with their menstrual cycle, rather than working against it. Claire believes menstrual cycle awareness is the missing key in women's wellbeing, empowerment and creativity, and her immersive online courses and workshops inspire women to know their flow and become the authority in their own lives. Claire's online program Adore Your Cycle has students in over 35 countries. With a background in visual arts and creative business, Claire is a certified health and life coach, has studied Menstruality Leadership and is trained as a natural fertility teacher. Known for her authentic voice and ability to ‘make periods fun', Claire is regularly featured in publications such as Red, Glamour, and Women's Health magazine. Originally from Australia, Claire now lives in sunny East London and spends her days coaching, teaching, writing, dancing and being as close to trees as she possibly can. Take Claire's free cycle masterclass or say hello on Instagram. Did you love this episode? Leave a review by clicking here! Instagram: @conscioussexuality Facebook: Conscious Sexuality Website: www.conscioussexuality.com.au

The first podcast of 2021! In this episode director of communications, Claire Baker spoke with Courtney and Mitchell Gaer about celiac disease in their family. Courtney speaks on her experiences as a mother caring for a child with celiac disease and the journey of how Mitchell was finally diagnosed. Mitchell speaks about what it's like being diagnosed and living with celiac disease as a young man. He is now in college and offers great advice on successfully living gluten-free as a college student. We also touched on non-celiac gluten sensitivity (aka gluten intolerance) which they believe Mitchell's younger brother has. We thank the Gaer family for sharing their story with us as it offers great insight and advice for those whose lives are affected by celiac disease and gluten intolerances. 

Claire Baker (she/her) is a period coach and the author of 50 Things You Need to Know About Periods. She and Xandra discuss aligning the creative process with the menstrual cycle. What is the best time in the cycle for play and work? Claire also shares insights from prioritising rest, and dreamy art projects of her own.SHOW NOTES: Claire's book: 50 Things You Need to Know About PeriodsClaire's website: http://clairebaker.comClaire is on Instagram @_clairebaker_SHOW DETAILS:Read more at http://theartlife.showSend letters to: The Art Life, c/o Grace Gordon, P.O. Box #4292, Valley Village, CA 91617Email: theartlife@heroinetraining.comXandra Robinson-Burns is on Patreon: @heroinetrainingGrace Gordon is on Instagram: @gracegordonofficial Our music is ‘The Stream' by Rorie: http://roriemusic.comA Heroine Training Podcast

Welcome to Zimmerman Podcast Episode 81. Today, I’m interviewing Claire Baker. Claire is a menstrual coach whose passion is educating women about their cycles, hormones, and unique monthly patterns. It’s only been in the past year or two that I realized that my period was more than a dreaded week each month. It’s an entire cycle with four distinct phases, and the week we bleed is just one of those phases! Through experiencing adrenal fatigue that affected literally every aspect of my life from my energy to my emotions to my work focus to my sex drive, learning about my four-season cycle not only gave me back my health, but helped me to understand why I feel how I feel at different times of the month. Episode 81 Topics: - The four seasons of a women’s cycle - What happens when we gets stuck in one phase of the cycle - What The Pill does to our bodies - How to talk to our kids, male and female, about the menstrual cycle - How to integrate our knowledge about our cycles into our work and our lives Episode 81 Product Picks: BeeKeeper’s Naturals In October 2019, I decided to write the entire first draft of my book in like... five days. It was intense. I knew I needed to be laser focused for those four days, so you better believe I loaded up on my Beekeeper’s Naturals goodies every day that week! I took the B. Powered superfood honey to improve my focus and keep me alert. I also took a BLIXR vial each morning to clear out that brain fog. Truthfully, two years ago I never could have written this book in four days. I didn’t have the mental clarity or the energy to do it. But my Beekeeper’s honey keeps me fueled and fog-free, and I can definitely notice a difference on the days I forget to take it. If you want to try out some of my favorite Beekeeper’s Naturals products, and get 15% off, go to zimmermanpodcast.com/bee Sleeping with a Stranger Sleeping with a Stranger is officially available everywhere books are sold in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook. Since the book’s launch, I’ve been amazed by how it has been received. From being named a best seller by USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, Amazon and Barnes & Noble to incredibly personal and touching reviews from my amazing readers, it’s been such a wild journey! Here’s one of my favorite reviews… “I love the honesty of this book. It is real and raw and doesn't hold back; and that is why it is so mesmerizing. I could relate on so many levels and I know it must've been so hard to write about many of these very personal and taboo topics. I couldn't put the book down, it was such an easy and enlightening read. I highly recommend this to anyone who is soul searching or just looking for some perspective. Truth is better than fiction!” I can’t wait to share this story with you! To get your copy, go to jessicazimmerman.com today or wherever books are sold. And to make sure you get all my upcoming book tour updates, join the newsletter list at jessicazimmerman.com!

Periods, love them, hate them, don't take much notice? Well us women should as they are the secret weapon to our health and wellbeing. In this episode we discuss the magic of womens cycles with the beautiful Claire Baker and discuss her new book “50 Things You Need To Know About Periods”.   Show Links: Claire Baker:  https://www.clairebaker.com/ Facebook – The Energy Shift Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/116842615509802/ Facebook – ilanaK.Kinesiology: https://www.facebook.com/ilanak.kinesiology Instagram – ilanaK.Kinesiology: https://www.instagram.com/ilanak.kinesiology/ Website – www.ilanak.com.au

Trigger warning: This episode contains brief references to anxiety, depression, and PTSD. In today's episode, I talk with Claire Baker who is a renowned Period Coach, author of 50 Things You Need to Know About Periods: Know your flow and live in sync with your cycle and online courses to help people understand their cycle, and how it can empower the. We discuss the tips and tricks about the menstrual cycle and how to harness it instead of fight against it as well as sharing our experiences.If you want to start your journey into better understanding your menstrual cycle or you're looking for inspiration, go to Claire Baker's website for a free class! Find us at @theynevertaughtusthis. Get to know the hosts @alexandraemmamiller and @sophiaccevans and our guest @_clairebaker_. Music by @lilaphra. Logo and branding by @sugarbranded. Podcast editing and show notes by @sassysnowflakesayshi.In this episode we discuss: 1:03 Alexandra and Sophia talk about their latest 'What They Never Taught Us' 6:27: Alexandra chats with Period Coach Claire Baker 6:33 50 Things You Need to Know About Periods: Know your flow and live in sync with your cycle 6:47 Online Course6:52 Get To Know Your Cycle Course 23:43 PPMD link to trauma research 27:25 App: The Moon Resources Go to the Lifeline website or call them on 13 11 14 (UK number).Go to the Samaritans website or call them on 116 123 (UK number).Click here for a list of mental health charities and support services in the UK. Click here for a list of mental health charities and support services in Ireland. Click here for a list of mental health charities and support services in Australia.

