The Hotbed

Have you been at it like rabbits in Lockdown 3 or have you found sex is the last thing on your mind? Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams discuss the trials of lockdown love, why Anniki wants a chin-lift, sexy new TV – from Lover's Rock to Bridgerton – and the now-legendary BBC dildo appearance. There's also a guest spot from Dr Karen Gurney, who offers her top tips for reviving a long-lost libido. Recorded via Zoom (please forgive some minor sound issues) Edited and produced by Alex Graham Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Good sex starts with doing the recycling, Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams have always maintained. To develop this thought, they discuss what socialist ideals – more free childcare, laundry and food services - would lead them to having better sex, prompted by Lisa reading Professor Kristen R Ghodsee’s book Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism. Lisa then speaks to Prof Ghodsee about what we can learn from socialism, what the pitfalls of past systems have been, why women in East Germany had more orgasms than their counterparts in the West, and why the huge amount of unpaid work women do can have a negative impact on their sexual satisfaction and relationships. Recorded at home, produced by Alex Graham. This series of The Hotbed has been kindly sponsored by Mooncup, the UK’s original silicone reusable menstrual cup. If you’d like to try one, you can use the code HOTBED at mooncup.co.uk to get a 10% discount (until the end of June 2020).If you would like to hear more from Prof Kristen R Ghodsee she hosts the podcast A.K. 47 - Selections from the Works of Alexandra Kollontai Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams record a special socially-distanced episode to talk about the lives under lockdown, the BBC Three adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People, and how they're feeling about their lockdown looks. There's also a guest spot by Dr Karen Gurney, giving advice on living such at close quarters with your partner, why this time has been make or break for some couples, and what to do when you're feeling the tension rising.Recorded from home, produced by Alex Graham. This series of The Hotbed has been kindly sponsored by Mooncup, the original silicone reusable menstrual cup. Visit their website www.mooncup.co.uk and use the code HOTBED for a 10% discount. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hotbed welcomes its first-ever co-host: Karen Arthur of #WearYourHappy to talk about menopause, mental health and things we’re too old to care about any more. Lisa also interviews Dr Philippa Kaye about what the perimenopause is, what treatment there is for menopause symptoms, and how female pleasure is important for women of all ages. Recorded at Acast, produced by Alex Graham. This series of The Hotbed has been kindly sponsored by Mooncup, the original silicone reusable menstrual cup. Visit their website www.mooncup.co.uk and use the code HOTBED for a 10% discount. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hotbed Collective's book More Orgasms Please: Why Female Pleasure Matters is out in pretty paperback now: Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams talk about how they wrote it and why they wrote it, give their tips on getting a book published and their thoughts on why female pleasure matters. Anniki's novel Motherwhelmed is also out and she talks about sexism in the corporate world, balancing parenting with the demands of a job, and why she decided to fictionalise her experience to help other working mum. Recorded from our respective homes, produced by Alex Graham. This series of the Hotbed is kindly sponsored by Mooncup, the original silicone reusable menstrual cup. Visit mooncup.co.uk and use the code HOTBED to get 10% off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams talk about vulvas: cervical screenings, gynae cancer, thrush and nicknames for ‘vulva’. They set up a folk duo and do an impromptu song about incontinence, while Lisa interviews the ever-calm and ever-clever Dr Anita Mitra, AKA Gynae Geek about The Eve Appeal's Get Lippy campaign, and gynae conditions, the taboos around women's health, and the worrying rise in labiaplasty (cosmetic surgery to the vulva) . This series of the Hotbed is kindly sponsored by Mooncup, the original reusable silicone menstrual cup. Go to mooncup.co.uk before the end of June 2020 and use the code HOTBED for a 10% discount. Recorded at Acast, produced by Alex Graham. [Image of Dr Anita Mitra kindly supplied by The Eve Appeal. To support their #GetLippy campaign, you can buy a fundraising beauty product during May - to find out more, click here.] