MQ 09 | March 2023

MOWGLI QUARTERLY

content

P02 MIX TAPE P03 LETTER FROM ME P04 CLIENT LOVE P06 MEET MY FRIEND P07 VEGAN NOMS P08 (UNDER THE) COVER STORY

P09 FORK THESE SHORTS P10 REVIEWS P12 DESIGN » ON THE INSIDE P13 ROLL CREDITS

side A

sd 01 I FEEL LOVE BY VENUS HUM & BLUE MAN GROUP

hh 02 GO FUCK YOURSELF BY TWO FEET

ch 03 BOOTY CITY BY BLACK JOE LEWIS + THE HONEYBEARS

sd 04 HIPS DON’T LIE BY SHAKIRA + WYCLEF JEAN

db 05 STIR IT UP BY BOB MARLEY + THE WAILERS

am 06 SHOW ME HOW BY MEN I TRUST

ap 07 QUEEN BY PERFUME GENIUS

sd 08 LES FLEURS BY MINNIE RIPPERTON

ap 09 DARLING NIKKI BY PRINCE ap 10 SEND ME YOU BY THE BUTCHIES

side B

sd 01 AGUAS DE MARCO BY ELIS REGINA + ANTÔNIO CARLOS JOBIM

am 02 I WANN BE YOURS BY ARCTIC MONKEYS

hh 03 DANGER! HIGH VOLTAGE BY ELECTRIC SIX

ap 04 WOMAN BY DOJA CAT

hh 05 LOVER I DON’T HAVE TO LOVE BY BRIGHT EYES

ch 06 LET’S TALK DIRTY IN HAWAIIAN BY JOHN PRINE

ap 07 PONY BY GINUWINE

am 08 KILLER BY KALI UCHIS

ss 09 BANANA PANCAKES BY JACK JOHNSON

ch 10 KEEP ME AROUND BY THE WOOD BROTHERS

hh 11 TEAR YOU APART BY SHE WANTS REVENGE

hh 12 COIN-OPERATED BOY BY THE DRESDEN DOLLS

db 13 FALLING SLOWLY BY GLEN HANSARD + MARKETA IRGLOVA

ch 14 I’LL MAKE LOVE TO YOU ANYTIME BY J.J.CALE

am 15 RUTHLESS BY THE MARIAS

ss 16 OH! DARLING BY THE BEATLES

mix tape

sd 12 ANDAR CONMIGO BY OZOMATLI & REGULO CARO

ap 13 WHEN WE SWAM BY THAO & THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN

db 14 YOU AND I BY JOHNNYSWIM

ch 15 I JUST WANNA MAKE LOVE TO YOU BY JIMMY SMITH, DR. JOHN + ETTA JAMES

sd 16 BUMBLE BEE BY MEMPHIS MINNIE

ss 17 IN MY LIFE BY THE BEATLES

letter from me

Following up the death issue with a sex issue is probably obvious. In time for Spring, no less. I'm ok with that though, because what we're actually trying to do is take on topics everyone talks about as difficult or taboo and just talk about them. Again, like with the death issue, normalize something while respecting its enormity. Not that size matters...

I do feel like we can be more playful than the last issue. For the cover story — whew boy! — the team is individually taking a Beducated class and sharing our experiences with you (sorry mom, I'm going to talk about hand jobs). For client love we're talking wood (*snicker*) with CTH Woodworking. We welcome guest reviewer, Amy Martinez, for OurBodies,Ourselves, and our first of two new columns coming at you in 2023, with previous guest writer turned teammate, David Bradburn of Fork the Man!

So let's get it on... or, uh, get on with it. As always, thank you for going on this journey with us. Be sure to hit play on the mix tape to set the mood!

ANNI POPPEN Owner/Artivist of Mowgli Studio

Pitbull Mama to Gertie & Vinnie Vegan at Keep On Vegan On

client love

In a perfect world, I would have a nonprofit client for every subject we wrassle (work goals!). For today, we're featuring a client who isn't a nonprofit but gave us a great play on words for a sex issue!

LET'S TALK WOOD!

CTH Woodworking is a brand new business to Crystal Lake, IL, but Chris Hicklin isn't. He grew up here. The same trails I hike every week he's been doing for forty years. You would have thought we'd cross paths at some point out there (maybe we did), but it wasn't until I needed some work done on my house that led my sister to introducing me to their dear friend and jack of all trades.

