Bawdy Storytelling – Episode 94: "Coma" (Jenn Griffin)

Episode Overview

In this episode of Bawdy Storytelling, host Dixie De La Tour introduces and shares the true story “Coma,” told by Jenn Griffin—a Leatherdyke, kink educator, and Bay Area native. Jenn recounts her transformative journey from suburban motherhood through sexual awakening and reconnection with her queer, kinky self, culminating in profound relationships and chosen family within the San Francisco leather community. As always, the episode delivers both humor and heart through honest storytelling centered on sex-positivity and real-life adventures.

Key Segments & Insights

1. [11:34] Jenn Griffin's Story: "Coma"

The Suburban Slumber

• Jenn opens with a vivid immersion into a kink scene—blindfolded, surrounded by hands—a stark contrast to her recent life as a “suburban mom.”
• She describes the slow drift from her outspoken queer/kinky youth into an unexpectedly heteronormative life, marked by marriage to a man and postpartum depression.
  • “I woke up one morning and was like, oh, fuck, I’m heteronormative. Like, what the fuck happened?” – Jenn Griffin [12:48]
• The pressures of parenting and survival left Jenn isolated and disconnected from her desires.
• A turning point comes with her decision to pay attention to her own needs, symbolized humorously by purchasing a Fitbit.

Rekindling Kink through Old Connections

• Reconnecting with John, an old friend from online chat rooms, sparks a daily flirtatious exchange, but she realizes her physical needs run deeper.
• Remembers Deborah Addington, an ordained minister and leather elder, who helps guide Jenn back toward community and connection.
  • “Deborah’s like, I know what’s wrong. You just woke up from a coma and you’re hungry.” – Jenn recounting Deborah’s perspective [15:12]

Foundations: Education and Reawakening Community

• Deborah sends Jenn to “Foundations,” a famous Monday night BDSM educational class at Wicked Grounds in San Francisco, with a sponsor, Pele.
• The night is full of awkward, vulnerable moments. She’s uncertain and anxious, but finds instant trust in Pele, feeling an immediate, intense submissive connection.
• The class, taught by Silver Griffin (a legendary figure in the scene), isn’t about technique but about forging meaningful connection.
  • “This class was not like that. This class was about connection... even if you’ve just met.” – Jenn Griffin [18:31]
• Jenn and Pele engage in intimate exercises, leading to the beginnings of real friendship and possibility.

The Play Party: Breaking through Barriers

• Pele invites Jenn to a play party, where nerves run high. Jenn clings to Pele with near-canine devotion.
• For the first time in ages, Jenn chooses vulnerability, asking for a public scene: blindfolded, tied up, and open to sensations from anonymous participants (with clear, negotiated boundaries).
  • “How about you blindfold me, and then tie me up, and then invite all of your friends to do whatever they want?” – Jenn Griffin [20:30]
• The scene unfolds—Jenn describes sensory disorientation, pain, and pleasure. The eventual flogging is almost overwhelming; she calls "yellow" to pause the action.
• There’s attentive aftercare: Jenn is laid on a leather bench, covered in coats, and debriefed on who touched her.
• The lead flogger is revealed: Silver Griffin—the same dungeon “rock star” she’d admired.

Lasting Transformation and Chosen Family

• The scene and aftercare leave Jenn forever changed. She discovers not just lovers and playmates, but deep chosen kinship.
  • “The two of them and many others that I’ve met through them are not just my friends, they're not just my play partners, they're my family.” – Jenn Griffin [24:06]
• She eventually enters a consensual M/s (master/slave) relationship with Silver Griffin and remains close to Pele, forging ongoing bonds of mutual care.
• Jenn ends her story reflecting on community, love, and belonging. In emergencies, she’s counted as family (not just a partner or playmate) in the hospital and at Thanksgiving.

2. [01:17/29:23] Host Commentary & Memorable Moments

Chicago Show Adventures

• Dixie shares behind-the-scenes stories from Bawdy’s recent Chicago event, highlighting the power of community, supportive producers, and memorable shenanigans.
• A standout moment: fulfilling an audience member’s fantasy with a public on-stage motorboat, resulting in playful chaos.
  • “She wanted a face full of boobs, and she definitely got it. So motorboat done.” – Dixie De La Tour [05:24]

Call to Action for Upcoming Shows

• Dixie rallies listeners to help promote the upcoming New York show, lamenting the challenges of sex-positive event promotion on social media.
• She celebrates fans who travel long distances, promising unique rewards and ongoing efforts to grow Bawdy Storytelling nationwide.

Notable Quotes & Highlights (with Timestamps)

• On losing queer identity in adulthood:
  “I woke up one morning and was like, oh, fuck, I’m heteronormative. Like, what the fuck happened?” – Jenn Griffin [12:48]

• On reconnecting desires:
  “Deborah’s like, I know what’s wrong. You just woke up from a coma and you’re hungry.” – Jenn quoting Deborah Addington [15:12]

• On the uniqueness of Foundations:
  “This class was not like that. This class was about connection... even if you’ve just met.” – Jenn Griffin [18:31]

• On choosing vulnerability:
  “How about you blindfold me, and then tie me up, and then invite all of your friends to do whatever they want?” – Jenn Griffin [20:30]

• On chosen family:
  “They’re not just my friends, they’re not just my play partners, they’re my family.” – Jenn Griffin [24:06]

• On being counted as family in crisis:
  “When Pele had an emergency C-section at 28 weeks, I was at the hospital, the doctor came out and said, ‘Are you the family?’ And I said, ‘Yes.’” – Jenn Griffin [24:38]

Episode Structure with Timestamps

• [00:00–01:17] Content Warnings, Intro Song, Host’s Welcome
• [01:17–11:34] Host Stories: Chicago adventure, audience engagement, upcoming shows
• [11:34–25:26] “Coma” by Jenn Griffin
• [25:26–29:23] Outro Song: “I Know It’s Going to Happen Someday” – David Bowie
• [29:23–37:11] Host Wrap-Up: Show dates, ticketing updates, future plans, listener engagement request

Tone and Style

• The tone of the episode is candid, intimate, and empowering. Jenn’s storytelling weaves humor and vulnerability, while Dixie’s hosting is warm, inclusive, and celebratory of sexual self-discovery.
• The storytelling is unscripted, blending laugh-out-loud moments (“I had this infatuation with Pinhead from Hellraiser—anybody? Yeah, right? That’s what I’m talking about.” [13:33]) with poignant realizations about identity and community.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Heard the Episode

• “Coma” is a powerful journey of rediscovery, kink, and queer belonging, offering a roadmap for anyone seeking reconnection with their authentic self—even after years of numbness or “sleep.”
• The episode demonstrates the healing, joyful, and transformative potential of queer, kink, and chosen communities.
• Jenn’s experience offers insight into aftercare, negotiation, and the emotional safety possible in the kink community.

Listen for These Memorable Moments

• [11:34] Jenn’s first-person sensory description of the BDSM scene
• [15:12] Deborah’s “waking from a coma” metaphor
• [20:30] Jenn choosing communal play—her “leap” out of comfort
• [24:38] Hospital vignette: chosen family in action

This episode of Bawdy Storytelling stands out for its authenticity, depth, and celebration of growth through sexual exploration, risk, and radical belonging.