Episode 150: Is the Lifestyle Addictive?

About this episode

This episode explores the potential for lifestyle addiction in swinging and discusses key psychological components involved.

Can the lifestyle become an addiction? Well, it can if we don't recognize what's going on in our brains. In this episode with Catherine from Expansive Connection, we break down the key components at play including New Relationship Energy (NRE), Novelty, Desensation, the 'Pleasure Paradox' and how all of this shows up in our relationships. Of course we also discuss ways to recognize and respond when armed with this new knowledge! Discussed in this episode: Expansive Connection Coaching The Hidden Brain Podcast: The Paradox of Pleasure The Hidden Brain Podcast: The Path to Enough Join the We Gotta Thing Community Request a WGT Community promo code from Mr Jones

People in this episode

Host: Mr & Mrs Jones

Guest: Catherine

Topics covered

• lifestyle addiction
• New Relationship Energy
• Novelty
• Pleasure Paradox
• relationships

Keywords

• lifestyle addiction
• swinging
• New Relationship Energy
• Pleasure Paradox
• relationships

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Expansive Connection

Books & works: The Hidden Brain Podcast: The Paradox of Pleasure, The Hidden Brain Podcast: The Path to Enough

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• Episode 158: Taking One for the Team · July 22, 2026 · 1h 7m
• Episode 157: Erotic Compatibility and Non-Monogamy · June 24, 2026 · 1h 34m
• Episode 156: Opening the Circle · May 26, 2026 · 1h 36m
• Episode 155: Redefining the Swinging Lifestyle · May 18, 2026 · 1h 8m
• Episode 154: Why Comparison is the Thief of Joy · May 1, 2026 · 1h 13m
• Episode 153: Your Insecurity is Your Issue · April 16, 2026 · 1h 1m