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At a special live show of The Hotbed, recorded live at Soho Radio pre-lockdown, Hotbed favourite Dr Karen is here to explain why everything you believed about desire is WRONG! We talk about the 237 reasons we have sex, what (and who!) makes us feel sexy, how contraception can mess with your mood, why you should get listening to some audio porn, and how to make trying-to-conceive sex hotter than hell. We also have the multi-talented Kelly Ford, AKA Book of Mum, to talk about girl-crushes and to deliver a one-off performance of her super-sexy poem. This episode is kindly sponsored by Mooncup, the original silicone reusable menstrual cup. Go to mooncup.co.uk and use the code HOTBED to get 10% off until the end of June 2020. Recorded at Soho Radio, produced by Alex Graham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jacqueline Gold CBE is the chief executive of Ann Summers and estimated to be the UK’s 16th richest woman. She talks to Cherry Healey and Anniki Sommerville about the sex toy made famous by Sex in the City, how she turned the chain around to make it more welcoming for women, and her experience of sex and body image after cancer.This episode is kindly sponsored by Mooncup, the original silicone reusable menstrual cup. Go to mooncup.co.uk and use the code HOTBED to get 10% off until the end of June 2020. Recorded at Soho Radio. Produced by Alex Graham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cherry Healey and Anniki Sommerville are back with the first episode of the sixth series! Recorded in COVID-19 free times, this is stress-free listening that may be particularly appropriate now we’re living in lockdown. If you’re in a long-term relationship and struggle sometimes, you will love listening to their interview with Cat Sims, the blogger behind 'Not So Smug Now', who reveals all about marriage counselling and the strategies she has learnt to keep her relationship on track even when life gets tough.Recorded at Soho Studios. Produced by Alex Graham, and kindly sponsored by Mooncup. If you would like to try a Mooncup, the original silicone reusable menstrual cup, use the code HOTBED for a 10% discount at mooncup.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hotbed Collective are back with series six of their hit podcast The Hotbed. Life is weird but stick in your headphones and listen to Lisa Williams, Cherry Healey and Anniki Sommerville discuss topics such as sex shops, perimenopause and marriage counselling with a variety of brilliant guests. This series is kindly sponsored by Mooncup, the original reusable menstrual cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this the finale episode in the series, ‘The Hotbed’ trio are reunited: with Lisa, Anniki andCherry taking on Camp Bestival in a special LIVE podcast also starring Carrie Anne AKA@mre.soeur and Kate from @lesbemums. They discuss why relationships are so hard afterkids, how communication can be reduced to who defrosted what for dinner and theimportance of talking about the ‘emotional load’ and finding ways to divvy up tasks. Theshow needed to be more child-friendly than usual (Camp Bestival is a family festival) sothere are some interesting euphemisms along the way.We hope you enjoyed this season and we’ll be back soon with more chat, more laughs andmore tips on how to stay sexy and sane.Resources:Buy The Hotbed book ‘More Orgasms Please’ hereCouples counselling information can be found hereAnd the waiting list for tickets to Camp Bestival 2020 can be found here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cherry Healey talks to ‘the fit feminist’ Shona Vertue about the many reasons to be fit and strong (none of whichare to look a certain way), they talk about Cherry has been doing her pelvic floor squeezes all wrong until now,and Shona answers some listeners’ questions about diastasis recti and getting into fitness at an older age. In thestudio, Lisa Williams talk about the Nike mannequin, body positivity and Lisa reviews Wuka period pants.Recorded at Acast. Produced by Alex Graham and Lisa Williams. Thanks to the two people who have reviewedour book on Amazon. Yeah two people. If anyone wants to be a mate and leave us a review we will thank you innext week’s show notes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hotbedder-at-large Cherry Healey is back in the fold for this episode, which centres on sex and ageing, and what that can mean for a relationship, the stairpile and your orgasm rate. She interviews comedian Tova Leigh about the midlife crisis which led to her rediscovering her sexuality, confidence and personality, and about how, when your partner has a lower sex drive than you, you have to take matters into your own hands. Meanwhile, Lisa Williams reviews Wuka menstrual pants, designed to be worn instead of tampons, pads or cups, or as well as, if you have heavy periods. Recorded at Acast, London. Produced by Alex Graham and Lisa Williams. Thanks to John at Acast for the studio support.Don’t forget that our book More Orgasms Please: Why Female Pleasure Matters is out now (it was listed by Stylist magazine as one of the top non-fiction books of 2019), and if you review it on Amazon we will find you and give you a biscuit.And if this episode made you think, please follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollective and let us know your thoughts. Or tell us what the last messages you and your partner, if you have one, sent to one another.Until next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a juicy chat with sex educator, YouTuber and all-round good egg Hannah Witton about hormones, sex education and masturbation, in which we reveal orgasm tips, what we’d wished our parents has taught us about sex, and why talking about sex is important work. Hannah’s book The Hormone Diaries is out now, as is our book More Orgasms Please: Why Female Pleasure Matters. Produced by Alex Graham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we resist the pressure to