In this deeply personal episode, Krissy shares the winding path from studying opera and musical theater to working in the sensual massage industry, living a double life, and eventually becoming the therapist she is today.

We explore shame, survival, identity, boundaries, and the moments that changed the direction of her life. Krissy also opens up about what it was like carrying a secret for years, why she ultimately decided to tell her story publicly, and how those experiences shaped the way she works with clients today.

This conversation isn't about having all the answers. It's about what happens when we stop hiding, begin listening to ourselves, and realize our past doesn't have to define our future.

If you've ever carried a secret, questioned your worth because of your past, or wondered whether healing and a fresh start were still possible, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Krissy's early dream of becoming a professional singer
• How divorce unexpectedly changed the direction of her life
• Entering the sensual massage industry and living a double life
• The role boundaries played in keeping her emotionally and physically safe
• Shame, secrecy, and the emotional cost of hiding
• The experiences that ultimately led her to become a therapist
• Why our past doesn't have to determine our future

Don't Miss Part 2

This is Part 1 of Krissy's story. Next week, the secret she'd worked so hard to protect is suddenly at risk of being exposed, forcing her to confront a decision that would change the course of her life.

Connect with the Hosts

Krissy Johnson, LMFT
🌐 https://www.inthelifetherapy.com

Angie Martin, LCPC, LMHC
🌐 https://www.newapproachmentalhealth.com

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Join Angie and Krissy as they explore how patriarchy has historically shaped perceptions of female sexuality, from medieval myths to modern medical blind spots. This episode dives into surprising facts about sexual satisfaction, the definition of sex, and the cultural expectations placed on women, offering a candid look at how societal norms influence our intimate lives.

Key Topics:

• Impact of patriarchy on heterosexual sex and women’s pleasure
• The true definition of sex beyond penetration
• How medical research historically marginalized women’s sexuality
• The evolution of beauty standards and their cultural implications
• Marital rape laws and the fight for women’s rights over their bodies
• The significance of language in shaping gender norms (“pregnant” vs. “they’re pregnant”)
• Challenging myths: semen as nourishment, women’s openness in medieval times
• The role of societal expectations in women faking pleasure
• Historical misconceptions about women’s sexuality from Aristotle to modern times
• How societal and legal changes influence women’s autonomy today

The Impact of Patriarchy on Heterosexual Sex https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObKOm_igUcM

Eleanor Janega and her website Going Medieval

https://going-medieval.com/ where you can find her book The Once and Future Sex: Going Medieval on Women’s Roles in Society and other essays like the two below:

https://going-medieval.com/2017/05/26/on-women-and-desire/

https://going-medieval.com/2019/05/16/on-sex-logic-and-being-the-subject/

Esther Perel, where you can learn more about her and her work

https://www.estherperel.com/

Anatomy of The Clitoris 

1.

O’CONNELL HE, SANJEEVAN KV, HUTSON JM. ANATOMY OF THE CLITORIS. Journal of Urology [internet]. 2005 Oct 1 (cited 2026 Jun 22); 174 (4 Part 1):1189-95. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ju.0000173639.38898.cd

Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc.

https://www.dvsn.org/maritalrape/

Krissy Johnson, LMFT

Angie Martin, LCPC, LMHC