We Gotta Thing - Exploring Non-Monogamy – Details, episodes & analysis

As a follow up to our episode 142, we hear from Catherine about how the ending of her marriage is affecting her coaching business at Expansive Connection. Will her clients still trust her as a coach? Has this loss made her job more difficult when discussing non-monogamy with her clients? Does she feel like a bit of an imposter? Will this experience make her a better coach? Would you see a coach who has lost her marriage after becoming non-monogamous? Listen in to find out!

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Expansive Connection Coaching

We are joined by Dedeker, Emily and Jase from the Multiamory* podcast to discuss the similarities and differences between the swinging lifestyle and polyamory! We also talk about what exactly New Relationship Energy (NRE) is and how we can recognize and navigate those strong feelings and emotions when they hit you or someone you love.

*Multiamory centers multiple forms of love- everything from monogamy to nonmonogamy, casual dating to queerplatoni partnerships, married couples living separately to those who are single by choice, and everything in between.

The Multiamory Podcast and Team

Are you considering trying non-monogamy or perhaps learning how to navigate the swinging lifestyle environment? Are you paralyzed by the 'what-ifs?' What if my partner falls in love with someone else? What if I get jealous? What if no one is attracted to me? What if we are outed at swingers? 

You are not alone! Jason from Expansive Connection joins Mr & Mrs Jones to discuss how to better understand and work through these common 'what-if' fears shared by but also overcome by many.

Announcing our special project
Mrs Jones and I are developing an online lifestyle course called Navigating Your Lifestyle Journey to be released in December 2017! We've created 6 modules and over 30 lessons to help you move into the through the lifestyle while having fun, growing your relationship and avoiding the pitfalls and mistakes.  For more information please check out our website or send us an email at mrjones@wegottathing.com.

Discussion Topic
As we prepare for our first group trip to Desire, we discuss the seven deadly mistakes to avoid when attending a lifestyle resort, hotel takeover, meet & greet or any other large swinger event.  Why are we experts? Because we've made all seven mistakes ourselves!

Discussion Topic: Setting expectations is something we (and many couples) struggle with in the lifestyle.  With expectations usually comes disappointment.  Disappointment can lead to leaving the lifestyle or stir up negative emotions and feelings about yourselves.  We discuss how we TRY to manage our interactions with others and share some tips we hope will help you do the same. Good luck!

Discussion Topic: Way back on WGT Episode 3 we discussed Mr Jones's struggle with jealousy when we entered the lifestyle. In this episode we welcome Catherine, a licensed professional counselor AND swinger!  She breaks down jealousy: what it is, how to prepare for it, what it feels like, how to identify it, how to work through it and come out of it stronger as a couple.

You can reach Catherine by email at expansiveconnection@gmail.com or on her website: www.expansiveconnection.com

Resources Mentioned: 
The Ethical Slut by Janet Hardy
The Jealousy Workbook: Exercises and Insights for Managing Open Relationships by Kathy Labriola
Numerous books by Brene Brown
Vulnerability TED Talk by Brene Brown

Discussion Topic- Many couples approaching the lifestyle consider clothing optional resorts as a first step on their journey.  This episode we tackle some commonly held beliefs and fears regarding clothing optional resort vacations.  Just back from another trip to Desire Pearl, we use our experiences from the week to "bust some myths."

Book your trip to one of the Desire Resorts right here!

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Keeping up with the Joneses
We update you on our new business ventures and Mr Jones makes his request to Mrs Jones for his home office modifications.  We also describe a visit from our Canadian friends, our Southwest friends and our long-time LS friends.

Topic
Many people say how intimidated they are by having to flirt with others in the lifestyle.  We break down flirting in society, in the lifestyle, tie it to individual growth and how ultimately it helps our relationship.  If done naturally it's not so difficult!

BONUS: Listen our conversation with C&D from their Swinging Downunder podcast!

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Keeping up with the Joneses
We recap the highlights of our experiences at Naughty in N'awlins 2017!  Our WGT Meet & Greet and workshops were amazing, we were runner-ups again at the Annual Lifestyle Awards for Best Lifestyle Podcast.

Discussion topic
We hear from many listeners how difficult it is to find that "four-way connection" with other lifestyle couples.  We break down the issue and offer insights into what works and doesn't work for us. Oh, and we share how we screwed up at NiN (the Joneses are not perfect).

A special thanks to Ike Thomas for writing our transition song to snapshots and the ending of our show!  Ike's latest work is an acoustic album with the Irreverent Reverends called "Songs for Andreas" and can be found on iTunes and Spotify.

Visit our website for more information about the Joneses!

Discussion topic: This month we stray from our regular format to talk about being "outed" as podcasters in the lifestyle.  We discuss what happened, how it impacted our lives, how we managed the fallout, what decisions we had to make and how we've decided to move forward.

Snapshots: This month we share two emails from listeners that describe perfectly how we view the lifestyle and why it's so important to us both.

Mentioned this episode: It's time to vote for your favorite lifestyle podcasters.  Cast your ballot at the Annual Lifestyle Awards website!  Also, if you'd like to attend our Naughty in N'awlins Meet & Greet be sure to visit our website and sign up so we can send you the details!