Afleveringen
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Vetting is the process of deciding whether someone is a good fit before you trust them as a rope partner. It might sound simple, but in practice there’s a lot to consider - your context, your risk tolerance, and what information actually matters.
In this episode, Fox and Mya explore how vetting can shift over time, the different types of risk you might weigh, and how to approach references with a critical lens. They discuss what information can be useful, the role of asking intentional questions, and how instinct and bias can both shape your decisions.
They also cover common red flags, why self-awareness is key to vetting others effectively, and share their own personal approaches to the process. -
With an infectious delight in what she calls “macramé with humans,” Mystrix brings a thoughtful, creative approach to minimalistic western rope. In this conversation, she shares how her style focuses on adapting rope to the individual - prioritizing intention, efficiency, and connection over complexity.
We talk about her journey into rope, what continues to fuel her passion, and how her perspective has evolved over time. The discussion explores tying diverse bodies, navigating the scene as a fat femme rigger, and the importance of understanding physics - especially when working with larger or squishier bodies.
The episode also covers the differences between shibari and minimalistic western rope, separating rope from other kink dynamics, and the practical and creative choices that shape her practice; from rope materials like POSH to incorporating scent and sensory elements.
Mystrix frames rope as playful problem-solving: a balance of fundamentals, curiosity, and continuous refinement. Her focus is on creating experiences where bottoms feel strong, supported, and fully seen - while emphasizing that rope should always adapt to the person, not the other way around. -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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What happens when precision meets tension? In this episode, Mya and Fox dive into the edge where rope and sharps intersect - an intense, deliberate form of play that demands skill, trust, and control.
- What counts as sharps play
- Real risks (and why they're often misunderstood)
- When the top may be at greater risk than the bottom
- Why people are drawn to sharps—on both sides of the dynamic
- Tie styles that pair well with sharps
- Roleplay dynamics that elevate the experience
- Staying organised and in control
- Incorporating sharps into suspensions
- How sharps interact with (and can damage) rope
This is one of the less talked-about combinations - and there's a reason it requires experience and intention. -
What does it really mean to step into a Japanese rope bar - and how do you do it without getting it wrong?
In this episode, Mya and Fox speak with Nuit de Tokyo, whose engagement with Japanese rope spans more than three decades. His learning has come through formal training, deep cultural immersion, and proximity to source: watching over a thousand SM performances, performing publicly, and absorbing the unspoken knowledge that circulates in bars, backstage spaces, and long-standing communities.
This is a conversation about time, continuity, and lineage - and what Western practitioners often miss.
We explore:
• Nuit de Tokyo’s journey from Paris to Tokyo via martial arts
• Discovering SM and rope in the pre-internet era, through rare publications and bondage books
• Key differences between European and Japanese rope scenes
• What a Japanese rope bar actually is, and why bar culture matters in Tokyo
• How rope bars work, event etiquette, and how to attend respectfully
• The biggest cultural missteps Westerners make - and how to avoid them
• How poetry, Confucian social structures, morality, and Japanese banquet culture inform modern shibari
• Dispelling the persistent myth that shibari originates from Hojojutsu
Insightful, grounded, and essential listening for anyone curious about rope culture beyond the surface.
Nuit de Tokyo first traveled to Japan in 1989 and began collecting kinbaku books the following year, an archive that has since grown into the thousands. By the early 2000s, during a second extended stay, his Japanese language skills allowed him to move beyond observation and into lived experience within the Tokyo SM scene, where studio time, late nights, and long conversations became part of his education.
His training is rooted in long-term study rather than brief encounters. A formative lesson with Akechi Kanna in 2005 marked a turning point, and when Kanna came out of retirement in 2010, NdT undertook several years of structured training across the full cursus under him. In parallel, he studied continuously for nine years with Yukimura Haruki, an extended apprenticeship that profoundly shaped his technical approach and his understanding of lineage, transmission, and responsibility within rope. -
This week, Fox and Mya explore a role in rope bondage that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the rope assistant. Neither top nor bottom, but an active and intentional part of the scene—this dynamic opens up new possibilities for connection, support, and creativity.
Fox and Mya break down:
• What the role actually involves (and common misconceptions)
• Ways a rope assistant can contribute to a scene
• How power, service, and intention can show up in this dynamic
• Who might enjoy this role and why
• Tips to make the experience fulfilling for everyone involved
• Handling the added complexity of multi-person scenes
• Risks to be aware of when introducing a third person
• Personal examples of how this dynamic has worked in practice
A practical, thoughtful look at expanding rope dynamics and creating more connected, collaborative scenes. -
From squeaky ducky paddles to exquisite rope art Muffy's creative journey is anything but ordinary. The owner of UK BDSM brand Against-TheGrain, Muffy is an intermediate rope switch who's turned shibari into something playful, painful, and unexpectedly meditative: colouring books for rope lovers.
