In this episode, host Kristen Thomas interviews Pamela Merritt, the Executive Director of Medical Students for Choice, discussing the critical role of reproductive health education and access in the current political landscape. Pamela explains the organization's efforts to provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare education and training for medical students, the impact of recent legal and political shifts on abortion access, and the broader implications for healthcare and social justice. Pamela shares insights into the challenges faced by reproductive health providers and delves into the interconnectedness of reproductive rights and workers' rights. They wrap up the conversation by highlighting ways individuals can take action and support efforts to safeguard reproductive healthcare access and the need for awareness regarding digital privacy.     00:00 Introduction to Keep Them Coming 01:33 Meet Today's Guest: Pamela Merritt 03:28 Medical Students for Choice: Mission and Impact 06:20 The Political Landscape of Reproductive Healthcare 13:12 Challenges and Realities in Missouri 27:54 Reproductive Rights as Workers' Rights 29:55 Debunking Nostalgia: The Myth of Women's Roles in History 31:21 The Fight for Women's Rights and Economic Participation 32:49 The State's Role in Reproductive Rights and White Nationalism 36:19 The Reality of Abortion Access and Healthcare Policies 38:34 Plan C and Digital Privacy for Reproductive Health 42:03 Legal Risks and Protective Measures for Reproductive Rights 54:47 Supporting Medical Students for Choice and Future Access 56:38 Conclusion and Call to Action     Medical Students For Choice website: https://msfc.org/donate IG: https://www.instagram.com/msfchoice  Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSFC  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSFChoice/  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/msfchoice.bsky.social   Mentioned in the episode: Search the internet AFTER you've secured your search history: https://activistchecklist.org/  Euki period planner app: https://eukiapp.org/  Plan C Pills: https://www.plancpills.org/  Palema's Substack post after the Dobbs decision: https://pamelamerrittsharkfu.substack.com/p/postmortem?r=1ih6l8&triedRedirect=true     Thanks for listening! XOXO Kristen ______________________________ Support my work by becoming a Patron on Patreon: patreon.com/coach_kristen      Check out all the affiliates and discounts I have with quality sexual health companies like Intimate Rose and Bathmate: https://www.openthedoorscoaching.com/affiliates   Learn more about my coaching services : openthedoorscoaching.com Book an information session: https://rebrand.ly/TalkToKristen Dirty Bird e-newsletter: https://zc.vg/sf/vfMdv SFW e-newsletter: https://zc.vg/081sd Be on Keep Them Coming: https://forms.gle/g8CB2z61Vep9h3XQ8 Want your question answered?  https://forms.gle/xNBLKCcUy75h97nZ8 Hire me to speak at your event: https://rebrand.ly/Hire_Coach_Kristen   Read my column in The Pitch Magazine: https://www.thepitchkc.com/tag/keep-them-coming/     TikTok  https://www.tiktok.com/@coachkristen YouTube https://youtube.com/@openthedoorscoaching Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/coachkristen.bsky.social LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-kristen-thomas/

How can kissing save your relationship? Addressing both cultural and biological aspects, Coach Kristen explains how kissing releases bonding hormones affects the body, enhances mood, and reduces stress. She also discusses how kissing can be a tool for assessing long-term compatibility.      00:00 Introduction: The Power of Kissing 00:56 The Science Behind Kissing 01:49 Kissing in Modern Dating 02:38 Kissing in Long-Term Relationships 03:57 Tips to Become a Better Kisser 05:27 Personal Stories   Thanks for listening! XOXO Kristen   February Pitch column: Pucker Up, Buttercup   Support my work by becoming a Patron on Patreon: patreon.com/coach_kristen      Check out all the affiliates and discounts I have with quality sexual health companies like Intimate Rose and Bathmate: https://www.openthedoorscoaching.com/affiliates   You can use my code “BVCA5OTDC” at checkout to get 20% off your entire purchase at b-Vibe! Use it on: www.bvibe.com/, www.bvibe.com/ or www.lewandmassager.com/   Learn more about my coaching services : openthedoorscoaching.com Book an information session: https://rebrand.ly/TalkToKristen Dirty Bird e-newsletter: https://zc.vg/sf/vfMdv SFW e-newsletter: https://zc.vg/081sd Be on Keep Them Coming: https://forms.gle/g8CB2z61Vep9h3XQ8 Want your question answered?  https://forms.gle/xNBLKCcUy75h97nZ8 Hire me to speak at your event: https://rebrand.ly/Hire_Coach_Kristen   Read my column in The Pitch Magazine: https://www.thepitchkc.com/tag/keep-them-coming/     TikTok  https://www.tiktok.com/@coachkristen YouTube https://youtube.com/@openthedoorscoaching Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/coachkristen.bsky.social Discord: https://discord.gg/uskVndTM LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-kristen-thomas/      

