Over the course of 175 weekly episodes spanning three and a half years, Two Open Doors has been exploring the many different facets of deep human connection. Those episodes have focused on the nature of intimate relationship, how sexuality really works to support human connection, the many ways in which society interacts with individuals to shape relationships, and many other important topics.

While I continue to see deep connection as a foundation for a healthy society, as well as a compass for my own personal evolution, the audience for the Two Open Doors perspective remains small. In recognition of this, I’ve grudgingly concluded that I need to alter my focus from new-content creation, to connecting a broader audience with the existing material. Rather than just stop my regular posting with no explanation, and effectively “ghost” my audience, I wanted to provide a respectful explanation of my change in direction, and invite my audience to accompany me in my new directions.

Dr. Claude Cruz is a relationship and intimacy coach based in the Portland, OR area. He holds a PhD in Human Sexuality from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS), as well as a Professional Sex Coach certification from Sex Coach U. Dr. Claude is passionate about promoting and supporting deep human connection. He develops and delivers workshops and other events regarding that topic, as well as being available for individual and couples intimacy coaching. He can be contacted at claude@twoopendoors.com.

This weekly podcast is distributed through multiple podcast directories, including:
* Apple podcasts: 1588173033 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-open-doors/id1588173033
* Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/search/two%20open%20doors
* Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/two-open-doors
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ib3hb9vsNoNvWM3HWpEXL
* iHeart Radio: · https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-two-open-doors-86831925/

In our last two episodes, we’ve been exploring the outlooks that several major religions and worldviews hold regarding the human body, sexuality, relationships, and what is taken as constituting “proper” living. In the course of that review, we’ve discerned both similarities and significant differences between those belief systems.

In this episode, we’ll return to our original goal of trying to understand how each of our subject belief systems views to important life-orientations: sex positivity, and intimacy positivity. Those two attitudes or orientations hold the key to a great deal of either satisfaction and joy, or conflict and fear, in life. For that reason, it’s worth understanding how one’s belief system affects those possibilities.

Dr. Claude Cruz is a relationship and intimacy coach based in the Portland, OR area. He holds a PhD in Human Sexuality from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS), as well as a Professional Sex Coach certification from Sex Coach U. Dr. Claude is passionate about promoting and supporting deep human connection. He develops and delivers workshops and other events regarding that topic, as well as being available for individual and couples intimacy coaching. He can be contacted at claude@twoopendoors.com.

This weekly podcast is distributed through multiple podcast directories, including:
* Apple podcasts: 1588173033 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-open-doors/id1588173033
* Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/search/two%20open%20doors
* Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/two-open-doors
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ib3hb9vsNoNvWM3HWpEXL
* iHeart Radio: · https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-two-open-doors-86831925/

In our previous episode titled “Worldview, Body, and Sex”, we took a look at how a number of the most prevalent religions and worldviews perceive the human body and human sexuality. We also reviewed how each of these belief systems embraces differing levels of acceptance, or restriction, of the expression of believers’ sexuality.

In this episode, we’ll again consider the same set of belief systems, but this time focusing on how they position marriage, sexual expression and intimacy. We’ll also see how those systems’ attitudes color what each system considers to be a “proper” lifestyle.

Dr. Claude Cruz is a relationship and intimacy coach based in the Portland, OR area. He holds a PhD in Human Sexuality from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS), as well as a Professional Sex Coach certification from Sex Coach U. Dr. Claude is passionate about promoting and supporting deep human connection. He develops and delivers workshops and other events regarding that topic, as well as being available for individual and couples intimacy coaching. He can be contacted at claude@twoopendoors.com.

This weekly podcast is distributed through multiple podcast directories, including:
* Apple podcasts: 1588173033 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-open-doors/id1588173033
* Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/search/two%20open%20doors
* Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/two-open-doors
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ib3hb9vsNoNvWM3HWpEXL
* iHeart Radio: · https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-two-open-doors-86831925/

In our episode titled “Intimacy Positivity”, we considered the well-established concept of sex positivity, in which an individual holds a generally positive and receptive perspective on sex. I also introduced my notion of intimacy positivity, which describes an attitude of openness and welcoming of intimate emotional connection.

In the next several episodes, we’ll step back to look at how worldview can promote or undermine these two forms of positivity. We’ll start by considering views on the body and sex, in this episode. In the following two episodes, we’ll then look at views on relationship and on lifestyle, wrapping up with some thoughts on the interactions between worldview, sex positivity, and intimacy positivity.

Dr. Claude Cruz is a relationship and intimacy coach based in the Portland, OR area. He holds a PhD in Human Sexuality from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS), as well as a Professional Sex Coach certification from Sex Coach U. Dr. Claude is passionate about promoting and supporting deep human connection. He develops and delivers workshops and other events regarding that topic, as well as being available for individual and couples intimacy coaching. He can be contacted at claude@twoopendoors.com.

