Rope Podcast

Mya is stepping out of the studio and into the heart of the action. This week, we’re bringing you a special field report from “She Ties”, an event dedicated exclusively to female riggers and male bottoms.
Since Fox (male rigger) and Mya (female bottom) can’t speak to this dynamic from personal experience, we’re passing the mic to the community. Featuring atmospheric audio recorded on-site, we hear from a global roster of voices—hailing from Thailand and Taiwan to the UK and Russia.
What’s inside:
- The Nuance: Why individual connection always trumps the binary.
- The Physicality: Practical tips for navigating different body types and mechanics.
- The Social Shift: Breaking down the "big spoon/little spoon" stigma in the rope scene.

The Interview Guest List:
- Riggers: HuaHua, Yada Kinabalu, Noir_fix, May, Sasha
- Bottoms: Pang, Co, Ratta
- Spectators: Gorgone and Sawyer
A quick note: The audio is live and "in the wild"—forgive the background noise, but enjoy the energy!

The Agura tie shows up again and again in shibari - but what makes it so enduring, and how can you work with it more intentionally?
In this Rope Focus episode, Fox and Mya break the Agura tie down piece by piece: how it’s built, how it feels, and how small choices in structure, orientation, and intent can dramatically change the experience.
They dive into:
• What the Agura position actually is - including easier and more demanding variations (and what Fox affectionately calls the leg pretzel)
• Different ways to construct the tie, and how those choices affect comfort and control
• More sustainable versus less sustainable versions, and when each might make sense
• How to increase the strength of the tie to reduce deformation and slippage
• Mya’s perspective on what it feels like to be in Agura, and what she enjoys about it as a bottom
• Practical tips for helping bottoms relax into the position, and bottoming skills that support the tie
• How Agura feels in different orientations, on the floor and in suspension
• The five distinct suspension orientations and what each one brings
• The overall vibe of the position, physically and psychologically
• How Fox enforces the position, and what that adds to the dynamic
• Managing safety, risk, and responsibility in this classic tie
Whether you’re meeting Agura for the first time or refining a tie you already love, this episode offers both technical insight and experiential depth.

Matija Vid Pecek Black (she/he/they, aka Nikki Lapore) has been exploring shibari for nearly a decade-but this isn’t just about knots. For Nikki, rope is a way to connect with energy, nature, and the soul itself. Think flowers, forests, and the freedom of tying yourself as a ritual of release and self-discovery.
In this episode, Mya and Fox dive into Nikki’s unique world, covering:
• How rope becomes self-expression and boosts confidence
• The art and ritual of self-tying
• Connecting with nature through rope
• Their creative rope process—from choosing the perfect organic rope to dying it with natural pigments (yes, including bones—gloves required!)
• What makes rope art—and whether it even needs an audience
• Rope’s place in their life, work, and Croatian culture
• And their vision for future druidic-goth-art adventures
Plus, hear Mya’s mind completely blown when she realizes she totally misunderstood one of Nikki’s offerings.

Listener Bethany asks Fox and Mya a deceptively simple question: after nine years of making the Rope Podcast, what’s actually changed about their rope - and the way they think about it?
The answer turns into a wide-ranging, honest reflection on how rope evolves over time: through experimentation, relationships, community, aging, and life doing what life does.
In this episode, they talk about:
• How their intents in rope have shifted - and why that matters
• Using experimentation to uncover what truly sits at the core of their rope practice
• How the ties in Fox’s rope system have changed over the years
• How changes in relationship style reshaped how they think about and position rope partners
• Mya’s journey from early innocence into a deeper engagement with safety, consent, and responsibility as a bottom
• What’s changed in the rope scene around them - and how that’s influenced their choices
• A key lesson from doing rope cross-culturally, and how it transformed their approach to consent
• Some of the biggest shifts in how they approach rope, and what prompted them
• The tying styles they’ve explored, abandoned, or kept
• How age and changing lives have altered what rope looks like now
• How tying outside their rope partnership has evolved for each of them
• Ways they try to live their values in rope, even when it’s uncomfortable
• What hasn’t changed - and why those constants still matter
• And yes… cuddly rope and TV rope
This conversation feels like sitting down with old friends who’ve carried rope through some of life’s biggest transitions and come out with deeper curiosity and clearer priorities. Part reflection, part history, and part check-in, it’s a look at what it really means to grow with rope over the long term.
Click to listen, and consider: what’s changed in your rope over the years - and what’s stayed the same?

