*Trigger warning* we discuss issues around sexual violence, rape and assault in this episode, so please take care while listening. As always, I’ve put resources in the show notes for anyone who has been affected by the topics discussed.

In this live recording of the Sex Talks podcast I wanted to address a question that has been on my mind a lot of late: why do men hate women?

It is provocative, I know, and intentionally so. But amidst the seemingly relentless series of news stories about male violence, It is a question I just can’t shake from my head.

After all, this conversation takes place against a backdrop of ongoing, high profile sexual abuse and rape cases with the likes of Dominuqe Pelicot; Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs; the late Mohammed Al Fayed; and the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch Mike Jeffries, amongst some of the high profile names currently under investigation for allegedly committing the most unimaginable crimes.

What’s more, the scale of violence against women and girls is so high police chiefs have declared it a National Emergency here in the UK.

So, the purpose of this discussion was thus to try and better understand what is going on, why and what needs to be done now to end this epidemic of violence.

I was joined by the brilliant Laura Bates - activist, writer, speaker and journalist. She is also the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, an ever-increasing collection of over 200,000 testimonies of gender inequality.

Launched in 2012, the project raises awareness of sexism, provides a cathartic and empowering space for survivors’ stories to be heard and believed, and uses those stories to create real-world change in partnership with politicians, businesses and organisations from the United Nations to the Council of Europe.

She is currently writing her 11th book.

I was also joined by Ben Hurst, Director of Facilitation at Beyond Equality, an organisation that is rethinking masculinity and engaging men and boys in the gender equality conversation.

If you are affected by the issues discussed this please seek help via the below:

Rape Crisis are open 24/7 for anyone who has experienced something sexual without their consent. Call free on 0808 500 2222 or visit their website here.

Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person. Samaritans also have a Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

116 123 (freephone)

jo@samaritans.org

Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS

samaritans.org

On this week’s live recording of the podcast, Emma-Louise was joined by journalist, presenter, podcaster and author, Josh Smith to discuss his brand new book: Great Chat.

The importance of communication is something we talk about ALL the time at Sex Talks, not least because - as we know - it's the key to great sex and deeper intimacy.

So when Josh published a book all about the art of great conversation we knew we had to sit down with him and extract all his tips and insights.

As a celebrity interviewer, Josh has talked with people of every background, mood and personality, (think Oprah, Victoria Beckham and Pamela Anderson) and they really open up to him. He's the master of creating a space that invites and nurtures vulnerability, which is critical to hosting a great interview but also cultivating a deep relationship with somebody.

In this episode Josh shares everything he’s learned about Great Chat in his many years working as a journalist; his two cents on how to translate this to the context of dating; and the best piece of advice he's ever received (from none other than actress Hayley Atwell).

We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.

You can buy Josh's book here and find out when the next live recording of the podcast is here.

On this week's episode of the podcast, Emma-Louise was joined by OG creator, author and body positivity advocate, Megan Jayne Crabbe.

Together they discuss the impact of our restrictive body image ideals, growing up with an eating disorder, how body image issues affect our relationship to sex and pleasure, the power of the body positivity movement and what it means to finally come home to your body.

As Megan said on the podcast: "You don't have to love your body. You don't have to think your body's wonderful. You don't even have to think, yeah, this is the body that I want.

"But at the very least, our bodies deserve some kind of respect, because they are doing their best up against a culture that convinces us to hate them."

For this episode of the pod we partnered up with the team at Fenwick, Kingston where we hosted the recording live from their gorgeous, and newly redesigned, lingerie and nightwear section. You can watching the recording on Youtube here.

Trigger warning: this episode discusses eating disorders, anorexia and body image issues. Please take care when listening and if you've been affected by anything discussed you can seek help at Beat below.

(Call) England 0808 801 0677

Email support for England:

help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

You can purchase tickets to the next live event here.

And subscribe to the Sex Talks Substack here.