Goddess Venyx shares how she got her start in BDSM, why she's drawn to the psychology of dominance and submission, and what it's like to hold space for clients who have been denied their authentic selves for years. She breaks down the difference between kink and fetish, explains why tributes are about more than money, and opens up about her own ADHD and why neurodivergent folks often find a home in the kink community.

This episode also offers a masterclass in consent: what it looks like in practice, how it changes depending on the activity (rope vs. hypno vs. medical play), and why even experienced practitioners need to keep learning.

Tune in for a candid, compassionate conversation about power, vulnerability, and the freedom of being truly seen.

Follow Goddess Venyx: @GoddessVenyx

Steve Holt received his first JUNO nomination back in 1984 for The Lion’s Eyes in the Jazz Album of the Year category, and launched an international career performing with artists such as Archie Shepp, Eddie Henderson, Larry Coryell and James Moody.

But like many jazz musicians, Holt’s recording career eventually slipped out of the spotlight. His last album appeared in 2002, and for more than two decades he released nothing new. To many listeners, he had simply faded from view.

Now, at age 71, Holt has come roaring back with a new album of original music titled Impact — and it has brought him full circle with a 2026 JUNO nomination.

The record features a powerhouse quintet of some of Canada’s top jazz players and a set of fresh compositions that reflect the long arc of a life spent in jazz. One moment that has already drawn attention is Holt’s improvised solo piano interpretation of O Canada. Writing in The Aquarian, critic Mike Greenblatt said that "...what Holt does with the anthem is akin to what Hendrix did to the Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock.”

It’s an unusual story in Canadian music — a musician still creating vital work after half a century in the art form and receiving a JUNO nomination more than forty years after his first.

Sochi Azuh is a communications strategist, storytelling coach, and podcast host dedicated to exploring the power of narrative to inspire connection and change.

Through his podcast, Lead with Storytelling, he facilitates thoughtful conversations that bridge literature, culture, leadership, and social impact — creating space for ideas that shape how we live and lead.

Find out more @sochiazuh

Dr Catalina Lawsin, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with over two decades of experience supporting individuals and couples in strengthening their relationships and enhancing sexual well-being. With a speciality in psycho-oncology, Dr Catalina’s work has centred around the unique challenges faced by cancer survivors and those who have undergone stem cell transplants (SCT) and CAR T-cell therapy. Her extensive clinical experience includes work on several transplant units, where she witnessed firsthand the profound impact of transplant procedures on patients' sexual health, intimate relationships, and overall quality of life.

One of her landmark projects, Rekindle, a web-based psycho-sexual therapy program funded by the Australian Research Council, was designed to meet the specific needs of cancer survivors and their partners. Delivered across 43 cancer centres in Australia, Rekindle demonstrated significant improvements in relationship quality, sexual satisfaction, and overall quality of life.

In her private practice, Dr Catalina provides tailored support to families navigating SCT and CAR T-cell therapy, offering group programs and public workshops. Today’s session will delve into the effects of transplant on sexual health, equipping you with practical tools to revitalise intimacy and address common sexual health concerns.

Connect with Dr Catalina on TikTok or Instagram @TheIntimacyDoc or visit www.TheIntimacyDoc.com for resources and support.

Reequal Smith is a multidisciplinary artist, choreographer, and cultural leader from the Bahamas, now based in Prince Edward Island.

She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Oshun Dance Studios, where she fuses Caribbean traditions with contemporary movement to create spaces of celebration and reclamation for Black and Caribbean communities.

An alumna of Holland College’s School of Performing Arts, her works include Calypso Secrets, Elysium, Unfold, and Caribbean Flamingo. She has collaborated with Neptune Theatre, River Clyde Pageant, Kemi Craig, and Charles Campbell.

In 2025, she received the Kerri Wynne MacLeod Women of Impact Award and Diane Moore Creation Award, recognising her artistry and commitment to equity in the arts.

Learn more about her @oshundance

Alex, a writer, woodworker, and licensed therapist with over a decade in the BDSM community, pulls back the curtain on the world of dominance and submission. He shares his unexpected journey from a “vanilla” life to building his own home dungeon, revealing how his professional background as a therapist fundamentally shaped his approach to kink.

He delves into the intricate ethics of power exchange, explaining the detailed psychological and physical assessments he conducts with new partners to build trust and establish boundaries before any play begins. He discusses the nuanced differences between humiliation and degradation, the distinction between a Dominant/submissive and a Master/slave dynamic, and the profound responsibility that comes with wielding power over another person.

With candour and insight, Alex reflects on the importance of vulnerability for a Dominant, the dangers of narcissism in the scene, and offers crucial advice for both newcomers and seasoned practitioners on how to navigate BDSM with safety, respect, and authenticity.

Echo shares her personal "kink origin story," tracing her journey from childhood curiosity to becoming an event organiser. She recounts how early online research led to virtual workshops, mentorship, and eventually local munches, all while navigating the initial overwhelm of discovering the "Fet-verse."

She opens up about her motivations for starting her own events: a desire to combat the pressure to play, ensure women feel safe, and increase visibility for people of colour and diverse gender identities within predominantly white spaces. Echo discusses the practicalities of vetting attendees, organising security, and the thoughtful process behind her themed parties.

The conversation delves into her personal explorations with kink, which she frames as acts of reclaiming autonomy and challenging sexual shame. Echo emphasises the mental and emotional aspects of kink, the critical importance of aftercare, and how she assesses play partners through consistency and genuine communication.

Offering advice for newcomers, Echo encourages starting with education and virtual communities to build confidence before stepping into physical spaces. Tune in for a candid discussion on building trust, fostering representation, and creating joy on your own terms within the kink world.

Echo is a young black woman who found herself researching and discovering about the kink/BDSM lifestyle through group chat and kink social online platforms such as Fet. Part of her self-discovery journey is to help others learn, discover and appreciate their kinks and fetishes while focusing on connection, acceptance and communication.

In between hosting events, Echo writes erotica stories that stemmed mostly from her fantasy world.

Outside of kink, Echo is a mother, wife, teacher, traveller, enthusiast and passionate about learning

daniika is a writer, event organiser, and aspiring educator in the BDSM community. She’s a collared neurodivergent slave and leathergirl that lives in a 24/7 total power exchange Master/slave dynamic.

Her writing focuses on her lived experience as a consensual slave, and on the knowledge she’s gained under her Master’s guidance. daniika is also the leader of Spokane’s Power Exchange Together chapter, where she facilitates discussions about building and maintaining dynamics.

Along with her Master and her sister slave, she is a founding member of House Praxis, a Leather and M/s family whose mission is to be a resource for relatable education on sustainable and ethical power exchange.