The Second Circle
The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Hosted by journalist Franki Cookney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus · Mon, July 31, 2023
Bonus: Can audio porn boost my sex drive?
She’s spent the last six months talking to people about the low points in their sex lives. Now, heavily pregnant, Franki’s struggling to find the spark herself. Could listening to audio porn be the solution? She grabs her headphones to find out. The Second Circle is produced, written, and hosted by Franki Cookney Audio production: Anouszka Tate Theme music: Roof - Big Spoon (Instrumental Version) Incidental music: _91Nova - Moiety, Maybe - The Universe is a Bitch, _91Nova - Shell Games All music courtesy of epidemicsound.com Audio porn clips: “Don’t Be Late” written and read by Euphemise This “Free Use Secretary” written and read by Girl On The Net “E-stim” written and read by Jenby Doll “Sat On His Face” written by David of The Big Gay Review and read by Luke All audioporn courtesy of girlonthenet.com Transcript: https://bit.ly/badsexbonus Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 E6 · Mon, March 21, 2022
How to get better at talking about sex
Whether it’s with our friends or, more crucially, with our partners, sex IS something we need to be able to communicate about if we want it to be good. But it’s so hard! Why? Because for all the other messages we get around sex, all the things we’re taught or that we glean from our culture or the media… no one tells us how to talk about it. The Second Circle is produced, written, hosted by Franki Cookney Audio production: Anouszka Tate Title track: Roof - Big Spoon (Instrumental Version) Background music: _91Nova - Moiety / From Now On - Small Circuits / Lasae Lyx - Suffering In Paradise / Blaeker - Stay Up All Night All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Transcript: https://bit.ly/badsexE06 Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/frankicookney) Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 E5 · Mon, March 14, 2022
Why don’t I want sex?
Somewhere along the way we’ve been taught that desire should just exist without any conscious effort, like hunger or thirst. And if it doesn’t – uh oh – that means something is wrong. But this idea of sex as a “drive” is actually a myth. And like so many myths, it’s standing in the way of us having good, fulfilling sex lives. The Second Circle is produced, written, hosted by Franki Cookney Audio production: Anouszka Tate Title track: Roof - Big Spoon (Instrumental Version) Background music: From Now On - Small Circuits / Beautiful Minds - Brighter Than Tomorrow / Maybe - The Universe is a Bitch All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Transcript: https://bit.ly/badsexE05 Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 E4 · Mon, March 07, 2022
When your body doesn't feel sexy
Faulty penises, unruly pubes, and unexplained pain: When our bodies don’t look or work the way they’re “supposed” to, it can feel like a real barrier to good sex. So what can we do about it? Do we push on through anyway? Seek treatment? Or adjust our expectations? The Second Circle is produced, written, hosted by Franki Cookney Audio production: Anouszka Tate Title track: Roof - Big Spoon (Instrumental Version) Background music: _91Nova - Moiety / Tilden Parc - Wanna Know All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Transcript: https://bit.ly/badsexE04 Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 E3 · Mon, February 28, 2022
Why is it so hard to feel good?
One in eight women and one in twenty men say they lack enjoyment during sex. For all the conflicting messages we get around sex, most of us know that on some level we’re supposed to enjoy it. But there are a lot of things that can stand in our way. The Second Circle is produced, written, hosted by Franki Cookney Audio production: Anouszka Tate Title track: Roof - Big Spoon (Instrumental Version) Background music: Tilden Parc - Wanna Know / Moon Craters - A Spinning Earth / Maybe - The Universe is a Bitch All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Transcript: https://bit.ly/badsexE03 Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 E2 · Mon, February 21, 2022
Mixed messages and faulty scripts
Where do we learn about sex? Who do we learn it from? What do those people and establishments actually tell us… about what sex IS and what it’s supposed to mean? And is it possible… is it possible… that some of what we’re being told might be directly contributing to our experiences of bad sex? The Second Circle is produced, written, hosted by Franki Cookney Audio production: Anouszka Tate Title track: Roof - Big Spoon (Instrumental Version) Background music: Lasae Lyx - Suffering In Paradise / From Now On - Small Circuits All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Transcript: https://bit.ly/badsexE02 Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 E1 · Mon, February 14, 2022
Aren't we all sex positive now?
