Ep. 64 A Conversation About Getting in Touch with Your Desires with Lia Avellino

This episode is sponsored by Beducated : https://beducate.me/pd2327-wrightconversation    Lia Love Avellino is a somatic and relational psychotherapist, published sex and relationship author, facilitator, community organizer, and Co-Founder of Spoke Circles, a mental and emotional wellness space that provides therapy and group support with the goal of destigmatizing vulnerability and mental health care. She is a monthly contributor to Well+Good, and she has appeared in Glamour, Elle, The American Journal of Sexuality Education, BestLife, Motherly, CNBC’s MakeIt, The Tamron Hall Show, and Men’s Health.   While she was managing a national component of President Obama’s initiative to reduce teen pregnancy, she was awarded for her innovative research and excellence in the provision of therapeutic care to vulnerable populations.  Lia holds a BA in Ethnic, Cultural, Minority, Gender, and Group Studies from New York University, and an MSc in Social Work with Distinction from Columbia University.  Hey everyone! Welcome to today’s episode of the Wright Conversations Podcast! For today’s episode, I’m joined by Lia Avellino to talk about the power of group support, the messy nature of our desires, and finding the middle gray area. We also talk about knowing when it’s time to quit, finding and exploring the sensation of aliveness, and the truth about desires and guilt.  Let’s delve in!    In this Episode You’ll Learn:  [01:47] A bit about Lia.  [04:16] The power of group support.  [07:59] Defining desire.  [09:57] Some of Lia’s desires.  [11:27] Why we deprive ourselves of our desires.  [16:44] Desire requires some loss.  [17:32] Finding the messy middle.  [23:13] Intuition vs past trauma.  [28:57] Sexual desire and aliveness.  [33:45] The sexual relationship with self.  [36:02] Desire and guilt.  [37:54] Lia’s advice to parents.    Quotes:  “A lot of times, we learn that our desires are akin to indulgence or selfishness.” [12:39]  “Being lost is a valid part of every desire journey.” [21:35]  “Someone’s sexual relationship with themselves is not a threat to their sexual relationship with them.” [34:33]  “Resentment is actually a function of envy.” [35:19]  “Somebody told parents that denying ourselves was good for our kids.” [39:17]  “Being able to model messiness is a responsibility.” [41:50]    Connect with Lia Avellino  Website: www.lialoveavellino.com.  www.spokecircles.com.  Instagram: @lialoveavellino.  @spokecircles.  LinkedIn: Lia Avellino.    Connect with Rachel Wright  Website: https://rachelwrightnyc.com  Instagram: @thewright_rachel  Twitter: @thewrightrachel    Resources    Get a 1-day FREE Trial and 40% OFF A Yearly Subscription at Beducated! Use Promo Code: WRIGHTCONVERSATION.    Get 20% OFF Your First Order at The Honey Pot! Use Promo Code: Rachel20    WIN A FREE INTIMACY AFTER DARK DECK!    Get 30% OFF the NEW After Dark Deck! Use Promo Code: Rachel    Get your Zumio Discount!    Call to Action  Please, if you love this episode, share it with your friends and others. To help this podcast grow, please leave a review, and don’t forget to subscribe.