What are periods like for you? Awesome? Awful? A breeze? Maddening? Inconsistent? Non-existent in this season? Whatever your current relationship with your body and period, whatever your age, whatever season you’re in when it comes to your menstrual cycle, this conversation is for you. Did you know you can work WITH your menstrual cycle, understand more about your hormones, and live in harmony with your body rather than pushing against it? And all with simple tracking techniques and one helpful mindset shift. Claire Baker is here to share with us about what those do-able changes look like and how they can positively influence our relationship with our bodies and daily schedules. Her work has helped me get more in touch with my own menstrual cycle and energy levels and taught me how to have more grace with myself and be more productive by simply being aware of where I am in my cycle. Claire shares so much in her new book 50 Things You Need to Know About Periods: Know Your Flow and Live in Sync with Your Cycle that just launched yesterday here in North America! The Book: You guys. It’s good. It is sooooooo good. It’s visually appealing, packed with information, easy to understand…there’s lists and charts and bullet points and graphs and fun illustrations…you’ll fly through it because it’s just so interesting! And on top of that, it’s inspiring. The whole thing is a call to action—for us to track our cycles, sync our lives, understand our bodies more, and reframe the next generations’ thinking about menstruation. Honestly. I’m excited to pass this book on to my three daughters and have it available to them as a loving, supportive resource. Claire views periods in terms of seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter). And I have to tell you, thinking of it this way, there is so much freedom to be found in not trying to be the summer girl all the time. Claire wants us to adore our cycle, know ourselves better, and find monthly (and daily!) peace with natural hormone changes. Claire’s Bio: Claire Baker is a teacher…and a sought-after period coach, author and speaker. For nearly a decade Claire has taught thousands of women how to live in harmony with their menstrual cycle, rather than working against it. Claire believes menstrual cycle awareness is the missing key in women’s wellbeing, empowerment and creativity, and her immersive online courses and workshops inspire women to know their flow and become the authority in their own lives. Claire’s online program Adore Your Cycle has students in over 35 countries. With a background in visual arts and creative business, Claire is a certified health and life coach, has studied Menstruality Leadership and is trained as a natural fertility teacher. Known for her authentic voice and ability to ‘make periods fun’, Claire is regularly featured in publications such as Red, Glamour, and Women’s Health magazine. Originally from Australia, Claire now lives in sunny East London and spends her days coaching, teaching, writing, dancing and being as close to trees as she possibly can. After this conversation you’ll want to take Claire’s free cycle masterclass or say hello to her on Instagram. (FULL SHOW NOTES OVER AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM) Claire’s Links: Website: www.clairebaker.com Courses: (Here’s the free class!) https://www.clairebaker.com/free-class Instagram: @_clairebaker_ Elevating Motherhood Links: Website: www.elevatingmotherhood.com Instagram: @loribethauldridge

I am talking with Claire Baker about all things related to the menstrual cycle. Claire is a period coach and author 50 Things You Didn’t Know About Periods. I guarantee YOU are going to learn something from this podcast, and I hope you go home and immediately share the good news with your daughter - that their bodies are not “cursed” and there’s more to a woman’s cycle than cramps and bleeding.

Beyond The Bump is a podcast brought to you by Jayde Couldwell and Sophie Pearce! A podcast targeted at mums, just like you! A place to have real conversations with honest and authentic people. In our thirty ninth episode of Beyond the Bump, we chat to Claire Baker, who is a period coach, author, speaker and natural fertility teacher. We chat about how we can actually use our cycles to be the best versions of ourselves! She also answers all your questions about how our cycle works, why we experience certain symptoms at different points of our cycles, how we can better manage these symptoms, sex while menstruating and so much more!! Follow Claire on instagram at @_clairebaker_ for all things periods or head to her website! You can also purchase Claire's book "50 Things You Need to Know About Periods. Know your flow and live in sync with your cycle" here! This episode of Beyond the Bump is brought to you by Fisher Price Fisher Price toys are full of nostalgia for us. Their chatter phone and corn popper take us right back to my play room as a kid. In fact, last time Sophie went to her parent's home, her mum pulled out her Fisher Price toys from when she was a kid for Poppy to play with, which really goes to show how durable and well made the toys are to last that long. Their toys are not only are they fun and engaging for the kids but they help children achieve their various developmental milestones. Whether that's motor development with the corn popper, fine motor skills with the xylophone or encourage imaginative play with their chatter phone, all Fisher Price toys are put to the test at the Fisher Price Play Lab.You can shop Fisher Price at your favourite major retailer such as Big W, Target, Kmart or Myer.Follow us on instagram at @beyondthebump.podcast to stay up to date with behind the scenes and future episodes.

We’re going there today, ladies: talking all about your period and career, and how together they can truly be your superpower! At Team Viviano, we’ve been fans from afar for a long time, so we’re delighted to welcome Claire Baker to the podcast and introduce her to all of you! Claire Baker is a sought-after period coach and author. For nearly a decade she has taught thousands of women how to live in harmony with their menstrual cycle, rather than working against it. Today it's your turn to learn how to channel your very own superpower.    What We’re Talking About The seasons of your cycle How your period can truly be your superpower Navigating your cycle in the corporate world   Connect with Jena LinkedIn // Instagram // Facebook  GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

Claire Baker, period coach and naturally fertility teacher talks with Rach about all things Periods.  Yes! It's time to get aware.  This cuppa is for men and women to really understand a Women's monthly rhythm. (Men have a 24hour rhythm).  Understand the seasons and hormonal changes each week, how to track your cycle and use that to improve intimacy and relationships.  A lively and personal chat on periods, sex and being a woman. This episode includes: Explain a woman's monthly cycle Understand the hormonal cycle and why we are emotionally different each day Why we feel more sexy at different times of the month How to have a great relationship with your partner Self acceptance and Self expression. Moon cups and tampons  Find Rach Allan  LinkedIn:   Website:   For show notes and past guests, please visit https://40fortea.libsyn.com/ More on Claire: Book:  Free cycle charting class:  Online classroom: 

Claire Baker is a life, health and menstrual coach and author of '50 Things You Need to Know About Periods'.    For nearly a decade Claire has taught thousands of women how to live in harmony with their menstrual cycle, rather than working against it.    Claire believes menstrual cycle awareness is the missing key in women's wellbeing, empowerment and creativity, and her immersive online courses and workshops inspire women to know their flow and become the authority in their own lives.    In this episode we talk about all things menstrual, so fair warning if this content might not be for you. Totally understand and we'll see you next week.   But I would recommend having a listen because there really is something for everyone. I promise.   In this interview Claire shares her story about how she got into being a menstrual coach when she realised the importance of the cycle on health and wellbeing.   We also chat about the taboo of talking about periods, where that stems from, and how language is such a useful way of empowering us to understand how our body works.   Claire shares details about the idea of the menstrual cycle being similar to seasons, and how understand this can help with knowing our superpowers and vulnerabilities.    We also talk about how food affects us differently at different points in our cycle. PLUS, Claire shares how people are not menstruating can use the moon cycle to follow this work.    Ultimately we find that the cycle really is the foundation of our wellbeing and by understand it we can feel more rooted, empowered, and can make better decisions based on it.     Show notes: https://elizabethdhokia.com/clairebaker #GoodLifeUnravelled

In this episode of In a Woman’s Body Podcast Marina speaks with the Period Coach, Claire Baker. In an intimate conversation, Claire shares her story about how her period helped her to connect with her body, how she went from being on the pill to becoming a period coach and all the ups and downs during the process. She will explain too which are the different phases of our period and how we can best synchronize our life with each of them.