Full disclosure—I knew I was in "trouble" when I met Chris. We clicked immediately, and the day he and his brother-in-law finished work on my house, he asked me to hike those same woods with him. We've been together ever since.

This is why I can get away with asking a client to introduce their new woodworking business in a sex issue (I mean, the puns may be low hanging fruit... Now I'm giggling at "low hanging fruit"–I'm 12). From this paragraph alone, I'm sure you're as suprised as I am that he said yes. I'm an idiot, but his article will make up for it... I promise.

This may not be the woodworking article you're expecting, so let me start off by painting you a picture of who I was before I was a woodworker... Pre-sobriety, before I knew I had a problem.

In my early 20s I was excited, energetic; working as a bartender at numerous establishments, while I was in college. It was great! During work, I met and talked with people, and at the end of the shift I had cash in hand to have a "couple" of drinks.

After college, I went on to work numerous other jobs—park district maintenance, television production, loan officer and client relations, warehouse logistic operations, and more. In my late 20s, I found myself back at bartending. My excitement and energy was now something I had to do to pay the bills.

Before this, I always considered myself generally nice to people, but bartending (so I thought) was changing me into somebody I didn't want to be. It was changing me into a grumpy, old 40-something.

I thought quitting bartending was going to be enough, so I went into carpentry and handyman work. At the end of the day, I still had that cash in hand to have a "couple" of drinks with friends.

I did this up until 2020—the year we all experienced isolation differently. Now I was drinking more than ever... alone.

My mind seems to work a million miles per second, so I drank to slow

it down... to numb those thoughts. I had dug myself into a hole I thought I would never get out of.

In August of 2020, I hit the bottom of that hole. My rock bottom put me in ICU for a week with Type 2 diabetes, a broken jaw, and an infected toe that would have been amputated if it weren't for the medical-level care of my mom.

It was scary.

I never want to go through that again... to put my parents, sisters, other family members, and friends through that again. I needed a new way to slow down my mind.

So I hiked.

I went shed hunting, which taught me to slow down and look around. To take everything in. At night, I started woodworking. Woodworking also allows me to slow down, think about what degree an angle needs to be, and attempt to make the perfect cut on repeat. When I put it all together, I hope to make something someone else enjoys as well.

The first thing I made was for my sister and brother-in-law—a piece of wall art (image 1) solely made of angles I had to perfectly piece together. They loved it, which made me feel like there was something there.

I reached out to two friends opening a restaurant and asked if I could help by making them something. Their idea turned into a seven foot, back-lit, Illinois-shaped sign with their logo on it (image 2). They saw the potential before I did and wanted to tell others about my work. To me, it was just a release to keep my brain occupied, and to slow down. It was a way to make others happy, to get back to that guy who was nice to people.

For six or seven months I continued on with my hikes and woodworking. I started recalling projects I use to make with my dad—like a paddle boat for Indian Guides (a YMCA-based alternative to Boy Scouts) or at-home DIY things like deck spindles. He would take me to Hines Lumber that use to be in downtown Crystal Lake, where we would watch the freight train hauling lumber into the yard. To think, 40 years later, the seed he planted was helping me stay sober.

Something I needed more than ever, because little did I know 2021 was going to be worse than 2020 with the unexpected loss of three friends very close to me. I knew if I didn't stay sober, I'd be next. So I kept hiking. I kept making things in my shop.

Sobriety is a journey that needs to be taken one step at a time—whether its down a trail, working with my hands, or designing a sign—to stay present.

Today, it's an overcast day and 36˚ out. Two red-tail hawks are flying overhead. I'm looking for deer sheds, even though I believe it to be a bit early; but it's one of the tools I need. This article is coming together from ideas I stop to jot down while I'm out here. Without this, I may not be able to put it all together.

Without this I wouldn't have met Anni. Without this I wouldn't have believed her when she said I could turn my hobby into the fulfilling career—to make products people enjoy (whether that's a sign for your business, art for your wall, or other hand-crafted pieces for your home—image 3). I'm excited for the start of another journey... one step at a time.

WHAT MOWGLI STUDIO DID: logo, print, iron brand, website + social media

meet my friend

I asked Silvia Simmons, founder of A&S Rescue, to talk about the downfalls of breeding with me. A&S Rescue is dedicated to finding permanent, loving homes for American Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers in northern Illinois.

FIRST, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF!

Hi, I am Silvia Simmons. I cofounded A&S Rescue back in early 2000, and since then we have adopted out over 3000 dogs!

