To Hump A Pillow with Coach Ellen Melon

SYM1 and I are totally cut from the same cloth, in that we both love talking about our sexuality and welcoming others to talk about their sexuality. This discussion is broken up into 2 parts. In these 2 episodes, I have a conversation with SYM1, Minneapolis-based music artist who uses sexuality and erotica in her art. We're going to hear about SYM1s sexual upbringing, but we're also going to talk about her early experiences of racism. A couple points of our discussion: The definition of "malado," big booty stigma, black but passing, objectification, fetishizing the black woman, viewing black people as less than, and the story of Sarah Bartman, "Hottentot Venus." What does this have to do with "the sex-ed curriculum you never had?" Understanding peoples experiences has everything to do with how we relate to one another, and if as a society, white people unconsciously and systemically view black people as less-than, we've got some work to do, don't we? And it starts with empathy. https://www.instagram.com/no1butsym1/ https://www.facebook.com/no1butsym1/ Interesting in working with a Sex & Relationship Coach? Apply for 1on1 coaching with me: Fill out this 10 question form. ____________________ Links we talked about: N/A ____________________ About Ellen Melon: Sex & Relationship Coach and Educator specializing in shame, attachment, and taking things personally. Ellen Melon links: Book a FREE 40-MIN consultation: https://calendly.com/ellenmelon/40min Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_F0bL0mItXS-jundACwnA Website: https://www.ellenmelon.com ____________________ Sources: Sara Baartman: https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/sara-saartjie-baartman Mulatto definition in 1850s: https://scholar.harvard.edu/jlhochschild/publications/racial-reorganization-and-united-states-census-1850-1930-mulattoes-half-br ____________________

Welcome back to Season 2 of To Hump A Pillow! My aim with this podcast is to enhance the language and conversation around sex to give partners, people, the community, the courage to speak up, ask questions, and discover pleasure. To choose pleasure, love and joy and opt out of suffering. I'm kicking off this season with something that I have found incredibly helpful and an agent for change. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. This book is directly connected to our relationship with SELF, the most important relationship in our lives. I'm going to walk through each of the 4 agreements and give you some intimate examples of how they've showed up in my life. https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319 About Ellen Melon: Sex & Relationship Coach and Educator specializing in shame, attachment, and taking things personally. Interesting in working with a Sex & Relationship Coach? Apply for 1on1 coaching with me: Fill out this 10 question form. Ellen Melon links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_F0bL0mItXS-jundACwnA Website: https://www.ellenmelon.com

Who feels like they are curious and always ask WHY? Why though? I want to better understand. Well, this audio is BONUS footage, leftover from episode 18 and might offer some perspective. After listening to the bonus footage from episode 18, Sex & intimacy after chronic illness - with Chris Maxwell Rose, I've realized that sometimes asking why IS QUITE HARMFUL, because it brings me further away from acceptance. Take a listen if you feel like you ask why…….all the freaken time and want to find another way.

To be healthy and able-bodied is a blessing and the possibility of that changing MANY TIMES throughout the course of our lives is very realistic. Bodies change. Health events occur. To both us and to our loved ones, and thus, we experience different erotic seasons. In this episode, I invite Chris Maxwell Rose to lead a discussion on the love and compassion we need to give ourselves when our health takes a nose-dive. How does sexuality change? Intimacy? Desire? Touch? We discuss how to listen to our bodies and TRUST ourselves. We also exchange stories of how we developed Type 1 Diabetes and talk about the effect it had on our sex lives. Chris Rose is Co-host of "Speaking of Sex with the Pleasure Mechanics" a podcast who is approaching almost 400 episodes at the time of this recording. She and her partner Charlotte have a combined expertise of 30 years of experience teaching individuals and couples in how to experience more pleasure. They train sexuality educators and coaches, and are certified sexologists and massage therapists. www.pleasuremechanics.com ____________________ Donate to the To Hump A Pillow podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ellenmelon Links we talked about: FREE COURSE: The Erotic Essentials by the Pleasure Mechanics: https://pleasuremechanics.teachable.com/p/the-erotic-essentials/?affcode=160539_lgpqtcim Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P42M08O/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 ACEs are Adverse Childhood Experiences: https://sisterhoodagenda.com/are-aces-putting-you-at-risk/ The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IICN1F8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Audre Lorde reads Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic As Power (FULL Updated): https://youtu.be/aWmq9gw4Rq0 ____________________ Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com ____________________

