⚠️ Trigger warning: There is reference to child sexual abuse in this episode. Please care for yourself as you listen. “Are you here to kill me? I haven’t decided yet.” Psychosexual trauma specialist and leading voice on intrafamilial child sexual abuse, Beaver Meadow advocates for incest and sexual abuse survivors. She teaches giving and receiving consent and questions the systemic misunderstanding that shapes survivor and perpetrator outcomes. I met Beaver only once in person, years ago, under the warm light of southern Spain. We didn’t exchange life stories then, just a brief, human moment. Later, when our paths crossed again online, her posts began appearing in my world. They had a way of halting me mid‑scroll. Something in me stirred each time: curiosity, discomfort, recognition. I’ve learnt to treat those sensations as invitations rather than warnings. To pause. To ask: What is this touching in me? What wants to be understood? I wanted to sit with Beaver in that same spirit, to hear her story and to understand my own responses to it. The journey she takes me on is one I’m still digesting. After we stopped filming, she shared a moment from her past. Sitting with her father, a man convicted multiple times for sexual offences against children and asking him why he was attracted to children. His answer centred on their lack of body hair. Later that year, when a client pressured her to remove her own body hair for his preference, she agreed and immediately felt the weight of that choice. She vowed never to do it again. In that moment, the meaning behind her name, Beaver Meadow, unfolded with a new kind of clarity. This conversation is tender, confronting and necessary. Beaver, thank you for your courage, your steadiness and your willingness to let us into the deeper layers of your story. I look forward to continuing this conversation: about how we, collectively, can stay more awake, more compassionate and more honest about the realities that shape us all. Want to listen to more conversations from the bath? Find the podcast, explore more episodes and connect with Beth here:Website: https://bitinglemons.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biting_lemons/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@biting.lemons YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BitingLemons-BL Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bitinglemons LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biting-lemons-bl-79703a400/ Substack: https://substack.com/@bitinglemonsstories If this conversation moved, challenged or inspired you, subscribe and come join us for the next one. You can find Beaver on: https://www.instagram.com/beavermeadow_/https://www.tiktok.com/@beavermeadow_https://medium.com/@beavermeadow/about Read Beaver’s reflections on being a guest on Biting Lemons in her own words here: https://medium.com/@beavermeadow/being-a-guest-on-the-biting-lemons-podcast-in-the-bathtub-47baafb2367d As mentioned in the episode, you can find Alphachanneling on: https://www.instagram.com/alphachanneling/If you or someone you know has ever been impacted by child and/or sexual abuse, please seek support from the 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line. Free of charge. Phone: 0808 500 2222. For a more in-depth therapeutic journey, we work closely with Sensitivita. If this interests you, you can check out the website: https://www.sensitivita.com/ or send an email to: intouch@sensitivita.com. Want to learn how to listen and connect with people from all walks of life like Beth does? You might have noticed us mentioning the ART Affiliate link. We highly recommend their training for everyone who wants to improve their communication and understanding of each other. The ART International courses are there to help you nourish your relationships and the world around you. It’s easy and accessible, online and in person, across the world. On behalf of this world, thank you for wanting to be better! Get a 5% discount on Level 1 ART courses. Use our code BL: https://authenticrelating.co/courses/level-1/artpartner/BethHardwick/
