fox and Mya don’t tie TKs, and rarely tie a box tie because of their risk profile - but they understand a lot of listeners do. So when they saw educator fuoco had put out a book about box ties, they were excited to get her perspective. fuoco also shares more about her Zine ‘Cut the Leash’, the audience for that and the notion of kinky community - as well as their issue on ‘Witchiness and rope’. Might you be a contributor? Get in touch with fuoco on her website below. In the meantime, listen to t...
Mar 27, 2023•29 min
fuoco began her rope journey as a bottom in Phoenix ten years ago and shortly thereafter moved to London, where much of her early rope learning happened. Upon moving back to the US, she began presenting at cons and intensives around the country sharing her love of rope. As an educator, she's decidedly non-dogmatic in her approach to teaching. Her classes aim to help bottoms to better understand their bodies in movement, and to offer riggers the knowledge to adapt their tying to the unique needs ...
Mar 13, 2023•27 min
In this episode fox shares some of his experience and knowledge around how rope tops and bottoms might optimize their physical strength for rope. The podcast hosts remind you they’re not medical doctors or trainers and you should get some professional input before starting. Aimed at novices (though those who are more experienced are welcome to listen and share their advice in the comments on Fetlife and Instagram) list now to hear them discuss these areas: • The kinds of movement you might want ...
Feb 27, 2023•36 min
‘Auntie’ Midori has a lot of scenes behind her (and in front of her!) and her depth of experience in play means she has huge resources to draw on for ideas. Her interest in rope developed alongside her experience in other kinks, and in this episode, fox and Mya explore some of her more unusual ideas on ‘how to play’. This is a great episode to help enhance your scenes, beginner or advanced, whatever your level. Listen to the discussion to hear about: • Intent in rope bondage, what it means, and ...
Feb 13, 2023•27 min
Midori literally ‘wrote the book’ on rope bondage, with the first English instruction manual on Shibari: ‘Seductive Art of Japanese Rope Bondage’. With her first hand perspectives on both American and Japanese rope culture, fox and Mya were able to discuss with her a depth of understanding of Japanese Rope culture that may be at odds with some of the myths out there. Listen to the discussion to hear about: • Midori’s slow burn entry into rope, and where she learned both the skills of making rope...
Jan 30, 2023•28 min
In this episode the rope pair Mya and fox speculate on what rope might look like in the future, given some of the technological advances and futurist predications around. They throw ideas around and have a lot of fun with it! Listen now to hear them discuss what these topics might mean for the future of rope bondage: • Extended reality • Medicine • Datification • The Quantified Human • Software • Privacy • Work • Communication • Sustainability • Sex • Material science There’s no way to predict w...
Jan 16, 2023•29 min
The second part of the well-loved favourite episode of ‘rope memories’ from the podcast interviewees this year. Mya and fox love this episode and are excited to share these funny, poignant, explicit and delightful stories with you. Enjoy! The episode includes stories from: HuaHua Graydancer Ropunawa Lief+Icky
Dec 31, 2022•32 min
Time for one of our favourite episodes of the year - and one you love. Settle down and listen to four of our wonderful guests telling us about their most memorable rope scenes - what inspiration or ideas does it spark for you in your rope practice? The episode includes memories from: Addie Tifereth Marceline VQ Renee Robyn
Dec 24, 2022•27 min
In this episode, listener Your_Dapper_Dom asks fox and Mya a question about envy and imposter syndrome - something which the rope duo have interestingly differing views about, but both offer an intimate and vulnerable perspective on the topics. Listen now to hear them talk about: • Discussion of envy versus jealousy and how the same emotion word might be interpreted differently by different people • How fox and Mya do and don’t feel envious • The ways each of them try and manage feelings of envy...
Dec 12, 2022•35 min
Part 2 of our fabulous interview with Graydancer covers all things Ropecast, his incredibly long-running and early podcast all about rope bondage (can you believe it was one of the first 200 podcasts IN EXISTENCE! For perspective the Rope Podcast is now one of 2.4million out there!). Gray is a vivid and detailed storyteller and it’s fascinating to hear about such a core part of rope history. This episode explores: • The origin story of the Ropecast • Building connections in the rope world • Refl...