While plenty of us still grow up in families and communities where sex is taboo or there are strict rules around it, on a broader societal level here in Western Europe it’s fair to say sex is no longer seen as sinful. Sex is good, it’s healthy, it’s normal, it’s empowering! We’re living in this lovely, glossy, horny world where we’re told that good sex is not just our aim, goddammit, it’s our right… so what gives? The Second Circle is produced, written, hosted by Franki Cookney Audio production: Anouszka Tate Title track: Roof - Big Spoon (Instrumental Version) Background music: _91Nova - Shell Games / Blaeker - Stay Up All Night / _91Nova - Moiety All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Transcript: https://bit.ly/badsexE01 Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trailer · Wed, February 02, 2022
Coming Soon: The Second Circle Series Four "BAD SEX"
Awkward. Dissatisfying. Painful. Shameful. Disappointing. Miserable. Or just a bit… meh. The Second Circle is back with a NEW series looking at the type of sex we’ve definitely all experienced: bad sex. Combining in-depth reporting with real life stories, BAD SEX takes listeners on a journey through the less desirable side of sex: from dissatisfying hookups, to sexual dysfunction, body image issues, and shame. Forget hot tips and kinky tricks. In this six-part series, journalist Franki Cookney turns sex advice on its head and asks: what makes sex bad in the first place? The Second Circle is produced, written, hosted by Franki Cookney Audio production: Anouszka Tate Title track: Roof / Big Spoon (Instrumental Version) All music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E9 · Fri, May 31, 2019
Sex… with multiple partners
Welcome to The Second Circle. A sex podcast for overthinkers. This week Franki talks to bisexual polyamorous woman L about opening up her marriage and managing multiple relationships. In The Overthinkers Guide To Sex, Frankie Wells and Anouszka Tate of sex podcast Project Pleasure tell us how some of their best and worst sexual experiences shaped them. In the intro Rob and Franki also talked about the BBC drama Wanderlust as well as Louis Theroux’s documentary about polyamory, Love Without Limits . L and Franki referenced research which shoes that polyamorous people tend to practice safer sex and also mentioned the book Enjoy Sex: How, when, and if you want to by Meg-John Barker and Justin Hancock. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast produced and hosted by journalist Franki Cookney . It seeks to bring some (okay, a LOT) of the nuance back into discussions of sex, relationships, and gender and challenges the idea that sex doesn’t deserve the same thought and attention that we give to the rest of our lives. Series 3 of The Second Circle is supported by That’s The Spot . Get in touch on Twitter @The2ndCircle or email us secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com . If you’re enjoying the podcast, please visit the Patreon page to find out more about how you can support sex-positive content AND get rewarded for your loyalty! Or if you just want to low-key share the love, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E8 · Fri, May 24, 2019
Sex… on screen
Welcome to The Second Circle. A sex podcast for overthinkers. This week Franki talks to filmmaker and porn performer Rooster about the difference between fucking on and off screen. In The Overthinkers Guide To Sex Cosmpolitan journalist Paisley Gilmour realises that even when you write about sex and consent for a living, it doesn’t mean you always recognise when someone oversteps your own boundaries. In our intro to this episode we also discuss this recent story of how fewer films are being given an 18 certificate beacause of their sexual content. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast produced and hosted by journalist Franki Cookney . It seeks to bring some (okay, a LOT) of the nuance back into discussions of sex, relationships, and gender and challenges the idea that sex doesn’t deserve the same thought and attention that we give to the rest of our lives. Series 3 of The Second Circle is supported by That’s The Spot . Get in touch on Twitter @The2ndCircle or email us secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com . If you’re enjoying the podcast, please visit the Patreon page to find out more about how you can support sex-positive content AND get rewarded for your loyalty! Or if you just want to low-key share the love, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E7 · Fri, May 17, 2019
Sex… with yourself
Welcome to The Second Circle. A sex podcast for overthinkers. In episode seven, Franki talks to sex educator Ruby Stevenson about why wanking gets a bad rap and whether masturbation it could ever be considered as important as partnered sex. In The Overthinkers Guide To Sex we hear how a disappointing sexual encounter turned out to have unexpected benefits for Rory. To enter the competition to win a Womanizer Premium please tweet us @The2ndCircle or email us secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com and tell us what wanking advice you’d give your younger self. In discussing Rory’s pigeon story, we talk about the rates of erectile dysfunction among young men. We also point out that almost half of men in their 30s report having trouble getting hard at times (and that this is NOT the same as erectile dysfunction) and that this can be for a number of reasons, as outlined here . The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast produced and hosted by journalist Franki Cookney . It seeks to bring some (okay, a LOT) of the nuance back into discussions of sex, relationships, and gender and challenges the idea that sex doesn’t deserve the same thought and attention that we give to the rest of our lives. Series 3 of The Second Circle is supported by That’s The Spot . Get in touch on Twitter @The2ndCircle or email us secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com . If you’re enjoying the podcast, please visit the Patreon page to find out more about how you can support sex-positive content AND get rewarded for your loyalty! Or if you just want to low-key share the love, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E6 · Fri, May 10, 2019