get 'beach body ready' as summer holiday season approaches? Lisa Williams quizzes Natalie Lee, AKA Style Me Sunday, about how to be a warrior woman on the beach and by the pool, how being a midwife helped her become body positive, and how body positivity compares to body neutrality. They also discuss their favourite sex toys and how some self love helps sleep and mood, and how self-image can affect sexy time. Anniki Sommerville and Lisa also talk about "fanny flutters", holiday romances and banishing bad sex memories.To order the Hotbed Collective's brand new book: More Orgasms Please: Why Female Pleasure Matters, click here.Don't forget to message us your thoughts on this episode via Instagram @thehotbedcollective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode The Hotbed talk frankly about what they’ve been up to since season 4ended (for a start they’ve got a BOOK coming out called ‘More Orgasms Please,’). They alsodiscuss Love Island, and what their favourite sexual position is (as an ode to Moremagazine’s 'Position of The Fortnight') . Anniki interviews the lovely Lisa Smosarski, Stylistmagazine editor and they talk about sex, relationships and how on earth you edit amagazine, have 3 kids, a husband and have your fingernails still intact! Recorded atAcast Studios. Produced by Lisa Williams, Anniki Sommerville and Alex Graham.Useful links:To order The Hotbed’s fabulous new book released July 4th 2019 click hereFor The School of Life video about sex-starved relationships:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSs2dXDf1ZsPlease subscribe, rate and review our show if you like it, and send any feedback tothehotbedcollective@gmail.comYou can also follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Trigger warning: This episode makes references to self-harm and suicide** To round off the fourth series we interview a MAN for the first time on the podcast! Buck Angel is an LA-based activist who is known in the trans community as ’Tranpa’ because he enjoys teaching and preaching about self-acceptance and love. He tells Lisa Williams about his journey to transition, what it’s like to live as a man versus as someone with a female body, what cis-women can learn about self-acceptance about their bodies from him, and how he has learnt to banish body shame. In the studio, Anniki and Lisa talk about if they enjoy being women, Dolly Parton and Instacrushes. They also reveal a bit more about their forthcoming book More Orgasms Please… Why Female Pleasure Matters. Produced by Alex Graham and Lisa Williams. Recorded at Great Big Owl Studios and via Skype.If you are feeling suicidal, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 or see their website [https://www.samaritans.org/]To find out about how to access more information about trans rights, see Stonewall. [https://www.stonewall.org.uk/]Follow Buck Angel on Instagram @buckangel [http://bit.ly/2XybfSk]To see Buck's sex toy range at Sh! Women's Store click here [http://bit.ly/2PpecC1]Follow the Hotbed Collective on Instagram @thehotbedcollectiveYou can pre-order The Hotbed Collective book’s More Orgasm’s Please from Waterstones [http://bit.ly/2UztAN2] or Amazon [https://amzn.to/2JH3tDE] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Anniki and Lisa discuss what happens to your relationship after you have kids. Why is it that we often get locked into the same arguments and are there any strategies to break free? Why do some new mothers resent their partner when they try to help and then hate them when they don’t? They also discuss the joys of Lidl and why it's often Anniki's friends want to talk about. There’s also an interview with US author- Jancee Dunn, who wrote the brilliant book, 'How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids'. She offers up lots of advice on practical things you can do to improve your relationship including some tips she picked up from FBI hostage negotiators. Finally, The Hotbed will be appearing at this year's Camp Bestival so hear details of that too! Keep your eyes on our Instagram account - @thehotbedcollective - for details of a prize draw to win a copy of Jancee's book.Resources:Jancee Dunn’s book:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hate-Your-Husband-After-Kids/dp/1784754773/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=jancee+dunn&qid=1554576013&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spell More info on how to communicate more effectively with your other half:https://www.hprc-online.org/articles/performance-strategies-basic-training-for-couples-communication Counselling info:https://www.relate.org.uk Camp Bestival line up and tickets:https://www.campbestival.net   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our lives are getting increasingly stressful and the overwhelm is real, so how do we carve out time for self-love and what does it look like? For this special live episode, recorded at White City House, we explore self-love in all its forms. Co-hosts Lisa Williams and Anniki Sommerville haven’t had much time for self-love recently, hear about their paltry efforts. Dr Karen Gurney answers the question, ‘If you don’t love yourself, can you love anyone else?’, Nadia Deem advocates masturbation as self-love and offers up some tips, Deborah James (AKA Bowel Babe) talks about why it’s important to her to stay glam during treatment for cancer, and