Who doesn't want to make their way through the holidays with ease and comfort and as little drama as possible?

The holiday season means time spent with friends, family and lovers. And it also can mean a few other things…

• having to make tough choices on where to be and when to be there, WHO to be with?
• having to deal with family members that don't necessarily agree with your relational choices or partner(s)
• needing to de-stress & prioritize fun and sexy times in between all the holiday obligations

And if anything is feeling shaky in terms of your non-monogamy journey, the holidays can be, as André describes "miracle grow for your feelings" and amplify those issues making things stressful or uncomfortable.

In this podcast episode we talk in detail about 5 things you can do now to set your holidays up for success and start 2025 feeling much more secure:

1. Reflect on the past year
2. Conduct a thorough RAADAR Relationship Review to assess the health and dynamics of your relationships and connections using the
3. Do some pre-planning - the who, what, where, when, and how
4. Sharpen your effective communication skills and communicate your needs, wants and desires to partners
5. Prepare and build your toolkit and get direct or indirect support!

Interwoven in this discussion as always are a ton of gems of knowledge and stories from their personal experiences and those of friends and people we work with.

And if you're looking for holiday gift that keeps on giving for your partner and yourself that will allow you start 2025 feeling FAB-U-LOUS-LY SECURE, sign up for our 7-module Poly Newbies Digital Course! And don't worry about having to do it all right away, you'll have a full 6 months to get it all done! We have a special offer for our podcast listeners and Let's Talk Polyamory community. Find out more here - ⁠https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesspecialoffer⁠

Show Resources:

• Poly Newbies Digital Course - https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesspecialoffer
• Open Relationship & Polyamory Mastery Program - https://go.taraandandre.com/polyamorymastery
• Let’s Talk Polyamory Private Facebook Group & Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkpoly
• Multiamory Podcast - https://www.multiamory.com/podcast
• Fit Feels Good by Oonagh Duncan (the health and fitness program Tara is a part of) - https://www.fitfeelsgood.com/
• Need support and curious about coaching or therapy? Book a consultation call with us: https://go.taraandandre.com/relationshiprescue
• Find out more about us and services, programs and more at ⁠https://taraandandre.com/ ⁠

What essentials need to be in your Poly Newbie Survival Kit?

Are you new to non-monogamy or opening up a relationship? In this episode, we’ll equip you with a list of the tools, insights, and strategies you need to thrive—and avoid some of the most common challenges along the way.

These essential steps are drawn straight from our 7-module Poly Newbies Digital Course, designed to set you up for success: 1️⃣ The Basics of Non-Monogamy: Key definitions, identifying your “why,” and navigating your hopes and fears. 2️⃣ Choosing Your Style: Exploring what kind of non-monogamy aligns with your needs and desires. 3️⃣ Mastering Communication: Building connection, eliminating toxic patterns, and speaking your truth effectively. 4️⃣ Rightsizing Jealousy: Understanding this complex emotion and cultivating greater security. 5️⃣ Attachment Styles: Discovering yours and moving toward secure attachment. 6️⃣ Boundaries & Agreements: Creating personal boundaries and our signature Values-Based Relationship Agreements™. 7️⃣ Keeping It Awesome: Relationship check-ins, dating tips, and maintaining the spark!

✨ Plus, we dive into juicy extras, including:

• The stages of polyamory—from curious newbies to seasoned veterans.
• Whether there’s a “right” age to explore non-monogamy.
• Surprising challenges when opening up an already solid relationship.

All this and personal stories from our own non-monogamy journey! 🎉

Hit play and start your journey toward thriving in non-monogamy! 🎧💖

Show Resources & Special Offers:

• 💥 Black Friday Poly Newbies Digital Course Offer at $27 for 6 months of access until 11:59PM Eastern Dec 2 - ⁠https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesblackfriday⁠
• Poly Diaries Docs-Series - Subscribe and listen to our diary entries and others at https://www.youtube.com/@PolyDiaries
• Looking for therapy? Reach out to host André Turcotte and book a consultation call at andreturcottepsych@gmail.com
• Have questions about our course or looking for private individual or couple’s coaching? Book a consultation call with host Tara at https://go.taraandandre.com/15mincoffeechat
• Join the Community: Connect will other polyamorous folk here - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkpoly⁠
• Learn more: Explore our services, programs and more at ⁠⁠https://taraandandre.com/

When there's been dishonesty, a betrayal or cheating in a relationship, it can result in a loss of trust that's hard to recover from.