Sex… and transition
Welcome to The Second Circle. A sex podcast for overthinkers. On this episode Franki talks to trans activist and all-round kinkster Alyssa Henley about her experiences with sex and gender identity. And in The Overthinkers Guide To Sex, we hear how alcohol shaped Africa Brooke ‘s relationship with sex and how she went about relearning how to connect with her body now that she’s sober. Download on your favourite podcast app now. Alyssa is the CEO of LGBTQ charity Support U in Reading. In discussing Africa’s story, we mention a study by University College London which found that the proportion of 16 to 24-year-olds who do not drink alcohol has increased. But we also point this this recent Atlantic article that said that actually not that many people have quit altogether. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast produced and hosted by journalist Franki Cookney . It seeks to bring some (okay, a LOT) of the nuance back into discussions of sex, relationships, and gender and challenges the idea that sex doesn’t deserve the same thought and attention that we give to the rest of our lives. Series 3 of The Second Circle is supported by That’s The Spot . Get in touch on Twitter @The2ndCircle or email us secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com . If you’re enjoying the podcast, please visit the Patreon page to find out more about how you can support sex-positive content AND get rewarded for your loyalty! Or if you just want to low-key share the love, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E5 · Fri, May 03, 2019
Sex… without sex drive
Welcome to The Second Circle. A sex podcast for overthinkers. On this episode Franki talks to sex and libido blogger Laura about her experiences with low sex drive. In The Overthinkers Guide To Sex we hear from disabled sex writer Finn about how a period of singleness taught them more about what they want from sex and relationships than being coupled up. We also reference Franki’s article on whether the pressure to be “sex positive” can sometimes have negative effects. We shout out Esther Perel’s podcast episode on “sexlessness” as well as her writing on sexual desire in long term relationships. We also recommend The Apple Tree in London for all your queer and alternative lifestyle events. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast produced and hosted by journalist Franki Cookney . It seeks to bring some (okay, a LOT) of the nuance back into discussions of sex, relationships, and gender and challenges the idea that sex doesn’t deserve the same thought and attention that we give to the rest of our lives. Series 3 of The Second Circle is supported by That’s The Spot . Get in touch on Twitter @The2ndCircle or email us secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com . If you’re enjoying the podcast, please visit the Patreon page to find out more about how you can support sex-positive content AND get rewarded for your loyalty! Or if you just want to low-key share the love, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E4 · Fri, April 26, 2019
Sex… for money
Welcome to The Second Circle. A sex podcast for overthinkers. Franki talks to sex worker and co-curator of Objects of Desire Rory about having sex for money and what kinds of stories get left out of conversations about sex work. In The Overthinkers Guide To Sex, we hear how a university hookup made Heather re-evaluate her approach to kink. We also discuss the ways sex work gets talked about in the mainstream media. We talk about Amnesty International’s policy on protecting sex worker rights and the backlash it faced as a result. We touch on the damage done by SESTA-FOSTA , mention the Decrim Now movement and recommend the book Revolting Prostitutes as a starting point for anyone interested in the subject of sex work and decriminalisation. Objects of Desire runs at the Schwules Museum in Berlin until 01 June 2019. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast produced and hosted by journalist Franki Cookney . It seeks to bring some (okay, a LOT) of the nuance back into discussions of sex, relationships, and gender and challenges the idea that sex doesn’t deserve the same thought and attention that we give to the rest of our lives. Series 3 of The Second Circle is supported by That’s The Spot . Get in touch on Twitter @The2ndCircle or email us secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com . If you’re enjoying the podcast, please visit the Patreon page to find out more about how you can support sex-positive content AND get rewarded for your loyalty! Or if you just want to low-key share the love, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E3 · Fri, April 19, 2019
Sex… and stigma
