About

Sexuality is a part of who we are and we all deserve to learn about it in a way that is safe, comfortable, and judgement-free. Learning about positive sexuality is transformative for individuals and society overall. My guest, Elizabeth Greenblatt, strives to support young people develop the skills to navigate their sexuality in a healthy and fulfilling way and believes young people must be at the center of this work. Elizabeth says “we must understand that young people are the experts on their lives and listen to them. We must be willing to listen without judgement and provide support that helps them to make healthy decisions and think critically about their choices. And we must talk about pleasure. Only talking about sex within the context of disease and pregnancy prevention does a disservice to young people and doesn't help them build skill in prioritizing healthy and pleasurable experiences.” Being listened to is huge, it teaches us how to listen to (and know) ourselves. Knowing the Self is such an important starting point. And yet, generations upon generations of parents pass down their own not knowing. One of the biggest ways we can change this narrative is through listening. These skills are building blocks for health romantic relationships and communication. Listening is a huge part of having consensual conversations.  With the holidays approaching and COVID on the uprise around the country I hope our conversation about how sex education can be done well also may shed light on how we can navigate necessary but often challenging conversations around public health, consent and differences in risk tolerance while tending to ourselves and listening to one another. If there’s a silver lining from the pandemic it’s that we have daily opportunities to practice talking about consent, risk, our differing comfort levels, and develop conversational skill around bodily autonomy.   RESOURCES: Elizabeth Greenblatt has been teaching about health and sexuality for over 25 years. She currently works with Sex Savvy Hudson Valley to support and provide comprehensive sexuality education to students, teachers, administrators, and staff. Elizabeth also provides community and online workshops parents/caregivers, adults, and young people. Learn more about her upcoming online sex-ed program for 3rd-5th graders at sexsavvyhudsonvalley.com/events Learn more about Rebecca’s practice and upcoming online offerings at connectfulness.com Essential Skills Relationship Bootcamp | April 24-25, 2021This is an authorized presentation of Terry Real's Essential Skills Relationship Bootcamp facilitated by Rebecca Wong, Victoria Easa, and Juliane Taylor Shore, Certified Relational Life Therapists. Open to individuals, couples and therapists. Through a combination of lecture, role-play, small group exercises and personal work, this workshop will help you to attain the relationships you want in your life.  Supporting Your Relational Self | Begins February 2021 6-week-online-course focuses on your relationship to Self, other intimate relations, and will help participants cultivate practices to sustain during these chaotic times filled with pandemic, uprising and beyond. Based on the teachings of Pia Mellody, we'll explore core issues that affect us all in relationships and the skills that will expand your Self & relational care practices. This podcast is not a substitute for counseling with a licensed provider. After listening, we invite you to deepen into the discussion with us on instagram and please support the show by sharing and reviewing the episode.