Untamed Ember

Dr. Misty Gibson

Welcome to Untamed Ember, the podcast where pleasure is your birthright, curiosity is your compass, and unlearning shame is part of the foreplay. I’m Dr. Misty, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist & Supervisor, clinically licensed in Washington State, Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., radically inclusive educator, and your guide for reclaiming pleasure without outdated “shoulds,” shame spirals, or performative nonsense. Here, we don’t do cold, clinical sex talk or vague, fluffy advice. We do real, unfiltered conversations about desire, intimacy, identity, and the glorious mess of being a human with a body and a brain. This space is queer-affirming, body-positive, kink-aware, and free of the judgment that keeps so many people silent about what they really want. Each week, we peel back layers of cultural conditioning, explore polyamory and kink dynamics, and get playfully honest about what turns us on (in every sense). We also dig into nervous system–friendly ways to make pleasure part of daily life, without guilt, pressure, or pants (unless you like them). So if you are ready to reclaim pleasure, rewrite your internal scripts, and laugh a little while turning yourself on to your own life... Welcome to Untamed Ember. Let’s get curious.

  1. When Your Body Checks Out During Sex (Dissociation, Trauma, and Safety)

    08/27/2025

    When Your Body Checks Out During Sex (Dissociation, Trauma, and Safety)

    Join my newsletter at untamedember.kit.com for weekly deep dives. You want to feel connected, but suddenly you’re gone — body present, mind floating near the ceiling tiles. Dissociation during sex can feel confusing, shameful, or even like proof something’s wrong with you. But here’s the truth: dissociation isn’t failure, it’s protection. In this episode, I break down why nervous systems sometimes check out during intimacy, how trauma and shame hijack presence, and what you can do to begin reclaiming safety and real connection. This isn’t about forcing pleasure or performing for your partner — it’s about understanding your body’s brilliance and learning to stay with yourself one breath at a time. Subscribe to Untamed Ember wherever you get your podcasts. Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction: The Unspoken Reality of Dissociation During Sex(00:01:25) - Understanding Dissociation: Your Body's Safety Mechanism(00:02:41) - The Spectrum of Dissociation: Different Experiences(00:03:23) - Why Dissociation Happens: Vulnerability and Trauma(00:06:22) - Neurodivergence and Sensory Overload(00:07:38) - The Aftereffects: Shame and the Cycle of Dissociation(00:09:26) - Strategies for Presence: Micro Check-Ins and Sensory Anchors(00:11:11) - Communication and Nonsexual Touch(00:12:59) - Healing and Therapy: Rewriting Your Script(00:14:35) - Conclusion: Embracing Compassion and Healing

    18 min

About

Welcome to Untamed Ember, the podcast where pleasure is your birthright, curiosity is your compass, and unlearning shame is part of the foreplay. I’m Dr. Misty, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist & Supervisor, clinically licensed in Washington State, Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., radically inclusive educator, and your guide for reclaiming pleasure without outdated “shoulds,” shame spirals, or performative nonsense. Here, we don’t do cold, clinical sex talk or vague, fluffy advice. We do real, unfiltered conversations about desire, intimacy, identity, and the glorious mess of being a human with a body and a brain. This space is queer-affirming, body-positive, kink-aware, and free of the judgment that keeps so many people silent about what they really want. Each week, we peel back layers of cultural conditioning, explore polyamory and kink dynamics, and get playfully honest about what turns us on (in every sense). We also dig into nervous system–friendly ways to make pleasure part of daily life, without guilt, pressure, or pants (unless you like them). So if you are ready to reclaim pleasure, rewrite your internal scripts, and laugh a little while turning yourself on to your own life... Welcome to Untamed Ember. Let’s get curious.