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Today on the Spiritual Spiral, I'm thrilled to welcome Marriage & Family Therapist, Gaea Woods, to the show. Gaea is also a talented artist and freelance photographer and I actually met Gaea over 10 years ago when I was in the studio recording a new record. About seven years ago, she transitioned into the world of therapy where she practices full-time as a licensed therapist. Gaea and I begin by talking about creativity, photography and the challenges one can face dealing with the commerce side of art. Gaea shares the story about why she felt inspired to become a therapist and she even used to host her own podcast talking about relationships. We also discuss social media and mental health, the power of listening, societal and emotional triggers and some of the tools we can all use to try and alleviate stress in our lives. With all the cultural discussions about mental health over the last couple years, I felt it was an appropriate time to speak to Gaea. It's an important discussion and if you're potentially looking to speak to a professional about mental health issues, you can find Gaea in Los Angeles by visiting gaeawoodstherapy.com or click HERE. As always, thanks so much for listening and remember, I'm also very excited to say my new book SSAFY can be purchased by visiting SSAFYoga.com or buy it on Amazon by clicking HERE and if you enjoy today's episode and you want to support the show, please subscribe to the podcast on iTUNES or Spotify. It's always helpful if you share the show with your friends or head over to iTunes and write a quick review. You can also support the show by becoming a subscriber at www.patreon.com/eddiecohn and on the music side, you can also purchase my new record at eddieconn.bandcamp.com or visit my website www.iameddiecohn.com and sign up for my email list and newsletter. As always, thanks so much for listening and supporting the show. Please reach out on IG @eddiecohn with any questions. Thanks for listening.
Gaea Woods and comedy writer James Nelson discuss Valentines Day. Toxic Monogamy Culture. Cultural pressure around Valentines Day. Jame’s online dating profile and dating life. Arguing with people on dating apps. Sex injuries. Boundaries. Listeners feelings about Valentine's Day. Me time. Dog jokes.
Gaea Woods interviews Jack & Elaine, an engaged couple who for the past many years have made swinging a part of their lifestyle. If you've ever been curious about the ins and outs of swinging (how to do it, what are some indications you might want to try it, what can go wrong et al...), give this episode a listen. Jack & Elaine openly share about their swinging experiences, both the good and the bad.
Clinician, educator, and author Theodore Burns, Ph.D. joins Gaea Woods for a conversation about some of Theo’s many areas of interest and research including: social justice, sex-positive training in psychology, and sexuality as it impacts people of all genders, LGBTQ individuals, and folks with diverse sexual expressions.
Gaea Woods interviews professional love and relationship coach Lisa Young. Lisa holds an M.A. in Forensic Linguistics and was trained by America’s top forensic linguists, including the FBI linguist who broke the Unabomber case of the 1990’s. She has over 12 years experience working with relationship dynamics, traveling the world speaking to global audiences about culture and connection. During our conversation, Lisa shares about how she helps driven and successful women create abundant powerhouse relationships where they are accepted, supported and loved without limitation. She also gives us some down and dirty tips for creating a great online dating profile.
Gaea Woods interviews an anonymous male BDSM lifestyle slave. Comedy writer, James Nelson reads the part of the anonymous slave.
Gaea Woods interviews an anonymous male BDSM lifestyle slave (Part 1 of 2). James Nelson reads the part of the anonymous slave.
Gaea Woods, photographer, therapist, and host of Soulfriend Radio, gives us a break from the string of Scifi episodes to talk about friendship. We talk about how to make friends in Los Angeles, and how to maintian non-romantic intimate relationships. Is some one still your friend, if you haven't spoken in years? Gaea shows us how important these skills are, and that lonliness isn't necessarily a function of how many friends you have. We also continue to celebrate Maiden LA, which is a Los Angeles wide artwalk open to anyone who wants to submit a project/event/open studio.
Gaea Woods is a guest on the weekly research comedy podcast, What's My Thesis, hosted by artist Javier Proenza. We talk about how to make friends in Los Angeles, and how to maintain non-romantic intimate relationships. Is someone still your friend, if you haven't spoken in years? We discuss the importance of making meaningful connections, and explore how loneliness isn't a function of how many friends you have.
James Nelson and Gaea Woods discuss digital dilemmas and dating, including: Improving James’ Tinder profile. Our favorite opening lines to use on dating apps. Whether or not to block your ex boyfriend's father who follows you on Instagram. Anonymous female’s conflicted feelings about dating via apps vs meeting people organically in the world. Anonymous male’s dilemma regarding digital footprints of past relationships; to delete or not delete. Your co-workers discussing your Facebook relationship status change with you.
