🔗🌟🎙️ Pleasure activism: healing, empowerment, and change 🎙️
When I first heard the term “Pleasure Activism,” I was a bit intimidated. It sounded complex, distant, and unrelated to our everyday lives. But after diving deep into the topic with Katherine Dennis Gonzalez, a psychotherapist and social sustainability consultant, I realized how crucial it is to our well-being. And, to be honest, I’m so glad we recorded this episode—because Pleasure Activism can truly open doors to more joy, healing, and connection in ways I never imagined.
During our conversation, we explored the link between mental health, our nervous system, and pleasure. Katherine explained why we often feel the way we do when it comes to intimacy and connection. We talked about how feeling safe—or not—has a huge impact on our ability to experience pleasure. If we don’t feel safe, it’s almost impossible to truly enjoy connection or intimacy. This understanding can be a game-changer for relationships and sexual well-being.
We also used some unexpected metaphors—like meerkats. Katherine beautifully illustrated how our nervous system can be like a meerkat: constantly on the lookout, vigilant, and quick to respond to danger. When we live in that heightened state, our ability to experience pleasure diminishes. By learning how to calm our internal meerkat and feel safer, we can create more space for joy and connection in our lives.
Your Sexual Voice
Another major topic we delved into was the concept of finding your sexual voice. What does that mean? It’s about understanding what gives you pleasure and feeling confident enough to express it. We’re often conditioned by societal norms or past experiences, which can block us from truly knowing what we want or need sexually. Katherine gave great insights into how we can start creating safety in our lives and relationships to better express ourselves and feel more at ease in our own bodies.
The Role of Systems and Communities
Beyond the personal, we also talked about the larger systems and communities we live in and how they impact our sense of safety and pleasure. The structures we navigate every day—whether cultural, political, or social—can shape how we experience joy and intimacy. Understanding how these systems influence our nervous systems and sense of well-being is essential to reclaiming our sexual autonomy and finding real empowerment.
The Five Whys
A practical tool Katherine shared was the “five whys”—a way to dig deeper when you notice a block in your pleasure. Instead of just feeling frustrated when something doesn’t feel right, you ask yourself why. Then, you ask why again, and keep going until you hit a core issue. It’s a simple but powerful technique to uncover what might be holding you back from enjoying yourself fully.
Staying Curious
Lastly, one of the biggest takeaways from our chat was the idea of staying curious. Whether it’s about pleasure, safety, or connection, approaching these topics with curiosity rather than judgment opens up so much possibility. Katherine emphasized how vital it is to stay in awe of ourselves and to explore without preconceived notions of what pleasure “should” look like.
While this episode may not be the traditionally sexy content you’re used to from me, it’s an essential conversation. Understanding the deeper layers of what brings us pleasure—and how to access it—can truly transform how we approach intimacy, relationships, and even our personal growth.
Katherine breaks it all down in a digestible, fun way. So, whether you’re intrigued by how your nervous system works, curious about finding your sexual voice, or just looking to open more doors to joy, this episode is for you.
More about Katherine Denise Gonzalez:
Katherine Dennis Gonzalez is a psychotherapist and social sustainability consultant specializing in liberatory psychology. With a background in clinical psychology, neurodevelopment, and philosophy, she takes an intersectional, politically aware, and ecologically mindful approach to therapy. Based in Berlin, Katherine works with international artists, writers, and the queer community, helping clients address the psychological effects of societal structures and power dynamics. Her practice emphasises the connection between personal well-being and systemic change, guiding clients toward self-awareness, healing, and liberation. Instagram | E-Mail
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