This episode marks 1 year almost to the day since the end of my 8 year relationship. July 2nd would mark both our anniversary and also the day he moved out. 365 days have gone by since the breakup of the most significant relationship in my life. I knew I would do this episode and I'm really excited to share with you what I've learned about myself and how my view of the world has changed as a result of the processing and internal work I've done. While it's none of your business what I've learned about myself, and it's likely not many people care, I do this because I love getting intimate with you. I love letting you into my life and my mind in hopes that you can better understand yourself and better understand important people in your lives. The list: Everyone needs to experience this kind of heartbreak Family is everything Boundaries — how we fail to set them and why, and some personal examples The stories we tell ourselves and how that informs the decisions we make — including the lies we tell ourselves Boundary Workshop: https://www.ellenmelon.com/events Intimacy Coaching: https://www.ellenmelon.com/intimacy-coaching ______________________ Donate to the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ellenmelon Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow https://www.ellenmelon.com ______________________

What does mean to make a space safer? What is a safe space? According to Shawna Potter, it's being aware of the presence and behavior you have in places where you work, gather, and play. In this episode, Shawna and I discuss street harassment and how to stop it as a victim and as a bystander, healthy flirting, what it means to a feminist, and how being "an independent woman" can hold you back from interpersonal relationships. All of these things are laid out in greater detail in her book Making Spaces Safer: A Guide to Giving Harassment the Boot Wherever You Work, Play, and Gather linked in the show description. ______________________ Donate to the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ellenmelon Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com ______________________ About Shawna Potter (WOW!): Shawna Potter, singer for the band War On Women, has tackled sexism and harassment in lyrics and on stage for years. Taking the battle to music venues themselves, she has trained night clubs and community spaces in how to create safer environments for marginalized people. Now she's turned decades of experience into a clear and concise guide for public spaces of all sorts to shut down harassers wherever they show up. In her book released May 2019, Making Spaces Safer: A Guide to Giving Harassment the Boot Wherever You Work, Play, and Gather, the steps she outlines are realistic, practical, and actionable. With the addition of personal stories, case studies, sample policies, and no-nonsense advice like "How to Flirt without Being a Creep," she shows why safer spaces are important, while making it easier to achieve them. Her website: https://shawnapotter.com/ Buy the book we discussed: https://www.akpress.org/making-spaces-safer-book.html Book review/discussion video with STRAND: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wesGgrMop98 Hollaback! Baltimore Chapter: https://bmore.ihollaback.org/ Twitter, Instagram, Facebook@ShawnaPotterWow https://www.facebook.com/ShawnaPotterOfficial/ https://twitter.com/shawnapotterwow https://www.instagram.com/shawnapotterwow/ ______________________

In Episode 6, we hear a woman's perspective on what it's like to experience a long-term triad, thrupples, and polyamory. Today, we get to hear from Mallory's partner, Jonah all about the man's perspective. We'll hear about his sexual upbringing, his take on power dynamics in a triad, and his experiences and thoughts on polyamory and thrupples. Listen to Episode #6: Bisexuality and thrupples: Exploring triad relationships in your late 20s - with Mallory for lady perspective. ______________________ Donate to the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ellenmelon Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

When you enter parenthood for the first time, your duo relationship becomes a trio and everything is new. That's what our guest is going to be talking about today. In this episode, Dr. Natalie Rosen joins us from Hallifax to discuss how sex changes in partnerships with first time parents, taking a deep dive into her resource called; Post Baby Hanky Panky. She will also be telling us about her other areas of research: genito-pelvic pain; low libido, arousal disorder, vulva shaming, and a few other hard-to-discuss-things around sex for people with vulvas. If you're about to become a first-time parent, this episode is for you. Interesting in working with a Sex & Relationship Coach? Apply for 1on1 coaching with me: Fill out this 10 question form. Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com ______________________ Find Dr. Natalie Rosen on social media: Facebook: www.facebook/rosenlab Twitter: @rosenlab; @drnatalierosen Instagram: @cashlab _______________________ Resources we discussed: http://postbabyhankypanky.com/ https://natalieorosen.com/ TIPS: Postpartum sexuality resources and tips for better sexual communication: https://natalieorosen.com/sexual-health/postpartumresources/ #postbabyhankypanky Video Launch Event at the Halifax Central Library on February 12th 2018 where multiple licensed professionals talk about tall things post-baby: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlab/videos/732439300288395/ The Vagina Bible by Dr. Jen Gunter: https://drjengunter.com/ I'll Show You Mine by Wrenna Robertson: https://www.amazon.com/Show-Mine-Wrenna-Robertson-editor/dp/0986803405 The Vulva Gallery — Find on Instagram or www.vulvagallery.com ______________________