This episode is part 2 of a two part-series on Building, Rebuilding, and Maintaining Trusts in Relationships.

In Part 1, we explored:

• What trust really is and why it’s essential
• How to build a strong foundation of trust
• Common trust challenges
• And how to nurture and maintain trust.

In Part 2, we pick up where we left off with a recap on what trust is and how trust can be lost specifically in non-monogamous relationships.

We then share specific strategies on how you can rebuild trust as a result of any of these things or other setbacks such as:

• Understanding the reasons behind the breach
• Releasing anger and resentment
• Rebuilding trust with consistent actions and words
• Demonstrating commitment to repair the relationship
• Communication
• And getting support

We also share how you might recognize if is an isolated situation or if this person is not trustworthy and it isn’t in your best interest to trust them again.

This episode is perfect for anyone navigating trust challenges and looking for practical, compassionate advice to create more secure, resilient relationships.

And, in celebration of Polyamory Day on November 23 our gift to you is that you can get our Poly Newbies Digital Course for just $27—a 90% savings off the regular $297 price until Cyber Monday. Learn more at ⁠⁠https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesblackfriday⁠⁠⁠

Show Resources:

• Black Friday Poly Newbies Digital Course Offer at $27 for 6 months of access - ⁠⁠https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesblackfriday⁠⁠
• Stream episode 32 Building, Rebuilding and Maintaining Trust in Relationship - Part 1 on Spotify ⁠hhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/77sWeDAKTKK2jAbTcZzOiQ?si=XhbvoPvQTpaGXdzycP0GJA⁠ or on your favourite podcasting platform.
• Looking for therapy? Reach out to host André Turcotte and book a consultation call at ⁠andreturcottepsych@gmail.com⁠
• Looking for private individual or couple’s coaching? Book a consultation call with host Tara at: ⁠⁠https://go.taraandandre.com/relationshiprescue⁠⁠
• Join our online free Let’s Talk Polyamory Facebook Group & Community - ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkpoly⁠⁠
• Find out more about us and services, programs and more at ⁠⁠⁠https://taraandandre.com/ ⁠

You may not find it surprising but we talk about non-monogamy, relationships, sex and related topics A LOT, especially when we are driving or travelling.

We were having one such conversation recently and decided to record it as we felt our listeners would find it helpful to hear as we work through and discuss a situation that arose for us personally around possible STI exposure and how we might handle sharing how we feel about upcoming plans with friends.

In this episode we cover:

• The importance of regular testing and how often we get tested.
• What you need to test for.
• How you can contract certain STIs and how to reduce your risk.
• The science behind testing frequency and the incubation periods for some common STIs
• The concept of acceptable risk as it relates to sexual activities.
• How to incorporate sexual health and STI testing into your relationship agreements.
• How to share your personal boundaries around testing and agreements with possible partners.

We encourage you to do your own research, inform yourself, talk to your doctor, talk to your partners and figure out what’s right for you!

And as we asked during the podcast are these things you’ve considered and/or has this podcast changed what you think about wanting to be non-monogamous or in the lifestyle? Let us know in the comments!

Show Resources:

• Black Friday Poly Newbies Digital Course Offer at $27 for 6 months of access - ⁠https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesblackfriday⁠
• Health Line article on STI incubation periods - https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-it-take-for-std-to-show-up
• Understanding Risk By Sex Act - CATIE - https://www.catie.ca/safer-sex-guide/understanding-risk-by-sex-act
• T&A Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/taraandandre/⁠
• Looking for therapy? Reach out to host André Turcotte and book a consultation call at andreturcottepsych@gmail .com
• Struggling and need support? Reach out and book a free call with us: ⁠https://go.taraandandre.com/relationshiprescue⁠
• Let’s Talk Polyamory Facebook Group & Community - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkpoly⁠
• Find out more about us and services, programs and more at ⁠⁠https://taraandandre.com/

Talking to kids about topics like non-monogamy, sex, intimacy, kink and relationships can sometimes feel daunting parents. It's easy to worry about saying the wrong thing, making things awkward, or just plain messing it up.