Kath from Mooncup (which sponsored the 3rd series of the Hotbed) reveals how businesses can encourage their employees to look after themselves. Headlining the evening is comedian Karen Hobbs, who somehow finds lols in her experience of cervical cancer. With huge thanks to Anna Butterworth of Ultra Violet agency for organising the night’s amazing self-love marketplace and brilliant raffle in aid of the Eve Appeal, the only charity which focuses on prevention of the five gynaecological cancers. Produced by Shola Aleje, Alex Graham and Lisa Williams. Thanks also to Pop Shop London for the balloons, to White City House for hosting the event, and to all the fierce, feminist brands who took part in the marketplace.To donate to the Eve Appeal or to find out about the signs and symptoms of the five gynae cancers, click here.To pre-order The Hotbed Collective’s book More Orgasms Please, click here.To sign up to Nadia’s Appointment A.M mailing list, click here.Follow the line-up on Instagram here:The Hotbed CollectiveAppointment A.MDr Karen GurneyMooncupDeborah JamesKaren HobbsThe Eve AppealThank you for listening to the Hotbed podcast. If you liked the podcast, please leave us a (5-star!) review in iTunes, or drop us a line with any feedback. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Trigger warning: This episode contains mild references to consent* Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams were over the moon to host Charmed and Grindhouse star Rose McGowan in the Hotbed. She talks about the male gaze, the #MeToo the movement, growing up in a cult and her book Brave, her frank evisceration of what she calls ‘the cult of Hollywood’. Also, big news, people, the Hotbed Collective have a book out this July! It’s being published by Penguin Square Peg and it’s called More Orgasms Please: Why Female Pleasure Matters. You can pre-order it here. Episode recorded at Acast and Soho Studios. Studio support from Jennifer Dollard and Clare Lynch. Produced by Lisa Williams and Alex Graham. This episode wasn't sponsored by a mattress company, although we would have liked it to be. Please note that Harvey Weinstein has denied all charges against him.To buy Rose McGowan’s book Brave click here.Follow the Hotbed Collective on Instagram @thehotbedcollective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hotbed Collective kicks off the fourth series of the Hotbed podcast by talking to midwife and Instagram star Clemmie Hooper, aka Mother of Daughters. We interview her about the wonderful world of vulvas, body knowledge, post-birth recovery and how Clemmie herself manages to get her leg over despite having four kids in the house. Anniki is particularly interested in the topic as she’s just had a baby herself, and she talks through what’s made her bits a bit better. Recorded at Soho Studios. Produced by Anniki Sommerville and Alex Graham. Studio support by Will Fitzpatrick and Clare Lynch. Follow Clemmie on Instagram - @mother_of_daughtersFollow the Hotbed Collective on Instagram - @thehotbedcollectiveUseful links if you've just had a baby:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/services-support-for-parents/https://gasandairblog.comSarah Wolujewicz, women's health physio at The Havelock Clinichttps://hoop.co.uk/london/baby-toddler-groups/http://www.pandasfoundation.org.ukhttps://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-and-perinatal-mental-health/#.XI5VXxicbUo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do women have such rubbish words to describe their sex drive, rude bits and nice things that can be done to us? We talk to poet Hollie McNish about why sexy words are often super-cringe and what we can do about it (Oxford English Dictionary, are you listening?). We also talk about the orgasm gap, how only 20% of women can orgasm via intercourse alone, and how to have a coregasm (it’s a real thing, ask Hollie and Lisa!). We leave you over the festive break with a test to write a sexy poem (or limerick!) for us. Co-hosted by Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams. Produced by Alex Graham. Recorded at Acast London and Anniki’s house. Thank you to Ayoub Hachoumi at Acast, and to all our amazing listeners!Follow Hollie on Instagram @holliepoetryFollow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollectiveWe would also love it if you could review and rate our show on iTunes or wherever you are listening, as it helps people to find us. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebecca Humphries hit the headlines when her then-partner Seann Walsh was papped snogging his Strictly Come Dancing partner Katya Jones. Rather than sell her story, she released a powerful statement on Twitter, reframing herself not as a victim, but as a woman strong enough to leave - taking the cat with her. She talks to Lisa Williams and Anniki Sommerville about her life since, why she’s actually pleased it happened so publicly, and how she’s coped in the aftermath. We then speak to the Hotbed’s resident clinical psychologist and psychosexologist Dr Karen Gurney about cheating more broadly, how someone can rebuild trust in others after being cheated on, and how couples who choose to stay together can get things back on track. Produced by Alex Graham. Thanks to Ayoub Hachoumi at Acast.  