The BDSM Test w/ Midori & Joe Zarate-Sanderlin - Ep 192 episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 27, 2022 · 2H 14M

The BDSM Test w/ Midori & Joe Zarate-Sanderlin - Ep 192

from American Sex · host Sunny Megatron & Ken Melvoin-Berg

"The BDSM Test" is infamous in the kink community and beyond. Since 2014, thousands have proudly posted results like a badge of honor on FetLife profiles. We use it as a roadmap, educational tool, and kink negotiation starter. It's even gone vanilla as the focus of social media challenges and pop magazine writeups. But is this kink subculture phenomenon all it's cracked up to be? While some find it helpful & validating, many say it's othering, stigmatizing, and normalizes red-flag behavior disguised as "kink." Midori & kinky therapist Joe Zarate-Sanderlin join us on ep 192 to deconstruct the BDSM test question by question + explore its wider impact. Why don't we scrutinize it the same way vet other educational sources? Who wrote this kink test, why, and what are they using the massive amount of data they're collecting about our deviant desires for? Turns out, it's a bit of a mystery…   Midori Bio "Your Fairy God-Auntie of Kink. Exploding Expectations. Challenging Conventions." Trailblazing educator, sexologist, artist, and irritant to banality, Midori founded Rope Dojo and ForteFemme: Women's Dominance Intensive. She penned the first English instruction book on Shibari, "Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage" in 2001, paving the way for the popularity of rope. Dan Savage calls her the "Super Nova of Kink," while others affectionately call her Auntie Midori for her cool, tell-it-like-it-is, funny, reality-based teaching. She is also the author of "Wild Side Sex," "Master Han's Daughter," and "Silk Threads." Education, Coaching, Private Learning & Art: https://planetmidori.com. Special membership perks! Learn, laugh, and enjoy her special online classes, events, and art at www.patreon.com/PlanetMidori  where she is working on her next shibari book!   Joe Zarate-Sanderlin Bio "Joe Zarate-Sanderlin, an Assigned Male at Birth non-binary person (pronouns: they/them/theirs), came of age in the New York City kink scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s and they have connections in the Boston and San Francisco kink communities. They are a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in San Francisco where they specialize in working with gender, sexuality, and relationship diversity. They teach several courses at Golden Gate University and were recognized as an Outstanding Adjunct Professor for 2022. They provide training and consultation regarding Talking to Clients about Sex, Gender in Psychotherapy, Open Relationships, BDSM Relationships, and other topics. In addition to private practice, their clinical experience includes being supervised by Dossie Easton for two and half years plus volunteering at a Catholic school for three years, a continuation high school for one year, and at a low-fee clinic for four years.  They worked for the Burning Man Emergency Services Department for ten years, both in the Nevada desert and in the streets of San Francisco. In their spare time, they ski, coach and referee soccer, brew kombucha, dance to 80s music, and parent elementary-aged old twins."   Episode 192 Links Midori Twitter https://twitter.com/PlanetMidori Midori Instagram https://www.instagram.com/planetmidori/ Midori Newsletter https://www.fhp-inc.com/newsletter Midori class/event calendar http://www.FHP-Inc.com/classes Midori's Patreon https://www.patreon.com/PlanetMidori/ Joe Zarate-Sanderlin Twitter https://twitter.com/jzsmft Joe Zarate-Sanderlin Website http://www.jzsmft.com/ Joe Zarate-Sanderlin Email: [email protected] Joe Zarate-Sanderlin  GGU Presents: Empathic Communication https://tinyurl.com/GGU-Empathy Joe Zarate-Sanderlin Gender Inclusive Language https://tinyurl.com/GGU-Gender Joe Zarate-Sanderlin Rebel Therapist: Express Yourself https://rebeltherapist.me/podcast/93 The BDSM Test http://BDSMTest.org @FocusedOnInfinity "Welcome to America" https://www.tiktok.com/@focusedoninfinity/video/7113012283181190442?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6901962179530294789 @MargaretCho "Don't Be Scared" https://www.tiktok.com/@themargaretcho/video/7112909096608730410?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6901962179530294789 TASHRA -THE ALTERNATIVE SEXUALITIES HEALTH RESEARCH ALLIANCE https://www.tashra.org/ CARAS - The Community-Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities https://www.carasresearch.org/ Sexual Health Alliance Kink Informed Certification Program for Therapists & Care Professionals https://sexualhealthalliance.com/kink-informed-certification-program Romancing the Shadow: Challenging Limiting Beliefs Through Kink- Midori https://zippermagazine.com/challenginglimiting-beliefs-through-kink/ Additional Links ZipperMagazine.com https://zippermagazine.com/ Zipper Magazine Instagram https://www.instagram.com/zippermagdotcom/ Zipper Magazine Twitter https://twitter.com/ZipperMagDotcom Zipper Magazine Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Zipper-Magazine-113123824749292 Zipper Magazine Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxFDRtDhukxyQ_9t-Xfo2-w Open Deeply Podcast http://opendeeplypodcast.com Sunny Megatron TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron Ken's charity DnD game Mondays 4pm-7pm PT https://www.twitch.tv/thunderpantsacademy American Sex Podcast Discord Community http://bit.ly/discordasp American Sex Podcast Patreon http://patreon.com/americansex Kink Academy Online BDSM Learning Library http://bit.ly/kinkacademy Sunny's Free Kink Negotiation & Scene Planning Mini-Workbook https://sunnymegatron.gumroad.com/l/negotiationwb   Episode 192 Sponsor & Affiliate Discount Codes/Links *by using our links & codes you can help support our work while saving a few bucks too—win/win! 15% off AND free shipping when you go to http://LikeAKitten.com/sunny OR enter code SUNNY at checkout Get up to 2 free months of podcasting service with Libsyn using this link https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SUNNY or use code SUNNY Hot & Healthy Erotic Humiliation recorded class https://gum.co/humiliationclass Prostate Play for Beginners (recorded class) from Sugar Baltimore https://www.sugartheshop.com/prostate-milking-for-beginners.html Sunny & Ken's classes on Kink Academy http://bit.ly/kinkacademyelectric & http://bit.ly/kinkacademyhumiliation 10% off American Sex Podcast & Sunny Megatron merch with code SUNNY (t-shirts, mugs, phone cases & more) http://bit.ly/sunnyshirts 15% off your order at Lovehoney when you use this link http://bit.ly/lovehoney15 This link can be a little wonky and does not keep tracking cookies. If the discount does not show up in your cart (or disappears after you shop around on the site), access the site with that link again. Your items will still be in your cart & the discount will appear) 15% off everything at Lelo.com with code SUNNY 10% off everything (with minor restrictions) online from woman-owned, feminist, trans & queer-friendly Early To Bed http://bit.ly/sunnyetb with code SUNNY 10% off everything from Fun Factory using this link http://bit.ly/sunnyfunfactory and the code SUNNY at checkout 15% off most items from Stockroom https://bit.ly/sunnystockroom15 with code SUNNY _______________________________________________________________ –Submit your BDSM & sex advice questions by email to [email protected] –To support American Sex podcast, please visit http://patreon.com/americansex (plus you'll get all episodes early, secret episodes, bonus stories from guests, on-air shout-outs, stuff in the mail & more!) –Get friendly with us on Twitter at @AmericanSexPod or visit sunnymegatron.com or americansexpodcast.com –Join our mailing list by visiting http://sunnymegatron.com/newsletter Sunny & Ken, xo!