Welcome to The Second Circle. A sex podcast for overthinkers. On this episode Franki talks to writer Sangeeta Pillai about the stigma and stereotypes around sex when you’re a South Asian woman. Sangeeta is the founder of Soul Sutras and creator of The Masala Monologues as well as the forthcoming Masala Podcast. In The Overthinkers Guide To Sex we hear from sex blogger Exhibit A about how an sexy encounter with a Canadian couple allowed him to tap into previously unrealised desires. We also discuss the ways in which South Asian sexuality gets represented in the mainstream media (spoiler: it doesn’t!) and how, while reporting on human rights issues in other parts of the world is important, it’s also really crucial we hear the individual stories as well. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast produced and hosted by journalist Franki Cookney . It seeks to bring some (okay, a LOT) of the nuance back into discussions of sex, relationships, and gender and challenges the idea that sex doesn’t deserve the same thought and attention that we give to the rest of our lives. Series 3 of The Second Circle is supported by That’s The Spot . Get in touch on Twitter @The2ndCircle or email us secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com . If you’re enjoying the podcast, please visit the Patreon page to find out more about how you can support sex-positive content AND get rewarded for your loyalty! Or if you just want to low-key share the love, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E2 · Fri, April 12, 2019
Sex… with HIV
Welcome to The Second Circle. A sex podcast for overthinkers. On episode two of series three Franki talks to filmmaker and visual artist Simon Eves about his experience living – and fucking – with HIV. In The Overthinkers Guide To Sex we hear from Genie, the host of kinky swingers club Future Parties , about how a long-term affair changed her whole outlook on sex and relationships. We also discuss the ways mainstream media HIV coverage has changed over the years, including the positives such as this story and the negatives such as the framing of PrEP as a “promiscuity pill” by the Mail. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast produced and hosted by journalist Franki Cookney . It seeks to bring some (okay, a LOT) of the nuance back into discussions of sex, relationships, and gender and challenges the idea that sex doesn’t deserve the same thought and attention that we give to the rest of our lives. Series 3 of The Second Circle is supported by That’s The Spot . Get in touch on Twitter @The2ndCircle or email us secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com . If you’re enjoying the podcast, please visit the Patreon page to find out more about how you can support sex-positive content AND get rewarded for your loyalty! Or if you just want to low-key share the love, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E1 · Fri, April 05, 2019
Sex… with disability
Welcome to The Second Circle. A sex podcast for overthinkers. On the first episode of series three Franki talks to queer disabled writer and sex worker Ms Eve Adler about her experience of sex with disability. We also hear from sex blogger Girl On The Net in our brand new section The Overthinkers Guide To Sex. We also discuss the ways sex and disability get talked about in the mainstream media, drawing on personal essays such as this one by journalist Hollie Anne Brooks and YouTuber and sex educator Hannah Witton’s story of sex with a stoma . We reference the work of disabled photographer Robert Coombs and give a shout out to Andrew Gurza ’s #disabledpeoplearehot Twitter campaign. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast produced and hosted by journalist Franki Cookney . It seeks to bring some (okay, a LOT) of the nuance back into discussions of sex, relationships, and gender and challenges the idea that sex doesn’t deserve the same thought and attention that we give to the rest of our lives. Series 3 of The Second Circle is supported by That’s The Spot . Get in touch on Twitter @The2ndCircle or email us secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com . If you’re enjoying the podcast, please visit the Patreon page to find out more about how you can support sex-positive content AND get rewarded for your loyalty! Or if you just want to low-key share the love, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E10 · Thu, October 25, 2018
Prawn positive
October was a depressing month for sex news but we managed to dig out a few rays of hope in the form of a new type of condom. We discuss the consultation on the Gender Recognition Act, dodgy biscuits and the appointment of Brett Kavanagh to the US Supreme Court. Then Franki sits down with porn performer Lina Bembe to talk about the ethics of porn (both producers and viewers!) and also how the heck you have an orgasm “by accident”. LINKS This RightsInfo feature has a good breakdown of the legal rights being discussed and fought for in the debate around the Gender Recognition Act. You can find out all about the self-lubricating condom here (although you’ll have to wait for Franki’s thrust report!) Lina recommended us some fantastic ethical porn sites. If you’re interested you can check them out here: Bright Desire Erika Lust Blue Artichoke Films Pink Label We also talked about Four Chambers and not forgetting Ersties themselves! You can hear Lina and her colleagues on the Ersties Podcast here. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast hosted by Franki Cookney. Get in touch @The2ndCircle or via our contact page . If you enjoyed the show today and want to low-key share the love, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E9 · Thu, June 14, 2018