DO YOU BELIEVE ANY SORT OF BREEDING IS ACCEPTABLE?

I actually do believe that breeding—done correctly, responsibly, and with the care and placement of the puppies and parents being foremost in importance—to better a breed would be acceptable. Sadly, this is rarely seen. There are few people who actually do it for the right reasons, and the animals pay the price.

HOW DOES THAT WORK INTO YOUR VEGANISM? VEGANS ARE DIFFERENT ON THIS TOPIC, SO I’M GENUINELY CURIOUS ON HOW YOU VIEW ANIMALS WHO WORK, SO TO SPEAK (A HUMAN MAKING MONEY OFF AN ANIMAL).

I don't believe responsible breeding should be done to make a profit... It should be done to keep a breed standard alive. As far as I am concerned, animals are not here for us to abuse or profit from. They share the earth with us and we should be their protectors. They are a gift, not ours to kill.

LET’S TALK ABOUT WHEN BREEDING GOES WRONG. I’M SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF HORROR STORIES TO CHOOSE FROM ON WHY THIS IS BAD.

In rescue, I see only bad breeding. People want to make a profit, and the dogs are not cared for, loved, or even kept in acceptable housing. They are put into rape stands and suffer horribly. Many die and puppies are sold for fighting, bait, or to anyone that wants one. Those puppies aren’t tracked, so when they are dumped they're left to suffer and sometimes die—left in cages on the side of the road. Luckily we save many, but for each one we save, at least three die. It is an ugly statistic and speaks volumes as to what people are capable of.

A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO BREEDING ARE RESCUES WHO DEAL IN BREED-SPECIFIC DOGS. I CAN’T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I’VE BEEN ASKED IF MY DOGS CAME WITH ISSUES BECAUSE THEY CAME FROM A RESCUE (ESPECIALLY PIT BULLS). HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THIS?

Dogs are what you make them. All of my personal dogs were death row dogs who came with a host of issues. All those issues have been fixed. My dogs are therapy dogs, obedience dogs, nose work dogs; and I even have two appearing on Chicago PD. I am also the president of Northwest Dog Obedience Club in Crystal Lake and teach

“For each one we save, at least three die.

classes there. I see people come in with issues they have created and then have to fix. Dogs, like children, are products of their environment. It depends how much you are willing to put into your dog, be it a rescue or a puppy you buy.

YOU RUN A TIGHT SHIP AT A&S. HOW DO HANDLE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ADOPT, AND YOU CAN SENSE MAY NOT LIVE UP TO YOUR STANDARDS FOR YOUR PUPS?

I would never put a dog into a situation I feel will not make our dogs the number one priority in their lives. I never actually tell people why they are turned down. If you do, they get application smart and won’t put the same answers on the next application. I do a background check and see how their previous dogs were taken care of. There is a LOT that goes into it, and we stay in contact for the life time of the dog.

vegan noms

APHRODISIACS

NUTS | Apparently the smell of almonds incites passion, and those Omega 3s (increase dopamine production and reduce the risk for depression), vitamin E (crucial for production of the sex hormones), and magnesium (important for both nervous and endocrine functions) don't hurt either. Walnuts are heart-healthy, which means blood flow!

BERRIES | Strawberries and raspberries are high in vitamin C (improves blood flow) and vitamin E (sex hormone production). Blueberries are also high in B vitamins for healthy kidney function (helps you get in the mood apparently), and goji berries have a bunch of antioxidants (improve mood and stamina).

FRUIT Bananas have bromelain (increase testosterone levels), potassium (regulate blood pressure), and vitamin B (improve energy levels)... not to mention you may avoid that awkward leg cramp with horrible timing. Strawberries have many hearthealthy antioxidants (including vitamin C which increases blood flow). Figs and dates are rich in amino acids (increase sexual stamina). Pomegranate is a powerhouse of antioxidants (boost fertility and reduce the stress hormone cortisol).

WHAT IS

THE BEST

WAY FOR PEOPLE TO SUPPORT A&S RIGHT NOW? DONATE? AMAZON WISH LIST? FOSTER?

The biggest expense we have is vetting. Most of our dogs come in sick and injured. We do all medical and feed the best food. So donations to help pay for that is number one. Fostering is always so needed. Without foster homes we can’t take dogs.

DONATE TODAY!

