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Ep 689: Dive into the world of hot spicy monster romance with Ruan Willow and special guest Cassandra Medcalf, a talented author and audiobook narrator. In this episode, they explore the intricacies of writing romance, the allure of monsters, and the creative process behind bringing characters to life. Cassandra reads an excerpt from "The Kraken's Castaway".

Her book is a cozy yet steamy monster romance that intertwines with Greek mythology and explores themes of love, vulnerability, and acceptance.

Discover how Cassandra's characters navigate the challenges of their unique worlds in "Milking the Minotaur", including a human mother and her Minotaur son, and how their intertwined fates lead to unexpected connections.

Ruan and Cassandra discuss the importance of representation in romance, the evolution of indie publishing, and the joy of creating stories that resonate with readers.

This episode highlights the beauty of storytelling and the importance of community in the creative process. Whether you're a fan of romance, fantasy, or simply love a good story, listen and enjoy!

Key Highlights:
• Cassandra's journey as a romance author and audiobook narrator
• Insights into the world of monster romance and its appeal
• The creative process behind "Milking with a Minotaur" and its connection to Greek mythology
• The importance of representation and diversity in storytelling
• The evolving landscape of indie publishing and the power of community
**Want to support Cassandra's Kickstarter for Milking with a Minotaur?** Check out the link below for more information!

Estimated Timeline:
00:00:00 - Welcome and Introduction
00:01:45 - Meet Cassandra Metcalfe
00:04:30 - Excerpt Reading from "The Kraken 's Castaway"

00:10:15 - The Appeal of Monster Romance
00:15:00 - Writing and Narrating: A Dual Journey
00:20:00 - Representation in Romance
00:25:00 - Indie Publishing Insights
00:30:00 - Closing Thoughts and Support Links
Connect with Cassandra: http://cassandramedcalf.com/
Kickstarter: Milking with a Minotaur

Topics:

• Narration
• Indie Authors
• Writing Process
• Character Development
• Romance Tropes
• Spicy Storytelling
• Creative Community
• Kickstarter
• Sexual Expression
• Monster Romance

Books:

(affiliate links)

The Kraken's Castaway https://amzn.to/3M2BD5i

Bride of the Kraken: An MFFM Dark Monster Romance https://amzn.to/4oFRpSj

Milking the Minotaur, coming soon!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/892606232/milking-with-the-minotaur-a-minotaur-romance-prequel?ref=bf2nxu

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Ep 687: Tune in for a fantasy immersion experience...
Fantasies are yours alone, and that's exactly how they should be. Explore the deeply personal nature of our inner worlds in this episode, reminding us that what happens in our imagination requires no permission from anyone. Ruan makes it clear that fantasies—even unconventional or dark ones—are harmless mental experiences that belong entirely to you.

Throughout the episode, Willow emphasizes pleasure as a birthright. (Because really, who gets to decide what brings you joy?) She guides listeners to resist shame and guilt, recognizing that these mental scenarios can be revisited, changed, or completely abandoned whenever you choose. But here's the key distinction she draws: while fantasies need no consent, real-life activities absolutely do.

How often do we forget that our imagination can be a legitimate form of self care? The episode frames mental pleasure-seeking as both valid relaxation and personal wellness. Willow encourages embracing what feels good without judgment, essentially giving permission to explore your own mind freely. It's about claiming your inner space, about recognizing that your thoughts are truly your own domain.

**Ready to reclaim your imagination?** Tune in to discover why your fantasy life deserves zero apologies and why you deserve emotional release that celebrates your self worth.

Estimated Timeline:

00:00:00 - Welcome to Ruan Willow Podcast
00:02:08 - Relaxation and Fantasy Preparation Guide
00:03:41 - Creating Intimate Fantasy and Connection
00:05:06 - Intimate Physical Connection and Arousal
00:07:36 - Intimate Sensory Experience and Fantasy
00:08:41 - Intimate Physical Connection, intimacy, sexuality
00:10:21 - Multiple Orgasms and Pleasure Building
00:11:33 - Using Pleasure Toys Together
00:12:42 - Fantasies, Pleasure, and Consent
00:14:48 - Embrace Your Right to Daily Pleasure
00:15:21 - Pleasure is Your Birthright, self help and relationships

Beach House Views on Theo Reads: https://www.theoreads.com/story/71ba59ce-badd-4472-90af-b2d324c6a332/view

Preorder: https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/beachhouseviewsbook

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Ep 686: You've heard about taking hormones, the dangers, the nice juicy bump to libido, but what it there's more to it than just that? Should You Take Testosterone or Estrogen? Find out from Dr Nayan Patel, a clinical pharmacist, & educator.

Is it bad to take hormones? Beyond Bad Hormones: Why Bioidentical Therapy and Lifestyle Matter More Than You Think for not only libido and healthy sex organs, but brain health, heart health, AND for bone health. Sounds like the fountain of youth for healthy, happy longevity. What it it's a piece of the puzzle?

What if the pharmaceutical industry's lack of profit incentive has left a massive gap in modern wellness?

Dr. Nayan Patel, author of "The Glutathione Revolution," reveals why hormone replacement therapy got such a bad reputation in the first place. (Spoiler: it's all about synthetic versus bioidentical hormones.) Here's the thing—early hormone studies showed adverse effects in only two percent of participants, but pharmaceutical companies never bothered studying bioidentical human hormones because the profit potential was too limited. That decision continues to impact millions of people today.

Dr. Patel, "The bulk of the solution is in your own hand."

Interestingly, Dr. Patel breaks down hormone health using a pyramid model where *stress management* accounts for 40% of solutions, diet and insulin management comprises 30%, thyroid function 10%, and sex hormones only 10%. Most practitioners miss the fundamental issues at the pyramid's foundation, focusing instead on prescribing hormones without addressing underlying stress and dietary behaviors. In fact, a nine-year French study of 3,100 women demonstrated that balanced hormone replacement therapy can reduce breast cancer risk below that of women with no risk factors.

As we've doubled our lifespan beyond our biological design for procreation, proper hormonal health becomes essential to enjoying this extended life.

Key Takeaways:

• **The hormone crisis wasn't about hormones themselves, but outdated synthetic formulations** — poor HRT outcomes stemmed from non-bioidentical hormones, not inherent hormone harm, making modern bioidentical approaches fundamentally different

• **Hormones rank lower than lifestyle factors in treatment hierarchy** — stress management and nutrition are more foundational to health than hormone supplementation, making them the true priorities

• **Hormonal optimization requires holistic integration, not just prescriptions** — effective treatment demands individualized approaches combining emotional connection, gratitude practices, and self-care alongside any hormonal intervention

Connect with Dr. Patel:

http://aurowellness.com/

Book: The Glutathione Revolution (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/3LpgNgt

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Exclusives https://www.buzzsprout.com/1599808/subscribe
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