Kink & BDSM stigma is alive and well in the mainstream, in our own communities, and even in professional/academic spheres. In episode 191 of American Sex Podcast, Sunny Megatron busts some of the most common kink myths + provides clinical & academic resources for therapists, academics, and skeptical naysayers. She deconstructs the following kink & BDSM myths: Kink is always sexual and platonic kink does not exist Kink is considered abnormal by psychologists & the scientific community There's a dramatic difference between academic/clinical understanding of kink (that's always more accurate) and BDSM community education Dark age play aka sexual littles' play is abusive and reenacting pedophilia Kink practitioners engage in unhealthy self-harm by proxy and/or glorify abuse Kinks are caused by unresolved trauma … and more! Sunny Megatron Bio Sunny Megatron is an award-winning BDSM & Certified Sexuality Educator, Certified Relationship Coach, and media personality. She’s the host and executive producer of the Showtime original television series, SEX with Sunny Megatron, plus co-hosts AASECT Award-winning American Sex Podcast and Open Deeply Podcast. Sunny was also named XBIZ Sexpert of the Year 2021 and is Editor-in-Chief of Zipper Magazine. Known for her one-of-a-kind build-your-own-adventure approach to sex, kink & relationships, Sunny coined the BDSM community catch-phrase, Kink is Customizable. In her sell-out workshops, her unique brand of “edutainment” seamlessly combines her humorous lecturing style, interactive exercises, and the latest sexuality research. Sunny’s passion is helping others overcome shame and find power through play and pleasure. Currently, she’s working on her first book, “Customizable Kink: A Strategic Guide to Adult Play.” Episode 191 Links Sunny Megatron website https://sunnymegatron.com/ Sunny Megatron TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sunnymegatron? Sunny Megatron Twitter https://twitter.com/sunnymegatron Sunny Megatron Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sunnymegatron/ ZipperMagazine.comhttps://zippermagazine.com/ Science of BDSM Research Team https://www.scienceofbdsm.com/ Tell Me What You Want Dr. Justin Lehmiller https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B0776PYDNM&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_WFW3MV22QFGNPEMR6T4F Sex and Psychology Podcast https://www.sexandpsychology.com/podcasts/ Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) https://www.sexscience.org/ TASHRA -THE ALTERNATIVE SEXUALITIES HEALTH RESEARCH ALLIANCE https://www.tashra.org/ CARAS - The Community-Academic Consortium for Research on Alternative Sexualities https://www.carasresearch.org/ AASECT - The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists https://www.aasect.org/ Sexual Health Alliance Kink Informed Certification Program for Therapists & Care Professionals https://sexualhealthalliance.com/kink-informed-certification-program Why Good Sex Matters Book by Nan Wise, PhDhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/1328451305/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_tPnCFb0FAF4R5 Hurts So Good: The Science and Culture of Pain on Purpose, Leigh Cowart https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08RYPSNVB&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_CG15B6Z43TYVFCDDPA3V Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, by Stewart Brown, M.D. & Christopher Vaughan https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B001SCK720&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_VCMYS78KPC9ENVJTX9K7 The Erotic Mind: Unlocking the Inner Sources of Passion and Fulfillment, Jack Morin Ph.D. https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B009YJYEKK&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_FMT1SPK6QAABA7EYYKGX Woodhull Sexual Freedom Foundation 2018 Research, Littles: Affects and Aesthetics in Sexual Age-Play (“Download” unlocks the free PDF) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12119-018-09580-5 Why You Need BDSM's "Prim...