Joining me to discuss this is Dr Michael Bader. Michael is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst based in San Francisco with over forty years of practice. He is the author of Arousal: The Secret Logic of Sexual Fantasies and Male Sexuality: Why Women Don't Understand It—and Men Don't Either. His work challenges traditional psychoanalytic models by demonstrating that sexual fantasies are creative solutions rather than symptoms of pathology.

Timestamps:

00:00 Summary of Theory

04:03 Introduction to Michael Bader and His Work

10:05 Understanding the Unconscious Mind in Sexuality

11:28 What is the value of looking into our fantasies?

16:00 Defining Sexual Fantasy and Preferences

24:14 Are sexual fantasies trying to resolve guilt and worry?

31:50 The Concept of Sexual Ruthlessness

34:46 Why am I turned on by the opposite of my values?

39:20 Dom or sub but same guilt?

44:05 A Summary Of The Theory

46:32 Navigating Internal and External Cues

50:45 Will I Loose My Fantasy/Kink If I Understand Them Or "Work On Myself"?

57:09 BDSM: No one is actually getting hurt.

01:01:03 Exploring Fetishes and Their Symbolism

01:09:17 Audience Question

Joining me to discuss this is Dr Liam Wignall. Liam is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and a member of the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender at the University of Brighton. His academic work focuses on LGBTQ+ sexualities, digital sexual cultures, and sex-positive psychology. He is the author of Kink in the Digital Age, published by Oxford University Press, and wrote the first academic papers to formally document pup play through a non-pathologising framework.

While BDSM practitioners rely on consent, clear boundaries, and aftercare to maintain safety, Dark Romance literature often strips away these protective frameworks. Viral trends on BookTok expose young audiences to extreme themes without age restrictions, blurring the line between fictional tropes and real-world relationships. You will hear how first-person storytelling affects brain processing, why AI chat technology creates unmonitored risks, and how creators and readers can enjoy fantasy while prioritising safety in reality.

• Define Dark Romance
• Discuss the influence of BookTok
• Understand the relationship between first-person immersion and brain responses
• Consider fantasy versus real-world BDSM
• Talk about risks of AI chat apps with Dark Romance
• Offer ideas to widen safety and education

Timestamps

00:00 Disclaimer

00:58 How we met/Intro

02:59 What is Dark Romance?

06:02 How Did You Come Across Dark Romance And What Is The Concern?

09:21 The Dangers of Unregulated Content

18:17 The Influence of Book Talk and Community

23:57 Navigating Fantasy vs. Reality in BDSM

29:30 Finding Balance: Enjoying Dark Romance Safely

33:16 Why is Dark Romance so magnetic?

38:47 The Impact of AI on Relationships and Fantasy

43:09 The Dangers of Dark Romance and AI Interactions

47:13 Cultural Implications of Dark Romance and Gender Dynamics

49:19 The Importance of Mental Health Awareness in Dark Romance

50:59 Safety and Education in the Realm of Dark Romance

52:22 Statements

For a long time, society taught people to feel embarrassed or nervous about their sexual interests. Brody offers a different way forward. He demonstrates how fully embracing leather, latex, and chastity helps you live authentically, even when you face isolation or fear of judgment. You will hear how Brody discovered his interests, how he navigates living locked 24/7, and why finding your community online can build confidence, connection, and self-acceptance.

Timestamps

00:00 Introducing Brody

02:12 How Long Does It Take To Put On Leather Outfits

02:53 Is There An Artist In You?

04:17 Why Leather?

05:22 Latex vs Leather

07:48 Does Your Family Know?

09:18 Do You Need This In Your Relationship?

10:40 How Often Do You Engage In Community?

12:06 How Does It Feel Getting Attention?

12:23 Chastity and Submission?

16:00 What About Your Pronoun 'It'?

16:59 Where Did It All Begin With You?

19:57 Did You Feel Your Kinks Were Odd?

20:42 How Was Coming Out?

21:32 When Did The Submissive Part Of You Grow?

22:09 Finding Community: The Role of Connection

23:08 How Is The Online Community?

24:56 When Did You Decide To Start Posting?

26:08 Any Negative Feedback?

26:52 How Open Are You About This Side To New People?