Nov 28, 2022•30 min
fox and Mya were thrilled and honoured when Graydancer, whose Rope Podcast (Ropecast) has so far episodes spanning 14 years, accepted their invitation to guest on their younger Rope Podcast. Sadly Mya was sick (so sick!) with Covid on the date of the interview, but fox carried off their questions on his own. Graydancer got into rope bondage back at the turn of the millenium, when rope was 10 cents a foot. He started a podcast about bondage in 2005, and taught, performed, and organized events aro...
Nov 21, 2022•26 min
In this second episode with the wonderful HuaHua the podcast hosts go deeper into exploring what the Chinese rope scene is like. Hear all about: ◦ The rope scene in China versus HuaHua’s experiences in other parts of the world ◦ The political, cultural and social context and how it influences Chinese Shibari ◦ How she uses Shibari in performance art ◦ Handling the police interrupting her scenes ◦ Tying with Kinoko ◦ The challenges of taking photos of rope in China ◦ Private life versus public li...
Oct 24, 2022•21 min
HuaHua (she/her) is an artist, Shibari practitioner and teacher from the UK, currently based in Shanghai, She is the founder of Borderline Shibari, a platform dedicated to creating a mindful and conscious Shibari community. She believes that rope bondage is a process of exploring authenticity. To her, bondage creates a connection between interior and exterior, between the elevated and the underground. In addition to her Shibari work, her art work also includes, nude photography, physical theatre...
Oct 10, 2022•27 min
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the ability of your body to regulate the level of sugar in your blood is compromised. In this episode, listener absinthe-minded asks for any advice or safety precautions to mitigate risks from one partner in rope bondage having diabetes. Fox and Mya explore some of the potential issues that might come up and make suggestions about how you might work with this condition to have a great rope life. They discuss: • Why this episode might be relevant to you ev...
Sep 26, 2022•33 min
RopuNawa first encountered Shibari and Kinbaku in 2008 at a performance in Australia with Arisue Go. This experience stayed with him, and he began his own journey with rope back in his home of Switzerland, first learning Osada Steve’s style with local teachers. Rather than stay with one style, however, he has been inspired by many, as he feels that there is not one way to tie - rather, the heart of his style lies in the needs of his model. Through the diversity within his approach, he can best r...
Sep 12, 2022•43 min
‘Intent’ in rope is mentioned a lot in rope circles, but can feel a bit ethereal and hard to pin down. The podcast hosts think it’s pretty important to be on the same page about your intent in rope when you go into a scene - but what, then, IS intent in rope? And why, exactly, is it important? In this episode, Fox and Mya try to make the topic more practical and explore: * A definition of intent in rope and its possible consequences * Practical implications of not being on the same page about in...
Aug 29, 2022•41 min
In episode 127, the podcast hosts explored with queer and trans rope educators and performance artists Lief Bound and Icarus how they fell for rope, and each other. In this second part of the interview, they open up about: ◦ How the pair keep their inspiration alive in rope ◦ A great rope dinner party question ◦ Transitioning rope from a passion to a profession ◦ The ups and downs of making a living with rope ◦ Whether being paid for doing rope is s3x work or not ◦ Exploding myths about ‘the per...
Aug 15, 2022•31 min
Lief Bound and Icarus are queer and trans rope educators and performance artists currently residing in Los Angeles, California. Having enjoyed attending a number of their online classes, and their inclusive but practical style, fox and Mya were excited to explore a wide ranging set of topics with them. In this first episode with them, hear us discuss: ◦ Where Icky fell in love with rope - despite the fact there was no rope ◦ How the pair met each other and fell in rope-love ◦ Their passion for t...
Aug 01, 2022•26 min
To music or not to music? Music can be a hot debate in rope bondage - when to use it, what to use - whether to use it at all! Mya and fox love music and often include in in their scenes. In this conversation, they talk about: * Where and when music can be used * When you might not want to use music * At what points during a scene you might change your soundtrack up * How different tops and bottoms might use music * The benefits or effects of music that we can draw on for scenes * Some of the cha...
Jul 18, 2022•29 min
Renee is a Canadian photographer and digital artist, whose kink journey started in the late 90's. Shibari photography for her became a visual expression of shapes in defiance of gravity, a delicate display of sadomasochism. Working with talented riggers, bottoms and self tying artists, she aims to create strong, clean kink images that respect the community and the artists. Mya and fox are big fans of her striking and distinct imagery, and in this episode, you can hear them discuss a wide range o...