Solo Session: Heteronormative dream life
With London Pride just around the corner, Franki wonders whether she will ever feel “queer enough” to join the parade. As a straight-passing bisexual person, it’s easy to feel as though you don’t really belong… after all, you may not have experienced the same marginalisation as the rest of the LGBTQ community. So where does your identity fit in? Welcome to The Second Circle’s Solo Sessions, shorter, more intimate, episodes in which Franki ponders a question or shares a dilemma that’s been on her mind. My friends made a film with Pink News about bisexuality, bi visibility and the ways in which bi people have their sexual identities “erased” by others. You can watch it here . The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast hosted by Franki Cookney. Get in touch @The2ndCircle or via our contact page . If you’re enjoying the podcast, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E8 · Fri, April 27, 2018
Coconut ice cream and a Panama hat
There’s a lot of vagina news this week including a discussion about summer vaginas… so we ask what a summer penis might look like. Franki interviewed sex and relationships therapist Dr Lori Beth Bisbey about how sexuality develops and changes throughout our lives and Rob has a lot of thoughts about that. Plus, we have a look at a question about polyamory and have a go at unpicking it ourselves. LINKS This Teen Vogue piece about “summer vaginas” has come in for a lot of flak, not least from a canadian gynaecologist who has debunked its claims . The Mail Online says this woman is calling for designer vaginas to be available on the NHS but she’s not actually talking about aesthetics at all, she’s talking about curing incontinence and boosting sexual pleasure for women which seems pretty worthwhile. This week Rob stole an Everyday Sex question from The Guardian’s sex column . It was about polyamory and monogamy. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast hosted by Franki Cookney. Get in touch @The2ndCircle or via our contact page . If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E7 · Fri, April 06, 2018
Bad sex moves
The world’s first penis transplant has been a success, yay! We also hear that Facebook are planning to launch their own dating app (less yay). We all learnt what incels were this month which was a scary journey to say the least but it did spark this week’s debate on whether sex is a human right. Finally, we discuss what on earth people are talking about when they say someone is “good in bed”. LINKS The world’s first penis and scrotum transplant has been a success, which is obviosuly great news. Facebook are planning to launch a new dating app – although Grindr apparently aren’t convinced. What are incels and what the hell is the “redistribution of sex”? – Ross Douthat explores it in an opinion piece for the New York Times . Meanwhile here is Amia Srinivasan’s essay on the subject of the human right to sex. And here’s VICE’s article on how disabled people have sex. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast hosted by Franki Cookney. Get in touch @The2ndCircle or via our contact page . If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E6 · Fri, March 30, 2018
Solo Session: Am I sexy enough?
I don’t write smut, I don’t share sexy pictures, I don’t wear slutty outfits. So am I sexy enough? Things get up close and personal in the first of The Second Circle’s Solo Sessions as Franki goes it alone in order to ponder a question that’s been on her mind. This episode looks at how it feels when everyone around you seems to be having more adventurous sex than you and why we need to shake the idea that there’s such a thing as the “right” way to be sexy. LINKS You can read Clarisse Thorn’s essay I’m Not Your Sex-Crazy Nympho Dreamgirl here. If you like tackling subjects like this in fine detail, you should definitely check out Meg-John Barker and Justin Hancock’s podcasts here . Their book, Enjoy Sex, is available here . The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast hosted by Franki Cookney. Get in touch @The2ndCircle or via our contact page . If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E5 · Fri, March 16, 2018
Finest Madagascan vanilla
A new study shows that transgender people’s brains are structurally closer to the gender with which they identify. But what does this mean for equality? Meanwhile researchers elsewhere are claiming we are all a little bit bisexual. Then Rob gets some much-needed feedback on the Fleshlight and we discuss whether sex-positivity can actually make us feel under pressure. LINKS Trans people’s brains might be different to cis people’s, according to this study . Are we all bisexual now? This study reckons so. Not convinced? Find out where you fall on the Kinsey scale . The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast hosted by Franki Cookney. Get in touch @The2ndCircle or via our contact page . If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E4 · Fri, March 02, 2018
Cunnilingus pants
Are there any parts of sex that you find a bit disgusting? And is it OK to skip the bits you don’t like? We discuss straight men’s attitudes to female orgasms and why a pair of pants that shields you from bodily fluids while giving head is NOT empowering. Plus to do when you get a pube stuck in your mouth and Rob gets the lowdown on male masturbators. LINKS This person wants to know why his girlfriend masturbates after sex. Sex blogger Girl On The Net has some suggestions . Meanwhile this bloke reckons he has never failed to give a female partner an orgasm. Sure, mate. Oh, and here are some pants to wear during cunnilingus. Charlotte Roche’s 2008 bestseller Wetlands is available here. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast hosted by Franki Cookney. Get in touch @The2ndCircle or via our contact page . If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E3 · Fri, February 23, 2018