We’re back with Part 2 of our festive special — and this time, our guests share the rope scenes that stuck with them long after the ropes came off.

Just like Part 1, the stories range from playful to profound, from photoshoots to performances - and this time, more than one takes us outdoors. Just like in the last episode the line between these is often blurred, in part because the very physicality of rope makes it impossible to fake.
In this episode, you’ll hear from:
• Pearl and Bayowolf, who turned a difficult situation into unexpected connection, laughter, and community
• Mistress J, whose spontaneous outdoor tie with her partner caught the attention of her local community
• The Bondage Otter, sharing a photoshoot that blurred the line between art and intimacy
• Fox, reflecting on a shoot that beautifully captured the spirit of local cultural festival
If you haven’t yet listened to Part 1, don’t miss it — the two episodes make the perfect pair for the holiday season.

It’s that time of year again — one of our favourite (and most popular!) episodes: where our wonderful guests from throughout 2025 share one of their favourite rope scenes.
This year’s stories span the full spectrum of rope — from performance to photoshoot, labbing to play — and show just how beautifully blurred those boundaries can be. Expect moments of connection, creativity, and curiosity in every description.
In this episode, you’ll hear from:
• Lee Harrington, who enacts a deep desire for self-suspension in nature, in harmony with the elements
• Claire, who dives into rope science and geeky joy during a rope bottom lab session
• KinkNamePending, whose performance teeters on the line between scene and spectacle
• petite Pretzel, who shares a ‘sticky’ memory of a photoshoot
Whether you’re drawn to the technical, the emotional, or the artistic sides of rope, this episode offers inspiration for every listener.

Simple in structure but rich in potential, the Waitress tie is a versatile classic often seen in power exchange rope- but that’s only the beginning.
In this episode, Fox and Mya dive into the layers of this tie:
• Fresh, less gendered names and interpretations
• What makes up the tie (and some fun variations to try)
• Contexts where it shines—from sensual play to practical restraint
• The sensations it can evoke
• Key risks and safety considerations
• Personal stories of how Fox and Mya have used and adapted it
Discover why this understated tie deserves a place in your rope toolkit.

Are you in condition to do rope? And what does that really mean?
Claire, a Filipino strength and conditioning coach and exercise physiology researcher based in Thailand, returns for part two of her conversation with Mya and Fox. With over 15 years of experience coaching people of all ages, shapes, and abilities, she brings a science-informed, body-positive approach to rope bottoming—one that combines strength, mobility, and awareness.
Her perspective couldn’t be more different from Mya’s go-with-the-flow style, and this time the hosts explore how conditioning, recovery, and mindset work together to build a rope journey that’s sustainable, safe, and deeply rewarding.
In this episode, they discuss:
• The difference between conditioning and simply “getting fit”
• Why you might want to condition yourself for rope, not just in rope
• How rope is a marathon, not a sprint
• Re-setting expectations for your body after time away from rope
• Building the mental approach needed for long-term rope practice
• Activities that help your body adapt to different rope challenges
• Using the rope session itself as conditioning
• What rope can learn from sports science
• How conditioning supports safety and longevity
• The role of bodyweight exercises in building body awareness
• Why establishing a “body baseline” matters
• Breathwork and recovery
• Conditioning for “smexy-times” rope
• The eight senses and their role in rope play

You don’t have to do any of this (Mya) —but if you love understanding the body, or you’re a science and exercise geek at heart (Fox!), this is a must-listen.
Share your thoughts in the comments—and listen now on all podcast platforms!