28:47 Mentorship and Growth: Giving Back to the Community

31:07 What Advice Would You Give?

Many men, both gay and straight, who find themselves in distressing, financially straining online cycles believe they are participating in a true Financial Domination/Financial Submissive (FD/FS) dynamic. However, genuine BDSM requires explicit negotiation, clear boundaries, and established safe words. Almost none of this contracting is happening in the unscripted online space.

Instead, what we are often witnessing is the rise of the "pseudo-FD"—where the sacred, ethical language of BDSM is used to perpetuate psychological manipulation and financial extraction.

In this episode, I go through:

• Examples of what a healthy, structured FD/FS contract looks like versus the fear-driven, unnegotiated online exchange.
• Four Core Drivers: Why men end up in these compulsive cycles, exploring unmet erotic needs, unfulfilled life areas, logistical limitations, and the powerful archetypal pull of the dominant figure.
• The Illusion of the Financial Kink: How to test whether a person is genuinely aroused by handing over money, or if they are simply paying for access to an interactive fantasy.
• The Power of Safety: Why open communication consistently increases erotic connection, and how to build a sustainable dynamic without losing the erotic spark.

If you are a practitioner working with these dynamics, or an individual finding yourself stuck in a cycle of regret and financial strain, this episode offers clear, practical frameworks to help separate true erotic nature from harmful compulsion.

Resources Mentioned:

• Previous Episode: Findom, Straight Men and Gay Desire with Dr Joe Kort.
• Free Assessment Tool: Complete the interactive Wheel of Life tool on my website to map out unfulfilled areas in your life and assess your relationship with kink: https://www.sergiorebelotherapy.com/resources-1-1
• Support: If you are experiencing distress around these issues, please reach out to a certified psychotherapist specializing in BDSM, kink, and psychosexual health.

Chapter List

00:00 Introduction to Financial Domination Dynamics

01:52 Claim: It Is Not Real Findom

03:13 Examples of Healthy vs Unhealthy FD/FS Connections

08:38 How Do Men End Up in This Unhealthy Place?

09:54 1. Erotic Starvation

13:23 2. Unmet Life Needs

14:05 3. Real-Life Obstacles

15:20 4. The Archetypal Pull

16:30 Who Are These Pseudo-FDs?

18:32 Is Money the Real Turn-On?

19:23 Choosing Online FDs Over Sex Workers

23:42 How Can I Check If I Am a Real FS?

23:56 Check 1: The Nightclub Analogy

25:24 Check 2: Developmental History

25:57 Check 3: The Substitution Test

26:29 Check 4: Does It Bring Happiness?

27:06 Why Getting This Distinction Right Matters

27:52 Quick Takeaways if You Feel Stuck

The clinical world and broader culture often panic when sex and money collide, confusing the dynamic with addiction or exploitation. In this episode, I sit down with renowned sex and relationship therapist Dr. Joe Kort to pull back the curtain on the clinical room and explore the hidden world of financial domination (findom).

The conversation goes deep into the psychological and erotic aspects of this practice, specifically examining the unique power dynamics between gay submissives and the straight "bully" or "alpha" archetypes they worship. From the seductive architecture of online personas on social media to the literal exchange of cash at the ATM, we unpack how money becomes the ultimate "rope" in psychological bondage. We address the monetisation of gay shame, the phenomenon of the "lost boys" generation seeking validation, and how this intense theatre of play allows individuals to reclaim power from historical trauma.

Finally, the discussion touches on the serious responsibilities held by both findoms and finsubs, highlighting the delicate boundary between identity and fantasy, the reality of post-send remorse, and how to maintain healthy, sustainable boundaries.

• We unpack findom as psychological play: We look past the standard sensationalism to understand how money serves as a sophisticated currency of submission, acting as a form of psychological bondage rather than physical ropes.
• We explore archetypes and erotic language: We look at the magnetic pull of words like "alpha," "lord," and "straight," examining why the gay community frequently eroticises and glorifies the straight male persona to process rejection.
• We discuss the illusion of the online world: We map out how digital spaces allow young Dominants to construct flawless, highly idealised personas that completely obscure human vulnerability, and how this changes the dynamic between one-on-one sessions and community events.
• We wonder if this is about reclaiming power: Findom may function as a space for healing historical trauma; we look at this dynamic and wonder if a generation of "lost boys" is using the platform to find a sense of authority, value, and purpose.
• We discuss healthy practices and boundaries: We break down the vital importance of digital vetting, establishing strict limits, and navigating post-send remorse, while emphasising the need to check in on whether a dynamic is safe play or harmful identity.