Javier Proenza (of the podcast What's My Thesis) and Gaea Woods discuss: From the Victorian era to present day: how dating has evolved in relation to technology. Courtship during the victorian era. Makeup home remedies. When courtship became dating. Unchaperoned dates in the 1920’s. How the 18th and 19th Amendments of the Constitution changed dating for women. Saloons and speakeasy’s. Enclosed cars and courtship outside the home. The 1995 book “The Rules.” The word bossy. Gaea’s acting debut.
Gaea Woods goes to DomCon, The World's Premier Professional and Lifestyle Domination Convention. The mission of the convention is to: "bring a better understanding of BDSM in The Adult Alternative Lifestyle and to bring together those in the BDSM, Leather, Fetish and Professional Communities to share our common interests, celebrate our diversity and promote awareness through education with Demonstrations, Seminars, and Panel Discussions."
Musician Sasha Spielberg, aka Buzzy Lee, and Gaea Woods discuss: Our actual nightmares from the night before. We brainstorm ideas with a live caller about his roommate’s cat. Sasha tells us about: her new EP for her pop project, Buzzy Lee; her masterful Australian accent, and an emergency trip to the vet with her dog Earl. Opening lines from online dating messages. A husband is upset about his wife getting propositioned for sex. Vacations in new relationships. Dating app etiquette. Nervousness on dates. What's too much fighting. Dating and finances. Withholding versus lying.
Gaea Woods and sex positive, Christian Vlogger, Brenda Davies of the YouTube Channel ‘God Is Grey’ discuss: religion and sex. Davies’ YouTube channel where she shares about her personal experiences with religion and sex, and spreads a sex positive message to her Christian audience. Sex ed in the Christian community. Shame regarding masturbation. The binary of women being "virgins" or "whores." Finding acceptance within the church as a sexually liberated woman.
Professional Dominatrix, Mistress Isabella Sinclaire and Gaea Woods discuss: Isabella’s career as a dominatrix for past 25 years. Bullwhips. Early days of BDSM to now. All things Sub and Dom. What to do if you’re a sexual submissive type, and are married to a sexually submissive type. Sexual chemistry. Entry level steps for individuals and couples looking to explore BDSM. Cross country dating. Age differences in relationships. Sensation heighteners. Music: Dzang. Album: Lotion. Songs: Spread, Ima Get Em Like.
James Nelson and Gaea Woods discuss: How to tell someone you’re dating that you’re sexually inexperienced. James and I discuss our worst first dates. Coveting other people’s girlfriends. What’s better, to have a set type or fluid preferences? Making sense of closure post breakup. Being grumpy about seeing friends post about their love on social media. Not liking your friends boyfriend. Breaking the cycle of being overly picky in relationships. Music: Boom Bip & Charlie White. Album: Music For Sleeping Children.
Sex journalist, Model / Actress Tierney Finster and Gaea Woods discuss: Valentine’s Day. Tierney’s writing for Mel Magazine, including an ongoing series about men’s most intimate proclivities called “That’s My Fetish;” (think cakesitting, and cigarette smoking). Learning about masculine sexuality by writing for men’s magazines as a feminist journalist. Why men are afraid of saying “I love you.” How to change your age on bumble when it’s not updating from your Facebook age. Age differences in relationships. Online dating photos, media literacy. Sex issues or insecurities that Tierney and I have gotten over / healed within ourselves. The best way to enter a new relationship after getting out of a long-term relationship.
Paige Elkington and Gaea Woods discuss: The Women’s March in LA. International dating woes. Anonymous asks about the best way to end a codependent relationship. Times up movement. Sex on the first date. Hooking up with your exes. Valentine’s Day. Gift ideas for a writer who likes coffee, cats, and sci fi. Ghosting. Anonymous female asks advice about whether or not to cut ties with a partner who is seeing and living with someone else. Paige gives us a peek into some of her new projects.
Samuel Muglia and Gaea Woods discuss: mainstream kink. The aesthetic origins of BDSM. 50 Shades of Grey. Sex-negative assumptions and stereotypes about BDSM. Choker necklaces. Trending of the unicorn. Whether or not to read "bodice ripper" erotic historical romance novels written by your mother. The most erotic historic time periods. Tips for introducing kink into your relationship. How passé choking is.
Very special sex/love crossover episode. Shelley Holcomb & Whitney Gibson of the sex talk show Whits N Giggles (on Kchung Radio), and Gaea Woods discuss: self disclosure. Being real. Anonymous male asks how to give his girlfriend an orgasm during sex. A woman whose boyfriend can feel her IUD during sex asks for advice. Tips for a couple interested in bringing a third person into their sexual relationship. Shelley joins Feeld, a dating app for curious, open-minded couples and singles.