We are FINALLY starting to talk a great deal more openly about periods and menstruation. It's not before time. For something that millions of people the world over experience regularly it is in fact...more than time. How do we take the simple talking about this realm however - beyond that - way beyond that - to a place where we can feel immersed, empowered and even emboldened by it? Which is a long way from maybe how generations before us experienced their flow. My guest on The Priestess Podcast today - Claire Baker - a period coach and author of ‘50 Things You Need to Know about Periods' - takes us there. It's something that Claire calls menstrual self-authority and if you don't know what that is...it may just be about to change the way you think of periods and menstruation forever.

- "50 things you need to know about periods" is Claire's new book. It provides something simple to digest & empower both men & women around charting the feminine cycle. - Coming off The Pill & what may happen due to it's suppression of ovulation. - Menstrual awareness work can create such a feeling of being alive mentally, physically, spiritually - The 4 phases of the feminine cycle: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn. WINTER: The period cave. Release & reset. Going inward. SPRING: Get moving on projects with work, playful, calendars, start something new (even self care routine). SUMMER: Ovulation - highest levels of oestrogen, plus a bump in testosterone, resilient, extroverted, a feeling of successfully spinning all the plates. AUTUMN: Drop in oestrogen after ovulation - the body is no longer fertile. The truth telling, no f's giving, setting boundaries, wild woman creative energy, taking time for yourself is easier in this phase. Progesterone is present to nurture a potential baby. The "adulting phase". How we feel during this phase may depend on how we nurture our body. - Liver loaders can affect our cycle...for example drinking less to no coffee can show an improvement in premenstrual symptoms like sore breasts. Caffeine & alcohol can impact how oestrogen is eliminated through the liver. - There is a natural order to a menstrual cycle. A sense of an inhale & exhale. Charting gives us a handrail. Maybe more time needed for a bath during the pre-menstrual phase vs the social feeling of ovulation/Summer. If we try to maintain the superwoman cape throughout the whole cycle we can fall. eg. too much on our plate during our Autumn/pre-menstrual phase can lead to rage or anger due to not giving yourself the space needed. Giving ourselves a break during the Autumn phase & learning to say no can actually dim the feeling of PMS. More sleep & hydration can remedy PMS. - Wholefood chocolate, hot chocolates with cacao, sweet potatoes (complex carbs) can support our changes in blood sugar levels which also support PMS symptoms. - If unusual patterns are presenting blood tests are a good place to start. - Stress shortens our cycle in length. However, sometimes it is lengthened due to ovulation being delayed, because the body doesn't want to create a fertile environment for a baby, due to the environment being stressful. - Be grateful for the changes the body shows due to it's WISDOM. Be thankful for these communication tools - Waking at the same time, going to bed at the same time, having plenty of water, whole foods, exercise, etc helps create hormonal order just by caring for our basic needs. - Lara Briden educates women on ovulation being a key component of healthy bones, a sign of fertility & health. - Stress, low body weight & liver loaders like medications can impact the absence of bleeding. - Our body knows & communicates through it's wisdom. Subtle stressors that we term as 'normal' in our current lifestyle impacts our body's natural rhythm. You may need to also learn to take your foot off the accelerator like Claire & I are learning & consider each phase as a SUPERPOWER. WEBSITE: https://www.clairebaker.com/ BOOK: https://www.clairebaker.com/book INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_/

Your monthly cycle is so much more than your 3-5 day bleed. As women no two days are the same for us thanks to the constant ebb and flow of our hormones. Claire's book '50 things to know about your period' is out now and a must have for every woman. We jam about  - The Four Seasons of any month - Cyclic Living - Living in Flow with your cycle - Hormonal Changes - Hormonal Contraception - Period sex and so much more.  You can find Claire and all her resources mentioned at CLAIREBAKER.COM  Insta  _clairebaker_ 

Je suis très heureuse de vous présenter cette entrevue avec Marie-Pier Deschênes avec qui j'aborde un sujet dont on parle moins souvent : l'importance de la sexualité chez les femmes. Vous remarquerez à que point il a des liens forts entre nos 2 pratiques !Marie-Pier est la fondatrice du blogue Comme des lapins et elle accompagne les femmes à reprendre le pouvoir sur leur vie sexuelle et à replacer la sexualité au cœur de leur bien-être. En tant que leader de coeur, elle associe d'une façon unique les concepts liés à la sexualité pour initier et générer chez les femmes une harmonie qui illumine toute la beauté de la vie sexuelle. Dans ce podcast, nous abordons : D'où elle vient, son parcours et ce qui l'a amené à créer son blogue sur la sexualitéQuel impact la vie sexuelle peut avoir sur l'ensemble des sphères de notre vie Comment elle voit l'impact d'une vie sexuelle épanouie sur son bien-êtreTrucs et astuces pour reprendre le contrôle de son désir sexuel en priorisant son bien-être globalComment remettre la sexualité dans ses priorités lorsque l'on devient mère Quels sont les obstacles qui nous empêchent de parler de nos blocages sexuelsL'impact d'une communauté lorsque l'on parle de sexualité La sexualité et l'appropriation de son corps (même après une grossesse !!!)Le cycle menstruel et la sexualitéOù pouvons-nous retrouver Marie-Pier :Son site internet : https://commedeslapins.com/Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mariepierdeschenes_/?hl=frFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/commedeslapins/Son outil gratuit qu'elles vous offre pour passer des freins à l'accélérateur : https://commedeslapins.com/outil-desir-sexuel  3 références proposées par Marie-Pier pour en découvrir davantage sur le sujet:- Come as you are - Emily Nagoski (ma bible sur la sexualité des femmes)- Corps accord - Nesrine Bessaïh et LA CORPS féministe- Adore your cycle (ebook) - Claire Baker

In this episode, find out about the third of your four superpowers. After ovulation your body mind and soul are fuelled by progesterone, which is designed to help a potential pregnancy but also makes you feel more ‘pro’ about everything. With an abundance of progesterone and oestrogen, now you are geared to GIVE. This is a time for connection, relationships, good sex and communicating because this week, you have the world on a string. Just don’t spend it all or make big ticket commitments when you are especially prone to saying yes!Special guest Claire Baker joins us to celebrate the power of ovulation. Find out more here www.periodqueen.com.au See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why attend a women's college? In this episode, in tandem with national research and statistics, Bennie alumnae reflect on the impact of their experience at Saint Ben's as a women's college. Guests: JoBeth Ranfranz '80 Corie Barry '97 Kathryn Enger-Enke '05 Joy Pohland Jansen '10 Madison Armstrong '12 Leah Ranta '15 Kaitlyn Ludlow-Broback '17 Claire Baker '19 Common Thread is produced by the Alumnae Connections Committee, a part of the Saint Ben's Alumnae Board.