Created in collaboration with 7 artists across the UK, USA, and Australia, these books transform real riggers and rope bottoms into expressive, erotic art meant to be felt, not followed.
In this episode, Mya and Fox dig into:
- Turning rope into interactive art
- Capturing erotic anguish on the page
- The challenges of building a global creative collaboration
- Why these images are about interpretation, not instruction
- What colouring adds to the shibari experience
- And the hosts delight at seeing their own rope images brought to life -
When does a tie become suspension-worthy? Is it a binary "Yes/No," or is there a grey area where physics and risk collide?This week, we’re answering a brilliant listener question from @TangledNTwisted: “What actually makes a tie suspension-worthy?”Fox and Mya break down the "Suspendability Spectrum," moving away from rigid rules and moving toward a framework of Data, Mechanics, and Risk Management.What We’re Breaking Down:- The Risk Profile: How to evaluate the "cost of failure" before the feet leave the floor.- The Mechanics of Injury: Identifying the specific anatomical stressors (nerves, circulation, and soft tissue) that change when gravity enters the chat.- Surface Area & Distribution: The physics of why "more rope" isn't always the simple answer.- The "Bottom’s Tax": How much are we actually asking of the person in the ropes?- Science-ing It: How to gather data through incremental testing and low-air experimentation.The Takeaway:Suspendability isn't a checkbox; it’s a conversation between the rigger, the bottom, and the laws of physics. We’re here to help you move from "I think this is safe" to "I have the data to know why this works."
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Mya is stepping out of the studio and into the heart of the action. This week, we’re bringing you a special field report from “She Ties”, an event dedicated exclusively to female riggers and male bottoms.
Since Fox (male rigger) and Mya (female bottom) can’t speak to this dynamic from personal experience, we’re passing the mic to the community. Featuring atmospheric audio recorded on-site, we hear from a global roster of voices—hailing from Thailand and Taiwan to the UK and Russia.
What’s inside:
- The Nuance: Why individual connection always trumps the binary.
- The Physicality: Practical tips for navigating different body types and mechanics.
- The Social Shift: Breaking down the "big spoon/little spoon" stigma in the rope scene.
The Interview Guest List:
- Riggers: HuaHua, Yada Kinabalu, Noir_fix, May, Sasha
- Bottoms: Pang, Co, Ratta
- Spectators: Gorgone and Sawyer
A quick note: The audio is live and "in the wild"—forgive the background noise, but enjoy the energy! -
The Agura tie shows up again and again in shibari - but what makes it so enduring, and how can you work with it more intentionally?
In this Rope Focus episode, Fox and Mya break the Agura tie down piece by piece: how it’s built, how it feels, and how small choices in structure, orientation, and intent can dramatically change the experience.
They dive into:
• What the Agura position actually is - including easier and more demanding variations (and what Fox affectionately calls the leg pretzel)
• Different ways to construct the tie, and how those choices affect comfort and control
• More sustainable versus less sustainable versions, and when each might make sense
• How to increase the strength of the tie to reduce deformation and slippage
• Mya’s perspective on what it feels like to be in Agura, and what she enjoys about it as a bottom
• Practical tips for helping bottoms relax into the position, and bottoming skills that support the tie
• How Agura feels in different orientations, on the floor and in suspension
• The five distinct suspension orientations and what each one brings
• The overall vibe of the position, physically and psychologically
• How Fox enforces the position, and what that adds to the dynamic
• Managing safety, risk, and responsibility in this classic tie
Whether you’re meeting Agura for the first time or refining a tie you already love, this episode offers both technical insight and experiential depth. -
Matija Vid Pecek Black (she/he/they, aka Nikki Lapore) has been exploring shibari for nearly a decade-but this isn’t just about knots. For Nikki, rope is a way to connect with energy, nature, and the soul itself. Think flowers, forests, and the freedom of tying yourself as a ritual of release and self-discovery.
In this episode, Mya and Fox dive into Nikki’s unique world, covering:
• How rope becomes self-expression and boosts confidence
• The art and ritual of self-tying
• Connecting with nature through rope
• Their creative rope process—from choosing the perfect organic rope to dying it with natural pigments (yes, including bones—gloves required!)