To see Rebecca Humphries’s new beauty blog, click here  To read Anniki Sommerville’s piece on virtue signalling and Instagram campaigns, click hereTo follow the Hotbed Collective on Instagram, click here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the sexuality spectrum and where on it would you put yourself? Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams discuss the Kinsey Scale, the 'girl crush' and the 'wand' sex toy. Lisa speaks to Alright For A Mum podcaster Remi Sade (@booksbabyandback) about dating a woman for the first time and why she doesn't agree with the concept of 'coming out', and Clinical Psychologist and Psychosexologist Dr Karen Gurney talks about different definitions of sexuality and how the new acceptance of fluidity is good for all concerned. Recorded at Acast, at the Havelock Clinic and Anniki's house, so sorry about the trains and planes. Produced by Alex Graham. Thank you to Florence Given for the show's title, to Ayoub Hachoumi at Acast, and to Lovehoney for the wand.To check out the Wand on Lovehoney click here (not an affiliate link)To find out more about the Kinsey Scale, click hereTo find out more about the Klein Grid, click hereTo read Remi's blog, click here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we are joined by body positivity campaigner Megan Jayne Crabbe, otherwise known as Instagram phenomenon @BodyPosiPanda (she has a million followers, and there’s a good reason for this!). She tells us how ditching diet culture for good has meant amazing things for her body confidence, relationship and sex life. Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams also talk about Nineties phone culture (do you remember Call Waiting and the game Dream Phone?), positive ageing accounts, and why we don’t want people to tell us we’ve lost weight.To buy Megan's book Body Positive Power, click hereTo buy the 90s board game Dream Phone at an extortionate amount, click hereTo follow Laura Thomas PHD on Instagram, click hereTo follow Style Me Sunday (Natalie Lee) on Instagram, click hereTo follow us, the Hotbed Collective, on Instagram, click here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you’re in a relationship, how long between shags is too long? Anniki Sommerville discusses sex droughts and the ‘maintenance shag’ with beauty journalist Sali Hughes. They offer up tips on how to make sex a fun and easy part of living together, why it’s unfair to decide that you’re just not going to have sex with your partner any more, and what to do when you’re living through a sex drought. Recorded at Soho Studios. Produced by Alex Graham. Thanks to Acast, and to our episode sponsor Mooncup.To read Sali Hughes's article about the Maintenance Shag, click here.To find out more about the Mooncup, click here, and you can use the code 'MooncupHotbed' to get 10% off until 20/12/18To fill out our survey about female sexual pleasure, click here.To donate items to Sali Hughes's Beauty Banks (which help fight hygiene poverty), click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A very special live edition of the Hotbed, recorded at Sh! Women’s Store in London. Cherry Healey, Anniki Sommerville, Lisa Williams, and their gaggle of gorgeous listeners hear store manager Renee demonstrate the sex emporium’s best-selling toys, including the ‘sucker’, the male masturbator and the anal plug. There’s also a little spanking demo, with Cherry as the ‘spankee’, and a Q&A with clinical psychologist and psychosexologist Dr Karen Gurney (@thesexdoctor).Produced by Alex Graham and Shola Aleje. Thanks to the brilliant team at Sh!, to Pitfield Café at the front, and to Thompson & Scott for the prosecco discount!To buy something from Sh! use the code ‘hotbed’ to get 10% off in their online store.To learn more about the Eve Appeal or to donate money, click here.We would also love it if you could fill out our survey about the female orgasm, it is completely anonymous and quite fun. Click here to fill in.Follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollective and Twitter @thehotbed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We head to the Houses of Parliament to speak to Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley, about sex and relationships education in schools: why kids should learn about pleasure as well as pregnancy, how growing up in an open 'naked' household paved the way for her career in politics, and which member of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers she fantasised the most about when she was a teenager. In the episode, which is sponsored by the original reusable menstrual cup the Mooncup, we also discuss naming our boobs, why women shouldn't be afraid to ask for what they want in bed, and the secret to a happy relationship (clue: it concerns sharing the mental load..).To report a story of sexual harassment at work to Jess's 'Not the Job' campaign, click here.To find out more about our episode sponsor Mooncup, click here and use the code MooncupHotbed for 10% until 20/12/18To fill out our survey about the female orgasm, click hereAnd please follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollective and Twitter @thehotbedEpisode produced by Alex Graham. With thanks to Soho Studios and Acast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our first episode in the new series, Lisa Williams and Anniki Sommerville focus on the pressing issue of confidence and how to have more presence and VA VA VOOM