Orgasm quota
Iceland is considering banning male circumcision. We discuss what the deal is with foreskins and whether it matters if you have one or not. Rob learns some new ways to boost a female partner’s chances of orgasm… but is orgasm even the best part of sex? And if it’s not, what is? Meanwhile, Franki is getting excited about upcoming sex writers’ conference Eroticon and answering some questions about that. LINKS Eroticon is running March 17-18 and you can get tickets HERE . MPs in Iceland have proposed a bill that would criminalise male circumcision . We ask what the big deal is with foreskins. This BBC article from 2012 talks about some of the issues with desensitisation. Meanwhile Rob’s found yet another Tracey Cox advice article in Mail Online to deconstruct. This time it’s about maximising female orgasms. Sex blogger Clarisse Thorn wrote about why orgasm is not her favourite part of sex . We discuss whether or not we agree. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast hosted by Franki Cookney. Get in touch @The2ndCircle or via our contact page . If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E2 · Fri, February 02, 2018
Captain Birdseye
Time Magazine have honoured the people who spoke out about sexual harassment this year, but what does this mean for the future? We look at the pros and cons of data-gathering sex tech and Rob ruins one of Franki’s sexual fantasies by recasting its key protagonist. We also talk about the role of fantasy in sex and discuss the best ways to ask someone to wee on you. LINKS TIME magazine named “The Silence Breakers” as person of the year in this moving feature. We have a look at Mail Online’s story about the so-called “smart condom” that can gather data about your sex habits and rate your performance in the bedroom. Writer Nancy Friday has died aged 84 . We discuss her work researching and writing about sexual fantasy. Studies into sex offenders suggest that seuxal fantasy does not necessarily guide behaviour. If you find it tricky to talk about sexual fantasies with your partner, we found apps such as Kindu can help. The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast hosted by Franki Cookney. Get in touch @The2ndCircle or via our contact page . If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E1 · Fri, November 24, 2017
I talk sex
The Second Circle is taking part in Scarlet Ladies’ #ITalkSex campaign this week as I’m joined by three of the campaign’s ambassadors, Elly, Rudo, and Kit, to delve into why silence around sex can lead to abuse and what we can do to help each other be more open. We also chat about why women are more content than men to be single and whether there’s such a thing as “boring” sex. LINKS Women prefer being single according to this piece in the Telegraph and one of of the reasons is that relationships involve more work for women than they do for men. The subject of emotional labour is also discussed in this Psychologies article as well is this excellent piece in Harper’s Bazaar. “Female sexuality is not a dirty secret. It’s a part of who we are.” – That’s the slogan for the #ITalkSex campaign and you can read the full manifesto here. Becoming by Laura Jane Williams is available from Amazon. To find out more about Scarlet Ladies upcoming events visit www.scarletladiestalk.com With special thanks to 23 Paul Street, a boutique strip club in Shoreditch, London, who host Scarlet Ladies events and our recording location for this episode. See www.23paulstreet.com The Second Circle is a sex and gender politics podcast hosted by Franki Cookney . Get in touch @The2ndCircle or via our contact page . If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E10 · Fri, October 28, 2016
Me time
The Second Circle has been transformed into a women-only space this week as I’ve banished Rob in favour of two fabulous guests: Jannette Davies and Sarah Beilfuss of London-based sex-positive members club Scarlet Ladies. We’ll be tackling Jannette’s favourite subject, masturbation, and sharing our porn and sex toy habits. We also touch on what it means to identify as a woman, discussing changing sex drives and whether it’s ever OK to leave immediately after a hook up. If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? LINKS Is it ever OK to leave immediately after sex? This GQ article lists the times when it is although personally I’m a fan of sleeping over, as I wrote in this piece for The Debrief last year. Journalist and broadcaster Jenni Murray wrote in The Sunday Times that trans women cannot truly know what it’s like to be a woman. Jannette has tried a LOT of sex toys but nothing can replace her favourite: The Metal One from Ann Summers . Find out more about Scarlet Ladies events, workshops and membership at Scarletladiestalk.com The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Created and hosted by freelance journalist Franki Cookney (with help from her husband Rob) it seeks to make sex a subject we engage with as fully, openly and enthusiastically as we do with politics, art, fitness, food and fashion. To get in touch tweet @secondcirclepod or email secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E9 · Thu, October 20, 2016
Do you rut like a goat god?