This episode, I’m joined by Period Coach Claire Baker for a conversation on menstrual cycles. We talk about the power of working intentionally with your cycle, what characterises each of the four seasons within it, and what pleasure can look like in each phase. The conversation covers: . surges of creativity . the magic in Claire’s new book '50 Things You Need to Know About Periods' . the superpowers and vulnerabilities of each part of the cycle . tips for managing a challenging premenstrual phase . experiencing pleasure in a multitude of ways . relief in understanding that being different from day to day isn’t inconsistency or a failure, it’s the nature of having a cycle! At the time of recording, we were both in our autumn premenstrual phases, and we spend a bit of extra time on this season, with its notorious challenges but also its truth-telling honesty and its gifts! Not all women have menstrual cycles, and not all people who experience menstrual cycles are women. Whether you cycle yourself, or love someone who does, I hope you gain some benefit from this conversation in an embodied understanding of this natural phenomenon of personal weather that is the menstrual cycle. Claire Baker is a sought-after period coach and author of '50 Things You Need to Know About Periods'. For nearly a decade Claire has taught thousands of women how to live in harmony with their menstrual cycle, rather than working against it. Claire believes menstrual cycle awareness is the missing key in women’s wellbeing, empowerment and creativity, and her immersive online courses and workshops inspire women to know their flow and become the authority in their own lives. Claire’s online program Adore Your Cycle has students in over 35 countries. With a background in visual arts and creative business, Claire is a certified health and life coach, has studied Menstruality Leadership and is trained as a natural fertility teacher. Known for her authentic voice and ability to ‘make periods fun’, Claire is regularly featured in publications such as Red, Glamour, and Women’s Health magazine. Originally from Australia, Claire now lives in sunny East London and spends her days coaching, teaching, writing, dancing and being as close to trees as she possibly can. You can find Claire at clairebaker.com, on Instagram at instagram.com/_clairebaker_, and on Facebook at facebook.com/thisislifeblood. To book a free Clarity Call with me, visit carolanne.com.au/work-with-me. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reawakeningloveandpower/message

Living in sync with your menstrual cycle is a powerful way to optimise your energy and make the most of your creativity and productivity.In this episode, I interviewed Claire Baker, the OG period coach and sought-after speaker and author. Claire believes menstrual cycle awareness is the missing key in women's wellbeing, empowerment and creativity, and her work inspires women to know their flow and become the authority in their own lives.In this episode, we discuss:• The phases of the menstrual cycle, and how we can start to work with our cycle, instead of against it• How to embrace the hormonal fluctuations - even when you feel like pushing through• The best way for people to start to track and get familiar with your menstrual cycleSubscribe & Review I'd absolutely love for you to subscribe to my podcast so you don't miss an episode! I'll be adding a new episode each week, and if you're not subscribed you might miss out. Click here to subscribe in iTunes!If you have a few minutes to spare, I would be so grateful if you left a review over on iTunes. These reviews help other people find my podcast and they're also so much fun for me to read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what you enjoyed about the podcast. Thank you!Links from today's episodeClaire's Instagram: instagram.com/_clairebaker_Claire's Website: clairebaker.comBook your Gut Love Protocol: www.frandargaville.com/gutloveGot a question you'd like answered? Contact Fran via Instagram @frandargaville or email hello@frandargaville.com.

Today’s guest is Claire Baker - Claire is a period coach, working with women to help them understand their cycles better and use that knowledge to their advantage. This is a topic I’ve been exploring personally for some time, and I’m excited to bring this knowledge into my coaching practice, too. Claire talks us through the four seasons of your cycle, and explains what it really means to live in sync with your menstrual cycle. For full show notes, head on over here: www.annadunleavy.com/podcast You can find Claire here: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_/ Website - http://thisislifeblood.com

In this episode of The Life Transformer Show, Tara is joined by Claire Baker, a women's life coach who teaches ladies how to find their flow by living in sync with their menstrual cycle. Claire reveals everything you need to know about your menstrual cycle, how to prepare for each phase, and how to live happy and positively during the changes our body goes through. What You Will Learn In This Episode: The physical and mental affects your body undergoes during your cycle and how to stay feeling happy and positive How to change your mindset and overcome any shame when it comes to your body Why your menstrual cycle doesn't have to be a negative thing, and how you can turn it into something positive Everything you need to know about the physical, mental and emotional changes women experience How to stop your menstrual cycle from sabotaging your weight loss efforts  Self care tips for women to focus on during different phases of the menstrual cycle Understanding your ‘fertile window' and when is and isn't the best time to try for a baby Claire's new book and how you can get your hands on it How to overcome the hormonal cravings every woman experiences How to better prepare yourself for each phase of the menstrual cycle What it means to ‘listen to your body' and how it can help you feeling healthier How To Contact Claire Baker: Website Instagram Pre-order '50 Things You Need to Know About Periods' How To Contact Tara Hammett: tarahammett.com Facebook

What day are you on? How can you best channel your power? What powers? Your menstrual powers.Lucy Peach, author of Period Queen is a period preacher blowing the lid off shame and empowering people to have their greatest period ever. With science, stories, songs and special guests Constance Hall, Mama Kin, Claire Baker and Clementine Ford delving into their own cycles, learn how you can life hack your cycle for creativity, productivity, connection and self-love. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wij wisten bijzonder weinig van de menstruatiecyclus, voordat het boek De Cyclus Strategie op ons pad kwam.Toen we het lazen viel er veeeeeel op z'n plek. Opeens maakte het sense dat Marie Lotte in de week voor haar menstruatie drie dagen lang alleen maar druk is met HUILEN (hallo, PMS!). En waarom we de ene week zin hebben om mensen te zien, te dansen en OUT THERE te zijn, terwijl we de andere week alleen maar willen cocoonen. In deze aflevering praten we samen met medefans van De Cyclus Strategie Merel Wildschut en Daan Borrel over hoe wij onze cyclus ervaren en alles wat we geleerd hebben. Auteur Maisie Hill leert je in dit boek samenwerken met je hormonen. Ze biedt een no-nonsense uitleg van wát er nu exact in je lichaam gebeurt elke maand en hoe je elke fase van je cyclus in je voordeel kan laten werken. Hoe je je ook voelt over ongesteld worden en of je nou (hormonale) anticonceptie gebruikt of niet, de informatie in dit boek zou elk menstruerend mens moeten weten. SHOWNOTESDoneren via Petje.af: petje.af/damnhoneyInsta: https://bit.ly/2BAYNZA (@damnhoneyhetboek)Koop hier De Cyclus Strategie: https://bit.ly/38deB2MKoop hier Heb je nou al een vriend?: https://bit.ly/2khq6mp Koop hier DAMN, HONEY: https://bit.ly/2D0sfeMMail ons op info@damnhoney.nlMerel WildschutVolg Merel op Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merelwildschut/ (@merelwildschut)Of op Twitter: https://twitter.com/merelwildschut (@merelwildschut)De Groene Meisjes: http://www.degroenemeisjes.nl/Daan BorrelVolg Daan op Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daanborrel/ (@daanborrel) Daans boeken vind je hier:Jaar van het nieuwe verhaal: https://bit.ly/2u863esKrabben, samen geschreven met Milou Deelen: https://bit.ly/35WSYSDSoms is liefde dit: https://bit.ly/35RBW8wWe moeten het even hebben over...De Cyclus Strategie: https://bit.ly/38deB2MVolg Maisie Hill, auteur van De Cyclus Strategie, op instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_maisiehill_/ (@_maisiehill_)Volg coach Claire Baker op Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_/ (@_clairebaker_)TussendoortjeLees hier alles over de Ribbius Peletier Penning: https://bit.ly/377yecn Weet jij een geschikte kandidaat voor de Ribbius Peletier Penning? Stuur dan vóór 1 februari 2020 een mailtje naar: ribbiuspeletier@noord-holland.nl. Let op, de mail moet voorzien zijn van: een beschrijving van de persooneen kort cv met contactgegevensargumentatie waarom deze vrouw de penning verdient, waaronder een beschrijving van de wijze waarop zij zich verdienstelijk heeft gemaakt voor de positie van vrouwen in de Noord-Hollandse politiek. DAMN HONEY, NOGrapje. Geen links naar klapharken, is ons motto. DAMN, HONEY YESDe video van Nikkie Tutorials: https://bit.ly/2sBs4C9Mare Groen schreef dit goede stuk voor Oneworld - Waarom moet ik ‘opbiechten' dat ik transgender ben?: https://bit.ly/2NTjQNpProducer: Daniël van de PoppeJingles: Lucas de GierDAMN, HONEY is onderdeel van Dag & Nacht Media Zie het privacybeleid op https://art19.com/privacy en de privacyverklaring van Californië op https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

