The Partnership Lab

Listener Lab: Real-time questions, honest answers, and figuring it out as we goWhat happens when you stop planning—and just start talking?In this episode of The Partnership Lab, we’re trying something new. This is our first Listener Lab: a more relaxed, real-time experiment where we use a few prompts and see where the conversation takes us.Using Fifty Questions to Ask Before Opening Your Relationship, we explore topics like jealousy, connection, communication, and why we’re even doing this in the first place. Some answers come easily. Others don’t. But that’s kind of the point.This isn’t polished.This is us thinking out loud.In This EpisodeIntroducing Listener Lab: a more interactive, real-time formatReflecting on feeling “vanilla” and early in the journeyConfidence, comparison, and supporting each other in imbalanceHonesty, identity, and rebuilding as individualsChallenging traditional narratives and redefining connectionEmotional vs sexual connection: do you need both?Apps vs real-life connection and building communityCommunication, reassurance, and “filling in the gaps”Growth, curiosity, and the idea of “more life,” not replacementWhy this process is already improving our relationshipContactContact us with comments, questions, stories, advice, encouragement, or whatever else you want to send: [email protected] Resources Mentioned in the Episode50 Questions to Ask Before Opening Your Relationship — Dr. Rachel MeyerDr. Rachel's Naughty Gym Episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naughty-gym-show-building-stronger-non-monogamous-relationships/id1701360007?i=1000735196506Midwest Love Fest - https://lovefestevents.com/mwlf25/We Can Do Hard Things Astrology Episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/astrology-for-skeptics-sonya-renee-taylor-reads-our-charts/id1564530722?i=1000741471659Open — Rachel Krantz (https://a.co/d/0cepjbvM) FUTURE BOOK CLUB EPISODEErotic Blueprint Quiz — https://missjaiya.com/DisclaimerThese conversations reflect our own observations and experiences and are not professional or institutional advice. They do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of employers, family, or guests, nor imply their approval of the content shared.

FIELD NOTES: What does it actually feel like to step into something new—for the first time, for real?In this episode of The Partnership Lab, the research phase turns into lived experience. Roz returns from a women’s pleasure retreat, and together we unpack what actually happened—not just the events themselves, but the emotional, mental, and relational impact of stepping outside the familiar.From fear and self-reflection to desire, communication, and first physical experiences, this episode captures what it looks like when theory becomes reality. Not perfectly. Not cleanly. But honestly.This isn’t the idea of it anymore.This is what it feels like.In This EpisodeInside the women’s retreat: setting, structure, and first impressionsAcknowledging fear—and what happens when you say it out loudDesire vs. anxiety: learning to listen to what you actually wantLeft brain vs. right brain: fear, control, and curiosityUsing your inner critic as a tool instead of a barrierConsent frameworks (FRIES) and what “enthusiastic” really meansPracticing “the ask” and how to clearly communicate desireFirst experiences: flogging, sensual touch, and group dynamicsOverstimulation, boundaries, and learning your limits in real timeDiscovering unexpected turn-ons (and surprises along the way)What it felt like to be home vs. away—for both Roz and MaxJealousy, anxiety, and communication gaps from the partner perspectiveWhat we’d change next time (especially around communication)Contact us at with comments, questions, stories, advice, encouragement, or whatever else you want to send: [email protected] resources mentioned in the episode:Expansive Connection — https://www.expansiveconnection.com/Sapio Tours — https://sapiotours.com/Monogamish Marriage Podcast — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-monogamish-marriage/id1586549659BDSM Test — https://bdsmtest.org/How to Build a Sex Room — https://www.netflix.com/title/81220971Erotic Blueprint Quiz — https://missjaiya.com/Where Should We Begin? (ice breaker card game) - Esther PerelBeyond Anxiety — Martha BeckThe Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der KolkRoz's Strappy Red Outfit from Garden Party (you're welcome) - https://a.co/d/0bnYwcerDisclaimerThese conversations reflect our own observations and experiences and are not professional or institutional advice. They do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of employers, family, or guests, nor imply their approval of the content shared.

PROTOCOL ENTRY:What does it actually look like to prepare—mentally, emotionally, and relationally—before taking your first step into something new?In this episode of The Partnership Lab, we’re in the research phase. Before anything happens, before any lines are crossed, before any real-world experiences—we’re doing the work. Roz is preparing for a women’s retreat focused on pleasure, desire, and self-discovery, and together we walk through what that preparation actually looks like in real time. From homework assignments and self-reflection exercises to a live hall pass conversation, this episode captures the questions, boundaries, and emotions that come up before taking a first step.This isn’t a recap. This is the lead-up.In This EpisodeWhat we’ve been up to since Episode 1Roz’s upcoming women’s retreat and what drew her to itThe “homework” assignments leading up to the retreatErotic blueprints and BDSM test resultsA real-time hall pass conversation (before anything happens)Boundaries, communication, and how we’re approaching this intentionallyExcitement, fears, and what we’re both feeling going into itContact us at with comments, questions, stories, advice, encouragement, or whatever else you want to send: [email protected] resources mentioned in the episode:Expansive Connection - https://www.expansiveconnection.com/Sapio Tours - https://sapiotours.com/Monogamish Marriage Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-monogamish-marriage/id1586549659BDSM Test - https://bdsmtest.org/How to Build a Sex Room - https://www.netflix.com/title/81220971Erotic Blueprint Quiz - https://missjaiya.com/Roz's Walk-On Music:https://music.apple.com/us/album/stand-out/1452864288?i=1452864786https://music.apple.com/us/album/high-hopes/1361152002?i=1361152303Max's Walk-On Music (Secret Show Note Easter Egg):https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-man/1440900336?i=1440900406DisclaimerThese conversations reflect our own observations and experiences and are not professional or institutional advice. They do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of employers, family, or guests, nor imply their approval of the content shared.

How does a long-term, monogamous relationship turn into a conversation about opening up?In this first episode of The Partnership Lab, we share how we got here - from growing up with traditional views on sex and relationships, to reconnecting after years together, and beginning to explore consensual non-monogamy .... before anything has actually happened.We talk about the messages we were given about sex, what out early relationships looked like, and how a single conversation eventually turned into months of reflection, research, deeper intimacy and communication.We're still in the "research phase", and that's exactly the point. This podcast is about exploring our relationship, and how we relate with others, in real time. We'll share what we're learning along the way with curiosity, communication, and intention.In This EpisodeHow we met and built our 20+ year relationship togetherWhat we were taught (and not taught) about sex, monogamy, and relationshipsHow life's stressors weakened our connection, and how we've recaptured that sparkThe first conversation about opening up, including whose first reaction was "I'd be too jealous", and how their perspective shifted over timeWhat we're exploring nextContact us at with comments, questions, stories, advice, encouragement, or whatever else you want to send: [email protected] resources mentioned in the episode:The Monogamish Marriage - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-monogamish-marriage/id1586549659Naughty Gym - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naughty-gym-show-building-stronger-non-monogamous-relationships/id1701360007Hacking Love - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hacking-love-deepening-commitment-through-open-relationships/id1770657936DisclaimerThese conversations reflect our own observations and experiences and are not professional or institutional advice. They do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of employers, family, or guests, nor imply their approval of the content shared.