In this episode, we sit down with sexuality educator Ms. Ashley Robertson for a deep dive into guiding these conversations with kids of all ages—from toddlers to teens and beyond!

Together, we share practical tips, advice, and recommended approaches for discussing these topics at every stage. We cover what the focus should be, how to approach these subjects, which words to use, and even how long these conversations should go.

We also discuss what not to say, how to avoid oversharing, and ways to build a “scaffold” of knowledge that helps your kids climb layer by layer without falling off.

We touch on essentials like when and how to introduce non-monogamy and partners to kids, what to say if a partner is no longer in your life, and how to manage those moments when kids bring up people from your past that you’d rather forget. And we explore concepts like “chosen family,” the “onion” and “buffet” analogies, being an “askable adult,” consent and how kids are “bystanders”, the “skipping stones” strategy for teens and more!

Plus, we answer questions from our Let’s Talk Polyamory community.

And… spoiler alert ...a lot of these tips are great for adult conversations, too!

Tune in for practical advice, a few laughs, and all the insights you need to make these talks a little less intimidating and a lot more meaningful!

You’re going to love it!

Resources:

• Black Friday Poly Newbies Digital Course Offer at $27 for 6 months of access - https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesblackfriday
• Website Ms. Ashley Robertson: https://www.msashleyrobertson.com/
• Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/msashleyrobertson
• Ms. Ashely's booklist - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WaZGbek31WYEbHcdPB3NJd4CKj5dIUhmjmmOL3zheAM/edit?usp=sharing - The 2 books mentioned in our conversation: Penny and the Plain Piece of Paper by Miri Leshem-Pell and Can I Give You a Squish? by Emily Neilson
• DSM - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. We specifically referred to the DSM-5 - This is an article that might be helpful - https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/fetishes-and-dsm-v-when-is-kink-mental-health-issue-0829138
• T&A Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taraandandre/
• Looking for therapy? Reach out to host André Turcotte and book a consultation call at andreturcottepsych@gmail.com
• Let’s Talk Polyamory Facebook Group & Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkpoly
• Find out more about us and services, programs and more at ⁠https://taraandandre.com/ ⁠

In this two-part series we take a deep dive into one of the most essential—and sometimes challenging—aspects of relationships: TRUST!

Recently many our the Let's Talk Polyamory private Facebook group and in our individual coaching and therapy practices have raised TRUST as an issue they are currently facing in their relationships.

For some it is because of a specific situation that occurred, like a betrayal, while for others, the issue of trust goes a bit deeper and stems from past experiences in relationships with previous partners, friends or family.

In this special series we explore the ins and outs of building, maintaining, and restoring trust, whether in monogamous or non-monogamous relationships.

In Part 1 we cover:

• What is TRUST?
• How people approach trust in relationships.
• Signs of trust issues and what might be behind this for you.
• How to build a foundation for trust in your relationships from the start.
• How trust might be broken in relationships with some specific examples related to unique dynamics of non-monogamous relationships.

In Part 2, we will tackle the tough topic of rebuilding trust after it’s been lost.

Whether you’re looking to set up a rock-solid foundation or need tools to heal from trust setbacks in your relationship or yourself, this series has you covered.

This is the perfect starting point for anyone navigating trust challenges and looking for practical, compassionate advice to create more secure, resilient relationships.

Comment with your stories of trust or loss of trust and if this episode resonated with you!

Please 💖comment, ✅subscribe, ➡️share and 📝write a review so others can find us! We really appreciate it!