My guest today is Claire Baker, a period coach - yep, thats a thing! Claire teaches women how to live in sync with their menstrual cycle. In this episode she walks us through the "seasons" of your cycle - just like we have four different seasons in the year, our cycles experience four distinct cycles - some weeks we have all the energy, feel confident and clear, other weeks we feel introverted, low energy and need to rest. Claire shows us a simple way to predict how you'll be feeling at any point, and encourages us to honour the stage we're in. Claire Baker website: http://thisislifeblood.comClaire Baker Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_Alignment 2020: https://nikki-mccahon.mykajabi.com/alignment2020websiteRevie Jane - Train with Revie Jane 2.0: https://reviejane.com/training-programs/Steph Pase - 2020 Planner: https://www.stephpaseplanners.com.auDear Mama Project website: https://www.dearmamaproject.comDear Mama Project Instagram: www.instagram.com/dearmamaproject

Meet 4 of this year's 10 artists, who were selected to respond to objects and ideas in the collections at the Bowes Museum, as part of this year's #Untitled10 exhibition.  Jo Howell, a photographic artist based in Sunderland, on her feminist-forward response to the of Mary Eleanor Bowes' botany cabinet - and how she was forced to "The Confessions of the Countess of Strathmore". Lady Kitt, a "Maker, Activist, and Drag King", who has responded to the text against a statue of Ancient Greek poet Sappho in the Bowes Museum, which coyly glosses over Sappho's bisexuality. Judy Dibiase, a ceramic artist, who created an astounding 200 cups, adorned with the poetry of Bowes Museum co-founder Joséphine Bowes. Judy has invited guests to take away a cup, in exchange for stories. Emmanuela Wroth, who is entering the second year of her collaborative doctoral project with the Bowes Museum and Durham University, shares her reaction to Judy's cups, and the reclamation of aspects Joséphine's life lost to history. Claire Baker, an embroidery artist who teaches at the Northern School of Art in Middlesborough, shares about the strengths of working alongside other artists in response to the museum, and how #Untitled10 allowed her to stretched  With extracts from the opening address by Matthew Read, Director of the Bowes Centre for Art, Craft and Design.   More about ArtyParti: Our website - www.artyparti.comTwitter - @ArtyParti Instagram - @Arty_Parti_ Produced and presented by Jay Sykes.   Visit the ArtyParti website for a full transcript of this episode.   Our supporters and funders: The ArtyParti podcast is made possible thanks to the support of our five Patreon backers: Tel Erbie - Founder of Sister Shack / DJ Awkward Black Girl Jo Howell - Photographic Artist based in Sunderland Nicky Kaur - Founder of TryLife TV Stephanie Smith - Visual Artist based in Sunderland Laura Willis - Emerging Audio Producer ArtyParti's live "Celebration" events and website are made possible thanks to funding from the Arts Council England & National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Unlock strand of Sunderland Culture's Great Place scheme.

In this episode of Authentic Sex Juliet speaks with Women’s Coach, Claire Baker. This episode explores the four seasons the menstrual cycle, how our hormones affect us in each phase of our cycle, how we can understand the different emotions we feel throughout the month, how to sync our calendar with our period, and so much more. This is a great listen for women, but also for men who want to understand women on a deeper level.

Some days you feel totally in your groove, creating absolute magic and checking things off your Big Three to-do list without hesitation. Other days you move slower and can’t seem to get out of your own way, no matter what tasks are piling up on your plate, and your inner mean girl makes you feel totally awful about it, too. What if you could predict those days? What if you could pinpoint when you’d be in the best mental state to work creatively or when you’ll be totally in the zone, sharp, and focused? Would you even believe me if I told you… You can? Today’s guest, Claire Baker, is a life coach… More specifically, a PERIOD coach. Claire teaches women how to live in sync with their menstrual cycle. She’ll walk us through a broader understanding of the seasons of our cycle, and then we’ll do a deep dive into working with these seasons and understanding how they impact our every day. I could’ve talked to Claire all. day. long. If you’re ready to understand your body even better, don’t wait to tune into this episode. GOAL DIGGER FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/goaldiggerpodcast/ GOAL DIGGER INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/goaldiggerpodcast/ GOAL DIGGER SHOWNOTES: http://jennakutcherblog.com/claire/ 

Claire Baker is an Australian women’s coach based in London. Focusing on the intersection of life coaching and menstrual cycle awareness, Claire facilitates 1:1 sessions, educational online courses and inspiring workshops and retreats. Known for her playful honesty and ability to ‘make periods fun’, Claire teaches women how to sync their lives with their menstrual cycle, believing that this approach is the ‘missing key’ in women’s wellbeing. Her work empowers women to embrace their natural rhythm, claim their self-authority and transform their creative, emotional, sexual, and spiritual self.  "We're fed 7-day meal plans and very linear structures and we live in a very linear society. But the female body lives and moves in a different way. It moves on a cycle." Join us for an insightful conversation about the importance of embracing your natural cycle, practical steps on starting to track and get intimate with your period,  as well as working with it to find, ease, flow and pleasure. Here are the details of our discussion: Christianity and menstruation: created taboos Claire's best and worst dating experience The vital and critical information about menstrual cycle awareness How to start adoring your cycle The importance and benefits of working with your period and not against it The 4 seasons of your cycle and how to start syncing your life with it A few words about the pill and natural contraception methods and much more... Join us at girlskill.com/108 P. S. Sign up for the free, exclusive training from me on “The Lie of Female Success: How to Get Unstuck, Release Pressure & Stop Trying to Do It All” to find out: How to overcome the "Superwoman Syndrome" so you can start living in freedom, with ease, and owning your truth True feminine power and what you can do right now to begin feeling supported, stop pushing & controlling your life and men How to rediscover, embrace and cultivate feminine flow and become embodied so you can stop overthinking and start making decisions from the heart The essence of masculine/feminine polarity and how to attract and magnify the relationship you want And much more… Sign up at girlskill.com/webinar   Girlskill Podcast is brought to you by: MagellanTV- a brand-new streaming service that features the very best collection of documentaries available anywhere. The service includes over 1,500 documentary movies, series, and exclusive playlists across major genres. Check out their curated women of history playlist and explore the lives of visionary women who made their mark on history. >> Start your exclusive two-month free trial today  Yoni Please Palace by Rosie Rees- World's leading supplier of crystal yoni eggs for pelvic floor strength and crystal pleasure wands for sacred self-pleasure, helping women awaken their femininity, pleasure and power. >> Get your "Goddess Kit" today *(use code GIRLSKILL at checkout for a 15% discount)  