Do you have a close friend of the opposite sex, with whom you can speak intimately and informally? I do and boy, am I fortunate. This is a non-judgemental, playful, and open conversation between two people that have been really good friends for almost a decade. In this episode, I invite my dear friend, Tom, to the show. I'll be asking about his sexual experiences from adolescence, how his sex life has changed from early 20s to approaching 30s, what's his take on the dating scene in the advent of dating apps, as well as his take on the #MeToo movement. We discuss things like: Do you have sex today compared to how you used to have sex? Do you view differently? Do you talk to your male friends about sex? What does that conversation look like? Dating in your early 20s vs your late 20s? What is different? Views on parenthood? What's your view on dating in the advent of dating apps? What's your take on the MeToo movement? Interesting in working with a Sex & Relationship Coach? Apply for 1on1 coaching with me: Fill out this 10 question form. Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com Ellen Melon on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_F0bL0mItXS-jundACwnA

This episode is for those who need help understanding transgender experiences. Maybe you are intimidated by the LBGTQ jargon or feel like you can't keep up. Maybe you have kids that are experiencing gender dysphoria or gender fluidity. Maybe you are a person who feels like you've never REALLY FELT LIKE you've been yourself and are looking for answers. Wherever you're at, Episode 12, this episode, is going to provide you with a new perspective. I've brought back special guest and sex-educator, Elleri Scriver, who is pursuing a self-designed sex education undergraduate degree from Knox College in Illinois — the first undergrad program of it's kind. Elleri, also goes by Eli, and uses pronouns he/him and they/them, which he'll explain in the episode. In this episode, he speaks in great detail about his own transgender adventure, educating us on terminology and important dos and donts that cis-people could benefit knowing about. Thank you Eli, for sharing with us things that are, quite frankly, none of our business. Donate to the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ellenmelon TAKE A LOOK at the genderbread person! http://bit.ly/genderbread Find out more about Eli: https://www.instagram.com/elleri.scriver/ _______________________________ Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com Ellen Melon on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_F0bL0mItXS-jundACwnA

What the heck is prostate massage? Prostate milking? The male G-spot? In this episode, we're going to tell you all about it — how prostate massage can lead to powerful 'Super' orgasms. Our guest, Marlon is sharing his story about his sexual education upbringing, walks us through his curiosity with anal play, and in great detail shares with us his first-time experience of using a prostate massage. Shop prostate massagers:https://www.aneros.com/#a_aid=ellenmelon Interesting in working with a Sex & Relationship Coach? Apply for 1on1 coaching with me: Fill out this 10 question form. ___________________________ Discussed in the episode: Prostate Massage 101 - The Ins and Outs of Prostate Play: https://youtu.be/xAWUvRrJHII WHERE IS THE MALE G-SPOT? - Mantak Chia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46P8dVsKCR8 Bad Girls Bible, #9: PROSTATE MASSAGE & SUPER ORGASMS (SERIOUSLY) WITH FORREST ANDREWS OF ANEROS: https://badgirlsbible.com/episode-9-prostate-massage-and-super-orgasms-with-forrest-walker Speaking of Sex with the Pleasure Mechanics, podcast episodes on Prostate Massage: MUST LISTEN: Prostate Milking, Episode #185: https://www.pleasuremechanics.com/prostate-milking/ Pegging and Prostate Play, Episode #192: https://www.pleasuremechanics.com/pegging-and-prostate-play/ Unleash The Power of Prostate Orgasms, Episode #43: https://www.pleasuremechanics.com/unleash-the-power-of-prostate-orgasms/ Pegging & Everything There Is To Know About It - Coffee With Alice Little: https://youtu.be/ALOkjuRkINg ___________________________ Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

