The Grey Areas We Don’t Talk About: A Conversation on Consent & Self-Worth | YKMS

Episode OverviewAs mothers of teenagers, we’ve been thinking deeply about how consent, self-worth, and emotional literacy shape the choices our kids make. We remember our own adolescence - when being desirable felt like currency and boundaries were hard to define. It was easy to confuse attention with value, and even harder to say no when something didn’t feel right.This week, we unpack all of that in a powerful conversation with Lucy Baxter - a film lecturer, filmmaker, and mother using virtual reality to help young people explore consent and emotional awareness in a whole new way.Her work immerses teens in VR scenarios where they don’t just watch - they feel what it’s like to be in moments where consent is murky, pressure is building, and self-worth is on the line. It’s not about shame, it’s about giving them tools to navigate these situations with clarity and confidence.Key Discussion PointsWhat virtual reality can teach us about empathy, consent, and emotional safetyHow self-worth influences decisions in intimate situationsWhy appearance and desirability are still shaping boundariesWhy boys need a voice in consent conversations tooThe realities of porn culture, peer pressure, and online influenceWhat’s still missing in sex and relationship educationListener TakeawaysConsent often lives in the grey - emotional literacy helps teens navigate itWhen young people understand their worth, boundaries get easierEmotional education isn’t optional, it’s essential for safer choicesAbout Lucy Baxter: Lucy is a film practice lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast and founder of Sensalience, a startup creating VR narratives for empathy training in the health and social care, justice and education sectors. After a long and award winning career in film and TV, Lucy moved into Academia and her PhD research is around the application of VR drama narratives about emotional abuse and relationship and sex education.And for more information on Lucy and her work:https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lucy-baxterwww.sensalience.comBetterHelp Paid Partnership - Get 10% off your first monthIf you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/youkeepmesane for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.BetterHelp makes it easy to find a therapist who suits your needs. Their online platform connects you with credentialed therapists, and if your first match isn’t the right fit, you can switch.Links:Download Enough - Our Self Worth Reset.Follow YKMS Podcast on IG @youkeepmesane.pod  Follow YKMS on FB https://www.facebook.com/YouKeepMeSanePodEmail us at  [email protected] to our Newsletter: https://www.youkeepmesane.com/subscribe/Hosts: Aileen Harvey & Julie FahySee https://www.buzzsprout.com/privacy for privacy informationDisclaimer: Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.