SPICE | Hot peppers contain capsaicin (improves circulation), and ginger/cloves/nutmeg/cinnamon (increases blood flow—a small amount of cinnamon oil rubbed onto the nether regions is said to act as a powerful sexual stimulant).

LUBE

COCONUT OIL alone can do wonders. Please remember oil-based lubricants don't play well with condoms, though. So maybe emphasize the word "alone" in that first sentence?

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE VEGAN RECIPE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT ANNI@MOWGLISTUDIO.COM!

under the covers story

When I stumbled across the website Beducated—online courses for sexual health and happiness—I knew putting ourselves in the hot seat (so to speak) would make for an interesting cover story. Be that, awkward, hilarious, educational, pushing boundaries, or... as expected, all of the above.

From massage to BDSM to tantric sex to striptease to oral to menstrual health and so much more, Beducated offers up 100+ online courses to suit any level of curiosity.

Instead of us each writing up separate reviews, we decided to pretend we had our own podcast and recorded a conversation discussing our experience. We're curious if you all like this format of information sharing—if so, please let us know!

Two of us have been friends for decades, and we each brought in one of our own friends to the conversation. Those two only know the person who brought them in. The dynamics are all over the place, and I think add to the conversation in a really great way!

Alongwith our personal conversation, I reached out to Beducated to see if they would like to have a little Q+A session with us. Mariah Freya (co-founder + CEO) not only excitedly agreed to the Q+A, she's offering our amazing readers a 40% coupon off of one year to Beducated — use the code MOWGLI at checkout!

MQ: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR AGREEING TO CHAT WITH US—WHAT AN HONOR! WE ALL COMMENTED ON HOW THESE CLASSES NEVER FELT JUDGEY OR SHAMEFUL (OR CAUSED THAT SORT OF FEELING IN US), NOR DID THEY FEEL CLINICAL AND STERILE. A FEW QUESTIONS CAME OUT OF THAT…

MF: Wonderful to hear that you didn’t feel judged or ashamed while watching our courses. We work with experts from around the world and support them to make sure that their teachings are inclusive and nonjudgmental. Sex positivity is one of our company values, which means we promote and live a positive, professional, and shamefree attitude towards all forms of consensual sex and intimacy.

HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR INSTRUCTORS?

Very often, instructors reach out to us. But we do also have an active research team that discovers new instructors. For that, we always keep our community’s needs and wishes on topics in mind. Through the topic we usually find our instructors.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE QUALITY CONTROL?

We have in-house and external sex coaches and sexologists that help us approve content before it is published on our platform.

HOW OFTEN ARE THE CLASSES/TOPICS

UPDATED?

We add new courses to our platform on a monthly basis. Whenever there is new research, we make sure to update our teachings accordingly.

WE SAW THERE ARE BEDUCATED ORIGINALS, HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT? DID YOU FIND THEY WERE FILLING PARTS OF THE EXPERIENCE THAT WERE MISSING OR LACKING IN OVERALL QUALITY YOU FELT YOU COULD DO BETTER?

We started off with Beducated originals when we raised our first preseed round. Over time, we moved on to highlight other instructors with different expertise and points of views. There are many ways how sex education for adults can be taught. Depending on the topic some classes are more inspirational, in a talking head format, or slide show presentation, others show explicit content, follow-along techniques or audio guides. We make sure all of our courses have powerful teachings, that are beneficial and liked by our community.

HOW DID BEDUCATED START?

In my early 20’s sex was ranking very low on my priority list. I had experienced sexual assault on multiple occasions, resulting in low libido and painful sex. This brought a lot of challenges in my relationships, which made me look for a way out. After working with many therapists and coaches, visiting workshops all around the world, I realized that there is a lot I can do, and that there is no reason to settle for a mediocre sex life.

My background is in social work, which means I naturally seek empowerment tools that help individuals realize their full potential. After seeing the positive impact sex education had on my life – gaining sexual energy and fresh inspiration, feeling more confident and grounded in myself – I realized that I found something others could benefit from too: Sex Education for Adults.

A couple of years back, the resources for adult sex education were very limited. They were either hard to access, only available in the offline world, very expensive, or not inclusive enough. This is how my husband Philipp Steinweber and I had the idea to create an online learning platform. A safe place that makes it easy to study from the comfort of your home, with digestible and affordable teachings.

WE IMAGINE YOU LEARNED EVEN MORE AS YOU STARTED THE WEBSITE—WHAT SORT OF PERSONAL ENRICHMENT IS CREATED BY SHARING THESE RESOURCES WITH THE WORLD?