Alice Little is the most successful licensed sex worker in the United States. She has been voted the #1 Companion of the Year at the world famous Moonlite Bunny Ranch legal brothel in Carson City, Nevada. She is also an intimacy and sexuality coach, an outspoken advocate for sex worker rights and vocal champion for an all-inclusive sex-positive society. In this episode, we get to know Alice personally, learning about her childhood upbringing, how she learned about sex-ed, and her early career steps that led her to becomming a legal brothel sex worker. We have a discussion on the common misconceptions about the sex work industy and its stigmas. Lastly, I get to ask Alice some fun and juicy questions about her work as a sex worker — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Alice has managed to use her notoriety as one of the highest-earning sex workers in the world to push forward causes that she believes in. She founded the political action group "Hookers for Healthcare" to fight for healthcare policies that benefit sex workers and other stigmatized groups. She also co-founded the Nevada Brothel Association, a committee that advocates for the rights of women working in Nevada's bordellos. Alice has been featured in the Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, The Daily Beast, Refinery 29, BBC News, CNN, ABC Nightline, and on the Tim Ferris Show and Shane & Friends podcasts. Donate to the podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/ellenmelon Alice Little YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMl6gE-PPKdjIWgJaNlvK3w/featured How to Become a Sex Worker - Ask a Sex Worker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OItZDz1m95w https://www.instagram.com/thealicelittleofficial/ https://thealicelittle.com/ Intimacy coaching with Ellen Melon: www.ellenmelon.com/Intimacy-coaching Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

Are you having a baby soon? Your FIRST baby soon? Lots of women express "not knowing enough" or being "terrified of the pain" during their first childbirth — Vaginal tearing being at the top of that list. Perineal tears are tears that occur between the vaginal opening and your anus, and are very common, and heal quickly, however not many people get the full education and outlook on their options. That's what Alyssa will be telling us about today – the information she wished she would have known ahead of delivering her first child. In this episode, she shares with us intimate details about her anatomy, sex after childbirth, and lessons learned. She assures us that you don't have to be scared of the pain in delivering a baby AND in fact, there are methods out there that ENSURE you don't take that view on your labor plan. Alyssa boldly shares her experience in having baby #1 with an epidural, and baby #2 as a natural birth, integrated with a breathing method called Hypnobabies. This episode is somewhat graphic, so proceed with caution. Hypnobabies: https://www.hypnobabies.com/how-does-it-work/ Article on Vaginal Tearing:https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/vaginal-tearing_ca_5cd53f11e4b07bc7297634c7 POST BABY HANKY PANKY Keeping the Spark Alive: To help normalize postpartum sexual concerns and open the lines of communication both between partners, and also between health care providers and new parents. http://postbabyhankypanky.com/ (by Dr. Natalie Rosen) Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

How do you initiate sex with your partner or partner(s)? Do you give them a look, do you send them a text, do you outright ask? Are you someone who always initiates sex? Never initiates sex? In this episode, I'll be discussing research on initiating sex, why being rejected sexually is so devistating in a partnership, understanding why we initiate sex, communication styles around initiating sex, and finally tips in dealing with rejection with the communication tools to help you out. This part 2 of 2 — If you haven't listened to Part 1, make sure to check it out — #7. The messages we receive about sex when we're young Part 1 of 2. Things I call out: Speaking of Sex with the Pleasure Mechanics #356 — Taking Turns In Bed : How To Practice The Skills of Giving and Receiving Pleasure: https://www.pleasuremechanics.com/taking-turns-in-bed-how-to-practice-the-skills-of-giving-and-receiving-pleasure/ Sex Ed THe musical: EPISODE 36: 10 SEXY THINGS YOU CAN DO THIS WEEKEND: https://www.sexedthemusical.com/podcast/10-sexy-things-to-do-this-weekend Works cited: Who Initiates Sex and why it Matters so Much: https://youtu.be/gIUjpXAcH64 The Sex-Starved Relationship: https://youtu.be/tSs2dXDf1Zs School of Life: How to Help Your Partner Remember That You Exist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k1u87s2Azc Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

