Open relationships. Now, you can clutch them pearls and raise those eyebrows all you want to, but this conversation is not going away - especially not in America. 
Using two separate samples based on the U.S. Census, researchers found that one-fifth of the population in the United States has engaged in consensual non-monogamy at some point in their lives and if the trend continues, the only place this number is going is up. So… are open relationships the bandaid, the cure or the curse of our generation? And furthermore, how do you actually start one? Like for real? Let’s talk about it on this episode of Lovers and Friends.

We have a loaded conversation between our starring guests on this episode, Swaggy C and Bayleigh. A married couple with a new baby, but an old, inactive desire to explore consensual non-monogamy within their marriage. There are a lot of themes to pull from this interview like: what happens when non-monogamy is one person’s yum and the other’s yea I guess if that will make you happy… OR the dangers of using non-monogamy as a punishment for unfulfillment… OR the joys/ struggles of having a partner who is supportive of your desires, but not all the way cooperative. However what stood out to me in this episode is how to go from being curious to actually being actively open...for real.

FOLLOW THE GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE

Follow Bayleigh:
https://www.instagram.com/bayydayy
https://www.youtube.com/c/SwayleighGang
https://www.tiktok.com/@bayydayyy


Follow Chris “Swaggy C”:
https://www.instagram.com/swaggyctv
https://www.youtube.com/@KingSwaggy


Follow Dr. Monica: 
https://www.therapyforqpoc.com
therapyforqpoc@gmail.com


THANKS TO THE SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE

BET
Watch Zatima starring Crystal Renee Hayslett and Devale Ellis by joining the millions who stream Black culture at
http://www.bet.plus

Better Help
Discover your potential with BetterHelp. 
http://www.betterhelp.com/lovers for 10% off your first month. 

Hello Fresh
Try America’s #1 Meal Kit for yourself. Get 60% off plus free shipping. 
Http://www.hellofresh.com/lovers60

Dipsea
Explore your fantasies or get inspired with a 30 day free trial now. 
http://www.dipsea.com/lovers

Follow Shan:
https://www.instagram.com/shanboodram
https://www.tiktok.com/@shanboody
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSE2Lr9RfYXiFtiX1jk5qng
loversfriendspodcast@gmail.com


Open relationship reading list From Dr. Monica: 

IG Educational Pages 
·      Evita Sawyers | @lavitaloca34
·      Chanee Jackson Kendall | @chaneespeaks
·      Jhen | @monogamishpod
·      Kevin Patterson | @polyrolemodels
·      @polyamouraousblackgirl
·      Leanne Yau | @polyphiliablog

Books 
·      Pre-Order | A Polyamory Devotional: 365 Daily Reflections for the Consensually Non-monogamous | Evita Sawyers
·      Love is Not Colorblind | Kevin Patterson
·      Polysecure | Jessica Fern
·      The Ethical Slut | Hardy & Easton 
·      More Than Two: A Practical Guide to Ethical Polyamory | Ricket & Veaux
·      Polyamory & Jealousy | Ricket & Veaux

