Getting Close

Aidan Wharton
  • 5.0 (58)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Getting Close is an intimate exploration of how we connect, love, and build relationships in the modern world. Each week, host Aidan Wharton sits down with culture-shaping voices to give you practical insights from honest conversations about relationships, Queerness, sex, connection, and community. gettingclosepod.substack.com

Episodes

  1. 6D AGO

    Valentine's Special: Behind The Scenes of Our Love Story

    My husband CASEY GARVIN and I dive deep into our own relationship, answering questions from listeners about our journey, our love, and our openness over the past eight years. On this episode, we get deep about: * The unique ways that we navigate and heal from conflict. * Who proposed to whom. * How we planned our atypical wedding. * How we learned to embrace jealousy in our open relationship. * What our personal rules around openness are. * How we navigate sexual health. * And some fun things, like our favorite things about each other. P.S. The easiest way for you to get involved: If you haven’t already, please take 20 seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and/or YouTube! It really is the most helpful thing you can do besides listening and telling your friends! Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:37) Our Six Questions to Fall In Love (08:31) How We Met & Our First Date (13:23) Why We Broke Up (18:09) Why We Broke Up (19:05) Our Proposal Story (21:42) How We Planned Our Atypical Wedding (29:39) How We Navigate Conflict (32:37) How Our Relationship Exists Online (37:17) How We Practice Openness (39:28) Navigating Sexual Health and STIs (41:54) How We Deal With Jealousy (48:05) Flirting With Other People (52:53) Casey’s Question Bonanza! Follow Along! Follow Casey: https://bit.ly/3NY8jya Follow Aidan: https://bit.ly/4sRSpoX Follow Getting Close: https://bit.ly/4jW9Ro8 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr

  2. FEB 3

    Top Epstein Investigator: How to Find The Truth and Build Community Through Independent Journalism!

    Top Epstein Investigator ELLIE LEONARD explains how she dissects every page of the Epstein files, how she balances being a parent amidst the chaos, and how she builds a community of like-minded truth seekers that YOU can be a part of. Ellie Leonard is an author, editor, small-business owner, and contributor for Blue Amp Media. Recently, she’s made a name for herself as she pores over every document in the Epstein Files with the incredible community she’s built on Substack. On this episode, we get into: * The importance of community in uncovering the truth. * How AI and social media have disrupted traditional media. * How to re-engage with the news by finding voices you trust. * How to find common ground in political discussions. * Essential Tips for Online Security. * And how hope and optimism can coexist within today’s harsh reality. P.S. The easiest way for you to get involved: If you haven’t already, please take 20 seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and/or YouTube! It really is the most helpful thing you can do besides listening and telling your friends! Chapters (00:00) Introduction (04:52) Ellie’s Unexpected Path to Epstein (08:07) Raising Politically Aware Children (10:00) Balancing Work and Family Life (14:50) Democratizing Investigative Journalism (18:23) How You Can Get Involved (20:08) What’s In The New Files (21:47) Finding The Receipts & Catching Their Lies (23:51) How Epstein Connects to Minneapolis (26:19) How to Start Tuning In Again (28:27) Conversations Across Political Lines (30:25) Why Aidan Gets Scared of Asking Questions (33:40) How America Comes Together Again (35:54) Check Out These Independent Journalists (39:46) Must-Know Tips to Stay Safe Online (TikTok & Ring Cameras) (44:47) Ending with Hope & Optimism (47:26) Ellie’s 3C’s (48:32) The Trans Festival in Ellie’s Hometown (50:55) Outro Follow Along! Follow Ellie: https://bit.ly/4jQFKON Follow Aidan: https://bit.ly/4sRSpoX Follow Getting Close: https://bit.ly/4jW9Ro8 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min
  3. Nonbinary Icon: How to Embrace Your Authentic Self Through Grace & Joy

    JAN 27

    Nonbinary Icon: How to Embrace Your Authentic Self Through Grace & Joy

    Nonbinary icon J HARRISON GHEE reveals how they balance queerness, religion, and spirituality, the power of finding grace and joy in challenging times, and how you can show up authentically even when everyone is telling you to be someone else. J Harrison Ghee is a Tony and Grammy Award winner who made history as the first nonbinary performer to win in a leading individual performance category. They’ve also appeared in numerous film/TV productions and is an outspoken advocate for the Queer community. On this episode, they explain: -How Drag helped them embrace their gender. -How Kinky Boots helped heal their family. -The four Inspiring Phrases to Realign Your Life. -What it felt like to win a Tony Award. -How to let go of what doesn’t serve you in order to move forward. P.S. The easiest way for you to get involved: If you haven’t already, please take 20 seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and/or YouTube! It really is the most helpful thing you can do besides listening and telling your friends! Chapters (00:00) Intro (02:52) Growing Up Queer in North Carolina (07:59) Balancing Queerness & Religion (11:46) Navigating Parents As Adult Children (16:39) J’s Start in New York (20:25) Doing Drag in Japan (22:57) Evolving Gender Through Drag (24:47) Cruise Ships & Kinky Boots (26:37) How Kinky Boots Healed J’s Family (31:10) Mrs. Doubtfire: The Musical (33:42) Some Like It Hot (39:14) What it Feels Like to Make History & Win The Tony (42:24) Navigating Grief & Joy (44:22) How to Find Grace (46:41) The Challenges of Letting Go (48:55) Imagination is A Queer Superpower (51:47) What Are J’s 3C’s? Follow Along! Follow J: https://bit.ly/4jQFKON Follow Aidan: https://bit.ly/4sRSpoX Follow Getting Close: https://bit.ly/4jW9Ro8 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

