Bawdy Storytelling – Episode 23: Libertine
Date: April 7, 2017
Host: Dixie De La Tour
Episode Overview
This episode of Bawdy Storytelling—dubbed “The Moth for pervs”—celebrates the theme of “Libertine,” shining a light on genuine, sex-positive storytelling from everyday people and sexual adventurers alike. Host Dixie de La Tour brings two first-time stage storytellers, Julie Corshen and Ryan Vermouth, to recount tales of sexual exploration, vulnerability, and growth. Authenticity, humor, and a willingness to embrace pleasure and failure are at the heart of these live, unscripted stories.
Main Segments & Key Points
1. Opening Song: “Libertine” by Jefferson Bergey
[00:10 – 01:09]
- Jefferson Bergey delivers a cheeky, daring intro song, capturing the essence of a libertine: “Is it so bad I like to feel good? ... Suck a dick, lick a tit, little circles round a clit, give me all you got, I’m a libertine”.
- Quote [00:47]: “Give me all you got, I’m a libertine. Shove it in, take it out, what is all the fuss about?”
- Dixie praises this custom song and sets the stage for tales about “aspiring libertines who faltered and then triumphed,” emphasizing the sex-positive, supportive community spirit.
2. Julie Corshen’s Story: Discovering Orgasmic Meditation
[05:16 – 17:46]
Key Points:
- Initial Reluctance: Julie first hears about “orgasmic meditation” (OM) from an adventurous friend but recoils at the idea.
- “I was like a little bit intrigued. And the rest of me was like, no fucking way ever.” [05:34]
- Revisiting the Idea: After opening her marriage, Julie reconnects with OM at a networking event for moms, tempted by a friendly, “normal” woman’s invitation.
- First OM Introduction: Attends a techy “Intro to OM” dinner, feeling both attracted and nervous, flirting for the first time in years.
- “Mr. Viking walks me down the stairs, pulls me up against him in the doorway... We stand under the buzzing yellow street lamp... and kiss for hours.” [07:37]
- Attending the Workshop: Julie describes, in candid detail, witnessing a live OM demonstration in a “beautiful San Francisco kind of tech office,” feeling both awe and embarrassment.
- “She butterflies her legs, and I am face to vagina with her hairless, flayed pussy.” [09:15]
- Her First OM Experience: Julie partners with a stranger, David, meticulously following instruction in a communal, nest-like space.
- From technical instructions—“upper left-hand quadrant of my clit”—to the emotional experience of “electricity running through my body,” Julie navigates the unfamiliar ritual.
- “He says things like, ‘Would you like me to stroke a little lighter?’ Yes, thank you. And when I say things like, ‘a little to the left,’ he says thank you.” [13:47]
- Afterward, they share sensations: “I tell him about a shower of sparks that I felt, and he tells me about a warmth that spread through his chest.” [16:23]
- Reflection & Transformation:
- “For someone who thought she’d never ever do that... I’ve now probably OM’d 200 times. And I can be one of those people who will say that learning how to speak my desire and receive has changed my life.” [16:59]
- “I don’t care if the world knows what my soul secrets are...” [17:36]
Notable Quotes:
- “Is it so bad I like to feel good? Just give in to the pleasure and forget about mom and dad.” – Jefferson Bergey [00:22]
- "Learning how to speak my desire and receive has changed my life." – Julie Corshen [16:59]
3. Ryan Vermouth’s Story: Country Line Dancing (A Group Sex Metaphor)
[20:07 – 33:18]
Key Points:
- Metaphor Set-up: Ryan frames his story with country line dancing as a stand-in for group sex, emphasizing the thrill and awkwardness of saying “yes” in new situations.
- “Country line dancing here is a metaphor. It’s a metaphor for fucking.” [20:14]
- Saying Yes: Early in his relationship, his partner Amanda sets a rule: “If something scares you, but it’s not actually dangerous, you should probably do it.”
