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The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary

By: Israel Ekanem
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A safe space to speak from the heart.Copyright 2026 Israel Ekanem Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Reequal Smith - Founder / Artistic Director - Oshun Dance Studios
    Feb 6 2026

    Reequal Smith is a multidisciplinary artist, choreographer, and cultural leader from the Bahamas, now based in Prince Edward Island.

    She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Oshun Dance Studios, where she fuses Caribbean traditions with contemporary movement to create spaces of celebration and reclamation for Black and Caribbean communities.

    An alumna of Holland College’s School of Performing Arts, her works include Calypso Secrets, Elysium, Unfold, and Caribbean Flamingo. She has collaborated with Neptune Theatre, River Clyde Pageant, Kemi Craig, and Charles Campbell.

    In 2025, she received the Kerri Wynne MacLeod Women of Impact Award and Diane Moore Creation Award, recognising her artistry and commitment to equity in the arts.

    Learn more about her @oshundance

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    46 mins
  • Alex Van Hoff - Writer / Therapist
    Feb 6 2026

    Alex, a writer, woodworker, and licensed therapist with over a decade in the BDSM community, pulls back the curtain on the world of dominance and submission. He shares his unexpected journey from a “vanilla” life to building his own home dungeon, revealing how his professional background as a therapist fundamentally shaped his approach to kink.

    He delves into the intricate ethics of power exchange, explaining the detailed psychological and physical assessments he conducts with new partners to build trust and establish boundaries before any play begins. He discusses the nuanced differences between humiliation and degradation, the distinction between a Dominant/submissive and a Master/slave dynamic, and the profound responsibility that comes with wielding power over another person.

    With candour and insight, Alex reflects on the importance of vulnerability for a Dominant, the dangers of narcissism in the scene, and offers crucial advice for both newcomers and seasoned practitioners on how to navigate BDSM with safety, respect, and authenticity.

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    41 mins
  • Echo 202 - Host / Event Organiser / Erotica Writer
    Feb 3 2026

    Echo shares her personal "kink origin story," tracing her journey from childhood curiosity to becoming an event organiser. She recounts how early online research led to virtual workshops, mentorship, and eventually local munches, all while navigating the initial overwhelm of discovering the "Fet-verse."


    She opens up about her motivations for starting her own events: a desire to combat the pressure to play, ensure women feel safe, and increase visibility for people of colour and diverse gender identities within predominantly white spaces. Echo discusses the practicalities of vetting attendees, organising security, and the thoughtful process behind her themed parties.


    The conversation delves into her personal explorations with kink, which she frames as acts of reclaiming autonomy and challenging sexual shame. Echo emphasises the mental and emotional aspects of kink, the critical importance of aftercare, and how she assesses play partners through consistency and genuine communication.


    Offering advice for newcomers, Echo encourages starting with education and virtual communities to build confidence before stepping into physical spaces. Tune in for a candid discussion on building trust, fostering representation, and creating joy on your own terms within the kink world.


    Echo is a young black woman who found herself researching and discovering about the kink/BDSM lifestyle through group chat and kink social online platforms such as Fet. Part of her self-discovery journey is to help others learn, discover and appreciate their kinks and fetishes while focusing on connection, acceptance and communication.


    In between hosting events, Echo writes erotica stories that stemmed mostly from her fantasy world.


    Outside of kink, Echo is a mother, wife, teacher, traveller, enthusiast and passionate about learning

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    40 mins
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