Today it’s great to have Erika Lust on the podcast. Lust is an acclaimed adult filmmaker who creates sex-positive, indie adult cinema that portrays sexually intelligent narratives, relatable characters and realistic hot sex. Her XConfessions project turns the public’s anonymous fantasies into explicit and artistic short films. Whilst her recently re-launched LustCinema is a US based studio with original series and feature length films for lovers of cinema and sex. In 2015, Erika gave her essential TEDx talk It’s Time for Porn to Change. Her story was also featured in the first episode of the Netflix documentary series Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On (“Women on Top”), directed by Rashida Jones. This year Erika was named as one of the BBC 100 Women’s most influential women of 2019.
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Check out the first episode of Erika Lust’s new miniseries for free now – ‘Safe Word’is a full immersion in the BDSM healthy, sexy culture of communication and awareness in sex. The series follows the ruthless and demanding theatre director Christie in her initiation to BDSM.
Time Stamps
[00:01:51] The changes that Erika wants to see in porn
[00:03:13] What is wrong with standard porn
[00:05:34] What people can expect to see in films produced by Erika
[00:08:33] How the sex can stay dirty, but the values must stay clean
[00:11:51] How to deal with derogation and humiliation in ethical porn
[00:14:08] Why porn, especially taboo porn, is so popular
[00:15:32] Common misconceptions about porn as an industry
[00:22:19] Exploitation in porn
[00:28:05] How to determine if the porn you watch is ethically produced
[00:30:00] Erika’s journey from a dissatisfied porn consumer to becoming a producer and an activist
[00:35:56] A study on the many reasons people have sex
[00:36:38] Objectification in standard porn versus ethical porn
[00:43:32] Research on the positive effects of having sex with a sense of care
[00:44:43] The objectification and stereotyping of men in porn
[00:47:00] The equality of sexual enjoyment
[00:48:07] The meaning of feminist porn
[00:49:58] Whether ethical porn is constrained by evolved human nature
[00:59:10] How to participate in XConfessions
[01:00:51] eroticfilms.com
[01:01:55] LustCinema
[01:03:03] The Porn Conversation
I listened to this one naked lol…i didn’t.
Another mind stimulating conversation…fun and intriguing! Thank you for bringing awareness to this subject and industry. I’m happy to know Erika Lust is creating positive changes for viewers and a respectful work environment for her staff. I hope her morals and professionalism will soon become the standard for this vast field. Ethical porn…why not?
I remember when my oldest son was 12…i checked the web history and found ‘licking boobs’ and ‘girls having sex with boys’. It appeared he looked at a few images and logged off. I tried not to panic. I figured it was an inevitable reality for a pre-teen in the blooming digital world. Yet strangely it wasn’t something many would openly discuss or admit to.
Later as we drove home from his ball game i casually asked “so what were you looking at on the computer today?” He said “nothing.” I said “it’s not bad…you can tell me.” He said “s.e.x.” I said “sex? well its totally normal to be curious about that. Lots of people are curious about sex. But I just want you to know that what you were looking at isn’t sex…its pornography. Those people are actors being paid to make movies. And sometimes those girls are forced into doing things they don’t want to. Real sex is better discovered with someone you trust and care about…”
Honestly I didn’t want him to be tainted by an unrealistic idea of sex…i wanted him to relate sex to love not porn. I feared he would separate love and sex if porn became a habit. Of course I have little control; ultimately it’s his choice. Hopefully if he engages, it’s mindful.
I’m not a fan of it personally…just not aroused by seeing the private parts of strangers…maybe I have issues but I prefer my own body and imagination in this area. I think no less of those who enjoy it…sex health is important…honoring our unique fetishes is healthy. There are many benefits, however I think it becomes unhealthy when it distorts natural abilities to freely express oneself sexually with a lover. And when it becomes like fast food…a guilty pleasure rather than a blissfull experience.
Just my six cents worth.
Please make the podcast downloadable. Thank You!
Thank you for raising a the discussion about porn to human sexuality and bringing an intelligent discussion to a topic that can be so emotionally triggering for many and cause people to turn away ashamed or binge mindlessly until real physical touch is boring. It’s nice to see people reclaim a medium that can cause confusion and bring in thoughtful production and craftsmanship, intimacy, values and respect for our humanity. Porn can be a tool and can bring people together.
Ok…went to the site…its great!!