    56 min

  4. JAN 20

    Sex & Relationships Expert: How to Connect With Your Honest Feelings in Bed & in Life

    Hi friends, and welcome back to Getting Close! The response from y’all this whole past week has been so beautifully moving. Thank you to everyone who reached out, shared, Restacked, reviewed, etc. As I wrote here, putting something like this out into the world is so vulnerable, and you all have lifted me up in the most encouraging way. I really think this project is going to do incredible things, and I can’t wait to continue building it with you. The easiest way for you to get involved: If you haven’t already, please take 20 seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and/or YouTube! It really is the most helpful thing you can do besides listening and telling your friends! Episode 2 - Shadeen Francis I met Shadeen at a Hinge event a few months ago, and after listening to her talk, I knew instantly that I wanted her on the pod. Everything she said during the panel oozed wisdom in a way that was profound, yet accessible. So, when she agreed to come on the show, I was delighted. I had so many questions prepared, and our conversation took so many beautiful turns with so many incredible insights. We get into: * Whether or not we’re in a sex recession * How folks use TherapyTalk to create distance rather than bridge it * This deeply unsettling way AI is infiltrating our relationships * Why you can get off alone, but not with other people * A surprising way porn is affecting your sex life. * Tips to revive sex in a long-term relationship * This one trait that the most successful open relationships have Bonus Content! Then, if you want even more of our talk that I had to cut for time, paid subscribers get access to bonus content questions, and the Subscriber Chat, where you can submit your own questions for future guests! Bonus content with Shadeen includes: * Which book(s) to read to better your relationships. * The surprising benefit of being a benchwarmer on a winning team. * How Aidans’ concept of friendship has changed due to social media. * Shadeen’s favorite small act of rebellion that she performs daily. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction and Background * 02:15 Who is Shadeen Francis? * 08:27 Why Each Generation Needs New Language * 10:13 Is Vulnerability Weak? * 11:07 Are We Using TherapySpeak Too Much? * 14:19 How to Navigate Loneliness * 17:06 Physical Pain Vs. Emotional Pain * 18:17 What Is Social Media Really Doing to Us? * 20:24 We’re Doing A Lot of Drugs * 22:51 Where Did Our Culture Go? * 26:08 How AI Affects Our Relationships * 30:41 Why I Get Angry on the Subway * 35:11 Are We In a Sex Recession? * 37:54 Navigating Sexual Anxiety * 46:17 Reigniting Passion in Long-Term Open Relationships * 52:43 Shadeen’s Curiosity, Connection, & Community ♥️ If you could, will you hit that heart right below? That boosts us in Substack’s algorithm! Thanks babe! ♥️ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

    58 min
  5. Fitness Founder: Why Your Health Resolutions Fail & How to Make Them Stick!

    JAN 13

    Fitness Founder: Why Your Health Resolutions Fail & How to Make Them Stick!

    Hello friends, and welcome to the very first episode of Getting Close! In this episode, fitness expert and tech entrepreneur Sam Leicht reveals how to make sustainable habits that stick, feel more comfortable in the gym, find community through fitness, connect with your body, and remember the importance of challenge in our modern world of ease. Sam Leicht is the founder of PrideFit, a LGBTQ+ fitness app for Queer folks and allies. His extensive fitness experience helps people all around the world build sustainable, lifetime fitness and build community along the way. We explore: * The necessity of community in fitness * Why starting small is crucial for building sustainable fitness habits. * How aesthetic goals can be paired with performance and health goals * A simple nutrition tip to improve your dietary habits. * How curiosity and growth can extend beyond fitness into all areas of life. Bonus Content! I feel very strongly that you’ll always get access to entire episodes of Getting Close for free! However, if you’re looking for more, paid subscribers get access to bonus content that I had to cut for time, but is wildly entertaining and informative. Paid subscribers also get access to the Subscriber Chat, where you can submit questions for future guests! Bonus content for this episode includes: * Sam’s #1 tool to cook meat * Aidan’s #1 anti-tech tool * The biggest misconceptions people have about us * What book Sam is challenging himself with right now This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

    51 min
  6. Introducing: Getting Close

    JAN 7

    Introducing: Getting Close

    Aidan Wharton introduces his new podcast, 'Getting Close,' all about connection. With an incredible mix of guests, the show focuses on how to revive connection in our digitally disconnected world. Launching on January 13th. When connection feels far, we start by getting close. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gettingclosepod.substack.com/subscribe

    1 min
  • 6 Episodes

5
out of 5
58 Ratings

About

Getting Close is an intimate exploration of how we connect, love, and build relationships in the modern world. Each week, host Aidan Wharton sits down with culture-shaping voices to give you practical insights from honest conversations about relationships, Queerness, sex, connection, and community. gettingclosepod.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Aidan Wharton
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Aidan Wharton
  • Show Website
    Getting Close

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