April Ajoy, author of Star-Spangled Jesus, highlights the importance of self-discovery, the dangers of political ideologies intertwined with faith, and the need for open discussions about sexuality and consent.

In this episode of ’Keep Them Coming’, Kristen shares and analyzes Reddit posts about long-term relationships stuck in mediocrity, offering strategies and advice on how to navigate tough decisions.

In this episode of Keep Them Coming, host Kristen Thomas discusses the film Baby Girl with director Abby Olcese from The Pitch Magazine.

Summary In this episode, Kristen Thomas explores the phenomenon of 'divorce season' in January, discussing the reasons behind the spike in divorce filings during this month. She delves into the emotional and societal factors contributing to this trend, including the impact of the political climate on relationships. Kristen also addresses common myths surrounding divorce, such as the misconception that it comes as a surprise to those involved. Finally, she offers practical advice for those considering divorce, emphasizing the importance of emotional support and legal guidance.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Keep Them Coming01:22 Understanding Divorce Season04:04 The Impact of Politics on Relationships07:27 Debunking Myths About Divorce10:10 Navigating the Divorce Process13:29 Closing   Watch on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@openthedoorscoaching Website: openthedoorscoaching.com  TikTok  https://www.tiktok.com/@coachkristen Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/coachkristen.bsky.social Discord: https://discord.gg/uskVndTM Flowpage: https://flow.page/coachkristen  

The discussion with Emily from Circadian Intimates explores how lingerie can empower individuals to express themselves and feel confident. Additionally, she shares insights on how to approach strangers about bra fitting and highlights the diverse options available for every budget and style.

Role play doesn’t have to be intimidating or complicated. Certified Sexologist Julia Satterlee joined host Kristen Thomas.

Kristen and fellow Certified Sex Coach discuss polyamory, heteroflexibility, the relationship escalator, and exploration.

Have you ever wanted to get more sex education but have no interest in talking to a coach directly?  Did you have a belief that your sex life should be amazing always, only to find that it's a really difficult expectation to live up to? This episode is dedicated to everyone who would like more sex education but could not imagine themselves reaching out to work with a coach personally. I get it... It's awkward! Maybe it's just not for you, maybe there's an accessibility issue.   That is why you'll enjoy this conversation with my guest Mariah Freya. She is the founder of Beducated. She's making a global impact by making sex education accessible.  In this episode: What should your kids know from you about sexual health? You are their first teacher! What is the sexual lifeline? Our thoughts on people who try to discourage sexual health education.   Listen until the end for a discount code on a Beducated subscription! Also - Happy Sexual Health Month! XOXO Kristen  

