My conversation with Christie Watrous expands my limited viewpoint…again. We unpack what it means to connect with our bodies and each other, defining intimacy and pleasure in REAL terms. Spoiler alert: intimacy and pleasure are not always sexual and wow sometimes they are - AND it can look different than what the culture dishes up. As the founder of Embodied Life Transitions, Christie brings her personal experience of transformation and empowerment to our discussion, offering insights into reclaiming our bodies and desires. We talk candidly about our need to deconstruct shame narratives and embrace the pursuit of pleasure, which extends beyond the confines of the bedroom and into the joy of our simple daily rituals, from sipping a warm beverage to soaking in the melody of our favorite tune.Christie and I confront our individual and collective truths - from unhealthy self-concepts to narratives that frame the end of a marriage as failure. Join the conversation. Resources referenced:Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski Ph.D.--------- EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS ---------(0:00:01) - Exploring the Erotic and Love(0:10:10) - Prioritizing Pleasure and Desire(0:24:10) - Unpacking Shame and Embracing Truth(0:30:55) - Deconstructing Shame and Celebrating Growth(0:41:59) - Human Need for Connection and Intimacy(0:48:02) - Exploring Sexuality and Intimacy Beyond Stereotypes(1:00:28) - Navigating Consent and Boundaries in RelationshipsOur Guest: Christie WatrousChristie (she/her) is currently a Sex & Relationship Coach practicing in Folsom, CA. She is clinically trained with a Master’s in Social Work and has spent most of her career working in a wide variety of grassroots and non-profit settings ranging from runaway and homeless youth to adults with traumatic brain injuries. She graduated from the Advanced Sex & Relationship Coaching Program with the Somatica Institute. And most recently, Christie completed a sex educator mentorship program with the Back to the Body team and received her certification as a facilitator of The Lotus Lift Meditation ©, created by Pamela Madsen & featured in Oprah Magazine.Christie's practice focuses on helping those whom identify as women to stay connected to their bodies in the midst of life transitions. She helps women discover their own unique erotic energy, prioritize pleasure, explore desire and integrate this awareness into daily life. Her work is inspired by her own mid-life embodied journey back to her erotic self and fuels her passion for women’s sexual wellness. As the founder of Embodied Life Transitions providing 1:1 Coaching for women, Christie also facilitates a collaborative community based Book Club called “Between the Covers”. She hosts a monthly, sex-positive Sisterhood Happy Hour with a focus on sexual wellness for women and teaches her own in-person experiential workshops in Historic Folsom as part of the Back to the Body Collective. She is an advocate for women's sexual wellness & is passionate about creating spaces for sisterhood, intimacy, and connection in her community.website: https://www.embodiedlifetransitions.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christie-watrous-b3b350172/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embodiedlifetransitions/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/embodiedlifetransitions/ About Jen Oliver:I pursue and create environments where we converse on the REAL stuff that changes us. I’m designed to bring others on my personal journey with honest admissions to help us all transform - that’s my sweetspot and I speak, lead, and write from that space.REAL conversations stir deeper connection and community - to explore ways that you can work with me, go to:email: jen@REALjenoliver.compodcast website: ListenForREAL.comwebsite: REALJenOliver.comLinkedIn:@realjenoliverInstagram: @realjenoliverFacebook: @realjenoliverIf you believe conversations like these belong in the world, please subscribe, rate & review this podcast - and even better, share it with someone else as a REAL conversation starter. Subscribe to all things Jen at REALJenOliver.