This weekly podcast is distributed through multiple podcast directories, including:
* Apple podcasts: 1588173033 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-open-doors/id1588173033
* Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/search/two%20open%20doors
* Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/two-open-doors
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ib3hb9vsNoNvWM3HWpEXL
* iHeart Radio: · https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-two-open-doors-86831925/

In many episodes, Two Open Doors has referred to “sex positivity”, which in essence is a personal orientation in which a person is inclined to see sex in a generally positive light. Having such an attitude can free a person from much of the inappropriate sex-based shame, fear and repression that is all too common in our rather Puritanical society.

In this episode, I’d like to propose a variation on sex positivity, which I refer to as “intimacy positivity”. We humans thrive on intimacy, which is every bit as important to us as is sexuality. I’ll share some observations about why my work as a relationship and intimacy coach evolved from my initial focus on sexuality, to a broader focus on intimate relationship.

Dr. Claude Cruz is a relationship and intimacy coach based in the Portland, OR area. He holds a PhD in Human Sexuality from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS), as well as a Professional Sex Coach certification from Sex Coach U. Dr. Claude is passionate about promoting and supporting deep human connection. He develops and delivers workshops and other events regarding that topic, as well as being available for individual and couples intimacy coaching. He can be contacted at claude@twoopendoors.com.

This weekly podcast is distributed through multiple podcast directories, including:
* Apple podcasts: 1588173033 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-open-doors/id1588173033
* Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/search/two%20open%20doors
* Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/two-open-doors
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ib3hb9vsNoNvWM3HWpEXL
* iHeart Radio: · https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-two-open-doors-86831925/

In thinking recently about what sets apart truly noteworthy intimate relationships from functional but less unusual ones, I was reminded of the widely-held observation that “It’s the little things that count”. I believe that applies in the realm of deeply-connected relationships, as in many other aspects of life.

In this episode, we’ll examine the idea that relationships are marked by an accompanying tone; each relationship has a feel to it. Some are easy and nurturing and energizing, while others are more challenging and perhaps less rewarding. We’ll consider some of the reasons for this.

Dr. Claude Cruz is a relationship and intimacy coach based in the Portland, OR area. He holds a PhD in Human Sexuality from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS), as well as a Professional Sex Coach certification from Sex Coach U. Dr. Claude is passionate about promoting and supporting deep human connection. He develops and delivers workshops and other events regarding that topic, as well as being available for individual and couples intimacy coaching. He can be contacted at claude@twoopendoors.com.

This weekly podcast is distributed through multiple podcast directories, including:
* Apple podcasts: 1588173033 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-open-doors/id1588173033
* Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/search/two%20open%20doors
* Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/two-open-doors
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ib3hb9vsNoNvWM3HWpEXL
* iHeart Radio: · https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-two-open-doors-86831925/

For those who understand and practice sex-positivity, one of the familiar themes within that community is what is usually referred to as “consent culture”. That term describes a community that is founded on mutual consent to enter into relationship as one of the fundamental traits of sex-positivity.

While consent is indeed an essential element of sex-positivity, I’d like to propose that there is a different though related perspective and set of behavioral norms that is even broader than “consent culture”. In this episode, we’ll explore what I like to think of as “invitation culture”.

Dr. Claude Cruz is a relationship and intimacy coach based in the Portland, OR area. He holds a PhD in Human Sexuality from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS), as well as a Professional Sex Coach certification from Sex Coach U. Dr. Claude is passionate about promoting and supporting deep human connection. He develops and delivers workshops and other events regarding that topic, as well as being available for individual and couples intimacy coaching. He can be contacted at claude@twoopendoors.com.

This weekly podcast is distributed through multiple podcast directories, including:
* Apple podcasts: 1588173033 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-open-doors/id1588173033
* Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/search/two%20open%20doors
* Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/two-open-doors
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ib3hb9vsNoNvWM3HWpEXL
* iHeart Radio: · https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-two-open-doors-86831925/

The Two Open Doors perspective on relationships is focused on prompting the understanding of, and support for, deep human connection. Our motivating belief is that centering rich and abundant intimate connections in one’s life is essential to enjoying an emotionally satisfying life.

In this episode, we’ll gain insight into deep connection, by examining its opposite: detachment. We’ll consider how detachment can occur, and we’ll take a look at its possible consequences. We’ll close by considering how the risk of detachment can be minimized.

Dr. Claude Cruz is a relationship and intimacy coach based in the Portland, OR area. He holds a PhD in Human Sexuality from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (IASHS), as well as a Professional Sex Coach certification from Sex Coach U. Dr. Claude is passionate about promoting and supporting deep human connection. He develops and delivers workshops and other events regarding that topic, as well as being available for individual and couples intimacy coaching. He can be contacted at claude@twoopendoors.com.

This weekly podcast is distributed through multiple podcast directories, including:
* Apple podcasts: 1588173033 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-open-doors/id1588173033
* Google podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/search/two%20open%20doors
* Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/two-open-doors
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ib3hb9vsNoNvWM3HWpEXL
* iHeart Radio: · https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-two-open-doors-86831925/