<div>Open relationships. Now, you can clutch them pearls and raise those eyebrows all you want to, but this conversation is not going away - especially not in America.  Using two separate samples based on the U.S. Census, researchers found that one-fifth of the population in the United States has engaged in consensual non-monogamy at some point in their lives and if the trend continues, the only place this number is going is up. So… are open relationships the bandaid, the cure or the curse of our generation? And furthermore, how do you actually start one? Like for real? Let’s talk about it on this episode of Lovers and Friends. We have a loaded conversation between our starring guests on this episode, Swaggy C and Bayleigh. A married couple with a new baby, but an old, inactive desire to explore consensual non-monogamy within their marriage. There are a lot of themes to pull from this interview like: what happens when non-monogamy is one person’s yum and the other’s yea I guess if that will make you happy… OR the dangers of using non-monogamy as a punishment for unfulfillment… OR the joys/ struggles of having a partner who is supportive of your desires, but not all the way cooperative. However what stood out to me in this episode is how to go from being curious to actually being actively open...for real. FOLLOW THE GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE Follow Bayleigh: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bayydayy">https://www.instagram.com/bayydayy</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/SwayleighGang">https://www.youtube.com/c/SwayleighGang</a> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@bayydayyy">https://www.tiktok.com/@bayydayyy</a> Follow Chris “Swaggy C”: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/swaggyctv">https://www.instagram.com/swaggyctv</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@KingSwaggy">https://www.youtube.com/@KingSwaggy</a> Follow Dr. Monica:  <a href="https://www.therapyforqpoc.com">https://www.therapyforqpoc.com</a> therapyforqpoc@gmail.com THANKS TO THE SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE BET Watch Zatima starring Crystal Renee Hayslett and Devale Ellis by joining the millions who stream Black culture at <a href="http://www.bet.plus/">http://www.bet.plus</a> Better Help Discover your potential with BetterHelp.  <a href="http://www.betterhelp.com/lovers">http://www.betterhelp.com/lovers</a> for 10% off your first month.  Hello Fresh Try America’s #1 Meal Kit for yourself. Get 60% off plus free shipping.  <a href="http://www.hellofresh.com/lovers60">Http://www.hellofresh.com/lovers60</a> Dipsea Explore your fantasies or get inspired with a 30 day free trial now.  <a href="http://www.dipsea.com/lovers">http://www.dipsea.com/lovers</a> Follow Shan: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shanboodram">https://www.instagram.com/shanboodram</a> <a href="http://tiktok.com/shanboody">https://www.tiktok.com/@shanboody</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSE2Lr9RfYXiFtiX1jk5qng">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSE2Lr9RfYXiFtiX1jk5qng</a> loversfriendspodcast@gmail.com Open relationship reading list From Dr. Monica:  IG Educational Pages  ·      Evita Sawyers | @lavitaloca34 ·      Chanee Jackson Kendall | @chaneespeaks ·      Jhen | @monogamishpod ·      Kevin Patterson | @polyrolemodels ·      @polyamouraousblackgirl ·      Leanne Yau | @polyphiliablog   Books  ·      Pre-Order | A Polyamory Devotional: 365 Daily Reflections for the Consensually Non-monogamous | Evita Sawyers ·      Love is Not Colorblind | Kevin Patterson ·      Polysecure | Jessica Fern ·      The Ethical Slut | Hardy &amp; Easton  ·      More Than Two: A Practical Guide to Ethical Polyamory | Ricket &amp; Veaux ·      Polyamory &amp; Jealousy | Ricket &amp; Veaux </div>

Lovers by Shan is an education-first space where listeners come to better understand their own intimate lives through the life lessons and expertise of others. Shan Boodram’s mission is to empower everyone to be their own intimacy expert in the bedroom and beyond by treating guests of the podcast as educators in their own right.

Past guest include Kelly Rowland who taught us about being a sensualist. Becky G who shared the importance of healthy love in an unhealthy body. Kerry Washington who warned about the dangers of keeping secrets. Kamie Crawford who taught us about the joys of breaking up. Jesse Reyez who reminded us that it's alright to admit you're the one who let a good one get away.

When we paused in 2023 we had 5.1 million listeners and 8 million YouTube views. Excited to see how many lives we can impact in 2025 with our fresh look and approach.

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/  

Lovers by Shan is an education-first space where listeners come to better understand their own intimate lives through the life lessons and expertise of others. Shan Boodram&rsquo;s mission is to empower everyone to be their own intimacy expert in the bedroom and beyond by treating guests of the podcast as educators in their own right. Past guest include Kelly Rowland who taught us about being a sensualist. Becky G who shared the importance of healthy love in an unhealthy body. Kerry Washington who warned about the dangers of keeping secrets. Kamie Crawford who taught us about the joys of breaking up. Jesse Reyez who reminded us that it's alright to admit you're the one who let a good one get away. When we paused in 2023 we had 5.1 million listeners and 8 million YouTube views. Excited to see how many lives we can impact in 2025 with our fresh look and approach.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media <a href="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-stringify-link="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://lemonadamedia.com/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;