Should we get paid breaks from work to have sex? And is it ever OK to “out” somebody as a former porn star? We discuss the so-called “golden trio of moves” that are said to result in female orgasm (*sceptical face*) and Rob learns what all the different sex and gender identity labels mean… and why they matter to people. We also talk about sex and consent and reveal whether we’ve ever been caught masturbating. If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? LINKS The Sun outs a nurse as a former porn star but is forced to delete the story after complaints. Franki discovers a town in Sweden where local authorities recommend people take paid “sex breaks” from work. The Guardian reports on a “golden trio of moves” said to be more likely to result in female orgasm. More than half of young people don’t identify as straight, says this report. Sex writer Alix Fox looks at exactly what the term ‘sapiosexual’ means to people in this article . And Franki sets out some of her own thoughts on what it means to be ‘pansexual’ in this blog post . In Autumn 2015 Thams Valley police put out this cartoon using tea to explain sexual consent . A woman caught her husband watching virtual reality porn. Check out the story (and pictures!) here . The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Created and hosted by freelance journalist Franki Cookney (with help from her husband Rob) it seeks to make sex a subject we engage with as fully, openly and enthusiastically as we do with politics, art, fitness, food and fashion. To get in touch tweet @secondcirclepod or email secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E8 · Thu, October 13, 2016
Sexting with James Joyce
More women than men say they regret casual sex… but why? We learn all the secret sexting codes that teenagers are using today and how virtual reality is going to take our sexual fantasies to new and surreal heights! We also discuss the language of sex and why context is everything when choosing how to talk dirty. If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? LINKS One night stands: according to this study , women are more likely to regret them. We discuss why. A police force in Northern Ireland has shared this guide to help parents decipher their teenagers’ secret sexting codes. We find out what NIFOC means. Should you teach kids the proper names for their genitals? Read the case for doing so here. If you haven’t read James Joyce’s dirty letters to his wife Nora , you really need to! Learn about how virtual reality could let you have sex in all manner of surreal and fantasy scenarios (what would yours be?!) The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Created and hosted by freelance journalist Franki Cookney (with help from her husband Rob) it seeks to make sex a subject we engage with as fully, openly and enthusiastically as we do with politics, art, fitness, food and fashion. To get in touch tweet @secondcirclepod or email secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E7 · Thu, October 06, 2016
Toe-sucking a la carte
Is it OK to be turned on by things that we find unacceptable in real life? Plus what happens when you apply a BDSM reading to Shakespeare? A listener asks whether toe-sucking is now ‘a thing’, Rob gives some truly terrible advice on how to manage your partner’s libido and we order off Dr de Wit’s Sex Menu. If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? LINKS Could a ‘sex menu’ improve your relationship? We find out. Or, for a sex menu you can access on your phone, try the Kindu app Apparently both men and women say they’d prefer their lover to have had no more than THREE previous sexual partners The Digital Economy Bill will censor “non-conventional” sexual acts in the UK … and for more details on the specific acts to be banned, check out lawyer Myles Jackman’s website . Pornland is Gail Dines’ treaty on how porn has changed the way we view sex Is it OK to call your male partner “daddy” during sex? This article says it is Mariella Frostrup tackles the question of mismatched libidos significantly better than Rob The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Created and hosted by freelance journalist Franki Cookney (with help from her husband Rob) it seeks to make sex a subject we engage with as fully, openly and enthusiastically as we do with politics, art, fitness, food and fashion. To get in touch tweet @secondcirclepod or email secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E6 · Thu, September 29, 2016
Sexy frog and a rogue twix
The first sex robots are due to go on the market in 2050 and apparently they will improve your skills in bed. We take a look at the positive side of porn and discuss whether or not it’s okay to slut-shame Melania Trump for her career as a model (spoiler: it’s not). We also tackle a question about sexting and Rob goes off on a metaphorical tangent involving chocolate bars. If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? LINKS “Sex with robots could be mindblowing” says expert who has a vested interest in making sure everyone buys sex robots in forty years Why is it OK to slut-shame Melania Trump? (spoiler: it’s not) The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Created and hosted by freelance journalist Franki Cookney (with help from her husband Rob) it seeks to make sex a subject we engage with as fully, openly and enthusiastically as we do with politics, art, fitness, food and fashion. To get in touch tweet @secondcirclepod or email secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E5 · Thu, September 22, 2016
The Elizabethan ruff
