logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2023
36m 27s

Episode 205: One Woman’s Polyamorous Jou...

DR. JUSTIN LEHMILLER
About this episode
Interest in polyamory is on the rise. Google searches for it have been increasing for years, it’s increasingly being discussed in the popular media, and some municipalities are starting to offer legal recognition of polyamorous relationships. So what is it actually like to be polyamorous? My guest today is going to share her own personal poly journey. We’re going to discuss the benefits and challenges of multi-partner relationships, when the right time is to open up a monogamous relationship, and so much more. I am joined by Leanne Yau, also known as Poly Philia. She is a polyamory educator and sex-positive social media influencer, creating and curating humorous and educational memes, tips, videos, and other bite-size content on non-monogamy, queer relationships, and sex positivity. She was named #1 in Cosmopolitan's "10 Polyamory Experts to Follow on TikTok." She is currently in training to become a polyamory-friendly therapist. Some of the topics we discuss include:
  • How is age related to interest in polyamory?
  • Is it easier to introduce non-monogamy at the start of a relationship, or to wait until later?
  • What are some of the biggest benefits of being non-monogamous? What are some of the biggest challenges?
  • How do relationship structures and agreements change over time in polyamory?
Make sure to check out Leanne's website, and connect with her on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to learn more. Thank you to our sponsors! Are you passionate about building a career in sexuality? Check out the Sexual Health Alliance. With SHA, you'll connect with world-class experts and join an engaged community of sexuality professionals from around the world. Visit SexualHealthAlliance.com and start building the sexuality career of your dreams today. Support sex science by becoming a friend of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Visit kinseyinstitute.org to make a donation to support ongoing research projects on critical topics. You can also show your support by following the Kinsey Institute on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ***

Want to learn more about Sex and Psychology? Click here for previous articles or follow the blog on Facebook, Twitter, or Reddit to receive updates. You can also follow Dr. Lehmiller on YouTube and Instagram.

Listen and stream all episodes on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Amazon. Subscribe to automatically receive new episodes and please rate and review the podcast!

Credits: Precision Podcasting (Podcast editing) and Shutterstock/Florian (Music). Image created with Canva; photos used with permission of guest.
Up next
Jul 8
Episode 412: When Did People Start Practicing Kink And BDSM?
Ever since Fifty Shades of Grey hit the scene, it seems as though kink and BDSM have become ubiquitous in popular media. But here’s the thing: just because kink went mainstream in the last decade or so doesn’t mean that it’s new. In fact, the roots of BDSM trace back centuries. A ... Show More
34m 53s
Jul 4
Episode 411: Debunking Myths About Men’s Sexuality (Essential Listen)
Men’s sexuality is often described as being pretty simple. Sex is seen as being easy for guys because they’re always in the mood and sex is just a physical thing for them. The reality of male sexuality, however, is far more complicated, and we’re not doing anyone any favors by ov ... Show More
39m 15s
Jul 1
Episode 410: Is Porn Use A Problem In Your Relationship?
One in five couples report that porn has become a problem in their relationship. So why is porn such a common source of conflict, and what can we do about it? In today’s show, we’re going to explore how many people in relationships use porn, what fights about porn are really abou ... Show More
39m 56s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2017
Beyond Monogamy: Exploring Polyamory and Open Relationships
  Sexology Podcast EP03 – Tamara Powell   Welcome to episode 03 of the Sexology Podcast, today my guest is Tamara Powell, LMHC. Tamara is the owner of Arya Therapy Services, the now global phenomenon in holistic health and healing. More recently, she founded Tales from a Trapezoi ... Show More
28m 13s
May 2021
EP230 - Can Polyamory Really Work? with Martha Kauppi
Welcome to episode 230 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I’m delighted to welcome back Martha Kauppi, LMFT to the podcast. In this episode, Martha speaks to us about her new book, Polyamory: A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients), looking at consensual non-monogamy, e ... Show More
36m 15s
Jan 2020
232: Non-Monogamy And Open Relationships Deep Dive
The best estimates are that 1 in 5 people have participated in some kind of non-monogamous relationship. These kinds of relationship structures are gaining wider awareness and acceptance in today's society. Learning about non-monogamy can be valuable whether it's appealing to you ... Show More
1 h
Jun 2020
EP182 – Swinging, Designer Relationships & Polyamory with Dr. Rhoda Lipscomb
Welcome to episode 182 of the Sexology Podcast! Today I am delighted to welcome back Dr. Rhoda Lipscomb to the podcast. In this episode Dr. Rhoda speaks with me about open relationships, recommendations on how you can start your journey into an open relationship and maintaining s ... Show More
38m 3s
Nov 2019
224: Exploring Your Sexuality
There are many ways to approach improving your relationship and sex life. One approach would be trying new things and seeing what works. Lucky for us, Pam Costa has done a lot of exploration herself and has beautifully shared her journey through her writing and interviews. We're ... Show More
43m 20s
Feb 2023
597 - GIRL TALK: Lyra on Polyamory, BDSM, Swinging and More
Lyra is into polyamory, bdsm and swinging and she called in to talk all about it. When did she realize she was poly? When did she realize she was into BDSM? And, when did she start swinging? Tune in for all the details including how and why she realized she was poly very early on ... Show More
51m 4s
Jun 2020
256: The New Monogamy
Most of us have an understanding of what traditional monogamy in relationships and marriage means. What if we worked toward a new monogamy where the rules were negotiated and not simply followed by outdated societal standards? Listen to today's show to learn what the new monogamy ... Show More
35m 57s
Oct 2019
222: Create More Sexual Intimacy In Your Relationship
Do you feel deeply connected to your partner sexually? Some couples have a sexual spark from the beginning, some build it over time, some never address it and others find it unimportant. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, there are tools to help create more sexual intimacy in yo ... Show More
42m 52s
Apr 2024
454: Shifting From Default Monogamous Relating
There are many ways to structure a romantic relationship outside of the traditional monogamous framework. Listen to today's episode to explore the different non-traditional relationship styles and the common issues and benefits people experience in them. In this episode with Dr. ... Show More
44m 40s
Jun 2020
255: Common Sexual Challenges And How To Overcome Them
Having sex is not as straight forward as it may seem, especially in long term relationships. Our personal sexual history, combined with another individual's personal sexual history, can make things quite complicated! Listen to today's show to learn how to navigate the sexual chal ... Show More
44m 50s