Jul 04, 2022•36 min
In this episode, Fox and Mya discuss how you might use rope bondage with water, something they like a lot! Listen to them chat through the joys and challenges including: * All the safety, all the time: This is edge play within edge play! * Many of the risks and how you might mitigate them to some degree * The importance and support of how one (or more) spotters can support * Different types of water from baths to waterfalls and their unique challenges * Some of the gear you can involve * Three o...
Jun 20, 2022•31 min
Tifareth is one of the Rope Podcast hosts’ favourite performers. In this episode, which continues the interview from part one (see Ep.122), we explore this topic with her, and discuss: ◦ How she developed her graceful rope handling style ◦ The drills she does and her attention to detail ◦ How she crafts her (amazing) rope performances ◦ How she works with her rope model during performances ◦ How she memorises her performances ◦ The critical role music plays in her performance and why ◦ Her new r...
Jun 06, 2022•27 min
Tifereth's introduction to rope bondage came in 2011 in the form of a surprisingly enjoyable futomomo tsuri. Since then she's drawn on her dual background in high-performance athletics and figurative arts to push herself physically and aesthetically on both ends of the rope. Known for her dynamic style of sadism, performative rope and creative approach to harness construction, she loves conveying her passion through engaging hands-on methods of instruction. A veteran educator and performer with ...
May 23, 2022•29 min
The Damsel in Distress trope and fetish is something that can often be seen in rope bondage, particularly Western rope. The trope itself in mainstream media ignited many a kinky person’s desires. Fox and Mya discuss the trope, along with: * The gendered aspect of the term, what this might mean and alternatives * The history of the trope * Examples in the media and how these are already being subverted more recently * What kind of ties might be involved * The feel of this kind of scene * Role pla...
May 09, 2022•23 min
Marceline VQ is an internationally recognized shibari artist whose work challenges viewers with aesthetic and technically complex rope work. She engages rope from all perspectives—as a model in her own rope, with other models in her rope, and as a model in others’ rope—allowing for a deeper understanding of the medium as a creative and connective tool. She adores the sensory experience of being in rope, as well as the idea of becoming “human sculpture.” Her work engages in conversation with them...
Apr 25, 2022•36 min
In this episode, Fox and Mya discuss rope and ties that center on the butt. This topic is a particular favourite of Fox’s and he’s very enthusiastic. No, like really. Really really… Listen to the episode to hear a lively discussion about: * The kind of ties you might use for this rope, such as butt baskets and spreader ties * Special considerations in terms of negotiations and consent around this type of rope * Top and bottom thoughts on this kind of tie * The types of play and scenes where this...
Apr 11, 2022•28 min
An early question for most rope enthusiasts is which rope should they use - with hemp, jute, nylon, cotton and even coconut rope available, how do you know which one you should tie with? Before you can decide, you need to think about some key questions to make sure your rope choice works for you. In this episode, Fox and Mya discuss some of the factors you might consider when deciding which rope type to choose. And of course bottoms can buy their own rope kit too, and the hosts discuss why and w...
Mar 28, 2022•38 min
There’s a surprising amount of communication required in rope, and that can be done in a huge number of ways. In this episode, Fox and Mya discuss when and how communication happens before, during and after a rope scene, and make suggestions about how to do this effectively. They also discuss: * Methods of communication and when they might be more or less helpful * Pros and cons of using different methods of expressing yourself * Possible goals of communication at different times * Who and why y...
Mar 14, 2022•36 min
When Fox and Mya met, they weren’t living in the same city, and so rope getaways - opportunities to go stay somewhere different, usually at least overnight, and do rope there - have been part of their history together from the start. In this episode they discuss what to plan for when thinking about a rope getaway, and some useful tips to think about when you get there. They also discuss: * How you might assess your potential rope get away location * Factors for suspension versus floor rope * Res...
Feb 28, 2022•23 min
Fox and Mya discuss the Bunny Ears tie in this episode - also sometimes called the Duck Tie or Pillow Tie. This is a tie they use quite a lot in floor rope, and they share their experiences with this tie, including: ◦ What it looks like ◦ How it feels to be in ◦ Potential risks and safety ◦ Hair management issues that go along with the tie! ◦ Versions Fox has tied, and why he is tying his current, perhaps unusual, version ◦ When you might use this tie ◦ Scenes we’ve used the Bunny Ears tie in an...
Feb 14, 2022•24 min
