Pleasure Activism, De-Shaming Desire, and the Politics of Embodiment with Kai Cheng Thom

Darshana is joined by Kai Cheng Thom for an intimate conversation that goes deep and wide about pleasure activism, embodied liberation, and the ways shame, identity, and power shape our relationship to desire.Listen in as they move between personal story, somatic wisdom, cultural critique, and practical reflection, offering you a grounded and humane entry point into pleasure as both a personal and collective practice.In this episode, we explore:What pleasure activism means as a lived, embodied practice rather than a conceptWhy many people internalize the belief that pleasure is “not for them”How race, gender, sexuality, trans identity, and colonial narratives shape erotic shameThe body’s protective strategies, including freeze and somatic armoringWhy honoring the body’s no is essential before opening to desireThe importance of de-shaming the yes, not just strengthening boundariesHow comfort can serve as a doorway to pleasure and healingThe role of consent, pacing, and presence in embodied workSimple practices for naming needs and desires without pressure or performanceWhy reclaiming pleasure is deeply connected to collective liberationAbout Kai:Kai Cheng Thom, MSW, MSc, Qualified Mediator, and Somatic Sex Educator is an author, performer, and noted expert in the fields of trauma healing, professional coaching, somatics, dialogue facilitation, and conflict transformation.As a theorist and practitioner, she has made significant contributions in the area of trauma-informed, social change-oriented approaches to pursuing individual and collective healing and transformation, particularly in her work on Transformative Justice and conflict resolution in activist communitiesConnect with Kai:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaichengthom Website: https://kaichengthom.comArise Embodiment: https://ariseembodiment.orgConnect with Darshana:Darshana has supported thousands of people across the world to claim their Erotic Wholeness. Whether you begin with a self paced journey taken from the comfort of your own home or work with her directly for the transformational experience of a lifetime, your path to the pleasure, power and purpose you're truly made for is just a step away!Learn more:DarshanaAvila.com/offerings for courses and details about her private practiceDarshanaAvila.com/community to enter the Galgasm community hub full of free resourcesYouTube.com/@darshana_avila for tons of inspired lessons, interviews and more