The Openlove101 Show

John & Jackie Melfi

This is your show to discuss open relationships, the swinger lifestyle, consensual non-monogamy - however you describe it, we're here to talk about it. Your podcast is hosted by John and Jackie Melfi, the force behind the industry famous colette swingers clubs and the award-winning blog Openlove101.com. With over 20 years of combined experience in open relationships and coaching thousands of couples, they are here to share with you the trials, tribulations, passion, and positivity of love and the lifestyle.

  1. 1D AGO

    From Curious to Confident: Navigating the Evolution of Open Relationships

    Join hosts John and Jackie Melfi as they discuss the journey from curiosity to confidence in open relationships and the swinger lifestyle. Drawing from their 20+ years of experience running colette Swingers Clubs, they share valuable insights on how couples navigate their first steps into consensual non-monogamy.   In this episode, John shares a powerful paragliding analogy about overcoming fear through action, while Jackie discusses how her initial club experiences completely changed her preconceptions. Learn why the lifestyle is surprisingly woman-centered, how strong relationships form the foundation for success, and why "walking in strong as a couple and leaving strong as a couple" is the key to confidence.   TIMESTAMPS:   00:00 - Introduction to Open Love 101 podcast 00:40 - Topic: Evolution from curious to confident in the lifestyle 01:40 - John's paragliding analogy about facing fears 03:54 - Overcoming unfounded fears in relationships 05:29 - Jackie's first paragliding experience with an instructor 07:53 - Jackie's initial club fears vs. reality 09:03 - Importance of observing other lifestyle couples 11:01 - Building confidence through gradual exploration 11:56 - Story of a couple who changed their boundaries 14:11 - Strong relationships as the foundation for success   Curious about open relationships? Visit openlove101.com for more resources and information about the Colette Swingers Clubs. Subscribe for more content and consider joining Open Love 101 Plus for behind-the-scenes access and one-on-one conversations!   👍 Like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments below!

    16 min
  2. FEB 3

    Our Rules vs. Your Rules: Why Every Open Relationship Is Unique

    Join hosts John and Jackie Melfi as they dive into the fascinating world of consensual non-monogamy and explore why there's no standard set of rules in the lifestyle. In this eye-opening discussion, they break down how boundaries differ from couple to couple and why respecting those differences is crucial to positive experiences in the swinger community.   🔑 Key Topics Covered: 00:00 - Introduction to Open Love 101 podcast 00:40 - Welcome from John and Jackie Melfi 00:58 - Main topic: Rules vs. boundaries in open relationships 03:02 - Club rules vs. personal boundaries 05:00 - Communication about boundaries with partners 07:35 - Handling conflicting boundaries between couples 09:31 - The importance of respecting others' boundaries 10:51 - Why judgment has no place in consensual relationships 12:01 - Building relationships despite different comfort levels John and Jackie share their 20+ years of combined experience running the industry-famous Colette Swingers Clubs while offering practical advice on establishing healthy boundaries in non-monogamous relationships. Whether you're new to the lifestyle or experienced, this conversation highlights the beautiful diversity of open relationships and how respecting boundaries creates better experiences for everyone.   🔔 Subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell to be alerted when we upload new content about open relationships, swinging, and consensual non-monogamy!   📝 Learn more about establishing boundaries in your relationship by joining Open Love 101 Plus at openlove101.com.   👇 Have you encountered couples with different boundaries? Share your experience in the comments below!

    14 min
  3. JAN 20

    7 Lessons from Watching Your Partner with Others

    In this intimate and revealing episode of the Open Love 101 podcast, hosts John and Jackie Melfi discuss a pivotal milestone in consensual non-monogamy relationships: the moment of realizing you're comfortable seeing your partner with someone else. Jackie shares her surprising journey from traditional monogamy to embracing open relationships, including her unexpected reaction to first seeing John with another person through a video he shared early in their relationship. Jackie reveals how watching John with someone else wasn't the jealousy-inducing experience she expected but instead created feelings of curiosity, attraction, and even privilege at being his partner. The couple also explores how their experiences strengthened their relationship, with Jackie describing the profound sense of empowerment and acceptance she felt when John supported her first experience with another person. TIMESTAMPS: [00:00:00] Intro to Open Love 101 podcast [00:00:40] John and Jackie introduce the episode topic [00:01:25] Jackie's background coming from monogamy [00:02:15] First experiences watching a partner with someone else [00:03:39] Jackie discusses seeing John's video with a past girlfriend [00:05:27] How watching created unexpected positive feelings [00:08:26] Jackie's surprising reaction to herself [00:10:29] The difference when John watched Jackie with someone else [00:12:09] How open honesty strengthened their relationship [00:15:41] The cascade effect of honesty in all aspects of life [00:18:34] Outro and information about Open Love 101 Like, subscribe, and check out openlove101.com for more insights on open relationships and consensual non-monogamy! Join Open Love 101 Plus for exclusive content and personal interactions with John and Jackie. #OpenRelationships #ConsentualNonMonogamy #SwingLifestyle #RelationshipAdvice #Compersion #JealousyManagement #OpenLove101

