Fox News recoils at the idea of pup play—but we're looking closer. In this episode of Taboo Science, we dive into the fascinating subculture of humans who enjoy roleplaying as puppies. We'll explore the origins of this kink, from post-WWII leather culture to the rise of online pup communities, and learn what draws people to don a pup hood and bark. Kink researcher Dr. Liam Wignall and sex educator and pup play enthusiast Pup Amp share insights on the gear, the headspace, and the joys and challenges of being a pup. We also tackle the stigma and misconceptions surrounding this kink, and why it's important to approach it with an open mind. So, sit, stay, and listen up—this episode will satisfy your curiosity about the world of pup play, and maybe even inspire you to unleash your own inner puppy.

See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/042-pupplay/

Resources from Dr. Liam Wignall:

• His book, Kinky In The Digital Age: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/kinky-in-the-digital-age-9780197503195?cc=us&lang=en&
• Faculty page: https://research.brighton.ac.uk/en/persons/liam-wignall

Resources from Amp Somers:

• Website: https://www.wattsthesafeword.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WattsTheSafeword
• Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/WattstheSafeWord

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The furry fandom gets a bad rap. But on this episode, we're digging beneath the stereotypes to uncover the truth about this misunderstood community. We'll chat with furry researcher Dr. Courtney Plante along with Riley Black, a science writer and a furry herself, to explore what the furry culture is really all about, from the artistry of fursuits to the appeal of fursonas. And yes, we'll go there—investigating whether being a furry is actually a fetish (spoiler alert: for most, it's not, but for the others, we'll explore why). So put your preconceptions aside and get ready to learn what makes the furry community so fascinating—and maybe even find yourself with an urge to join in the fun.

Resources from Dr. Courtney Plante:

• FurScience: https://furscience.com/

Resources from Riley Black:

• Website: https://rileyblack.net/
• BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/restingdinoface.bsky.social

See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/041-furries/

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Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/

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Whips, chains, and... legal pads? In this episode of Taboo Science, we dive deep into the world of BDSM to explore its long history, the science behind subspace, the submissive rich guy stereotype, and why aftercare is essential for everyone (even vanilla folks!). With help from paraphilia researcher Dr. Christian Joyal, the Ask a Sub podcast's Lina Dune, and the Loving BDSM podcast's Kayla Lords and John Brownstone, we're debunking misconceptions and shedding light on the reality of safe, consensual BDSM practices. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just curious about the lifestyle, this episode is a must-listen. Hey, it's way better than Fifty Shades of Grey.

(02:50) What kinksters think of Fifty Shades

(04:49) BDSM definition

(05:07) BDSM history

(07:37) What the DSM has to say

(09:32) Why do people like BDSM?

(14:56) Powerful man stereotype

(27:04) Subspace

(27:48) Domspace?

(31:17) The Dom's role

(37:40) Aftercare

Resources from Christian Joyal:

• University of Quebec faculty page: https://oraprdnt.uqtr.uquebec.ca/pls/public/genw050.afficher_fiche_perso?owa_cd_secteur=0800&owa_cd_fonction=49&owa_no_personne=134064&owa_contexte=$211-37
• Philippe-Pinel Institute faculty page: https://pinel.qc.ca/christian-joyal-ph-d/
• Research on Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&q=c+joyal&oq=

Resources from Lina Dune:

• Ask a Sub podcast: https://askasub.substack.com/podcast
• Newsletter: https://askasub.substack.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askasub2.0/

Resources from Kayla Lords & John Brownstone:

• Loving BDSM podcast: https://lovingbdsm.net/loving-bdsm-podcast/
• Website: https://lovingbdsm.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovingds1/

See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/040-bdsm/

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