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The BDSM Test w/ Midori & Joe Zarate-Sanderlin - Ep 192

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The Sacred +Profane Podcast nephtaragrace The Sacred + Profane Podcast is a provocative conversation dedicated to cementing a better future for all. We specialize in unpacking the nuances of what is considered sacred and profane, particularly focusing on sex, death, and all that pertains to the circle of life. Our aim in focusing on such ”taboo” subject matter is to demystify what is unconscious, bring to light what has been known for centuries as ”the occult,” and empower the rapid transformation that is occurring on the Planet. Explicit Unchained: Voices of Survival Diaz Task Force Unchained: Voices of Survival is a raw and unfiltered podcast that exposes the harsh realities of human and sex trafficking. Through courageous interviews with survivors, we amplify their voices, revealing the pain, resilience, and triumph of those who have endured the unimaginable. But we go even deeper—by speaking directly with the predators, we uncover the manipulations, tactics, and twisted justifications behind these heinous crimes.This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a mission. A platform for truth. A warning. A beacon of awareness. Join us as we break the silence, dismantle the darkness, and fight for justice.Listen. Learn. Take Action. Explicit The Hunt Diaz Task Force A hard-hitting, eye-opening podcast that takes you deep into the relentless fight against human and sex trafficking. Each episode explores the dangerous world of traffickers and predators from every angle—street operations, online investigations, and digital warfare. Hear firsthand from law enforcement, federal agents, and prosecutors as they share real stories of sting operations, investigative tactics, and the challenges of bringing traffickers to justice. Follow live sting operations, online predator investigations, and real-time takedowns of trafficking rings, with insights from cybercrime experts, undercover decoys, and live case discussions. We dive deep into how traffickers operate on the dark web, using cryptocurrency and other digital tools to exploit victims. Learn how law enforcement is using cutting-edge technology to track traffickers and disrupt their operations. The Hunt, pulls back the curtain on the digital and real-world fight against trafficking, exposing the p Explicit Southern Senpais Nicholas Killian and Derek Johnson II Far from the far East, two American Southerners explore Japanese culture in Southern Senpais! Hosted by Derek Johnson (@derek.johnsonii) and Nicholas Killian (@nicholaskilliann), they discuss popular Japanese anime, manga, and video games from a Southern eye. Tune in as they navigate the culture from the perspective of two guys that grew up in small rural towns! Explicit

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This episode is 2 hours and 14 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 27, 2022.

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"The BDSM Test" is infamous in the kink community and beyond. Since 2014, thousands have proudly posted results like a badge of honor on FetLife profiles. We use it as a roadmap, educational tool, and kink negotiation starter. It's even gone vanilla...

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