    19 min
  4. JAN 13

    The Hard Parts of Swinging (And Why They're Not Actually Bad)

    In this candid episode, John and Jackie shift the conversation to something couples don't always talk about openly: the challenges of swinging and open relationships. While many episodes highlight the benefits, this one explores the obstacles—and why those same challenges often become powerful opportunities for growth, connection, and self-awareness.   John and Jackie dive into real-world issues couples face when exploring the lifestyle, starting with time management. Swinging can be exciting, but without intention, it can easily crowd out family time, work responsibilities, or emotional connection. They emphasize that balance doesn't happen by accident—it comes from honest conversations, clear priorities, and checking in with each other regularly.   They also address the stress of secrecy. Many couples struggle with the fear of judgment from friends, family, or employers, which adds emotional weight to the lifestyle. John and Jackie speak openly about stigma, why it still exists, and how normalizing consensual non-monogamy begins with self-acceptance and confidence in your choices.   The episode also tackles practical frustrations—like finding venues or like-minded people, especially in areas without clubs or established communities. They dispel the myth that swinging is easy or indiscriminate, explaining that compatibility, attraction, and communication matter just as much here as they do in traditional dating.   Growth often lives just past discomfort.   🔑 Key Insights: Time management is essential to keep lifestyle exploration from overtaking real life Open communication helps couples balance desire, schedules, and emotional needs Fear of stigma can be heavier than the lifestyle itself Finding compatible partners takes effort, patience, and selectivity Swinging is not indiscriminate—it's intentional and nuanced Anxiety is normal when trying something new, but not a reason to stop Challenges often become catalysts for deeper connection and growth ⏱️ Episode Topics & Flow: 00:00 – Why it's important to talk about the hard parts 01:30 – Time management and lifestyle balance 03:10 – The pressure of secrecy and social stigma 04:45 – Finding venues and community in limited areas 06:00 – Compatibility vs. misconceptions about swinging 07:30 – Anxiety, fear, and trying something new 09:00 – Reframing challenges as growth opportunities

    11 min
  5. JAN 6

    The Truth About Swinging: It's Not What You Think!

    Join hosts John and Jackie Melfi of OpenLove101 as they discuss how they've broken traditional boundaries in non-monogamous relationships! In this candid episode, they share their experiences being "out and proud" about their lifestyle, how openness creates unexpected connections, and why their approach to relationships with play partners differs from typical swinger dynamics. 🎙️ Episode Highlights: • 00:00 - Intro to the Open Love 101 podcast with John and Jackie Melfi • 00:40 - John and Jackie welcome viewers to their new studio setup • 01:25 - Introduction to the episode's topic: breaking relationship norms • 02:10 - Jackie discusses being open about their lifestyle in public settings • 03:19 - How transparency creates unexpected connections with strangers • 05:16 - Jackie shares a story about how being open redirected a women's group discussion • 07:34 - Discussion about how their "advanced relationship model" positions them as relationship experts • 09:31 - Exploring relationships with play partners beyond typical swinger dynamics • 11:55 - Jackie shares a meaningful connection she formed with one of John's partners • 14:52 - Closing thoughts on breaking norms and the positive impact of sharing their experiences • 15:29 - Information about OpenLove101 Plus membership and social media Whether you're curious about consensual non-monogamy or looking to enhance your current relationship, this episode offers valuable insights into building strong connections through honesty and open communication. 👍 Like this video if you enjoyed it, subscribe for more relationship content, and share your thoughts in the comments below! Visit openlove101.com to learn more about open relationships and the swinger lifestyle.

    16 min
4.6
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

This is your show to discuss open relationships, the swinger lifestyle, consensual non-monogamy - however you describe it, we're here to talk about it. Your podcast is hosted by John and Jackie Melfi, the force behind the industry famous colette swingers clubs and the award-winning blog Openlove101.com. With over 20 years of combined experience in open relationships and coaching thousands of couples, they are here to share with you the trials, tribulations, passion, and positivity of love and the lifestyle.

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