Claire, a Filipino strength and conditioning coach and exercise physiology researcher based in Thailand, brings a fresh, evidence-informed perspective to rope bottoming. Fascinated by how the body responds to rope—physically and psychologically—she’s exploring how strength, conditioning, and awareness can deepen your connection to your own body in rope.
Her approach couldn’t be more different from Mya’s ‘just turn up’ style, so the hosts sat down with her to unpack how labbing, movement, and mindful training can transform the rope experience.
In this episode, they discuss:
• What “labbing” as a rope bottom really means
• How to use labbing to discover your body’s strengths and weak spots
• Understanding your body’s physical and emotional responses to rope
• Overcoming mental and physical challenges through labbing
• Handling surprises and unmet expectations
• How rope shapes—and is shaped by—the body
• Why yoga with rope feels so different from yoga without it
• Using rope as a tool for body awareness and self-connection
• The three key questions Claire asks before every session
• Simple exercises to prepare for rope and tune in afterward
Expect a thoughtful conversation at the intersection of science, embodiment, and rope.
Do you lab your ties as a bottom? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Fox is thrilled to share his new novella, Blood Ties, where rope, vampires, and a lush French medieval world collide. Expect vivid sensory detail, authentic rope play, and a story that’s equal parts seductive and thrilling.

In this episode, Mya and Fox explore the inspirations and ideas behind the book, including:
- Why vampires? And how vampirism mirrors aspects of Fox’s sexuality
- The unexpected parallels between kink and vampirism
- Rope: more than just a prop—why it’s central to the story
- Shifting from non-fiction rope photography to erotic fiction
- Balancing fantasy with reality, and knowing when to bend the rules
- The kinks and activities woven seamlessly into the tale
- Why written erotica still has a vital place in a video-saturated world
- Bringing a medieval setting to life without losing the erotic edge
Plus, Mya shares her favourite line from the book, and Fox reads a tantalising excerpt that will leave you begging for more.

Workshops aren’t just about what you pack-they’re about the mindset you bring with you. In this follow-up to Part 1, Fox and Mya dive into the mental and emotional side of preparing for a rope workshop, so you can show up curious, confident, and ready to grow.
In this episode, they explore:
• Handling different values between you and your educators
• Why curiosity, respect, and an open mind matter most
• How to set yourself up for learning success
• Giving and receiving feedback effectively
• Strategies to get the most from every learning opportunity
• Being a rope magpie vs. following a single rope guru
• Capturing and retaining your learnings
• Asking great questions (without hogging the floor!)
• Supporting your educators and helping create a great class
• Navigating safety, consent, and peer pressure in workshops
• Making the most of the social side of workshops

Getting ready for your first (or tenth!) rope workshop? Fox and Mya have been to plenty of in-person rope events, and every time they pick up new tricks to make the most of the experience.
In this episode, they share their best prep strategies so you can walk in confident, relaxed, and ready to learn. They cover:
• What makes a rope workshop different from your usual rope play
• Smart packing tips (so you don’t forget the essentials)
• What to check with organisers or educators before you arrive
• Outfit choices that actually work for workshops
• How to handle food, drink, and energy across a full day of learning
• Capturing your learnings so they stick
• Who to attend with—and how to find the right workshop partner
• Switching roles at workshops
• Getting the most from auditing
Whether you’re brand new to workshops or a seasoned attendee, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you get the absolute most from your next rope adventure.

Whether or not you think that there is a higher incidence of neurodiversity in the kink scene, research shows that around 6% of adults are affected by ADHD, which means over a rope career if you interact with different partners, at some point you’re likely to tie with someone with the condition.

In this episode, we ask listeners to share their lived experience of ADHD, to better understand the potential symptoms, and how it might affect rope - whether you are a top, bottom or self-tier.

As ever, we remind us all that individual differences are stronger than group differences, and just because something applies to one person with ADHD, does not mean it applies to another person - the best way to understand your rope partner is to talk to them.

One of Fox’s favourite ties for smexy times is the ‘Crab Tie’, so he’s excited to share some of his ideas, tips and experiences in this episode which focuses on the tie.