in your life. This might be when attending an intimidating event, getting ready for a speakingopportunity, or broaching a difficult conversation with your other half about your own desires (versus ‘making do’). We also interview the fab author, stand-up comedian and broadcaster Viv Groskop about her new book ‘Owning the Room: The Art of Brilliant Speaking,’ and get some tips on how to fake confidence, deal with anxiety and channel the powerful women who inspire us. Ready to try a power pose?Links and resources: Viv’s book ‘Own The Room: Women and The Art of Public Speaking’  Amy Cuddy Ted Talk- 'Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are'   Oprah Winfrey receives Cecil B. de Mille award at 2018 Golden Globes speechAdam Buxton talks to Louis TherouxCall Your Girlfriend podcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do the words 'let's talk about sex' make you cringe? Join Cherry, Anniki and Lisa of the Hotbed Collective for funny, frank, non-cringey sex chat, with help from sex experts, comedians and confidence coaches. We're making the world a better place, one orgasm at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*WARNING: DUE TO A STUDIO BLIP, SOUND QUALITY ON THIS EPISODE IS NOT GOOD* How can yoga help us have better orgasms? Is there a quick way of doing tantric sex? And will a crystal dildo be the sex toy Anniki Sommerville finally bothers to try? The Hotbed Collective answer these questions and more, in this special episode on sex and mysticism. Lisa Williams and Anniki are joined by mum blogger and designer Kerri Northcott (@life_with,ivycoco) who reveals her favourite way to ‘destress’ during the working day, they review sex toys made by the Glass Dildo, and there’s also an interview with yoga therapist and author Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, who guides us through some yoni-boosting exercises.Recorded at Soho Radio. Produced by Lisa Williams, Anniki Sommerville and Alex Graham.Useful links: The Glass DildoUma Dinsmore-TuliUma’s book: Yoni Shakti: A Woman's Guide to Power and Freedom Through Yoga and Tantra Free yoga nidra downloadsVagina: A New Biography by Naomi Woolf Please subscribe, rate and review our show if you like it, and send any feedback to thehotbedcollective@gmail.com You can also follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollective and see our website here. https://www.thehotbedcollective.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode The Hotbed Collective talk all about writing and sex. What makes a good sex scene in a book? What words turn us on? What descriptions make us cringe? We re-visit classics by Jackie Collins, Jilly Cooper and also discuss ‘50 Shades of Grey,’ with our guest - writer Tetyana Denford. There’s also an interview with author Clover Stroud (‘The Wild Other’). Recorded at Acast. Produced by Lisa Williams, Anniki Sommerville and Alex Graham. Studio support by Ayoub. Useful links: https://literaryreview.co.uk/bad-sex-in-fiction-awardhttp://hystericalliterature.com/fettehttp://www.cloverstroud.com Follow Tetyana on IG @tetyanawrites Please subscribe, rate and review our show if you like it, and send any feedback to thehotbedcollective@gmail.com You can also follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sex doctor Dr Karen Gurney is in the house to give us a load of tips in this bumper episode. How can women get the horn more easily? And how can men feel less inadequate? Is ‘date night’ a good idea? Dr Karen, Lisa Williams and Anniki Sommerville also discuss Naked Attraction, snogging in public and fancying dads in the playground. They also answer some listener questions and set a relationship exercise to try at home. Let us know how you get on... Recorded at Acast in Shoreditch, London. Produced by Lisa Williams and Alex Graham. Show sponsor: Not Aesop, even though we would have liked it to be.Links to what we talked about:Dr Karen Gurney at the Havelock ClinicThe TV show Naked AttractionOrgasm inequality statistics (via the Independent)Natsal survey: 34% of women experience problems with desire (via the BBC)Anniki’s dads-in-the-playground lust (via The Hotbed Collective)Is it ok to objectify men? (via The Hotbed Collective)You can follow Dr Karen Gurney on Instagram @thesexdoctor. You can also follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollectivePlease subscribe, rate and review our show if you like it, and send any thoughts or feedback to thehotbedcollective@gmail.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you see the London Marathon this year? Did you see the two women who ran it in their underwear to prove that people of all shapes and sizes can take part? Bryony Gordon and Jada Sezer made a big impression on the Hotbed Collective (Cherry Healey. Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams). In this episode, Anniki and Lisa talk to Jada, a model and mental health campaigner, about how she got through the marathon (clue: sausage rolls and anti-chafing rub), her tips for body confidence and the link between exercise and feeling sexy. The three also discuss the pressure to ‘bounce back’ after having a baby, why girls lose their body and sporting confidence so young, and the humiliation of being overtaken on Park Run. Recorded at Acast in Shoreditch, London. Produced by Lisa Williams and Alex Graham. Show sponsor: Not lululemon, even though we would have liked it to be.Links to what we talked about:Jada Sezer and Bryony Gordon at the London Marathon 2018Heads Together (the mental health charity they raised money for) lululemon Park RunThe This Girl Can campaign videoThis Girl Can ‘find a sport’Frame online postnatal courses The Mummy Coach’s Instagram Jemma’s Health Hub Bryony Gordon’s book Eat, Drink, Run You can follow Jada Sezer on Instagram @jadasezerPlease subscribe, rate and review our show if you like it, and send any thoughts or feedback to thehotbedcollective@gmail.com You can also follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you stay in love with your other half when you kind of hate them a little bit? And how do you keep up the orgasm count when you spend more time sorting the recycling than snogging on the sofa? Cherry Healey, Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams debate the ‘seven year itch’ and work out what causes stress in their relationships and what they can do about it. Lisa interviews Relate ambassador and relationship expert Anjula Mutanda who offers some extremely wise advice and, because it’s not all doom and gloom, the trio also review vibrator/love balls hybrid the Elara. Recorded at Cherry’s house and Cuckooz Nest co-working space. Produced by Lisa Williams and Alex Graham.Links to what we talked about:The Elara by Sent to ThrillYES Organics lubricantSliquid lubricantClover Stroud’s book The Wild OtherBrigid Schulte’s book OverwhelmedDr Karen Gurney at the Havelock ClinicJancee Dunn’s book How Not To Hate Your Husband After KidsAnjula Mutanda’s book How To Do RelationshipsRelateYou can follow Anjula Mutanda on Twitter @therealanjulamPlease subscribe, rate and review our show if you like it, and send any feedback to thehotbedcollective@gmail.com You can also follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode The Hotbed Collective tackle the thorny issue of trying to conceive. With special guest Kelly Ford AKA @bookofmum we discuss the frustrations when the one thing you really want to happen WON’T. There’s also an honest and frank interview with Cat Strawbridge and Kate Meakin – two brave women who’ve been going through IVF treatment and know first hand the impact it can have on your relationship and sex life. Recorded at Acast. Produced by Lisa Williams, Anniki Sommerville and Alex Graham. Studio support by Ayoub. Useful links: http://fertilitynetworkuk.org/ http://www.fertilityfriends.co.uk/forum/index.php This is Kelly Ford’s ‘Book of Mum’ blog: http://bookofmum.com/ And you can follow Cat Strawbridge on Instagram - @tryingyears and Kate Meakin @mrsmeaks  Please subscribe, rate and review our show if you like it, and send any feedback to thehotbedcollective@gmail.com You can also follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pregnancy sex, birth injury and being a MILF: all in a day’s work for the Hotbed Collective, this week made up of Lisa Williams, Anniki Sommerville and guest host Remi Sade. They also work out all the things they don’t feel guilty about, and talk to The No-Guilt Pregnancy Plan author Rebecca Schiller about how women can empower themselves for pregnancy and birth, and what to do if their birth has knocked the confidence out of them. Recorded at Acast. Produced by Lisa Williams and Alex Graham. Studio support by Ayoub and Joel at Acast. Special thanks to Cherry Healey.Articles we talk about during the show:Sex in pregnancy (via NHS)Video: Sex during pregnancy (via NHS)Make Birth Better (birth trauma resources)This is Remi's blog Books, Baby and BackThis is the Birthrights websiteAnd this is where you can buy Your No Guilt Pregnancy PlanPlease subscribe, rate and review our show if you like it, and send any feedback to thehotbedcollective@gmail.comYou can also follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hotbed podcast is back for series two! We hope you've had some good orgasms since we were away. And now we're straight in at the deep end again, talking about periods: period shame, period education, period sex, period poverty and period politics. It's a good one! The Hotbed Collective (that's Cherry Healey, Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams) also manage to reference Love Island, cult horror film Carrie, and Cherry's show Inside the Factory. We also interview Anna Dahlqvist about her book It's Only Blood. It's worth a listen. Period.Our episode sponsor is Honour Your Flow. These are some of their reusable pads, and remember you can use the code REDTENT for 10% off on their website.We speak to Anna Dahlqvist, the author of It's Only Blood, which you can buy from Waterstones here...Articles/studies we talk about during the episodeNo joy in sex for half of young women (via the Times)2. Boys should be taught about periods at school (via BBC Newsbeat)3. Am I ovulating? (via NHS)4. Women wear fewer clothes when they are ovulating (via The Guardian)5. Girls are starting their periods younger than they did before (via The Guardian)Please subscribe, rate and review our show if you like it, and send any feedback to thehotbedcollective@gmail.comYou can also follow us on Instagram @thehotbedcollectiveEpisode produced by Lisa Williams and Alex Graham. With thanks to Shola Aleje, and Sophie Herdman and the team at Acast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the end of the first series, and presenters Anniki Sommerville, Lisa Williams and Cherry Healey reflect on what has surprised them the most about doing this podcast. They review the Pillow app which helps to reconnect couples, hear from life and confidence coach Mary Meadows about dating after divorce, and read out some alternatives to the word ‘masturbation’ as suggested by Hotbed listeners. Find out more about the Hotbed Collective at thehotbedcollective.com and on Instagram @thehotbedcollective. Produced by Shola Aleje, directed by Lisa Williams. Thanks to Soho Radio and lovely little Rae. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following on from their hit episode about feminist porn, Anniki Sommerville, Lisa Williams and Cherry Healey discuss sex on screen more broadly: why do film and TV sex scenes so often show a woman coming to a screaming climax after a few thrusts, and does this do a disservice to both women and men? The Shape of Water, Trainwreck, Fleabag and Don’t Look Now are among the titles discussed, and they set out ‘the Hotbed test’ as a way for listeners to assess how accurate a screen sex scene is to real life. Lastly, Lisa interviews Karen Krizanovich, the former Sky magazine sex columnist turned film critic, about the Naughty Nineties, bad advice, growing up with a straight-talking mother, and why she loves Sharon Stone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More people are having anal sex than ever before, but do you, could you, would you? And if so, then how? The Hotbed Collective gives you their bum sex dos and don’ts with some help from comedian Kelly Ford and sex expert Dr Karen Gurney, who also gives the lowdown on the female g-spot and female ejaculation. Anniki interviews sex educator and Close Encounters presenter Alix Fox about the topic. If that wasn’t enough, Cherry, Anniki and Lisa also discuss anal sex on screen, and share their favourite podcasts. Produced by Shola Aleje, directed by Lisa Williams. With thanks to Craig David, Kevin Costner and healthy snacks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Women are watching increasing amounts of porn, but is it doing us any good? Lisa Williams, Anniki Sommerville and Cherry Healey discuss the ins and outs – ooh er! – and report back from their ventures into feminist porn. What is it? How is it different? And can it give you the horn? In a segment from their live stage show, they review Yes Organics lube and moisturiser range. Produced by Shola Aleje, directed by Lisa Williams.With thanks to baby Joe, who snorts his way throughout the first half – sorry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do so many women feel so crap about their bodies, and how does this affect them in the bedroom and beyond? Cherry Healey, Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams discuss the issue, taking in the dangers of female objectification and the joys of dry-humping along the way.Anniki talks to life coach Mary Meadows about how to be more body-confident and assertive in the bedroom, Lisa poses nude at the Women of the World Festival, and the trio review two different types of vibrator at their live show; although they don’t actually try the vibrators at the live show, as thatwould be weird. Produced by Shola Aleje, directed by Lisa Williams. With thanks to Sophie Herdman and Elizabeth Adetula. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What the hell is the pelvic floor and why is it important? Cherry, Anniki and Lisa get squeezing, and talk to the women who are campaigning for better awareness of that core area. They once used the hashtag #PelvicPawPatrol as a joke but Lisa runs with it and makes it official. The trio review pelvic floor exerciser the Elvie, and we find out what gets our listeners in the mood for sex. •See thehotbedcollective.com for more information on pelvic floor dysfunction and exercises* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the difficult second episode but it’s a juicy one: Cherry, Anniki and Lisa talk about masturbation and the female orgasm. They try to take it seriously but they struggle. Luckily Dr Karen Gurney is there with some eye-opening facts, and comedian Kelly Ford praises the dangerwank. Anniki calls in to Meg Matthews’s house to talk about why menopausal women should masturbate, and the trio set listeners some homework that may or may not involve a power shower. •Visit the hotbedcollective.com to play Cherry's What's That Noise game*  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cherry Healey, Anniki Sommerville and Lisa Williams talk edible knickers, sex after kids, and why 'a weekend away' is sometimes the least sexy thing a couple can do. They also talk to resident sex expert Dr Karen Gurney about why women feel the horn less than men, and what we can do about it. Live segments of the show recorded at Old St Records in Shoreditch. Directed by Lisa Williams. Produced by Shola Aleje. With thanks to Nick Collett, Marcus Hessenberg, Kieron Botting, and Cherry's cat Party Time. Follow @thehotbedcollective on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do the words 'let's talk about sex' make you cringe? Join Cherry, Anniki and Lisa of the Hotbed Collective for funny, frank, non-cringey sex chat, with help from sex experts, comedians and confidence coaches. We're making the world a better place, one orgasm at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.