Samuel Muglia and Gaea Woods. SADLY (!) KChung Radio's server crashed mid episode, so only 2 fragments of the show were recovered. The full episode, including Sam’s incredible story of love and woe in Los Angeles, will only ever be heard in its entirety by our precious live listeners. Recovered audio includes: Anonymous wants more back massages from her boyfriend. Harvey Weinstein. Anonymous female is worried her boyfriend might cheat on her. Sam and I discuss the wonders of our friend, Garrett Edwards.
Conversation #5. Gaea Woods speaks to Antioch University Los Angeles Spiritual Depth Psychology alumni Susan Clayton, MA, MFTI. Spiritual Depth Psychology Alumni Susan Clayton and I discuss: What brought Susan to Psychology, and to studying Spiritual Depth Psychology (SDP) at Antioch University Los Angeles. How SDP has assisted Susan in honing her skills regarding the ‘how’ of sitting with clients. Incorporating depth techniques into working with clients. Using mindfulness with Susan’s male veteran clients. What language Susan uses with her clients to express SDP concepts. Working with transference and countertransference. Susan’s book recommendations, including: The Body Keeps The Score.
Conversation #3. Gaea Woods speaks to Antioch University Los Angeles Alumni Julie Rodriguez, MA, MFTI. Julie Rodriguez and I discuss: Julie’s experience as one of the Antioch students who helped develop the SDP specialization during the Summer of 2009. What drew Julie to Depth Psychology. The divine feminine. Feminism for women of color. How Julie’s learning in the SDP course ‘Frontiers in Integrative Depth Psychology’ has informed her work as a clinician. Jungian sandplay with children. Julie’s experience working at a DMH site, and in Private Practice. Practicing mindfulness with clients. Self care. Julie speaks about some of her current influences, including: The documentary ‘Dancing in The Flames’ about Marion Woodman: www.imdb.com/title/tt1619634/, and The Shadow Effect with Debbie Ford: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kxy5GQkedo.
Conversation #4. Gaea Woods speaks to Antioch University Los Angeles Spiritual Depth Psychology student Roxy Ardebilchi, MA Candidate. Spiritual Depth Psychology Student Roxy Ardebilchi and I discuss: What brought Roxy to want to study Spiritual Depth Psychology (SDP) at Antioch University Los Angeles. Defining SDP. Incorporating SDP concepts into working with clients. Dreamwork. Mindfulness. The 3 A’s: Awareness, Acceptance, and Action. Working with the shadow. Shadow projection. Shadow work and meaning making. The transparent nature of working through an SDP lens. The power of dream symbolism. How SDP accesses multiculturalism. Universal archetypal energies. Roxy’s book recommendations. Typologies.
Conversation #2. Gaea Woods speaks to Antioch University Los Angeles Spiritual Depth Psychology student Evan Perlo, MA Candidate. Evan Perlo and I discuss: What sparked Evan’s interest in studying Spiritual Depth Psychology (SDP) at the Graduate level at Antioch University Los Angeles. Studying Abroad in Sao Paulo, Brazil. What it means to incorporate elements of SDP in your everyday life, including learning from the mundane. Utilizing mindfulness (on oneself) when working with clients. Basic components of Vipassana Insight meditation. SDP language clinicians can use with clients. Using authenticity as a gauge for monitoring how you are with client’s. Evan’s meditation teacher, George Haas, defines authenticity as: “the moment where you could change course and present yourself differently in order to keep a connection going.” Evan’s book recommendations. Ecstatic dance and the multifaceted self.
Conversation #1. Gaea Woods speaks to Antioch University Los Angeles Professor Mark Troedson, PhD, MFT. Topics we explore include: What courses Mark teaches at Antioch in the Spiritual Depth Psychology (SDP) Department. Erotic Transference. Expanding the idea of 'erotic' beyond sexuality. Being connected in a feeling way to your clients. Participation Mystique. The 2015 film Embrace of The Serpent. Jungian Psychology. The Cultural Complex. Relation to the shadow. Archetypes. Utilizing Google image search to examine cultural archetypes and the collective unconscious. Looking at the path towards becoming a psychoanalyst in 4 parts: 1) Your own analysis 2) Connecting to culture 3) Tending deeply to the humanities, e.g. human sciences, literature, history 4) Reading psychological theory and research. Jung’s notion of personality: thinking, feeling, intuition and sensation. Book and movie recommendations which are relevant for contemplation from a Jungian perspective. For more information about some of the topics discussed during our conversation, please visit Mark Troedson’s You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyxI_wqKDor98duJ0StEM7A
Evan Teitelbaum & Gaea Woods discuss: Properly de-activating your online dating profile/s. Running into people who you chatted with on online dating apps. Rejecting without ghosting. Deciding whether to date, or to stay single to work on yourself. Deciding when to lose your virginity. Apologies in relationships. Halloween. Hennessy. Deciding when to move in with your significant other. Tips for meeting new people if you're shy. Dating with depression.