In the episode discover:
• The structure of the tie
• How to use it for play versus in a photo
• Easier and harder versions for both the top and bottom
• How to use the crab tie in suspension
• Some on the spot labbing!
• What are the risks and tips for safety
• Some examples of how Mya and Fox have used it

Bayowolf and Wolfspearl have been married for 42 years and partners in kink for the last 13. Shibari has become a central part of their journey over the past six years, deepening both their connection and their creativity. About a year and a half ago, with open communication and a deep commitment to their marriage, they chose to begin tying with other people—an experience that has expanded their skills and enriched the bond they share. Both live with autoimmune diseases and actively pursue health and strength through clean eating and an intense fitness regimen, showing that resilience, love, and rope can go hand in hand.
In the episode Mya and Fox explore with this delightful couple:
• Why they decided to tie with other tops and bottoms
• How they explored and agreed what rope with others would look like
• Their limits and boundaries to ensure they protect their relationship
• What the most challenging topics of discussion were in that conversation
• The ways in which they built trust in each other and relaxed some of their boundaries over time
• The benefits gained and learnings through tying outside their marriage
• Differences between tying with each other versus other people
• Being each others’ cheerleaders
• Integrating into the rope community as a rope top and rope bottom in their sixties
• ‘Onboarding’ new rope bottoms safely
• Their perspective on why there are so few rope bottoms over 35 in the community
• Tips for older rope bottoms and tops integrating into a new rope community
• And plenty more

Pearl began her rope bottoming journey in 2019 at the age of 57, attending Bondage Expo Dallas with her husband, Bayowolf. In preparation for Beach Bind 2021, they dove into the local rope scene, attending education-focused meetups to grow their skills.
Despite her commitment, Pearl found rope bottoming challenging and noticed a lack of education directed at bottoms in her community, leading her to question whether rope was truly for her.
That changed dramatically during an intensive at Beach Bind, where she received her first formal bottoming education from an experienced rope bottom. Learning how to process pain, distinguish between “good” pain and harmful pain, and care for herself during rope scenes transformed her experience.
Since then, Pearl has been passionate about sharing what she’s learned, offering her insight and support to help others find empowerment and understanding in rope bottoming.
The podcast hosts - both in their forties - are very invested in the topic, and discuss with Pearl:
• Her rope journey
• What she loves about rope
• Why she nearly gave up at the start and how she learned to ‘manage the suck’
• Dealing with psychological hurdles about her age
• How her life experiences have influenced her rope bottoming
• How she keeps her body and mind healthy for rope
• Her autoimmune disease and how it affects her rope bottoming
• What it really means to ‘listen to your body’
• Handling the vasovagal response successfully
• How rope has changed the way she views her body
• Adaptations she uses
• And finally the benefits of being an older rope bottom

In this episode Fox and Mya discuss how you might successfully combine rope play with a very popular form of BDSM activity, wax play! This is usually pouring or dripping molten wax over the skin of a play partner, in this case, while they are also tied up.

The hosts explore in the episode:
• Wax and rope aesthetics
• Types of scene you can use wax within
• Safety and risks and possible mitigations for these
• Considerations for choice of position and tie
• Wax removal
• Challenges of clean up
• Plus hear all about one of Fox’s ‘hottest’ ever scenes…

One of our lovely listeners left this comment for us with the following questions:
1. When it comes to being a rope educator, what are the essential skills someone should have?
2. How do you know if you're ready to teach rope to others?
3. How do you ensure you're not teaching above your own skill level?
4. How do you develop a rope curriculum?

In this episode the rope podcast hosts explore these questions, sharing their own opinions and ideas on them, touching on:
• Three essential skills before you think about teaching rope
• Whether you are really the best person to decide if you’re ready to teach rope
• Why being great at doing rope isn’t the same as being great as teaching rope
• The skills that matter more than technical
• Creating the right physical and psychological container for your class
• Pre-requisites and how to position them
• Why switches might not always make the best teachers
• The difference between creating a rope curriculum and a rope class
• Creating coherence in rope curriculums
• What the difference is between a community leader and a rope educator
• And plenty more.

BondageOtter(he/they) is the founder of Rope Burn SF, the USA’s first ongoing masc-of-center, rope-specific play party + skill share, with his remaining energy spent volunteering for numerous gay organizations. A queer leatherman and rope switch, he maintains a private S/M practice while organizing public education and play programs for the community of people who want to tie masc-of-center bodies.