My newest favourite quote of all time, Ebb & Flow. I read this quote and it clicked with me straight away : I would like to be in a place where I’m not at my best, where I’m not even close to my best, and not beat up on myself because I know that like the ocean, I have ebb and flow too.” — Abraham Hicks Such a powerful but simple way to help me understand my anxiety disorder but also just life in general. Ebb and Flow, baby! Claire Baker's instagram (Womens Coach) https://www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_

In this episode I'm talking to Claire Baker, she's a women's coach based out of London who specializes in helping women live more in sync with their menstrual cycle. She's been coaching women 1 on 1 all over the world how to work with their cycles since 2013, and she also runs workshops, online courses and has a ton of free resources that you can find over on her website thisislifeblood.com. We talk about the value of batching similar types of work together, the importance of valuing different types of productivity, how you can bring the 1% version of self-care into your routine and so much more.

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Charelle and Verity discuss all things self-love. However, there are no ‘get a bath’ or ‘eat some cake’ recommendations here, we are talking genuine, no-cost, feel stronger in yourself as a single woman tricks and tips. From the steps to making yourself a whole all by yourself, the physical aspect of self love (massage, masturbation and menstrual cycles) and building a strong, kind and loving mind through knowing your self-worth and respecting your energy, emotions and time.Neal’s Yard massage oil https://www.nealsyardremedies.com/aromatherapy/aromatherapy-oils-and-blends/massage-oils/ Claire Baker https://www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_/?hl=en Have some feedback, a question you would like us to answer or a topic suggestion? Drop us an email at freeandfiguringitout@gmail.com Follow us https://www.instagram.com/freeandfiguringitout/   Your hosts are... Charelle Griffith, 30, is a marketing strategist and founder of PropelHer, a personal development blog and book club. She lives in London, dates men and has been single for 3 years. Connect with Charelle https://www.instagram.com/charellegriffith/ Verity Brown, 32, is a freelance marketer and empowerment coach living back in her hometown in the north of England. She dates men and women and has been single for 3 years. Connect with Verity https://www.instagram.com/theseasaltplan/

Claire Baker is an Australian women's life coach based in London. Focusing on the intersection of life coaching and menstrual cycle awareness, Claire facilitates 1:1 coaching sessions, educational online courses and inspiring workshops and retreats. Known for her playful honesty and ability to ‘make periods fun', Claire teaches women how to sync their lives with Continue Reading…

Claire Baker is an Australian women’s life coach based in London. Focusing on the intersection of life coaching and menstrual cycle awareness, Claire facilitates 1:1 coaching sessions, educational online courses and inspiring workshops and retreats. Known for her playful honesty and ability to ‘make periods fun’, Claire teaches women how to sync their lives with Continue Reading…

  Today’s Guest I'm back again, with another solo episode! Today's episode topic comes from a listener, who suggested this: “That would be a great podcast subject - all the things we can do for self-development and what they can give us, using yours as an example. As we know, that’s kinda the same as business development.” In today's episode, I'm going to run through ALL the stuff I've done for personal and professional development in terms of the inner work. I often say that I think the best way to approach mindset work is to train in a technique yourself, so you can have a practical tool to work with yourself on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis...and then to find other professionals to work with when you need to go even deeper. Here's what that actually looks like, and how you can find your own way of working like this. Listen To This Episode      What You'll Learn Some of the different techniques you can use for personal/professional development My Go-To Team for Coaching, Healing, and Transformation Why I use the techniques I use, and what I get from them How to decide which techniques are best for you to use How I decide when to work on something myself and when to hire someone How often do we need to do this inner work Things and People I Discussed Reiki IRECA Coaching PSYCH-K® HEW® Cara Wilde  Cracking the Code to My Weight Loss: Keto + OMAD Cathy Ballard  Claire Baker  Jo Trewartha Joanna Hennon  Lisa Wechtenhiser Merran Lusher Sara O'Dowd Sharon Lock Suneet Goomer  Vickie Young Connect With Holly Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest Google+ LinkedIn  How to Subscribe Click here to subscribe via iTunes Click here to subscribe via RSS Click here to subscribe via Stitcher Help Spread the Word If you enjoyed this episode, please head on over to iTunes and kindly leave us a rating and a review! You can also subscribe, so you'll never miss an episode.

I am so excited to share this two-part episode, I have Holistic Nutritionist Tahlia Mynott. Tahlia specialises in Women's Health her focus on Menstrual Cycles, Fertility, Pre Conception Plans, Pregnancy, Fertility Charting, Post Partum Support, Hormone Balancing, Acne, Detox, Digestive Health and Yoni Steaming Tahlia's passion for woman's health stemmed from her own health journey where she suffered from PCOS, Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Cysts, Miscarriage and Hormonal Acne. Once she started researching to support her own health and healing, she was shocked at what she didn't already know about her own body and equally as shocked by how many women also had no idea about how their bodies worked or how to create balance in them. Tahlia is passionate about supporting teenagers and woman in learning to love their hormones, their body and themselves. This is why I am so excited to have her on the show today. We had so much to talk about that I split it into two easy to digest podcast for your listening pleasure. Some of the things you'll discover in this week's episodes are:   PART 1 + What is yoni steaming and how Tahlia has used it to help with her menstrual issues + How Tahlia's speciality has stemmed from her own health problems and need for answers + What exactly a 'Holistic Nutritionist' is + What things she didn't know about her own body before study and what she learnt about that experience + Why Tahlia spent 2 years preparing for your pregnancy and why preconception care is so important + Advice for couples who want to look at preparing for pregnancy but don't want to wait 2  years + Advice for women who want to get pregnant but are having trouble doing so + Tahlia's thought's on the Placenta capsules making a splash in the market + Tahlia shares a bit about her own experience with miscarriage and how she supports other women going through the same thing + Nutrients, in particular, are important for supporting fertility   RESOURCES + Tahlia does her Workshops through HERE + Menstrual charting apps: Clue and Kindara. + Adore your Cycle ebook by Claire Baker   Books Tahlia recommends in the podcast: + Active Birth - Janet Balaskas + Taking Charge of your fertility - Toni Weschler + Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering - Sarah Buckley + The First 40 days - Heng Ou + Ina May's Guide To Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin CONNECT WITH TAHLIA + Website: www.lunaholisticnutrition.com/ + Facebook: www.facebook.com/lunaholisticnutrition/ + Instagram: www.instagram.com/luna_holistic_nutrition/   REVIEW Your written reviews and feedback inspire me to improve each episode. Plus they help spread it can't be that friggin hard message far and wide. If you love the podcast and the information shared then please leave a review and rating over at iTunes or Stitcher. Don't have an iTunes account??? No worries! Listen on Spotify HERE. I would also really love to hear about your own health journey, what your struggling with and what you'd love to hear covered in upcoming episodes please leave me a comment below or reach out to me at Ashleigh@itcantbethatfrigginhard.com  