"How many times is she going to bother me about that thing I promised to do? She really has become a nag. Why can't she just leave me alone? I'll get to it when I get to it."  Sound familiar?  On this episode of Keep Them Coming, Kristen welcomes Zach Watson, aka The Recovering Manchild. Zach’s relatable approach to addressing mental load, invisible labor, and the challenges of modern relationships has really struck a chord with men online, at least men that are willing to examine how they behave in their relationship. Today, we’re discussing how he uses humor and vulnerability to foster conversations about personal development, communication, and navigating partnerships.  Watson, an Invisible Labor Coach, was also quoted in my August column "Love and Loads: Why not doing your fair share is killing your sex life." https://www.thepitchkc.com/keep-them-coming-love-and-loads/ His TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@recoveringmanchild His IG: https://www.instagram.com/realzachthinkshare/   Thanks for listening! XOXO Kristen   Support my work by becoming a Patron on Patreon: patreon.com/coach_kristen      Check out all the affiliates and discounts I have with quality sexual health companies like Intimate Rose and Bathmate: https://www.openthedoorscoaching.com/affiliates   Learn more about my coaching services : openthedoorscoaching.com Book an information session: https://rebrand.ly/TalkToKristen Dirty Bird e-newsletter: https://zc.vg/sf/vfMdv SFW e-newsletter: https://zc.vg/081sd Be on Keep Them Coming: https://forms.gle/g8CB2z61Vep9h3XQ8 Want your question answered?  https://forms.gle/xNBLKCcUy75h97nZ8 Hire me to speak at your event: https://rebrand.ly/Hire_Coach_Kristen   Read my column in The Pitch Magazine: https://www.thepitchkc.com/tag/keep-them-coming/   TikTok  https://www.tiktok.com/@coachkristen YouTube https://youtube.com/@openthedoorscoaching Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/coachkristen.bsky.social LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-kristen-thomas/

This episode is dedicated to those of you who celebrated the Week of Visibility for Non-monogamy last week (July 15th-21st). What do you do to work through jealousy in relationships (especially ENM)? And is it something that you can even prevent?  Have you ever said "I'm too jealous to be in a nonmonogamous relationship"? Ever heard of "creative monogamy"? My guest today, Dr. Joli Hamilton is the relationship coach for couples who color outside the lines. She is a research psychologist, TEDx speaker bestselling author - we talked about her book Project Relationship - and she's also an AASECT certified sex educator. She co-hosts the Project Relationship podcast with her  anchor partner, Ken, and she's been featured in the New York times. Vogue. NPR and the Atlantic.  Find her at jolihamilton.com and her quiz at joliquiz.com Read my July 2024 Keep Them Coming column via ThePitch.com

Did you know oral sex leads to orgasm 3 times more than intercourse? Did you also know that studies are beginning to prove that STIs are spread more now by oral sex than by other forms of sexual contact?   On this episode, I was joined by Melanie Cristol, the founder and CEO of Lorals. Lorals is an FDA-approved product whose mission is to empower people to experience intimacy freely and fully and to connect with our partners in a variety of ways. They see Lorals as reinventing oral sex - helping everyone have uninhibited maximum oral pleasure every single time. Thanks for listening! XOXO Kristen   Lorals website: mylorals.com   Check out all the affiliates and discounts I have with quality sexual health companies like Intimate Rose and Bathmate: https://www.openthedoorscoaching.com/affiliates    Learn more about my coaching services: openthedoorscoaching.com Book an information session: https://rebrand.ly/TalkToKristen Dirty Bird e-newsletter: https://zc.vg/sf/vfMdv SFW e-newsletter: https://zc.vg/081sd  Be on Keep Them Coming: https://forms.gle/g8CB2z61Vep9h3XQ8 Want your question answered?  https://forms.gle/xNBLKCcUy75h97nZ8 Hire me to speak at your event: https://rebrand.ly/Hire_Coach_Kristen    TikTok  https://www.tiktok.com/@coachkristen Facebook https://www.facebook.com/openthedoorscoaching  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/openthedoorskc/  YouTube https://youtube.com/@openthedoorscoaching788

Coaches Savannah and Kristen discuss interesting stats for International Masturbation Month, how to get a better orgasm, a brief overview of what tantra really is, and connecting to your body.