9 out of 10 customers say Beducated increased their sexual happiness. We’ve received so many heartwarming testimonials from students all over the world. Here are just some of my favourites:

Beducated fills a need in my life caused by a sheltered upbringing with no healthy exposure to sex, desires, and fulfillment. I always hoped for a class where I could learn the things I didn't even know I didn't know, and Beducated filled that perfectly.’

‘I am a professional and lifestyle Domme, and relationship researcher. I love referring others to beducated, no matter their experience level. It's nice to see sex and kink portrayed in a way that normalizes it and brings a healthy aspect into the situation.’

‘I like the variety of content and also like it to explore and try out new things. Beducated gave me some new impulses to do so. I enjoyed the Tantra course for couples. It was really nice after the course to surprise my partner with some techniques and new experiences.’

DOYOUHAVERECOMMENDATIONSFOR PEOPLEWHOARESCARED/INTIMIDATEDBY THISTYPEOFJOURNEY?WHERETOSTART, BECAUSEYOUHAVESOMUCHTOCHOOSE FROM?

For individuals in a relationship

I highly recommend our "Roadmap to Intimacy" course, as it gives so many wisdom nuggets on how to build an intimate relationship.

For those who are on a solo journey, I suggest all of our courses by Luna Matatas. The "Sexual Confidence" course is a great course to start with!

fork these shorts

Sex, from what I can remember, can be awkward. It can be a lot of other things: intimate, stress releasing, uncomfortable, fumbly; yet, like most things in life, we are ultimately responsible for ourselves. In the bed is no different.

Texas Annie: The Legend of The Moan Ranger, written and directed by Jennifer Howd, takes that responsibility head on. I saw this music video at the 2018 Cindependent Film Festival.

Context is everything. It’s true in sex, it’s true in watching this music video, as it is also true for why this film exists at all; the banning of sex toys. But seeing this film in the dark confines of a theater and sharing the shock and laughter (and maybe at times the shock of laughter) is where the power of the film lies. Who knew we needed the exploits of a lone Annie plowing her way to our sexual empowerment and self realization.

Sex being awkward is often private but watching a film with others is not. It is the communal viewing of the cleverness, the absurdness, the masterfulness of story telling and point making, and in the use a dildos to show the intrusion of laws about sex… especially one that by in large does not require anything other than consenting with yourself.

Sex can be awkward. It can also be complicated, but desire and urge are normal. And using the law to inhibit someone from taking care of that themselves or the play of consenting adults calls for the need of a solitary ranger to help us unleash a much needed collective moan.

what's happening to our bodies?

While reading What's Happening to Me? written by Peter Mayle, I found myself chuckling the entire time as to how brutally honest it was, and I was wondering why I had never been provided with this resource when I was going through puberty. I appreciated how they addressed both the physical and psychological changes that occur with puberty and how they repeatedly assured the reader that everyone experiences it differently. The premise that everyone going through puberty develops an interest in the other sex was the one aspect of the book I did not enjoy, but given it was first published in 1975, the language in the book could use some updating to include those in the LGBTQ+ community. In addition, it addressed the uncomfortable changes that both sexes experience and presented instructive charts on how the body changes in both genders. The book's greatest achievement was ensuring readers felt comfortable reading about this subject, assuring them everyone experiences puberty at different speeds, and not all bodies will grow to look the same as others.

In regard to puberty, Our Bodies, Ourselves by the Boston Women’s Health Collective goes into great length about the many changes women experience throughout their lives. This book is constantly updated to reflect the most recent information

on women's bodies and social issues pertaining to the female body. It provides a wealth of knowledge regarding the makeup, operations, and activities of the female body. If you're interested in learning more about the female body, this book covers a variety of topics, including safe sex, body image, pregnancy, medical procedures, birth control, and advancements in the medical industry. The book becomes more accessible and realistic when it uses examples from real life. For instance, one of the topics covered in the book is illegal abortions, including the consequences that have resulted from them as well as the harm they do. If not treated appropriately, it may result in a number of consequences, including blood loss and death. When it displayed pictures of at-home abortions gone awry, it really brought home how frightening it was. It demonstrates how significant Roe v. Wade is and how, given the current situation, overturning the decision would have more negative effects than positive ones.

What’s Happening to Me? is a classic approach to discussing the awkwardness of puberty, while Our Bodies, Ourselves will provide all the details you need to understand how the female body and political viewpoints interact.