This is Part 2 of an interview Naturopath Ashleigh Mythen had with Tahlia Mynott. In this part of the episode, Tahlia shares some of her own healing experiences as well as her journey with conception & pregnancy. Some of the things you'll discover in this week's episodes are: PART 2 + What Tahlia would have done differently in her own pregnancy and why + Advice for women experiencing morning sickness + Tahlia shares about her home birth experience and how she prepared for giving birth + What Tahlia would have liked to know prior to giving birth and advice she gives to women to make them feel more prepared + Resources and books she recommends on pregnancy + How to support your body after childbirth + Nutritional advice to help support women in breastfeeding? + Advice for women who are unable to breastfeed + AND SO MUCH MORE!! RESOURCES + Tahlia does her Workshops through HERE + Menstrual charting apps: Clue and Kindara. + Adore your Cycle ebook by Claire Baker   Books Tahlia recommends in the podcast: + Active Birth - Janet Balaskas + Taking Charge of your fertility - Toni Weschler + Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering - Sarah Buckley + The First 40 days - Heng Ou + Ina May's Guide To Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin CONNECT WITH TAHLIA + Website: www.lunaholisticnutrition.com/ + Facebook: www.facebook.com/lunaholisticnutrition/ + Instagram: www.instagram.com/luna_holistic_nutrition/   REVIEW Your written reviews and feedback inspire me to improve each episode. Plus they help spread it can't be that friggin hard message far and wide. If you love the podcast and the information shared then please leave a review and rating over at iTunes or Stitcher. Don't have an iTunes account??? No worries! Listen on Spotify HERE. I would also really love to hear about your own health journey, what your struggling with and what you'd love to hear covered in upcoming episodes please leave me a comment below or reach out to me at Ashleigh@itcantbethatfrigginhard.com

As women, each of us is affected by our energy month in and out dependant on our menstrual cycle, and this week I'm talking with women's coach Claire Baker on how we can get in flow with our cycles to be more in tune with all aspects of our lives.  Your monthly, Aunt Flow, the curse, your bleed. Period. Whatever you call your menstrual cycle, fact is it holds such infinite wisdom and power. And yet, it’s still such a taboo topic.  I’m so honoured to have womens coach Claire Baker On this week’s #practicalmagicpodcast to help bust some myths around our cycles, and how we can actually work much more in align with our flow to live a more creative and empowered life.  Believe me when I say, you don’t want to miss this one. Claire shares the seasons of our cycles and what we have to understand about our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs in each phase.

This week's guest is women's coach Claire Baker, and it is all about living in tune with your menstrual cycle.

Pacific Sound Radio is all about forging collaborative relationships in the community to help support our local bands and artists. That's why we are very excited to announce a new partnership on this week's Pacific Sound Profile as we chat with Claire Baker host of the Root Dwellers Community Showcase. Our featured guest is singer/songwriter Maria Cenzina who joins James and Travis to talk about her recent entry into the Vancouver music scene, collaborating with Teon Gibbs, and her debut EP.

What if I told you that you could learn to love your period and even optimize your work flow according to it? For many women, adoring their period sounds ridiculous as it's been a source of pain, annoyance or inconvenience, but in this episode, we attempt to demystify our cycle and address listener questions about birth control effects on the body and cramps. Do we need a period? Are cramps normal? What happens to your body on birth control? Working with Claire's zone of genius, we also talk in depth about how to align your life and work with the natural rhythms of the 4 phases of your cycle which Claire brilliantly relates to the 4 seasons. She even gives us a tip on what time of the month we are the most sensitive to technology! This episode will make you look at your period in a different, more uplifting way and hopefully garner a sense of pride in the miracle of your feminine body! **Register for June in the Self Care Collective (SCC) thejournaldeck.com/selfcarecollective Shownotes: thejournaldeck.com/episode59 Connect With Us: instagram.com/thejournaldeck

In this episode, Leticia is speaking with Women's Health Coach & Writer, Claire Baker about her work on creating awareness around the menstrual cycle and how you can use the 4 phases of your feminine cycle for sustainable creativity. Join us as we talk menstrual cycles, creativity, blogging, coaching, entrepreneurship, work, passion, purpose & so much more! You can find Claire's work at: http://thisislifeblood.com/

Claire Baker is an Australian women’s coach and writer based in London. Through her popular blog, eBooks, online courses and live workshops, Claire teaches self-care, creative rekindling, how to live life aligned with your menstrual cycle and being kind to yourself and the world. Claire … Ep #14 – The spiritual practice of aligning with your cycle w/ Claire Baker Read More »

Claire Baker is an Australian women’s coach and writer based in London. Through her popular blog, eBooks, online courses and live workshops, Claire teaches self-care, creative rekindling, how to live life aligned with your menstrual cycle and being kind to yourself and the world. Claire … Ep #14 – The spiritual practice of aligning with your cycle w/ Claire Baker Read More »

Claire Baker is an Australian women’s coach and writer based in London. Through her popular blog, eBooks, online courses and live workshops, Claire teaches self-care, creative rekindling, how to live life aligned with your menstrual cycle and being kind to yourself and the world. Claire believes in less stress and more flow (and dark chocolate) and knows that working with our natural rhythms is ‘the missing key’ when it comes to women’s wellness. She’ll have you throwing out the scales, booking the flight, launching the blog – and falling back in love with your life. Here are a few things we discussed in today’s episode: Her journey with the birth control pill and why I'm considering going off of it How she lost her period for a year and her journey exploring her hormones Her PCOS diagnosis & my misdiagnosis of the same Libidos & navigating sex as a freaking WOMAN Learning how to embrace our natural rhythms of our bodies How to navigate the 4 seasons of your menstrual cycle and embrace the energies attached to them How to honor what your body is actually telling you in little ways throughout your day How she uses her passions to help women unlock parts of themselves they're dying to unleash Holistic practices that has helped her on her journey My weird celebrity crush and one of the most incredible moments of my life

Most people who get diagnosed with celiac disease don't go back to their doctor for follow up care, shows a study done by Beyond Celiac and researchers from Columbia and Vanderbilt universities. Patients manage the diet and deal with whatever symptoms they suffer on their own. But what are the consequences? Is celiac disease silently doing damage that could lead to other autoimmune conditions? Are they being deprived of important vitamins and minerals? We examine these topics and look for ways to improve follow-up care. Sign up to receive research news at beyondceliac.org/research. Send your feedback, comments, or questions to podcast@beyondceliac.org. Visit beyondceliac.org/podcast to hear other stories from the Beyond Celiac community. ----- Produced by: Amy Ratner, Kim Pacini, Claire Baker, Christopher Snider

Australia Women's Coach & author of Adore Your Cycle, Claire Baker, shares how coming off the pill after 10 years was a catalyst for great change in your life. We discuss what happened to her body, the return of sexual desire, understanding the four phases of your cycle, using blood rituals for manifesting, period sex and preferred contraceptive methods.