Nicholas Francomano & Gaea Woods discuss: Memorizing poetry. Discarding objects from past relationships. Flirting techniques. Signs that you might be basic. Snack wave girls. Runyon canyon selfies. Tips for dating in your 40's. Getting hobbies that are cool. What made Nicholas' Tinder date great. Kissing techniques. What to wear on a first date to a bar. Men who wear necklaces. Red flags in relationships.
Guan Rong and Gaea Woods discuss: Guan’s love book: Spanish Silver Fox. What to do if you have a girlfriend who you think is perfect for you and is a great companion but you’re still not satisfied. Balancing your personal and professional life. Compromise in relationships. Defining the word love. Boundaries of non romantic, opposite sex friendships while you’re in a committed, monogamous, relationship: whether or not there is harm in maintaining relationships where there is/was/may be some sexual attraction? Hanger related tiffs; whether or not snacks should be mandated to avoid unnecessary and potentially avoidable relationship conflict. Fun date ideas in LA.
Sam Johnson and Gaea Woods discuss: the blog http://tindergirlsatmachupicchu.tumblr.com/. Douchas. Common themes of what girls r doing in their Tinder pics. Sex trends: edging. Sting. If guys like it when women approach them. If guys think it’s rude if girls don’t offer to pay. The worst check split story of all time. Anal sex. What taking photos of your SO says about the status of your relationship. Best way to reject someone who’s approaching you at a bar. What to do if you’re gassy and you want to have sex. If it’s ok to ask the person you’re dating to change their pubic hair. If you’re obligated to go down on someone after they’ve gone down on you. Guys in their twenties. How to reject a friend who’s asking you out.
Isaac Bloch and Gaea Woods discuss: dating app alternatives to Tinder including: Sizzl (connecting bacon lovers), The Grade, Score, Bumble, Happn, Sweatt & Hinge. Love rituals. Not dating vegans. Braces and oral sex. How to initiate spontaneous sex with your SO without it seeming awkward. Consent. Sexting. Emotional availability in new relationships. Relationships as mirrors. Not taking anything personal. Choosing photos for online dating profiles. Aura photos. Defining chemistry. Chemistry and BO, smell. Auditory and physical chemistry. People who are ‘alive in their bodies’ being hot. The term ‘making love.’
Lucy Lord Campana & Gaea Woods discuss: dating as an adult with braces. Dating friends. Intimacy and monogamy vs the allure of the unknown. The appropriate amount of time to wait after sex to talk about unsexy things like work and errands. Managing pets who want to jump up on the bed during sex. Exes not remembering your personal preferences. Respectful ways to end a casual relationship. How to change your communication style based on the dating app you’re using. What to do if you don’t like your SO’s friends. Whether or not the length of time it takes someone to respond to your texts is proportional to their level of interest in you.
Joining the show via Skype from Tel Aviv, Danielle Zuckerman & Gaea Woods discuss: Stealing clothes from people you’re dating. Returning items post breakup. Whether or not you will ever be as good as someone’s Jewish mother. Making love. Dating artists vs doctors. Getting the best results from online dating while putting in the least amount of effort. Female orgasms. The evening cutoff time for hanging out verses booty calls. Getting gifts for someone you’re newly dating. Rules of sleeping with your significant other at your family’s house over the holidays. Dating checklists. Finding people to kiss on New Year’s Eve.
Mells Bells & Gaea Woods discuss: How to end bad dates. Pitty make outs. Online dating vs meeting irl. Ways to approach the ‘how serious are we’ conversation. Counting condoms. What to bring to your partner’s family Thanksgiving. Seeing people you’re dating on online dating apps. Removing & re-downloading dating apps (& the associated shame). Disliking the names of the children of someone you’re dating. Various types of touching. Discussing your dating/sex life with people you previously dated. Nicolas Cage.
Nicholas Francomano & Gaea Woods discuss: Love for your mother vs love for your partner. Ryan’s Roses. Mother in laws pushing you to the brink of your ability to remain tactful & diplomatic. Masturbating in the shower. Pre-date googling is allowed. Appropriate times of day to text someone you’re newly dating. The futility of non substantive texts. The moral gray area of using photos taken by exes in your new online dating profile. Going to art school to cultivate an air of sensitivity to attract girls. Advancements in flirting techniques. Confidence and flirting. Making and breaking rules in dating. Moral schemas. Staying over (or not) after sex. Putting off breakups for the sake of convenience.
Kristy Baltezore & Gaea Woods discuss: Premarital sex & chastity. Different ways of dating and sex in long distance relationships/interacting online. Intergenerational dating. How to tell your neighbors they’re having loud sex. Gaining clarity about what kind of relationship you’re in. Clarifying what you want out of a relationship. Speaking clearly to your needs. Using the word buddy to friendzone someone.