IF THIS THEN

»Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause (book)

»Our Bodies, Ourselves (website)

»Where Did I Come From? (book)

»Deal With It! (book)

trots and bonnie

CREATED BY SHARY FLENNIKEN

As an original in the underground comic movement in the early ‘70s, Shary Flenniken became a regular contributor to National Lampoon magazine from 1972-1990, which, in and of itself, says everything about the type of comic she created. Trots and Bonnie is the definition of an underground comic.

I admit to my unfamiliarity with the lives of Trots and Bonnie in Flenniken’s world and was only recently introduced, but boy am I glad to have received this gift of obscure bizarrity. These comics are a tribute to the daily life of blossoming sexuality in female adolescence during the ‘70s and ‘80s, filled with salacious storylines and loaded ideas wrapped in humor and satire and served in a narrative that makes you go huh.

Specifically, it follows the lives and adventures of Bonnie, a naively sophisticated teenager, her cynically witty dog Trots, and the occasional special appearance by her best friend Pepsi. These strips contain the mysteries of adulthood, including mature subject matter, such as rape, feminism, politics, sex, and the ever-questioning shit that goes on during puberty.

As raunchy as the comic strips I read are, Flenniken decided to exclude a decent amount of her work from the Trots and Bonnie collection book because they were even raunchier and more provocative and would more than likely be abhorred in today’s society. So it goes.

But I recommend her collection. It’s a taste of something slightly off but boldly smart. No matter how old you are, no matter if you were alive during the time they took place or not, no matter the loony scenarios and preposterous outcomes, you will walk away having learned something, questioned something, and thinking well, that was bizarre—what did I just read? Then keep the collection for all eternity.

disability after dark

BY ANDREW GURZA

I normally try to listen to an entire podcast before I review it, but I'm a good part of the way through the first season of three seasons (available as of today) of goodness and feel very confident in recommending this.

sex education

CREATED BY LAURIE NUNN

In a never-ending quest to find shows worthy of viewing, I offer you, gentle reader, the series Sex Education.

With three seasons to binge so far, it is a refreshing, funny, tender, in-your-face, coming-of-age comedy about sex… and not about sex. The series is about a teenage boy with a sex therapist mother who teams up with a high school classmate to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school to offer practical not judgmental advice. Interestingly, the show depicts how the adults in the show handle sexuality as well, revealing behaviors and anxieties in adulthood are just as confusing as when you were a 17 year old. From impedance, peer shaming, and gender identification to homophobia, sexual assault, and mental wellness; Sex Education tackles all the topics kids (and adults) struggle with. Think Freaks & Geeks meets a John Hughes movie, made into a well-crafted series, but more clever, with better developed characters, rated a hard R, and still offers a groovy soundtrack.

The series was created and written by Laurie Nunn, an English screenwriter and playwright. In an NPR interview, Nunn shared this when asked about the overwhelming success of the show and what seems to resonate with viewers…

IF THIS THEN

»Big Mouth (netflix)

»Bonding (netflix)

»Sex, love, and goop (netflix)

To be honest, I still find the reaction to the show very surreal. I think it’s something about the characters really constantly wanting to work towards selfimprovement. And I think that sort of shows a vision of the world that maybe people are not feeling on a day-to-day basis.

What drew me in initially was the casting of Gillian Anderson (check out her book!) as the therapist mother. Through her fullface-let’s-talk-about-it parenting approach and her therapy research she has inadvertently imparted knowledge to her teenage son. The son, Otis, played by Asa Butterfield (HUGO!) finds himself sharing this knowledge with his peers as they struggle to understand their own puberty demands and adulthood-cusp behavior. What ensues is great TV show watching.

Add in a background soundtrack with classic, teen-pop hits from the ’80s, incidental music supplied by Oli Julian, and original punk-folk music from Ezra Furman (their cover of “I Can Change” by LCD Soundsystem made me tear up!)— absolutely enjoyable!

My prediction is Sex Education will produce a season four and call it quits. A season a year at school seems about right. Whether that happens or not, I am confident you will enjoy what is available.

»Ctrl Alt Delete (web series)

»How to Build a Sex Room (netflix)

»Sexify (netflix)

Andrew Gurza, our host, is a Disability Awareness Consultant. He has spoken all over the world on sex, disability, and what it means to be a Queer Cripple. Disability After Dark: The Podcast Shining a Bright Light on Disability Stories does just that—shines a bright light. Andrew's first couple episodes start off a little clunky, like most podcasts, but once he finds his rhythm—you want more (innuendos, yes please!).

