Episode 1: Enter the CannaSexual

A podcast is born

Welcome to the first episode of Elevated Intimacy Podcast!

Ashley Manta finally has her own podcast!!!! Ashley, aka the CannaSexual®, is joined by producer and certified sex therapist, Sam (LMFT# 106352), to talk sex, pleasure, relationships and cannabis. Ashley shares juicy details about what goes on behind the scenes in porn and dreams about getting high with celebrities. The duo also explore what it means to be your own primary partner and what it is like going to couples therapy with a former boyfriend, who is still a lover. And, of course, there is an expert lesson from the CannaSexual herself on the science and best practices of incorporating cannabis into your sexy times, as well as tips on using cannabis intimacy oils like Foria to marinate a special vulva in your life.

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Listen to the full episode

In Case You Missed It

Ashley laments that no one can seem to pronounce her name properly (it's Manta, like Santa!) and considers dropping her last name and simply being known as "Ashley the CannaSexual." [00:25]

Discussing the limitations of porn (it's fantasy, not sex education!) and why your sex life will never look like that. [08:20]

Ashley notes her intention to bring in diverse perspectives to talk about sex, relationships, cannabis, plant medicine, and other topics on the podcast, acknowledging that her voice is not the only one on these subjects. [10:50]

Ashley is non-monogamous, queer, a sexual violence survivor, and lives with chronic pain. [12:31]

How do you undo four years of patterns in a relationship without losing the relationship entirely? What does it look like and how do we relate to each other outside the construct of the relationship escalator? [16:25]

Bio: Ashley Manta is an award-winning sex educator and coach and has become a sought-after authority on mindfully combining sex and cannabis as part of her CannaSexual® brand. She appeared on the cover of Sexual Health Magazine in January 2019, along with the designation, "America's High Priestess of Pleasure." She recently completed her certification as a Bodysex® Facilitator after studying with legendary pleasure pioneer Betty Dodson. She is a brand ambassador for Sybian and Foria.

At the January 2020 XBiz Awards, Ashley was named Sexpert of the Year. She has been nominated for several other awards in both the adult and cannabis industries including Influencer of the Year, Sex Educator of the Year, and WEGO Health Awards' Best Kept Secret. Her work has received recognition in Forbes, The London Times, Newsweek, and Huffington Post, to name a few (see the entire list on her media page.) She was the featured expert on VICELAND TV's "Stoned Sex" episode of Slutever season one, hosted by Karley Sciortino. She was also profiled in an episode of "High Indulgence" on PlayboyTV.

Ashley has presented at mainstream, adult, and cannabis events like SXSW, New Living Expo, Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit, Sexual Health Expo, and the Cannabis Nurse Network Conference. She was a contributing writer to Leafly.com from 2015-2017, and currently writes for Dope Magazine. In 2019 she taught at a number of retreats, including the Glowing Goddess Getaway, Healing Inside Out Retreat, Intimate Health's Punani Power Yoga Retreat, and is scheduled to speak at the New Living Expo, Glowing Goddess Getaway, and more in 2020 and beyond. 

She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy with a minor in Women’s Studies and has completed graduate coursework for a Master of Arts in Philosophy. Ashley is also a certified and attuned Reiki II Practitioner, a certified consulting hypnotist, and a trauma-trained victim advocate.

Learn more about Ashley's work on her website, Instagram, and Twitter, and be sure to follow Elevated Intimacy on Instagram and Twitter!

If you're looking for Ashley's online courses on Hand Sex and Dirty Talk, check out Elevated Intimacy Academy.

Thanks as always to our sponsors, Foria and Sybian!