This is Part 1 of a 2-Part series. Part 1 is about (Episode 7) The messages we receive about sex when we're young and Part 2 is (Episode 8) Tips on initiating sex and dealing with rejection in relationships. Both of these episodes were born from a place of frustration with Ellen's own libido, sexual shame, self worth and vulnerability. They contain her experiences and tools used for growth in sex/pleasure and also the things she's learned from listening to others experiences. In this episode we talk about libido (sexual desires), shame around our bodies, and unpack the messages Ellen received about sex at a young age. Ellen has also created a tool that she will walk through, in order to help listeners uncover their own messages — in hopes that they give up their own sexual shame. Activity: Blog post related to episode www.ellenmelon.com/blog/messageswereceive Goddess Gatherings: www.ellenmelon.com/events Book: "Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: https://www.chimamanda.com/book/dear-ijeawele-or-a-feminist-manifesto-in-fifteen-suggestions/ TED TALK: Nicole Daedone - Orgasm: The Cure for Hunger in the Western Woman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9QVq0EM6g4 TED TALK: The Pleasure Principle: The Secret to a Better Sex Life | Laurie Betito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnigGtrwAfs TED TALK: Reclaiming Female Sexual Desire | Pam Costa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sn_UhcXZm4 Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber Gets 'Shameless' About Sex: https://www.npr.org/2019/01/13/684505811/pastor-nadia-bolz-weber-gets-shameless-about-sex 5 Things Every Couple MUST Discuss Before Getting Married https://www.huffpost.com/entry/15-things-every-couple-mu_b_5638629 Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

We all know that maintaining a relationship between 2 people is hard work, so what would it be like if there was a third? With the rise in polyamory and non-monogamy, we're seeing a shift away from traditional relationships and today we're talking about thrupples and bisexuality. In this episode, we sit down with a dear friend of mine, Mallory who has been in monogamous relationships her whole life...UNTIL the last couple years. She unconvered she was bisexual not too long ago and has since been in a non-monogamous relationship, specifically called a triad or a throuple. What does it take to maintain a healthy, strong dynamic between the parties involved in a long-term threesome? Well, she's going to share with us her story and with it, a different perspective on relationships. Podcast recommended: https://www.turnmeonpodcast.com/ Resources from the podcast "Turn Me On" about being bisexual. 09 - Bisexuality: Whatever You Got In Your Pants I Can Deal With https://open.spotify.com/episode/1sCF8D9ifi2Ve4KVM2pM7p?si=dSCVeHlwRGSzCjRIkn63Rg This episode (above) has a cool question sent in from a listener asking how to approach adding a 3rd in the bedroom. 08 - "Was I Born Gay?" https://open.spotify.com/episode/36yusZlSSNL4gUywQ6pY88?si=cElJihJvR_aYmfWW3BP1xQ Find Mallory online: https://www.instagram.com/maljean89/ https://mallycreative.com/ Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

THE PENIS (AND ITS ERECTION) IS NOT THE CENTER OF THE SEXUAL UNIVERSE and we need to stop putting that kind of pressure on penises. In this episode we are discussing erectile dysfunction (also known as ED) with Sex Therapist, Joe Molinari — What is erectile dysfunction and why does it happen? Joe has helped couples and inidivduals with all kinds of emoitional complications that can arise during sex. I wanted to have Joe on the show teach us about difficulties with erections providing us with some tips and examples we can use to comfortably and courageously discuss ED in relationships. Joe Molinari, LCSW, LICSW, CST, Pronouns: He/Him/His AASECT Certified Sex Therapist | Certified EMDR Therapist | Licensed Clinical Social Worker Find out more about him here: https://www.joemolinari.com/ http://www.menssexcoach.com Suggested book resource: Coping With ED by Barry McCarthy https://www.amazon.com/Coping-Erectile-Dysfunction-Regain-Confidence/dp/1572243864 Bondesque (located in MPLS, MN): https://www.facebook.com/pg/bondesque/about/?ref=page_internal http://www.bondesque.com/ Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