He graciously shares incredibly vulnerable moments from how people crudely respond to him on dating apps (not like crude sexy, which can be fun—but crude ignorant) to how he found himself being ableist during a conversation with his friend to how he decided to come out to his new caretakers that he's gay. He brings us right into the room with him to better understand his journey—leaving no detail avoided to make you feel comfortable (whether that be from lack of awareness around disability in general or how he likes his asshole licked... it's a sex podcast, why would I expect him to hold back?!).

I absolutely love his unflinching confidence (there is SO much confidence in vulnerability, too—I'm not just speaking to the side of him who created the viral hashtag #DisabledPeopleAreHot) in discussing all topics, and couldn't recommend this podcast enough.

IF THIS THEN

»Bump'n (sex toy)

»Spencer West (youtube channel)

»Single (film, US)

»Metro Veinte (short, Argentina)

design » on the inside

POMPEII: SIN CITY

I was researching what sort of interior design I wanted to feature... Sex Rooms? Brazilian love motels? An art exhibit request for better architecture when cruising? Then I found this documentary on Pompeii and realized all of these things—these needs—were already accomplished by the Romans. Then, as we all know, terrifyingly and esquisitely preserved in mosaics and frescos under Vesuvius ash for all time... Plus, they have penises engraved all over the place. Did you know that?

I remember, growing up, my mom took art classes and once sketched these beautiful nudes she proudly hung in the bathroom. I'm sure, at first, I was embarrassed when friends came over, but I do vaguely remember embracing it as artwork instead of body shame and proudly saying, "My mom made those!" So when I learned there was a "secret cabinet" where all the Pompeiin sex art was hidden away (not to be seen for decades unless you had access to three different keys—and even then not to be seen by women until the '80s), I thought it was ridiculous! I suppose, because it's Pompeii, it could be more so for the violence. Considering our culture sees violence as entertainment, I doubt it. The truth is, in general the completely naked body in an unnatural position is art, while bodies (naked or not) playing alone or with others is porn. And, in this scenario, porn is a dirty word.

I look at sex as a joy and freedom, so to know it's so easily and willingly manipulated to incite such negative thoughts (shame) and acts (greed, violence) will, hopefully, always upset me. Thanks humans, this is why we can't have nice things. Not to say nonhumans are having violent-free sex—most national geographic documentaries are rape scenes. But I digress. I'm not here to dive into power dynamics, broken systems, and male fragility.

I'm grateful the documentary finally acknowledges this imbalance and starts to talk about Bacchus (aka Dionysus, god of wine and ecstasy—followed mostly by women), discusses in greater detail Isis (a goddess from the Nile), and Venus (the goddess of love). We also learn of Eumachia, a business entrepreneur whom served as the public priestess of Venus—giving her impressive powerful standing in society and politics. And Poppaea Sabina, whose main goal was to be known as the most powerful woman in Pompeiin history.

WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS SCENES OF A SEXUAL

IF THIS THEN: Why Matriarchy Means Better

SEXUAL NATURE, DISCUSSES SEX INTERTWINED WITH VIOLENCE, AND VISUALLY IMPLIES (NOT GRAPHICALLY) BESTIALITY WHEN REFERRING TO GODS

Better Sex and Society | Why People Get Laid More in Matriarchies | Bitch: On the Female of the Species

rollcredits

MIXTAPECONTRIBUTORS (arranged by SD)

AM (amy martinez)

AP (anni poppen)

CH (chris hicklin)

DB (david bradburn)

HH (hannah howell)

SD (scott durfor)

SS (silvia simmons)

PHOTOGRAPHY+VIDEOGRAPHY cover (pexels/luiz felipe)

spotify pic (unsplash/gaelle marcel) letter from me (selfie w/Vinnie)

client love (chris hicklin + anni poppen) roll credits (pexels/octavian iordache)

ARTICLES

meet my friend (silvia simmons) cover story (amy martinez, anni poppen, david bradburn, scott durfor) fork these shorts (fork the man/david bradburn) design » on the inside (anni poppen)

REVIEWERS

our bodies, ourselves + what's happening to me? (amy martinez) trots and bonnie (hannah howell) sex education (scott durfor) disability after dark (anni poppen)

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