1. EachPod

The Brutal Truth About Open Relationships, Ep. 125

Author
Ellecia Paine
Published
Thu 28 Aug 2025
Episode Link
https://www.elleciapaine.com/notmonogamous

Curious about open relationships but tired of the Instagram highlight reel version?

This episode gets real about what it actually takes to make non-monogamy work — the messy feelings, the constant negotiations, and the communication skills you didn’t know you needed until it was too late.

As a relationship coach, I’ve seen the glossy fantasy and the gritty reality. Spoiler: opening your relationship isn’t a shortcut to freedom — it’s a crash course in radical honesty, emotional intelligence, and navigating fears you thought you buried years ago.

Whether you’re just poly-curious or already in the thick of it, this episode will give you the clarity and tools you need to decide if non-monogamy is really for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • The different types of non-monogamy (open relationships, swinging, polyamory, relationship anarchy) and why defining your terms matters.
  • The 4 brutal truths about open relationships, including constant renegotiation, jealousy, networked heartbreak, and social stigma.
  • Why rejection hits different when you haven’t dated in 10+ years (hello, modern dating apps 👀).
  • The communication skills that make non-monogamy sustainable — like weekly relationship check-ins, compersion practice, boundaries, and building a “couple bubble.”
  • Research insights: how CNM couples report commitment and satisfaction rates on par with monogamous couples.

Send us a text

https://elleciapaine.com/call

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Music: Composer/Author (CA): Oscar Lindstein
STIM IPI: 572 393 237

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