Claire Baker is an Australian women's coach and writer based in London. Claire teaches self-care, creative rekindling, how to live life aligned with your menstrual cycle and being kind to yourself and the world. She knows that working with our natural rhythms is 'the missing key' when it comes to women's wellness. In this episode we discuss: * How women became so disconnected from their cycle. *What a healthy cycle feels and looks like. *How the seasons reflect your cycle. *How the moon reflects your cycle. * What day of the month you're more likely to want to watch rom coms And much more. To join the podcast Facebook group and continue the conversation head to http://bit.ly/TheInspiredTablePodcastGroup For the full show notes head to: www.theinspiredtable.com.au/blog To connect with Claire Baker: Website: www.thisislifeblood.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/_clairebaker_ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Candid community members talk about the one thing we never really discuss: cheating on the gluten-free diet. Habitual cheaters and one-timers share when and why they've strayed. Sign up to receive research news at beyondceliac.org/research. Send your feedback, comments, or questions to podcast@beyondceliac.org. Visit beyondceliac.org/podcast to hear other stories from the Beyond Celiac community. ----- Produced by: Amy Ratner, Claire Baker, Christopher Snider

Have you ever wanted to get more in tune with your body’s natural rhythms? For women, one effective way is by acknowledging the seasons that are within the monthly cycle. Even if you don't bleed any more, this is still relevant for you. My lovely guest today will have you throwing out the scales, booking the flight, launching the blog, and falling back in love with your life. She knows the missing key when it comes to women’s wellness, and she wants to share it with you! Listen with us to learn about harnessing that creative wisdom within our bodies as we align ourselves with our natural rhythm. Claire Baker is an Australian women’s coach and writer currently based in London. Through her popular e-books, blog, online courses, and live workshops, she teaches self-care, creative rekindling, how to live life aligned with your menstrual cycle, and how to be kind to yourself and the world. Join us now! What you’ll hear in this episode: Why Claire’s interest in the menstrual cycle stemmed from her own problems with her cycle. Letting go of the idea of having any control over your cycle. How contraception interfered with her self-esteem and self-awareness. The sacrifices women make with long-time contraception usage. Re-attuning to your body’s natural cycle: Clean up your diet with healthy food and supplements How Chinese medicine can help An overview of the seasons mirrored within your cycle, through the follicular phase, luteal phase, and post-ovulatory phase. Relating feminine archetypes to the female cycle. Mothering yourself with an internal focus. Nurturing energy for yourself instead of always for others. Craving the connection with the natural world. Using the different energies of the seasons to tap into creativity. Feminine and masculine balance. Creativity when you feel blocked or stuck. In Italy: days of leave for women around their menstrual cycle? Structuring days and lives around cycles. When you should pull back and let things go. A song that embodies the energies of each season of the cycle: How Claire aligns herself with music! Spring: Work by Rihanna and Drake Summer: Milkshake by Kelis Fall: anything by Alanis Morissette Winter: Anything by Annie Lennox Resources: www.thisislifeblood.com  (Look for Claire’s e-books, courses, workshops, and her blog) I do hope you enjoyed today's episode, rich with valuable content from Claire. For more powerful sharing please subscribe. I would be eternally grateful if you leave a rating or testimonial on Itunes. Thank you!  

Claire Baker is an amazing women's coach and writer. Through her popular blog, eBooks, online courses and live workshops, Claire teaches self-care, creative rekindling, how to live life aligned with your menstrual cycle and being kind to yourself and the world. Claire believes in less stress and more flow and knows that working with our natural rhythms is 'the missing key' when it comes to women's wellness. She’ll have you throwing out the scales, booking the flight, launching the blog – and falling back in love with your life. We talked about all of those things, as well as her new course Flow. What I think really sets this episode apart is we dive into how you can honour your natural cycles even if you don’t menstruate or if you’re a busy mom or have a 9-5 job and your time isn’t entirely your own. Clare has incredible advice for honouring your own rhythms regardless of your personal situation.

Adore Your Cycle, Love Your Body & Honour Your Feminine Flow with Claire Baker In today's episode we discuss; + Why our attempts to be healthy may begin innocently, but can turn into an obsession and a way to manipulate and control our bodies. + How to soften our approach to food, health and our bodies and make it less about perfection and more about self-love. + How to know if fear is driving your food choices, and how to instead eat with loving intention. + Why developing a connection to and awareness of your menstrual cycle is the missing link to understanding yourself and healing your relationship with your body. + How to stop seeing your menstrual cycle as an inconvenience and more as an opportunity to honour what it means to be a woman. + Why being a woman can at times make us inconsistent, illogical, indecisive, emotional and chaotic and how to stop judging ourselves for feeling this way. + The phases that our hormones and menstrual cycle undergo each month and how to best support and care for yourself through the 4 seasons (Summer, Autumn, Winter & Spring) of your menstrual cycle. + The best self-care practices to support ourselves in our pre-menstrual (Autumn) phase, and why the foods or habits we use at this time can impact how our menstruation feels. + The power and importance of planning and structuring your life, calendar and commitments around your own personal flow and cycle. Connect with Claire: www.thisislifeblood.com Connect with Connie: www.conniechapman.com

In this episode, I chat to the gorgeous soul, Claire Baker of This is Lifeblood about how to be a wild AND creative introvert. It's a juicy one! In this ep, we also chat about: // Claire's personal journey towards finding her wild and creative side. // Discovering what creativity means to you - and having fun with it. // Living on the wild side, on your terms. // How to let go of those stories from your past and embrace your creativity // And so much more!

Join Nat and Nicole as they interview Claire Baker, a health and life coach who specializes in helping women live their dream lives by showing them how to take exquisite care of themselves physically and emotionally.  In this episode we'll cover: How Claire overcame her severe acne and amenorrheaHow to take excellent care of yourself so you can show up as your most authentic selfHow to live at "full volume" in all areas of your lifeHow to create that "lit from within" vibe that makes you irresistible to everyone around you! If you need some valuable tips on how to take exquisite care of yourself in this hectic and crazy world, then tune in!

This week we head to SheOak Ridge Wildlife Refuge and interview the amazing Dr Claire Baker.  Claire is an entomologist who is an expert in glow worms and worked with Sir David Attenborough as a scientific advisor on two of his documentary series.  Her enthusiasm for the insect world and Australia’s native wildlife is infectious; and this […]