About this episode... In our final nugget for the April monthly topic of Sex workers, Miss Laura chats with Michael - a member of the kink community, a Shibari rigger, and someone who has worked on photo shoots in and around the sex work industry for many years. He also identifies as a wolf in our barnyard - believing these animals to amazing, social, and are protective and loyal in their packs. He has always respected wolves - knowing they do what is best for their family. Side note: Shibari is intricate rope bondage using some traditional Japanese techniques and of course a few modern twists. Michael considers himself to be a part of the sex worker community through his rigging for photo shoots, creating promotional pieces for cam girls and others who are working, as well as someone who has dated and is involved with several people who work in that industry. He shares a few of his experiences with partners in the sex work industry. A commonly heard sentiment in many of our episodes across a range of topics, he cites that communication is a key in any relationship to making things work, especially when you are involved with someone working in the sex trade. He suggests that you need to be able to communicate clearly with them, especially since part of their job is to be intimate with others - to make sure you understand where you stand in their life and they are able to clearly communicate where you stand and what they need from you to support them. This is critical in dealing with any jealousy issues that can come up. A little about Michael... I've been a part of the BDSM community of the San Francisco Bay Area for a very long time. If you want background on my various kinks and fetishes, I can tell you that all of the stories will start with "So there was this girl..." I have been a shibari rigger, working with rope and using it to bring accentuate the beauty of the human form for somewhere around ten years, and have trained with Two Knotty Boys and with Midori. I've taught shibari classes. I've tied for photo shoots and had my rope work find it's way into a magazine or two (including a horror magazine) and onto the front page of the now unfortunately defunct zivity.com. Around seven years ago, "there was this girl" who had something of a fetish for hypnosis, and the erotic applications of it, so being quite smitten with her, as well as intrigued with hypnosis and fascinated with the human mind, I went off and got certified as a hypnotist. Well, the relationship didn't last, but hypnosis (especially its erotic and BDSM applications, but also the things that I could use it for to help those I cared about) kept my attention, became something of a passion of mine. I've gone so far as to seek certification as a clinical hypnotherapist. I help with a quarterly Goth/Industrial dance club and BDSM dungeon down in Santa Cruz California called "House of Nox". While my housemates are either spinning a set at the turntables, doing a tarot card reading, or perhaps playing with someone on the spanking bench or St. Andrew's Cross, I can be found with my portable suspension frame, 700+ feet of rope, and various toys, tying people up or working them over with a violet wand. I really enjoy giving new people the chance to experience things that they have always wanted to try, but never had the opportunity or perhaps courage to go for before, and dip their toes into the wonderful and wild world of kink in a safe, sane, and consensual way. Where to Find Michael and Other Links: The club I help with can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/houseofnox13 http://twitter.com/HouseNox A great resource for learning the art of shibari can be found here: http://www.knottyboys.com/ Want to show your appreciation to the BCBC Crew and Help BCBC Succeed?!?! Please help our podcast and support...