Rope Podcast

Do you have a bias around how you think rope is seen by non-ropey people? The last time Mya went back to the UK, she had a bit of cold shower when she shared her rope kink with some friends and family. Learn about the ‘false consensus effect’, and how it applies us in rope - and the perception of others. We talk about several examples of rope out there in the world, including journalism, art and fashion, legal cases, documentaries and music videos (many many links in the Fet writing). We also touch on rope as a community within a community (BDSM) and what the implications of that might be. Learn about Mya’s conflicting feels about the rope potentially becoming mainstream, and the possible pros and cons of that. Do we think it’s going to happen? You’ll have to listen and see.

Your first rope scene can feel like a big deal - you’ve been waiting a long time for this, and you’re finally ready - but where are you going to do it? Fox and Mya discuss the context you might want to do your first rope scene in, and the pros and cons of different situations, such as a semi-public party or rope jam, versus private. They talk about their own first scenes, and you can learn why Mya did her first rope scene at a kink party rather than privately, despite the fact she’s an introvert and it wouldn’t have been her first choice, and how Fox did his first rope scene in a very Fox-way. They also talk about the risks of doing your first scene or suspension from a photo (and why it’s probably not a great idea), and co-created scenes versus rigger-led. And finally they share two simple ideas that you could steal or build on for your own first scene, if you’re feeling a bit blank about it all, one sexual, and one non-sexual. (For the first half of this episode, where we talk about the other things you

Your first rope scene can be one of the most risky points in your rope career. Fox and Mya review what bottoms and tops needs to do in preparation for their first scene, touching on safety, consent, boundaries, contingencies and risks, and some of the practicalities just before you rope (spoiler alert: don’t forget to pee beforehand is one!). We discuss: what you might need to know about your tying partner; what to wear; whether you need sex involved; locations you might want to have your first scene; issues of language differences; why you might not want to do suspension for your first ever scene, plus lots more considerations to keep in mind pre-your first scene. Also find out what Fox thinks is the second most risky time in a rigger’s career and one of the places he’s been asked not to touch by a couple of rope bottoms that you might not consider… NB: When we recorded this episode it went pretty long, so we’ve cut it into two parts. Look out for the next episode in a couple of weeks! ### Let us know

Rope journals can be a great way to record, track, reflect and understand your rope practice. We share why you might want to do this, and the benefits it can bring. We also discuss the quite different style and content we put into our journals, and also (with permission) share ideas from a handful of other rope enthusiasts which come at rope journals from different angles again. Also, hear how Scuba diving inspires Fox’s rope journal, and how Mya tries to get round her limited artistic talents in hers.

Creating a dynamic, powerful rope scene can be challenging when you’re a beginner (or even for some who’ve been doing it a while, coming up with new ways to include rope in scenes can be tough). A listener writes to us to ask for ideas. We discuss: Does what you tie matter? What are bottoms seeking? Is rope an accessory to play, or play in itself? How can you make the tie more meaningful? Fox shares several unusual ways to frame rope practice as a scene, and Mya shares the kind of reactions you can expect from a bottom you’re tying, and how the bottom contribute to the energy of the scene. ### Let us know in the comments here below: How do you practice your tying? Do you make your practice ‘scene-y?’ How do you do this?

After the success of Fox’s rope erotica piece, in episode 6, Mya reads one of her erotica stories from the perspective of a rope bottom. Called ‘Damsel in Distress’, it describes some recent rope bondage play she and Fox did together to create a photo for the Ropepodcast Patreon.

What are your duties and responsibilities in rope to yourself, and you tying partner? A listener writes in with this question, and Fox and Mya discuss four key areas: • Responsibilities of the top to themself • To the bottom • Responsibilities of the bottom to themself • Responsibilities of the bottom to the top They discuss some controversial issues, including aftercare for tops, consent and tops feeling like a ‘rope dispenser’. We ask you: Do you agree with the perspectives discussed? What would you add to these responsibilities in rope? Share them with us in the comments below.

Aftercare is a critical part of a rope scene, but there are a million ways to do it. Fox and Mya explore what it is, why it’s important, different aspects that might be relevant in different situations, and share their preferred ways of experiencing and giving it, as well as plenty of other ideas for what might suit different people. They also share some personality differences they had to work through around their different aftercare preferences to keep them both happy and well after their rope scenes! Remember: *“If you don’t have the time for aftercare, you don’t have the time to play.”* This week, we ask you, our Dear Listeners, to comment below on: *What’s your favorite form of rope aftercare?*

Would Austin, Texas, be a good place to go rope tourist? What’s the scene there like from an outsider’s perspective? Find out in this episode where Mya is a flying bunny, and checks out a couple of local rope groups while she attends a work conference. She shares how she found Riggers to tie with, what the differences were between other communities she’s tied in, and some logistical considerations (oh, and find out what kinky souvenir she brought home for Fox!).

Where does pain fit in terms of rope? Do we want it? Not want it? As edge play, pain can give us some pretty important signals in rope. So are there some types of pain we seek out? How do we know what types of pain to avoid and what are okay to try and bear? We talk about types of pain in rope, how bottoms can more effectively handle pain, some ideas of how to add (the right kind) of pain to scenes, and how rope tops can help their bottoms handle pain and achieve more challenging ties. In the episode we share some techniques for how bottoms handle pain. So we ask our Dear Listeners this week to comment below on: *What do you do as a rope bottom to handle pain in rope? Or, if you’re a rope top, how do you help your bottom handle pain in a scene?*

Heard much rope erotica? No? Us either. We try something a little bit different, and Fox reads some of his rope erotica. We're curious what you will think - would you like to hear from episodes like this? Tell us in the comments!

Want to do rope but have no-one to tie with? Fox and Mya discuss the different ways (at least five!) to find a partner, whether you’re a Rigger or a Bottom. They also discuss the kinds of rope partner you can have, or the contexts in which you might want one, how to think about your requirements (and something important people often forget), as well as what kinds of things you might want to chat to potential partners about.

This weave tie works as well for interesting bedroom bondage as it does for a full inversion suspension. We discuss how to do it (see photos on our fet handle RopePodcast), what it feels like, the risks and safety elements, and we share some scenes that we’ve used it in (including one that made Mya go ‘weeeeee!’).

How to ‘rope tourist’ in the UK - Mya travels a lot, and she shares her recent adventures in the UK where she attended two jams, a workshop and a social as a rope tourist bottom. Rigger Fox asks her questions about what she got up to, how she found a Rigger to tie with for the events, and crucial information you might need to know if you were going to rope tourist in the UK yourself. Links to stuffs we mention can be found on our Fetlife page in the "Writing" for this episode.

Key advice for beginners on rope bondage; suggestions on rope care; negotiation advice; the difference in a tie between too tight and secure; why specific terminology is important, and Rigger Fox and rope bottom Mya’s favourite aspects of rope play. Oda from Michigan had a lot of questions for us, and we answer them all!

Rope bondage gear - what do you need? Rigger Fox and rope bottom Mya discuss the contents of their respective rope bags (yes, bottoms need gear too!), and talk about the reasons for different items and how they use them in their rope bondage play.

No idea what rope bondage is? Intrigued but nervous? Get an understanding of what rope bondage is, the different reasons people do it (it might not be what you think!), some critical safety advice and why consent is vital when you play. Rigger Fox and rope bottom Mya provide perspectives from both sides of the rope in this introductory episode to the Rope Podcast - we suggest all listeners check this out before diving into the rest of the episodes.