"The-birds-and-the-bees" — We all know the term, but not all of us got an opportunity to have that conversation. Maybe we talked to a friend. A cousin. A sibling. Some may have even had the stereotypical talk — the one where you sit and wince through an awkward lecture WITH your parent(s). Whatever the case, we seem to never revisit it, if there even was a conversation to revisit. Today, Ellen sits down with Mary, her mother, to revisit that conversation. They'll talk about: How Mary was taught sex-ed How Mary was taught about her menstrual cycle How sex was discussed in school, among peers, and at home What Mary would have done differently in Ellen's sexual education Ellen Melon Social Media links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

Show Description: While this is a podcast about sex-ed for adults who need help building language in how they talk about sex with their partners and children, it's also the turn of the year — a very relfective time for lots of people — and in order to go forward, you gotta look back. This episode contains a look ahead at What I Want in 2020, separated into four categories: HEALTH SPIRIT CAREER RELATIONSHIPS I know it's hard for some to carve out the time for introspection, so my aim is to inspire you to look ahead. You owe it to yourself. I thought it might be helpful to provide the structure and tool I use in reflection and looking ahead at 2020 and showing you personal things I'm working on in each of these categories. Discussed in the show: This episode works in tandem with this specific blog post: https://www.ellenmelon.com/blog/2020 Goddess Gatherings: https://www.ellenmelon.com/events "The Course of Love" by Alain de Botton AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Course-Love-Novel-Alain-Botton/dp/1501134515 AUDIBLE: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Course-of-Love-Audiobook/B01FKLXUUK The Zone Diet: https://www.zonediet.com/the-zone-diet/ Shout to Life Coach and facial jewelry company co-owner of Artemis Wild, Lakshmi Sylvie Dady for her tool, "4 Burners Of Life" — Learn more about what she does and her services: https://www.instagram.com/sylvielakshmi/ Ellen Melon links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

In childhood sexual development, adults often want to know which behaviors are appropriate and indicate "healthy" childhood sexual development. To answer that, we need to first understand that sexuality is much more than sex – it's our values, attitudes, feelings, interactions and behaviors. Sexuality is emotional, social, cultural, and physical. Episode #2 of To Hump A Pillow features Eli Scriver, a sex educator from the Twin Cities pursuing a self-designed sex education undergraduate degree from Knox College in Illinois — the first undergrad program of it's kind. In this interview, prepare to revisit your childhood puberty! We'll talk about the concept of puberty, prep for masterbation, and overall, what to expect during childhood and adolescent sexuality, while giving you tips for sex positive parenting. Eli even shares some personal stories about his own sexual upbringing and puberty. Find out more about Eli Scriver: https://www.instagram.com/elleri.scriver/ Tips for talking to kids about sex, as reference at the end of the episode:: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/parents/tips-talking Ellen Melon links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

The debut of To Hump A Pillow with Ellen Melon! During this first episode, Ellen sits down with Minneapolis-based muralist and hand-letterer extraordinaire, Jon King. They discuss his upbringing as part of a large family living in rural Wisconsin, how sex-education was addressed while being home schooled, and coming out as queer in his 20s and a brief discussion on being in the gender binary. Finally, his story of contracting HIV and what it means to live with HIV. Thank you Jon King for your honesty and vulnerability during this session. For resources on HIV: JustUs: To lead the work to achieve health equity for diverse gender, sexual, and cultural communities. https://www.justushealth.org/ Aliveness Project (founded as a community center for and driven by people living with HIV.) https://aliveness.org/ Red Door: Sexual Healthcare for all. https://www.reddoorclinic.org/hiv Find Jon King: Website: http://thegingbeard.com/ or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonthegingbeard/ Ellen Melon links: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmelonshow/ https://twitter.com/EllenMelonShow https://www.facebook.com/ellenmelonshow www.ellenmelon.com

An introduction, episode #0. For parents who need help building language in how they talk about sex to their partners and children, 'To Hump A Pillow' offers communications and new ideas around intimacy, anatomy, and relationships. Sex is something most of us do it yet find it difficult to talk about. Ellen Melon is enhancing the language and conversation around sex while giving communities the courage to speak up and ask questions, through raw interviews with guests and sharing her own findings. Storytelling and education around sex, relationships, and intimacy: The Sex-Ed Curriculum You Never Had. Don't forget to subscribe! http://www.ellenmelon.com