• What makes rope art—and whether it even needs an audience
• Rope’s place in their life, work, and Croatian culture
• And their vision for future druidic-goth-art adventures
Plus, hear Mya’s mind completely blown when she realizes she totally misunderstood one of Nikki’s offerings. -
Listener Bethany asks Fox and Mya a deceptively simple question: after nine years of making the Rope Podcast, what’s actually changed about their rope - and the way they think about it?
The answer turns into a wide-ranging, honest reflection on how rope evolves over time: through experimentation, relationships, community, aging, and life doing what life does.
In this episode, they talk about:
• How their intents in rope have shifted - and why that matters
• Using experimentation to uncover what truly sits at the core of their rope practice
• How the ties in Fox’s rope system have changed over the years
• How changes in relationship style reshaped how they think about and position rope partners
• Mya’s journey from early innocence into a deeper engagement with safety, consent, and responsibility as a bottom
• What’s changed in the rope scene around them - and how that’s influenced their choices
• A key lesson from doing rope cross-culturally, and how it transformed their approach to consent
• Some of the biggest shifts in how they approach rope, and what prompted them
• The tying styles they’ve explored, abandoned, or kept
• How age and changing lives have altered what rope looks like now
• How tying outside their rope partnership has evolved for each of them
• Ways they try to live their values in rope, even when it’s uncomfortable
• What hasn’t changed - and why those constants still matter
• And yes… cuddly rope and TV rope
This conversation feels like sitting down with old friends who’ve carried rope through some of life’s biggest transitions and come out with deeper curiosity and clearer priorities. Part reflection, part history, and part check-in, it’s a look at what it really means to grow with rope over the long term.
Click to listen, and consider: what’s changed in your rope over the years - and what’s stayed the same? -
We’re back with Part 2 of our festive special — and this time, our guests share the rope scenes that stuck with them long after the ropes came off.
Just like Part 1, the stories range from playful to profound, from photoshoots to performances - and this time, more than one takes us outdoors. Just like in the last episode the line between these is often blurred, in part because the very physicality of rope makes it impossible to fake.
In this episode, you’ll hear from:
• Pearl and Bayowolf, who turned a difficult situation into unexpected connection, laughter, and community
• Mistress J, whose spontaneous outdoor tie with her partner caught the attention of her local community
• The Bondage Otter, sharing a photoshoot that blurred the line between art and intimacy
• Fox, reflecting on a shoot that beautifully captured the spirit of local cultural festival
If you haven’t yet listened to Part 1, don’t miss it — the two episodes make the perfect pair for the holiday season. -
It’s that time of year again — one of our favourite (and most popular!) episodes: where our wonderful guests from throughout 2025 share one of their favourite rope scenes.
This year’s stories span the full spectrum of rope — from performance to photoshoot, labbing to play — and show just how beautifully blurred those boundaries can be. Expect moments of connection, creativity, and curiosity in every description.
In this episode, you’ll hear from:
• Lee Harrington, who enacts a deep desire for self-suspension in nature, in harmony with the elements
• Claire, who dives into rope science and geeky joy during a rope bottom lab session
• KinkNamePending, whose performance teeters on the line between scene and spectacle
• petite Pretzel, who shares a ‘sticky’ memory of a photoshoot
Whether you’re drawn to the technical, the emotional, or the artistic sides of rope, this episode offers inspiration for every listener. -
Simple in structure but rich in potential, the Waitress tie is a versatile classic often seen in power exchange rope- but that’s only the beginning.
In this episode, Fox and Mya dive into the layers of this tie:
• Fresh, less gendered names and interpretations
• What makes up the tie (and some fun variations to try)
• Contexts where it shines—from sensual play to practical restraint
• The sensations it can evoke
• Key risks and safety considerations
• Personal stories of how Fox and Mya have used and adapted it
Discover why this understated tie deserves a place in your rope toolkit. -
Are you in condition to do rope? And what does that really mean?
Claire, a Filipino strength and conditioning coach and exercise physiology researcher based in Thailand, returns for part two of her conversation with Mya and Fox. With over 15 years of experience coaching people of all ages, shapes, and abilities, she brings a science-informed, body-positive approach to rope bottoming—one that combines strength, mobility, and awareness.
Her perspective couldn’t be more different from Mya’s go-with-the-flow style, and this time the hosts explore how conditioning, recovery, and mindset work together to build a rope journey that’s sustainable, safe, and deeply rewarding.
