エピソード

  • Ep232: Cognitive Biases in Rope

    Ep232: Cognitive Biases in Rope
    2026/08/10
    How reliable is your judgement in rope? Cognitive biases are mental shortcuts that help us process information quickly, but they can also lead to predictable errors in how we interpret situations and make decisions. In this episode, Fox and Mya explore how these biases can affect our rope practice, relationships, learning and assessment of risk. They discuss: • Anchoring bias and how first impressions can shape everything that follows • Overconfidence bias and its relationship with the Dunning–Kruger effect • Hindsight bias and the temptation to believe an outcome was obvious all along • The sunk cost fallacy and why previous investment can make it difficult to stop • Outcome bias and the danger of judging a decision only by how it turned out • Self-serving bias and how we explain our successes and failures • Why simply recognizing that these biases exist can help • Situations in which you may not want to rely entirely on your own judgement • A framework for considering whether the causes of an outcome are internal or external, stable or changeable, and within or outside your control Whether you are a top, bottom, switch, educator or organizer, understanding the limits of your own thinking can help you make more deliberate decisions and respond to mistakes with greater clarity.
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    29 分
  • Ep231: Face Rope and Human Gongs - An Interview with Marcos Mangani

    Ep231: Face Rope and Human Gongs - An Interview with Marcos Mangani
    2026/07/27
    Marcos Mangani has been practising rope bondage for more than seven years. During that time, he has developed a conscious, quiet approach to rope and a distinctive style of face bondage. By creating spaces in which people can trust and surrender, he invites them to explore their bodies, emotions and intentions in new ways. Marcos has taught in queer and rope spaces including Tension in Montreal, Temple in New York, Iridescent Studio in Amsterdam and Anatomie in London. He currently offers regular classes and private sessions at his studio, KOR Berlin. In this episode, Marcos discusses: • Why he loves rope and the depth of what it has helped him discover about himself • How his natural sensitivity supports his work as a rope top, particularly when creating safety and comfort for clients • The relationship between his background in visual art and his rope practice • Balancing rope with his art, avoiding burnout and seeking inspiration beyond the rope community • How- and why - he turns people into “human gongs” • Identity, microbondage and the origins of his interest in face rope • Why a photograph cannot show the skill required to create face bondage safely • The qualities that may make face rope suitable - or unsuitable - for particular bottoms and tops • Risks and safety considerations when working with the face • Practical advice for bottoms who are curious about trying face rope • The unexpected comparison bottoms often make after experiencing his face rope • His favourite face-rope creation: an intricate design resembling a horse
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    34 分
  • Ep230: Modeling for Rope Photos

    Ep230: Modeling for Rope Photos
    2026/07/13
    What does it take to be a great rope model? In this episode, Fox and Mya explore the practical and creative aspects of bottoming for rope photography. From planning the concept and preparing for the day to communication, safety, posing and aftercare, they discuss how to make a photoshoot enjoyable and successful for everyone involved. They cover different types of shoots, collaborating with photographers and riggers, using mood boards, deciding whether to show your face, preparing clothing and rope, sharing your needs while tied, and even why bringing an iron and lint roller is a surprisingly good idea. Whether you're stepping in front of the camera for the first time or looking to improve your next shoot, this episode is packed with practical advice.
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    40 分
  • Ep229: Self-care for rope people

    Ep229: Self-care for rope people
    2026/06/29
    Self-care is a topic Mya is particularly passionate about, and in this episode we take a deep dive into what self-care means for people who practice rope. Although many of our episodes touch on aspects of caring for ourselves and our partners, this conversation focuses specifically on building self-care practices that support a healthy and sustainable relationship with rope. Topics include: • What self-care is and what it isn't • Why self-care is important in rope practice • The foundations of effective self-care • How self-care can look different for tops and bottoms • Mya and Fox's personal self-care approaches • Why self-awareness is one of the most important self-care skills • The highly individual nature of self-care • Practical ideas to support your own wellbeing • Adapting self-care to different styles and intensities of rope • The relationship between self-care and aftercare • Simple ways to start developing your own rope self-care practices Whether you're a top, bottom, switch, beginner or experienced practitioner, understanding your own needs can help you create a safer, more enjoyable and more sustainable rope journey.
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    22 分
  • Ep228: Recovering from Rope Bondage Trauma

    Ep228: Recovering from Rope Bondage Trauma
    2026/06/15
    Thank you to listener MoonBunny5 for sharing a difficult and vulnerable question. After experiencing a very negative interaction with a rigger, she now struggles to even look at rope without feeling disgusted. She wants to know whether it's possible to return to rope after an experience like this, and if so, how. While neither Mya nor Fox are therapists, this episode explores some of the concepts that may be helpful when approaching recovery from rope-related trauma. Topics include: • Why trauma can occur in rope communities more often than many people realise • The role of nervous system regulation and emotional safety • Understanding the difference between thoughts and feelings • Using free writing to process difficult experiences • Exploring alternative contexts and associations • Reintroducing rope slowly, beginning with rope as a simple object • The principles behind exposure therapy • Practising self-compassion throughout recovery • Creating safe environments for trauma work Important note: We strongly encourage seeking support from a qualified therapist where available. The ideas discussed in this episode are intended as general discussion and are best explored alongside professional support.
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    27 分
  • Ep227: Vetting Rope Partners

    Ep227: Vetting Rope Partners
    2026/06/01
    Vetting is the process of deciding whether someone is a good fit before you trust them as a rope partner. It might sound simple, but in practice there’s a lot to consider - your context, your risk tolerance, and what information actually matters. In this episode, Fox and Mya explore how vetting can shift over time, the different types of risk you might weigh, and how to approach references with a critical lens. They discuss what information can be useful, the role of asking intentional questions, and how instinct and bias can both shape your decisions. They also cover common red flags, why self-awareness is key to vetting others effectively, and share their own personal approaches to the process.
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    30 分
  • Ep226: Minimalistic Western Rope with Rigger Mystrix

    Ep226: Minimalistic Western Rope with Rigger Mystrix
    2026/05/18
    With an infectious delight in what she calls “macramé with humans,” Mystrix brings a thoughtful, creative approach to minimalistic western rope. In this conversation, she shares how her style focuses on adapting rope to the individual - prioritizing intention, efficiency, and connection over complexity. We talk about her journey into rope, what continues to fuel her passion, and how her perspective has evolved over time. The discussion explores tying diverse bodies, navigating the scene as a fat femme rigger, and the importance of understanding physics - especially when working with larger or squishier bodies. The episode also covers the differences between shibari and minimalistic western rope, separating rope from other kink dynamics, and the practical and creative choices that shape her practice; from rope materials like POSH to incorporating scent and sensory elements. Mystrix frames rope as playful problem-solving: a balance of fundamentals, curiosity, and continuous refinement. Her focus is on creating experiences where bottoms feel strong, supported, and fully seen - while emphasizing that rope should always adapt to the person, not the other way around.
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    28 分
  • Ep225: Combining rope bondage with…sharps

    Ep225: Combining rope bondage with…sharps
    2026/05/04
    What happens when precision meets tension? In this episode, Mya and Fox dive into the edge where rope and sharps intersect - an intense, deliberate form of play that demands skill, trust, and control. - What counts as sharps play - Real risks (and why they're often misunderstood) - When the top may be at greater risk than the bottom - Why people are drawn to sharps—on both sides of the dynamic - Tie styles that pair well with sharps - Roleplay dynamics that elevate the experience - Staying organised and in control - Incorporating sharps into suspensions - How sharps interact with (and can damage) rope This is one of the less talked-about combinations - and there's a reason it requires experience and intention.
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    30 分