Rope Podcast

Trying to develop your edge-play in rope? Fox and Mya talk to experienced edge-player -EM- on the podcast this week in the second part of their interview with him, to understand more about how he has built up his experience in the collection of ‘abnormally horrible’ things that he does to his partners, and the many sadistic activities which he blends with rope. Among the many interview highlights, you can hear: - How he built up his experience to be able to safely (as much as one can) do many high risk activities, from suturing to waterboarding, from cutting to whips, along with his rope. - How he deals with injuries - How he has amazing photos - but doesn’t do photoshoots - How he approaches the first scene with a new partner to make sure they’re a match with him We got so engrossed in chat with -EM- that we had to cut the interview into two parts. Check out the previous episode to hear part 1 of this interview!

Want more ideas on how to be a better sadist in your rope play? Fox and Mya talk to respected edge-player -EM- on the podcast this week, a man whose kink risk profile is pretty out there even compared to the fetlife norm. -EM- considers rope a versatile tool in his BDSM kit, rather than considering himself a ‘rope person’, and yet is definitely a ‘name’ in the world of rope. Among the many interview highlights, you can hear: - How he takes things from the very physical world of whips and sadistic rope to the emotional and mental play space that is his focus - The point at which many Dominants or Tops stop, but which for -EM- signals when play really begins - How he built up his experience with choking his partners to unconsciousness We got so engrossed in chat with -EM- that we had to cut the interview into two parts. Look out for the next one coming soon!

Negotiation and consent is a highly relevant topic in rope bondage, and one of the Rope Podcast’s listeners, @Sensual_Dominant, asks Fox and Mya to share their thoughts on the best way to safely negotiate. Fox and Mya discuss what consent and negotiation is, and the basics of what we’re looking for in the area for a scene, and when it is and isn’t a good idea to negotiate. They share examples of the methods and content of a negotiation, as well as some of their suggestions from their own negotiations as a rope top, and a rope bottom. Also discussed are a number of key points to look out for that might make *you* safer negotiating - remembering that we all have difference preferences, and doing it in the way that suits you is likely to make sure you negotiate in the safest way possible. They also share an important definition about two different forms of consent-based negotiations - and Mya even manages to convince Fox of an even safer approach to negotiation for the future.

Rope bondage is an activity that carries risk. Fox and Mya discuss the different types injuries you can get (including some that Mya doesn’t really mind), how you might get them, how to identify them as early as possible, how to react to injuries, and we how might address and treat these injuries. We also discuss our own experience with injuries during rope scenes, and the learnings we acquired and applied from them, such as the question Fox added to his pre-rope negotiation questionnaire based on one incident.

Fox and Mya discuss the classic rope bondage tie, the Futomomo. The episode includes discussion of the shape and function, variations, the safety and risks, what it feels like, as well as how we can use futos in suspension and floor work. They also share a number of examples of scenes where they’ve used the tie.

Fox and Mya discuss how you know you’re ready for your first rope suspension. They cover: • What are the skills you need for rope suspension as a top, including technical skills, practical non-rope skills, some mechanical principles and safety • What do you need to understand, and what are the things you need to be able to do as a bottom, including around your body in rope, the less-fun possible-consequences so you can accept the risks appropriately, and the concept of active bottoming • The kinds of equipment you might need, from rope to the hard point, and keeping control of the scene • How you might put together a plan for your first suspension

Have you ever been asked to ‘spot’ for someone when they’re doing rope bondage? Here Fox and Mya discuss what it means to spot, what does and doesn’t work well, what can go wrong, and some of their personal experiences. Fox also shares his ‘must-have’ condition he needs to be met if he’s going to be a spotter. In the episode, you can learn the difference between having an audience and having spotters, the one case when you *must* have a spotter, and why it’s not just bottoms who might need spotters.

Fox shares his rope erotica piece on slave Rouge’s first suspension.

*Heads up: This episode contains discussion of CNC elements in rope.* ChristianRed is a rope educator who has led the Nottingham, UK, Rope Group for three years, as well as teaching at various events in Europe. He has a broad rope background, but we chat to him about his expertise in takedown and restraint in rope, an area which isn’t taught by many due to the skills needed for that level of expertise. Christian has studied, competed in and coached martial arts for most of his life. Christian lives with his lovely partner/property EntwinedStar in Nottingham in the UK. In this episode, he shares a bit about his journey into rope, and how he got into takedown rope. He explains what kinds of elements takedown rope contains, and gives some examples of how he integrates it into scenes. We talk about takedown rope practicalities, such as the rope he uses. Fox and Mya share some of their preconceptions about takedown rope, and the team discuss how this style of rope can contradict the usual perception of what a

Rope at parties! For some, this might be their first experience of watching rope, and for others, they might want to try it in a public place. In this episode we examine the topic from plenty of angles. Learn why Mya did her first rope scene at a party, hear about a number of the rope scenes Fox and Mya have either done or watched at parties, and learn the type of rope that Fox and Mya do sometimes that clears a room at parties. Fox and Mya also discuss: How you might connect with others at parties Who to tie with Reasons to do rope in public How rope in public might be different from rope at home What you might want to look out for and plenty of tips to make your rope at a party go well. *How do you feel about rope at parties? What do/don’t you do? What rope scenes have you enjoyed as a participant or a watcher?*

Belle is a rope switch and rope bondage instructor who has also produced a range of wonderful instructional videos and writings on topics such as ‘Bottoming for the Body You Have’, ‘How to Connect’ as well as many ties. Fox and Mya talk with her, and Belle shares: her rope journey; how sex and rope connect for her; how she developed her understanding of what connection is, and how varied that is with her different rope partners; how the style of rope she likes as a top is different from the style she loves as a bottom; how she has adjusted the rope she does as a bottom to fit the body she has; how she started creating her own ties and why; and how she decides whether she’s a good match for other tops’ or bottoms’ styles.