Labour MP Keith Vaz met male escorts for sex but at what point does your sex life become public interest? We also bring you a Sexy Paralympics update (it involves Maltesers), a controversial question about virginity and some hot pillow talk about our earliest sexual memories. If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? LINKS The Mirror’s expose of MP Keith Vaz The Telegraph’s first person piece on “What it’s like to discover your husband is gay” This groundbreaking Maltesers advert features a disabled actor joking about disability and sex A third of adults wouldn’t date someone who was bisexual according to this study My boyfriend checked my vagina to see if I was a virgin… wait, WHAT?! The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Created and hosted by freelance journalist Franki Cookney (with help from her husband Rob) it seeks to make sex a subject we engage with as fully, openly and enthusiastically as we do with politics, art, fitness, food and fashion. To get in touch tweet @secondcirclepod or email secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E4 · Thu, September 15, 2016
My 1930s zeppelin fantasies
Dating tips from a 1930s, how to delay ejaculation, and a writer who reckons the female condom is making a comeback. We have the last sex update from the Olympics, a question about sexual fantasies and some hot pillow talk about erogenous zones. If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? LINKS If you ever wanted to know how to make love in the 1930s look no further! If you hooked up with Usain Bolt, wouldn’t you take a selfie ? Get Tracy Cox’s tips for lasting longer in bed Female condoms are amazing (according to this writer) The “eight most common sex questions” according to sex therapist Laura Berman The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Created and hosted by freelance journalist Franki Cookney (with help from her husband Rob) it seeks to make sex a subject we engage with as fully, openly and enthusiastically as we do with politics, art, fitness, food and fashion. To get in touch tweet @secondcirclepod or email secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E3 · Thu, September 08, 2016
Hi-tech boomerang
Did you know the clitoris is shaped like a hi-tech boomerang? You do now! Also this week: why it’s important to talk about pleasure in sex education, a Sexy Olympics update, questions about going on top, and we chat about sex toys and how important it is for a guy to be able to ‘go again.’ If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? LINKS A French researcher has created a 3D model clitoris to use in sex education lessons This Brazilian Olympian was shut out of her bedroom the night before her event because her roomate was shagging a canoeist Imagine having your Olympic dreams trashed by your errant penis. It happened to this guy The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Created and hosted by freelance journalist Franki Cookney (with help from her husband Rob) it seeks to make sex a subject we engage with as fully, openly and enthusiastically as we do with politics, art, fitness, food and fashion. To get in touch tweet @secondcirclepod or email secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E2 · Thu, September 01, 2016
How to be coiffed and mystical
Everybody knows the Olympic village is a hotbed of sex but can mere mortals get involved? We look at the ethics of The Daily Beast’s Grindr exposé, find out whether porn leads to impotence and discuss what kind of food to serve at an orgy. Plus questions about pubic hair, “first time” experiences and an all-important douching update. If you enjoyed the show today, why not buy me a coffee ? LINKS The Daily Beast’s Editor’s Note on the Grindr story There are more responses to this story at the International Business Times and Slate . Online porn is making young men impotent Read about the sex party with the amazing food Why you should NEVER douche The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Created and hosted by freelance journalist Franki Cookney (with help from her husband Rob) it seeks to make sex a subject we engage with as fully, openly and enthusiastically as we do with politics, art, fitness, food and fashion. To get in touch tweet @secondcirclepod or email secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com. Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E1 · Thu, August 11, 2016
Are the millennials douching?
Why doesn't the NHS want to pay for HIV prevention drugs? We find out. Plus, we discuss the recent sexism row at Saatchi & Saatchi and the report that millennials are having less sex, before throwing around some questions about douching, rough sex and threesomes. LINKS HIV campaigners win NHS drug battle … and the Daily Mail’s reaction to it. Franki also blogged about this on our sister site Francesca Da Rimini. Read my post HERE. Women in advertising reveal rampant sexism and macho culture after a chairman resigns …and a response in the Telegraph saying he shouldn’t have stepped down. Millennials are having way less sex than their parents The Second Circle is the podcast that takes sex seriously. Created and hosted by freelance journalist Franki Cookney (with help from her husband Rob) it seeks to make sex a subject we engage with as fully, openly and enthusiastically as we do with politics, art, fitness, food and fashion. To get in touch tweet @secondcirclepod or email secondcirclepodcast@gmail.com. If you enjoyed this episode why not buy me a coffee? Support the Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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