In this episode, they discuss:
• The difference between conditioning and simply “getting fit”
• Why you might want to condition yourself for rope, not just in rope
• How rope is a marathon, not a sprint
• Re-setting expectations for your body after time away from rope
• Building the mental approach needed for long-term rope practice
• Activities that help your body adapt to different rope challenges
• Using the rope session itself as conditioning
• What rope can learn from sports science
• How conditioning supports safety and longevity
• The role of bodyweight exercises in building body awareness
• Why establishing a “body baseline” matters
• Breathwork and recovery
• Conditioning for “smexy-times” rope
• The eight senses and their role in rope play
You don’t have to do any of this (Mya) —but if you love understanding the body, or you’re a science and exercise geek at heart (Fox!), this is a must-listen.
Share your thoughts in the comments—and listen now on all podcast platforms! -
Claire, a Filipino strength and conditioning coach and exercise physiology researcher based in Thailand, brings a fresh, evidence-informed perspective to rope bottoming. Fascinated by how the body responds to rope—physically and psychologically—she’s exploring how strength, conditioning, and awareness can deepen your connection to your own body in rope.
Her approach couldn’t be more different from Mya’s ‘just turn up’ style, so the hosts sat down with her to unpack how labbing, movement, and mindful training can transform the rope experience.
In this episode, they discuss:
• What “labbing” as a rope bottom really means
• How to use labbing to discover your body’s strengths and weak spots
• Understanding your body’s physical and emotional responses to rope
• Overcoming mental and physical challenges through labbing
• Handling surprises and unmet expectations
• How rope shapes—and is shaped by—the body
• Why yoga with rope feels so different from yoga without it
• Using rope as a tool for body awareness and self-connection
• The three key questions Claire asks before every session
• Simple exercises to prepare for rope and tune in afterward
Expect a thoughtful conversation at the intersection of science, embodiment, and rope.
Do you lab your ties as a bottom? Share your thoughts in the comments. -
Fox is thrilled to share his new novella, Blood Ties, where rope, vampires, and a lush French medieval world collide. Expect vivid sensory detail, authentic rope play, and a story that’s equal parts seductive and thrilling.
In this episode, Mya and Fox explore the inspirations and ideas behind the book, including:
- Why vampires? And how vampirism mirrors aspects of Fox’s sexuality
- The unexpected parallels between kink and vampirism
- Rope: more than just a prop—why it’s central to the story
- Shifting from non-fiction rope photography to erotic fiction
- Balancing fantasy with reality, and knowing when to bend the rules
- The kinks and activities woven seamlessly into the tale
- Why written erotica still has a vital place in a video-saturated world
- Bringing a medieval setting to life without losing the erotic edge
Plus, Mya shares her favourite line from the book, and Fox reads a tantalising excerpt that will leave you begging for more. -
Workshops aren’t just about what you pack-they’re about the mindset you bring with you. In this follow-up to Part 1, Fox and Mya dive into the mental and emotional side of preparing for a rope workshop, so you can show up curious, confident, and ready to grow.
In this episode, they explore:
• Handling different values between you and your educators
• Why curiosity, respect, and an open mind matter most
• How to set yourself up for learning success
• Giving and receiving feedback effectively
• Strategies to get the most from every learning opportunity
• Being a rope magpie vs. following a single rope guru
• Capturing and retaining your learnings
• Asking great questions (without hogging the floor!)
• Supporting your educators and helping create a great class
• Navigating safety, consent, and peer pressure in workshops
• Making the most of the social side of workshops -
Getting ready for your first (or tenth!) rope workshop? Fox and Mya have been to plenty of in-person rope events, and every time they pick up new tricks to make the most of the experience.
In this episode, they share their best prep strategies so you can walk in confident, relaxed, and ready to learn. They cover:
• What makes a rope workshop different from your usual rope play
• Smart packing tips (so you don’t forget the essentials)
• What to check with organisers or educators before you arrive
• Outfit choices that actually work for workshops
• How to handle food, drink, and energy across a full day of learning
• Capturing your learnings so they stick
• Who to attend with—and how to find the right workshop partner
• Switching roles at workshops
• Getting the most from auditing
Whether you’re brand new to workshops or a seasoned attendee, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you get the absolute most from your next rope adventure. -
Whether or not you think that there is a higher incidence of neurodiversity in the kink scene, research shows that around 6% of adults are affected by ADHD, which means over a rope career if you interact with different partners, at some point you’re likely to tie with someone with the condition.
In this episode, we ask listeners to share their lived experience of ADHD, to better understand the potential symptoms, and how it might affect rope - whether you are a top, bottom or self-tier.
As ever, we remind us all that individual differences are stronger than group differences, and just because something applies to one person with ADHD, does not mean it applies to another person - the best way to understand your rope partner is to talk to them. - Laat meer zien