He commits a huge amount of his free time to successfully creating gay rope events and community, and in this episode shares some of his learnings on his journey in this area.

In the episode, hear about:
• The structure of Rope Burn
• Logistics of large rope parties with 50-70 people
• Using rope events to invest back in the community
• Founding the men tying men conference in 2024
• What the conference experience looks like for participants
• Choosing the right educators for the conference
• Learnings from year one
• Managing safety at this type of big, complex event
• What public versus private play looks like for him
• And more!

Listen now on all podcast platforms. You can alsogo back to Episode 201 to hear part 1 of the interview.

BondageOtter (he/they) is a queer leatherman and rope switch who maintains a private S/M practice while organizing public education and play programs for the community of people who want to tie masc-of-center bodies.

He is particularly devoted to adapting Eastern aesthetic principles to the tying of larger bodies, honoring the history and feel of Japanese tying while opening it up to the erotic scenarios of the leather bar.

While he has studied with many official and unofficial teachers in Japan, Europe, and the Americas, he has primarily focused on the styles of Naka Akira, Akechi Kanna, and Yoroï Nicolas. He He enjoys sharing his style of play with others, aiming for scenes to be both hot and hurty, where the progressive restriction of freedom encourages creative forms of expression for both top and bottom.

BondageOtter (he/they) is a queer leatherman and rope switch who maintains a private S/M practice while organizing public education and play programs for the community of people who want to tie masc-of-center bodies.

His education seeks to fuse Japanese aesthetics with the erotics of gay leather culture. The podcast hosts talked to him about how his rope experience in that culture is different from the cis-het/pansexual community, and the unique perspective that, along with hie experience living in Japan and running events, gives him. He also shares some of the implications for tops and bottoms when you primarily tie men.

With huge energy, a refreshingly direct and open perspective on rope and sexuality, and strong self-reflection, Bondage Otter is a delight to listen to. In the episode you can hear more about:
• His rope journey
• A great tip to break into the kink community
• Three things he loves about rope
• How shame and embarrassment figure in his play
• What he does to blend Japanese aesthetics and gay leather culture
• How he adapts Eastern aesthetic principles to be sustainable for larger body types
• How he ‘reads’ a new partner for pick-up play
• Tips for tying cut versus uncut penises
• Suggestions for tying men from the perspective of both bottom and top
• How to broaden your sources of inspiration for tying
• Making the experience of suspending male bodies better for all parties
• And plenty more.

BondageOtter is the founder of Rope Burn SF, the USA’s first ongoing masc-of-center, rope-specific play party + skill share, with his remaining energy spent volunteering for numerous gay organizations. While he has studied with many official and unofficial teachers in Japan, Europe, and the Americas, he has primarily focused on the styles of Naka Akira, Akechi Kanna, and Yoroï Nicolas. He is particularly devoted to adapting Eastern aesthetic principles to the tying of larger bodies, honoring the history and feel of Japanese tying while opening it up to the erotic scenarios of the leather bar. He enjoys sharing his style of play with others, aiming for scenes to be both hot and hurty, where the progressive restriction of freedom encourages creative forms of expression for both top and bottom.

Listen now on all podcast platforms, and look out for Episode 202 to hear part 2 of the interview.

It’s hard for us to believe, but this episode is number 200 of the Rope Podcast. That’s a lot of ropey goodness! Starting back in 2017, we’ve somehow managed to produce episodes every two weeks on a regular basis.

This fun episode celebrates our story so far - a story that in many ways echoes the growth of rope bondage in society at large. We hear updates from some of our guests, including Shay Tizano, Wooden Tiger, Faviola Llervu, RopuNawa, Violet Rain, MistressJ, Chrisian Red, Voudou Ropes, Ebi McKnotty and MarcyVQ, on how the podcast has impacted them personally and their communities.

We also share some behind the scenes glimpses that will draw back the curtain on some of our ways of working (think, a lot of blushing for Mya, mostly!).