- He describes their escalating adventures, from trapeze lessons to considering threesomes.
- The Proposition: At a friend’s birthday (after taking MDMA), the couple is asked to go home with their Icelandic friends, Thor and Aya, to dominate Aya—a scenario Ryan misinterprets both in number (expecting a foursome) and in intent.
- “Will you both come home with us and dominate my wife?” [23:25]
- Awkward Execution: Under the influence and out of their depth, Ryan and Amanda fumble the scenario—not understanding consent negotiations, misreading erotic cues, and being stymied by cold hands.
- “If you’re looking for that good, dominant dirty talk, ‘Oh, geez, I’m sorry’ doesn’t really make the list.” [27:55]
- “We just kind of start circling this poor woman like two menacing sex ghosts...” [28:21]
- Saved By the Prop: Amanda uses a flogger effectively, providing temporary relief for everyone. The scene fizzles, but there’s clear respect and honesty post-experience.
- “They don’t have a dog.” (upon noticing Aya sitting on a dog bed naked post-flogging) [29:55]
- Aftermath & Lessons Learned:
- Open communication post-scene: “That was awkward as fuck.” – Amanda: “Yeah, but also... that was kind of awesome.” [31:10]
- “Fucking up really badly is still better than not trying to.” [31:35]
- Ryan proposes to Amanda a year later. Lessons include being clear on consent and communication, and being open to adventure—while prepping properly and taking classes for new experiences.
- "You never know when you’re going to be out on that dance floor and the music changes, and the universe invites you into a country line dance. When that happens, say yes." [32:55]
Notable Quotes:
- “Amanda doesn’t have a boner because she’s straight. And now I don’t feel like I can use my hands either until they warm up. And they’re not gonna warm up.” – Ryan Vermouth [28:08]
- “We just kind of start circling this poor woman like two menacing sex ghosts.” – Ryan Vermouth [28:21]
- “That was awkward as fuck.” – Ryan; “Yeah. But also… that was kind of awesome.” – Amanda [31:10]
- “Fucking up really badly is still better than not trying to.” – Ryan Vermouth [31:35]
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- Song Lyrics: “You can call me depraved, call me odd, you can do whatever it takes to make you blow your wad.” – Jefferson Bergey [40:42]
- On sexual exploration: “Sex is something we all have in common, whether you don’t have it or whether you have it all the time. It’s something that all of us do or think about. It is a uniting force.” – Dixie de La Tour [33:48]
- The confidence from the audience: “People who come to our show who walk in saying, ‘There’s no way in hell I’m ever getting on that stage,’ come up to me at the end of the show and go, ‘I really, really want to get up in front of this audience.’” – Dixie [33:22]
Timestamps of Key Segments
- 00:10 – Opening: “Libertine” song by Jefferson Bergey
- 01:09 – Dixie’s intro to the libertine theme, set up for first story
- 05:16 – Julie Corshen’s OM story
- 17:46 – Dixie transitions, commentary on live shows and Patreon
- 20:07 – Ryan Vermouth’s group sex/country line dance story
- 33:18 – Dixie’s wrap-up, upcoming show announcements, storytelling workshop
- 40:42 – Jefferson Bergey’s closing “Libertine” reprise
Episode Tone & Style
- Language and Attitude: Unapologetically frank, humorous, supportive, compassionate.
- Content Focus: Real sexual experiences, with an emphasis on emotional honesty, vulnerability, and self-acceptance.
- Atmosphere: Encouraging for both audience members and nervous first-time storytellers; welcoming failures as part of the adventure.
Takeaways
- Becoming a libertine isn’t about perfection—it’s about daring to say yes, embracing imperfection, learning, and sharing.
- Sex-positive storytelling can be transformative and unifying, providing a space where failure, humor, and pleasure are openly celebrated.
- The episode invites listeners to shed shame, try new experiences, and find inspiration in candid stories of sexual discovery.