It's International Masturbation Month!! My guest is Kya, founder of so(l)o.   Kya is a pleasure activist who believes that pleasure is a key component of living a wholehearted life. After noticing a gap in the market for intimate wellness products that focused on self-pleasure and catered to BIPOC women, Kya founded so(l)o.   so(l)o creates all-natural, sustainable intimate wellness products that are specifically created for self-pleasure. Kya was so passionate about so(l)o that she quit her corporate gig and moved to Berlin....after a great deal of strategy and thought, of course. You can follow Kya’s life in Berlin on @brooklyntoberlin and follow so(l)o @mysoloislove on Instagram.   Grab a bottle of Glow Intimacy Oil Formula No. 1 and use discount code Open15

This episode features Dr Chelsia Potts, an educator and content creator. Dr Potts and host Kristen Thomas discussed sex and neurodivergency.   Have you found that when you're dating, it's easy to be all hot and heavy when you're still in the new relationship energy but then you suddenly feel disconnected? Are you overwhelmed once you have to merge the emotional and physical in a relationship? Worry that your autism or ADHD will prevent you from finding a caring and understanding partner? This episode is for you.   Topics include: Aging, shifting, and unmasking - how we mourn removing our mask Dating with autism or ADHD Recognizing red flags Learning to build connections Overcoming shame   Find Dr Potts TikTok @heavyonthedr Become a member of The Pitch and get a copy mailed got your house every month. 

Community organizer and Emmy Winner D Rashaan Gilmore joins Kristen to cover an array of social justice issues facing our community.

I know I say this a lot, but I'm constantly excited about the guests that I have on the show. I'm extra excited about today's guest, Alicia Sinclair. She's also a Certified Sex Coach. We went through the same program at Sex Coach U. Sinclair is the CEO and founder of Children of the Revolution, which holds the brand's b vibe, Le Wand, and The Cowgirl. She'd already been in the sex toy industry for a long time before becoming a Sexologist, and when she saw that there were some holes to fill in that industry (wink, wink), specifically about pleasure education, she got her certification and started her own companies, and a pleasure revolution while she's at it.  She believes heavily that education and pleasure go hand in hand. If you don't feel like you have learned enough about anal from me and my podcast, then you need to check out their Anal Academy.  Also since it's Women's History Month, I asked her about women in history that she looks up to. We also discussed overcoming vibrator objections, favorite positions for integrating vibes with a partner, and what's next in sex tech.  If you are not local to the Kansas City area, or just have not had a chance to pick up your copy of The Pitch on newsstands, read my March column Still Got It: Aging doesn't have to slow you down in the bedroom.  

When my guest today came over to my office to hang out and chill one day a couple of weeks ago, I was intrigued with her because it was refreshing that we had had some pretty similar experiences, but this also seemed like someone I could learn some lessons from. Ellie Berland is a sacred life and business coach, and she is a big believer in pretty much everything can be seen as divine - that even includes your kinky side.  Her pendulum has swung from purity culture into the poly lifestyle, and then into swinging, and now, into a celibate lifestyle as she learns more about herself. We talked about a lot of things in this episode, including BDSM and finding a Dom, connecting to your body, and learning to captain her own ship.    Find Ellie on Instagram or her BioPage.  Learn more about afterglow and use code XOKRISTEN to get a 7-day free trial. 

Curator of the soon-to-be-unveiled KC Rainbow Tour Joel Barrett joined me on this episode of Keep Them Coming. Joel shared stories of this city's queer past, including the influential 1966 meeting of the North American Conference of Homophile Organizations or NACHO, pronounced NAY-KOE, which was the ember of activism that helped spark the Gay Rights Movement; stories of an open lesbian Bunny at the Playboy Club named Lea Hopkins; the Jazz District; the Gay and Lesbian Archives of Mid-America; and Womantown. We also discussed showing respect via pronouns, finding long-lost gay family, and Anita Bryant.   Find the KC Rainbow Tour on: Instagram Facebook,  Joel's Website: JoelSpeaksOut.com Happy Singles Appreciation Day! Enjoy this playlist Single and Vibin' on Spotify.