Sit back and enjoy this jam-packed episode now, and use our reminiscences to find new angles on the topic of Rope Bondage once more.

Mistress J is an Australian switch known internationally for her gorgeous decorative rope. In our last episode we explored some fundamentals of the art, as well as getting to know Mistress J and her rope practice. In this episode, we go deeper, and talk to her about:

• Pros and cons of mixing decorative rope with other forms of rope
• Her inner sadist!
• A top tip for performances (that Fox and Mya also implement)
• Skills and qualities that a bottom can bring to decorative rope
• What she needs to know from her bottom when tying this kind of rope
• How tying artistic rope differs from other forms of rope
• The starter kit you might need for trying out this rope
• The rope gear she started with
• Her go-to rope for decorative rope
• Practical tips for people who want to tie in this style
• What’s challenging about this type of rope
• How she engages her creativity in artistic rope
• Which ties are her favourite and why
• Her fabulous ‘Tie July Challenge’ and why you want to join!

Mistress J, best known internationally for the decorative rope designs she creates, particularly beautiful, wearable rope art has been part of her local scene in Melbourne, Australia, for eleven years. She has been teaching skillshares in her community for nine years, drawing on her background in design and education, and she facilitates a group called ‘The Art of Rope’.
Identifying as a Sensualist, she loves touch, and always tries to incorporate it in her scenes. She also enjoys learning, most recently focusing on chaos rope and more strenuous and torturous types of tie, continually expanding her skills.
Fox and Mya enjoyed hearing her thoughts about decorative rope and authentic perspective, along with her very thorough approach to whatever she’s doing.

Listen to the episode to hear the hosts explore with her:
• How she was first introduced to rope bondage
• What attracted her to rope even though initially it didn’t make se
• How she initially fit in rope around looking after her two kids
• What is decorative rope or ‘wearable art’
• How she integrates other crafting techniques into her ropework
• Her collection of mannequins (including their names - we love this so hard!)
• How a variety types of mannequins help with practicing different ties
• Examples of some of her decorative ties
• Complimentary skills that support her abilities in rope
• How her neurodivergence is an asset in rope
• How she enjoys a broad skillset - including other rope practices such as circus rope
• Why decorative rope is so appealing to a wide variety of people
• Tying her suitcase when travelling
• And more…

Listen now on all podcast platforms!

Ps - Fun crossover: Mistress J talks about devouring the excellent book Shibari you can use by Lee Harrington (@passionandsoul) - who was our last interviewee in episodes 193-4 <3 Listen to those next!

Having lived in a number of condos and had a number of rope spaces, the podcast hosts have a lot of empathy for this question! The episode looks at what hard points are used for, what that means in terms of which hard points might work or not, and how those hard points do - or don’t - work in terms of a suspended ceiling (and why).

In this episode, hear more about:

• What actually is a suspended ceiling
• Why you can’t use it for your hardpoint
• Why we might want hard points for our rope
• What the hosts *don’t* recommend (but is done a lot)
• Some examples of free-standing frames and their pros and cons
• Fox’s bespoke chain system attached to the condo walls
• Lots of safety and risk discussion, and the need for rope bottoms to educate themselves in this area
• And more!

PS - Mya can’t remember who asked this Listener Question, so if it was you, let us know! She apologises profusely!

Last year, Fox and Mya learned the gorgeous Marquise harnesses from the one of the creators, @HwG-Paris. Fox was thrilled to learn a ‘French’ tie and the hosts of the podcast have experimented with it a number of times since. Fox has also had great positive feedback from some of the other rope bottoms who he’s tied it on, so this episode shares the harness more widely with listeners!

In this episode, hear about:
• What these decorative harnesses (chest and butt) look like
• A rough idea of how the ties work
• Pros/cons of learning a tie online 1:1 versus in-person
• Safety pros, cons and cautions of the ties
• What the harnesses feel like to wear
• The importance of discussing your bottom’s gender identity or preferences in relation to how they want this to be tied on them
• Examples of how using this in photoshoots and scenes
• When you might/might not want to wear clothes under these harnesses
• How the tie works with s3xy times
• And more!