Show Resources:

• Poly Newbies Digital Course - https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesspecialoffer
• Struggling and need support? Reach out and book a free call with us: https://go.taraandandre.com/relationshiprescue
• Let’s Talk Polyamory Private Facebook Group & Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkpoly
• Find out more about us and services, programs and more at ⁠https://taraandandre.com/ ⁠
• Episode 27: From DADT To All the Juicy Details - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4nrCqhyEG4kWwUNyJoIKg0?si=8Q77o-L3Q7WvdSK6-qf33Q
• Episode 8: How is My Attachment Style Impacting My Relationships - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KUuTKZQKRNHBISBeynIvq?si=olltBVI7S6in5XPIwzMUAQ
• Episode 3: Combating Jealousy and NRE with Awesome Communication - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cRoyUXHdgpWMWlgAb3q8w?si=q3TPfFpOSzehJrCPx3BYxA

Sex... we love it, we want it, and, for many, it is part of our "why" behind being consensually non-monogamous in the first place.

Having said that, if we've been intimate, or in a relationship, with someone for a longer period of time, things can sometimes feel a little stale.

At the same time, the ⚡️New Relationship Energy (NRE) we may be experiencing with others we are in relationships with might feel exciting and super 🔥hot!

In this episode we talk about the 69 Ways to Amplify Your Sex Life with Your Partners!

Ok.. so maybe not quite 69, but there are 5 main areas (with lots of sexy suggestions under each) which will support you increasing DESIRE in ALL your relationships:

1. Scheduling sex
2. Increasing sexual energy
3. Communicating your desires
4. Trying something new
5. Kissing and other methods of connecting and intimacy

As part of this cover topics like responsive desire, dirty talking, disentanglement, Sensate Focus and more!

Join us at the 💋Toronto Taboo: Everyhing To Do With Sex Show - October 18-20, 2024. We are giving away passes - enter to win via the link below ⬇️

Show References:

• Toronto Taboo: All About Sex Show - Info on the show here - https://tabooshow.com/toronto - the free draw is now over!
• The numbers that André refers to is from an episode of Friends where Monica and Rachel share with Chandler the 7 pleasure zones - https://youtu.be/3NLVior-nLs?si=8O00KWgHzprasGAW
• Dr. Liz Powell - Talk Dirty to Me - https://drlizpowell.com/talkdirty/
• Open Relationship and Polyamory Mastery Coaching Program - https://go.taraandandre.com/polyamorymastery
• Poly Newbies Digital Course - https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesspecialoffer
• Struggling and need support? Reach out and book a free call with us: https://go.taraandandre.com/relationshiprescue
• Let’s Talk Polyamory Facebook Group & Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkpoly
• Find out more about us and services, programs and more at ⁠https://taraandandre.com/ ⁠

Welcome to Season 2 of the Let’s Talk Polyamory Podcast! We are kicking things off with a hotly debated topic: Can Mono-Poly Relationships Really Work?

What happens when one partner is monogamous while the other embraces polyamory? Are these relationships destined for failure, or can they actually thrive?

Mono-Poly relationships come with unique challenges—navigating asymmetrical freedoms (where one partner has multiple emotional and/or sexual relationships and the other doesn’t), balancing time and attention, and dealing with jealousy and insecurity. In this episode, we break down these common struggles, discuss why people might choose this dynamic, and tackle some of the biggest misconceptions.

We also share actionable strategies for making these relationships work—like mastering open communication, setting personal boundaries, and using our Values-Based Agreements™ model. Plus, we’ll dive into compersion, or finding joy in your partner’s happiness with others, and talk about the importance of seeking expert support.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a Mono-Poly relationship can truly flourish, or if you’re in one and looking for ways to make it work—this episode is for you!

Show References:

• Toronto Taboo Show - Enter to win a free pass - https://go.letstalkpolyamory.com/taboo2024draw
• Open Relationship and Polyamory Mastery Coaching Program - https://go.taraandandre.com/polyamorymastery
• Poly Newbies Digital Course - https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesspecialoffer
• Struggling and need support? Reach out and book a free call with us: https://go.taraandandre.com/relationshiprescue
• Let’s Talk Polyamory Facebook Group & Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkpoly
• Find out more about us and services, programs and more at ⁠https://taraandandre.com/ ⁠