Do you have a strategy to manage rope drop? Fox and Mya have both experienced this as a top and bottom in rope respectively, and share their experiences and suggestions on the topic. They also discuss: what rope drop might look like, the ‘science’ of rope drop (such as it is); how a top can tell their rope bottom might be dropping; differences in rope drop for tops and bottoms; how you might want to address rope drop; and Mya gives one piece of advice on drop that surprises Fox!

Listener Sam from Chiang Mai, Thailand, wants to try crotch rope, and asked for some advice in this area. We discuss: what this type of rope consists of; good knot placement and spots to avoid; the fun - and less so fun, according to Mya! - consequences of crotch rope; and a number of ways that you could use it in a scene depending on your scene goal.

Riah is an American presenter and demo bottom for a variety of subjects, including non-monogamy and BDSM subjects, and of course, rope. Fox and Mya picked her brains about some more unusual topics, such as tying yourself to your partner, and building a human playground. She discusses: how rope has helped her to manage her anxiety; accessing her emotions through rope; her first ever scene as a rope top; how she’s used scening to process different events in the past; where power exchange fits in rope for her; and how she helps students to learn through play. She leaves us with some actionable advice for how bottoms can grow in rope bondage.

Do you have a bias around how you think rope is seen by non-ropey people? The last time Mya went back to the UK, she had a bit of cold shower when she shared her rope kink with some friends and family. Learn about the ‘false consensus effect’, and how it applies us in rope - and the perception of others. We talk about several examples of rope out there in the world, including journalism, art and fashion, legal cases, documentaries and music videos (many many links in the Fet writing). We also touch on rope as a community within a community (BDSM) and what the implications of that might be. Learn about Mya’s conflicting feels about the rope potentially becoming mainstream, and the possible pros and cons of that. Do we think it’s going to happen? You’ll have to listen and see.

Your first rope scene can feel like a big deal - you’ve been waiting a long time for this, and you’re finally ready - but where are you going to do it? Fox and Mya discuss the context you might want to do your first rope scene in, and the pros and cons of different situations, such as a semi-public party or rope jam, versus private. They talk about their own first scenes, and you can learn why Mya did her first rope scene at a kink party rather than privately, despite the fact she’s an introvert and it wouldn’t have been her first choice, and how Fox did his first rope scene in a very Fox-way. They also talk about the risks of doing your first scene or suspension from a photo (and why it’s probably not a great idea), and co-created scenes versus rigger-led. And finally they share two simple ideas that you could steal or build on for your own first scene, if you’re feeling a bit blank about it all, one sexual, and one non-sexual. (For the first half of this episode, where we talk about the other things you

Your first rope scene can be one of the most risky points in your rope career. Fox and Mya review what bottoms and tops needs to do in preparation for their first scene, touching on safety, consent, boundaries, contingencies and risks, and some of the practicalities just before you rope (spoiler alert: don’t forget to pee beforehand is one!). We discuss: what you might need to know about your tying partner; what to wear; whether you need sex involved; locations you might want to have your first scene; issues of language differences; why you might not want to do suspension for your first ever scene, plus lots more considerations to keep in mind pre-your first scene. Also find out what Fox thinks is the second most risky time in a rigger’s career and one of the places he’s been asked not to touch by a couple of rope bottoms that you might not consider… NB: When we recorded this episode it went pretty long, so we’ve cut it into two parts. Look out for the next episode in a couple of weeks! ### Let us know

Rope journals can be a great way to record, track, reflect and understand your rope practice. We share why you might want to do this, and the benefits it can bring. We also discuss the quite different style and content we put into our journals, and also (with permission) share ideas from a handful of other rope enthusiasts which come at rope journals from different angles again. Also, hear how Scuba diving inspires Fox’s rope journal, and how Mya tries to get round her limited artistic talents in hers.

Creating a dynamic, powerful rope scene can be challenging when you’re a beginner (or even for some who’ve been doing it a while, coming up with new ways to include rope in scenes can be tough). A listener writes to us to ask for ideas. We discuss: Does what you tie matter? What are bottoms seeking? Is rope an accessory to play, or play in itself? How can you make the tie more meaningful? Fox shares several unusual ways to frame rope practice as a scene, and Mya shares the kind of reactions you can expect from a bottom you’re tying, and how the bottom contribute to the energy of the scene. ### Let us know in the comments here below: How do you practice your tying? Do you make your practice ‘scene-y?’ How do you do this?

After the success of Fox’s rope erotica piece, in episode 6, Mya reads one of her erotica stories from the perspective of a rope bottom. Called ‘Damsel in Distress’, it describes some recent rope bondage play she and Fox did together to create a photo for the Ropepodcast Patreon.