Embrace the Awkward: How Consent Makes Your Marriage Stronger and Your Sex Life Better with Marcia Baczynski

Today we're talking about a topic that I think we are under-educated on as a society and that we need to have a better understanding of in order to thrive. And that topic is consent. I think you will find this conversation fun, interesting, and useful.  When you hear the word consent, it could feel uncomfortable or a little heavy.  But my guest today, the brilliant Marcia Baczynski, has a principle called "embrace the awkward" that we dive into in this episode. Marcia is a sought-after coach, writer, and internationally known facilitator who helps people talk about the things they were told to never talk about: sex, boundaries, consent, desire. Her work sits at the intersection of embodiment, consent culture, and unlearning "good girl" conditioning. We talk about consent in ways that go beyond the bedroom - in friendships, family, and everyday life. These principles, once you understand them, are important in so many different arenas. A quick note: We talk about sex and sexual situations in this episode. If you're listening in the car with people who shouldn't be hearing this, save it for later to come back to. Here is the scoop on what's included — ✨ Episode at a Glance What consent really is (hint: it's not just permission) The agreement model vs. the gatekeeper model Why the gatekeeper model is dehumanizing for everyone How to embrace the awkward in conversations about sex and desire Why saying yes doesn't mean you're signing a contract forever How to make clear agreements (from airport pickups to what happens in bed) The myth that your partner should "just know" after 20 years Why consent is actually the sexiest thing ever How to create freedom and full self-expression in your relationship RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The Questions for Couples Journal Private Coaching with Maggie Free Workshop: The Growth Gap Marriage Mindset Makeover Field Guide to Consent (PDF) by Marcia Baczynski Creating Consent Culture: A Handbook for Educators by Marcia Baczynski Marcia's Website: https://www.askingforwhatyouwant.com/  Follow Marcia on Instagram: @askmarciab