Chapters:

00:00 Episode Introduction
02:19 Guest Introduction
03:16 Disclaimer
04:10 What Exactly Is Financial Domination?
07:12 What Can Money Symbolise?
12:51 What is it about the online world that makes it so popular?
16:12 Are gay men worshiping a heteronormative narrative?
19:12 The Young Findoms and Their Motivations
20:56 What does it say that most findoms are young?
26:01 Are straight men monetizing gay shame?
28:23 Navigating the Dynamics of Financial Domination
30:46 The Role of Consent and Boundaries in Findom
32:43 Exploring In-Person Financial Domination
33:40 A way to think about it: As theatre
34:57 The Evolution of Kink and Trust in Findom
35:56 Self-Care and Awareness for Finsubs and Findoms

In this episode we discuss his Soul-Centred Approach to BDSM. To do this, we we first examine BDSM through the Historical Lens to understand how past societal views shaped modern perceptions. We then shift to the Person-Centred Lens to look at current psychological views on individual agency and subjective experience. These stages prepare us for the Soul-Centred Lens, where we explain how the soul expresses itself through the BDSM and kink spaces in an attempt for integration and deep transformation.

Join us as we walk through this incredible journey towards Thomas' vision of unity and love for all parts of the self.

• Wholeness Over Goodness: The soul drives the BDSM experience. It does not care for moral definitions of "good" behaviour. Instead, it seeks to be whole by integrating every part of your psyche. The BDSM space offers this.
• The Power of Symbols: To get to a place of integration, Thomas argues we need to deliteralise BDSM acts. For example, a scene involving "degradation" is usually a symbolic search for release from social status, not a request for literal harm.
• The Soul’s Language: Your soul is pre-verbal and communicates through images. We discuss how BDSM provides a physical theatre for these images, using rituals and costumes to speak.
• Ego Dissolution: By symbolically destroying the "ego" or social self through intense scenes, we discuss how this allows one's authentic soul to emerge.

00:00 Introduction and Context of BDSM

04:51 Dr Douglas Thomas and the book

11:30 Setting the Stage

Historical Perspective

13:24 BDSM Approached Through a Historical Lens

13:42 Ancient Romans

16:19 BDSM from 1880s to 1950s

18:52 BDSM Culture After WW2

21:04 Pathologisation

23:23 Freud on BDSM

Person-Centerd Approach

28:02 Approaching BDSM Through The Person-Centred Lens

29:05 Literalisation vs Deliteralisation

31:23 Lesbian Effort to Depathologise BDSM

33:09 Physiology

Soul-Centered Approach

37:37 Approaching BDSM Through the Soul-Centred Lens

38:05 Defining 'Soul'

43:14 The Soul in BDSM

46:48 Image-Focus

51:09 Play as an Integrative System

53:48 Stripping and Nakedness

58:04 The Soul-Centred Core

01:02:34 The Suffering Soul

01:08:27 Destruction of Self

01:11:25 Humiliation, Degradation, and Dehumanising

01:14:24 Freedom and Transformation

01:19:39 The Final Word Is Love

Join therapist Sergio Rebelo, as he meets people who have learned to embrace their erotic selves and bring that authenticity into their daily lives. For some, this can be an incredibly difficult task, as we often hold a lot of stigma and shame around the things that turn us on.

The Erotic Life Podcast is for anyone kinky at heart or simply curious about their own desires. Discover what it truly means to live an integrated life, because when we make contact with Eros, we don't just release that energy into the bedroom, but into all parts of our existence.

Contact with the erotic promises to fuel our lives so we can feel switched on always, finally, fully integrated.

Launching mid 2026.

Sergio Rebelo

Contact: theeroticlifepodcast@gmail.com

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/new-beginnings

License code: BBGBCLGF0FY51FH4