Reality Bytes

For the 78th episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra are sending a love letter to Sofiya’s homeland: Ukraine — more specifically Odessa, the pearl of the Black Sea.  Sofiya grew up in Odessa, Ukraine, before immigrating to the U.S. in 1994, when she was in middle school. Now, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sofiya revisits the place she first called home, sharing her favorite memories and cultural touchstones, why it's Ukraine instead of "the Ukraine" (which undermines the country's sovereignty), how this war has made us realize our neglect of other conflict zones, and more. This episode was inspired by Sofiya's viral Twitter thread, which struck a chord with folks eager to learn more about Ukraine during this harrowing time.  We’re up for some Podca$h funding for the show, and, in addition to paying our team, we want to take a trip to Antarctica for a bucket list series about love and sexuality on the South Pole. Please write us a short love letter (just a sen

For the 77th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak wades deeper into our Mind Trip series about the modern psychedelic renaissance as a new wave of decriminalization, legalization, and corporatization has begun to swell in the United States. For the 4th episode of Mind Trip, Courtney interviews Jesse Jarnow, author of Heads: A Biography of Psychedelic America, about the gravitational pull of different underground subcultures and countercultures to seek out psychedelics, how these disparate groups connect and overlap through their curiosity, the impact of the internet, and the recent trend of institutionalizing and corporatizing the psychedelic experience, for better or worse. For more from our Mind Trip series, check out this playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5Sabv4TOwfOmD2OwvPyxBJ For more from today's guest: Buy Heads: A Biography of Psychedelic America via Bookshop.org Follow Jesse Jarnow on Twitter @bourgwick Check out Jesse’s website jessejarnow.com Listen to The Good Ol’

For the 76th episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra bring you a Galentine’s Day special about the history of a gal’s best friend: the vibrator.  This episode is a horny romp through the ages, from Cleopatra to Sex and the City — and beyond. Primary sources for this episode: A short history of the vibrator by Jen Bell for Hello Clue  (Almost) Everything You Know About the Invention of the Vibrator Is Wrong by Hallie Lieberman for The New York Times The vibrator: from medical tool to revolutionary sex toy by Martha Henriques for BBC Future We need your HELP! We’re up for some Podca$h funding for the show, and, in addition to paying our team, we want to take a trip to Antarctica for a bucket list series about love and sexuality on the South Pole. Please write us a short love letter (just a sentence or two would be perfect!) letting them know what you love about our show. Here’s the link: https://www.podcash.com/love-letters/pLRE6 Private Parts Unknown is a proud member

For the 75th episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra wade deeper into our Mind Trip series about the modern psychedelic renaissance as a new wave of decriminalization, legalization, and corporatization has begun to swell in the United States. For the 3rd episode of Mind Trip, Sofiya interviews Courtney about her first ayahuasca experience (two ceremonies over the course of a weekend), her intentions, post-ceremony integration, and so much more! This convo gets pretty vulnerable… let us know what you think of these eps with just us (and the Mind Trip series, in general). Do you want more? For more from our Mind Trip series, check out this playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5Sabv4TOwfOmD2OwvPyxBJ Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Original Boner Gel is the most advanced, luxury skincare product for men, specifically targeting your skincare needs below-the-belt. Original Boner Gel is offering ou

For the 74th episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra wade deeper into our series about the modern psychedelic renaissance as a new wave of decriminalization, legalization, and corporatization has begun to swell in the United States. For the 2nd episode of our Mind Trip series, Courtney and Sofiya discuss the cultural origin of ayahuasca and how the psychoactive brew is made. Then, Courtney interviews a friend about his first experience participating in an ayahuasca ceremony, the importance of having an intention going into it, and what it’s been like integrating what he’s learned in the months after. Check out this playlist of the whole Mind Trip series. Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Good health starts with good habits. quip makes it easy, by delivering all the oral care essentials you need to care for your mouth. If you go to getquip.com/private, you’ll get your first refill FREE. Like A Kitten

For the 73rd episode of Private Parts Unknown, hosts Courtney Kocak and Sofiya Alexandra kick off a new series about the modern psychedelic renaissance as a wave of decriminalization, legalization, and corporatization begins to swell in the United States. In this episode, Courtney and Sofiya share their previous experiences and touchstones with psychedelics, including psilocybin (aka magic mushrooms) and acid, and explain what inspired the Mind Trip series. Then, Courtney interviews Psychedelic Water founder Keith Stein and director of marketing Ben Rogul about their product, brand origin, and strategy. And finally, Courtney follows up with Ben Rogul for the full story about how psychedelics “saved him" after a concussion. For more from our Mind Trip series, check out this playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5Sabv4TOwfOmD2OwvPyxBJ For more from today's guests: Read Courtney’s Psychedelic Water story for InsideHook: A Weekend at Joshua Tree, With a Case of Psychedelic Water Check out the Psychedelic

For the 72nd episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra bring you a very special episode to honor & defend Roe v. Wade on its 49th anniversary. This episode was inspired by an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court by We Testify & Advocates for Youth — 26 actors, comedians, podcasters & activists voice real-life abortion stories from the court filing, which illustrates the myriad reasons people choose abortion.  Thank you to the following artists & creators for sharing generously lending their voices: Valerie Tosi - Twitter @valerie_tosi; IG @valerie_tosi Kai Choyce - Twitter @kaichoyce; IG @kaichoyce Dena Goldberg - Twitter @DenaTalksDNA; IG @dena.dna Jasmine Ellis - Twitter @JasmineCEllis; IG @jasminelliscomedy Stacey Garratt - Twitter @staceygarratt; IG @staceygarratt Molly Karrasch - Twitter @mollykarrasch; IG @mollykarrasch Mariya Alexander - Twitter @MariyaAlexander; IG @ieatfun Jasmine Romero - Twitter @RomeroNyc; IG @trackbrat Katrina Davis - Twi

For the 71st episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak interviews some of our favorite local sex workers to get the scoop on the current state of sex work in LA & their predictions for 2022. In this episode, we hear from Megan Rippey & Nats Honey. Listen to last week's episode for Part 1. For more from today's guests: Follow Megan Rippey on Instagram @meganrippey Follow Cyber Clown Girls on Instagram @cyberclowgirlsshow Sign Megan's change.org petition to Stop Strip Clubs From Firing Strippers Without Just Cause! Follow Nats Honey on Instagram @natshoney Donate to artistplex.com Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Swell is an asynchronous, voice-based social platform where you can have and host conversations with people all over the world on your own time. Download the Swell app for FREE on the app store or play store, or by visiting www.swell.life/podcast! Like A Kitten is offering our listeners 20% off AND

For the 70th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak interviews some of our favorite local sex workers to get the scoop on the current state of sex work in LA & their predictions for 2022. In this episode, we hear from Onyx Black, AM Davies & Adrienne Airhart. Tune in next week for Part 2. For more from today's guests: Follow Onyx Black on Instagram @onyxblackhappy & @onyxblackvirgo Follow AM Davies on Instagram @thequeenofsexy Follow Adrienne Airhart on Instagram @craydrienne Follow Adrienne Airhart on Twitter @craydrienne Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Like A Kitten is offering our listeners 20% off AND free shipping when you go to LikeAKitten.com/Private OR enter code Private at checkout. Good health starts with good habits. quip makes it easy, by delivering all the oral care essentials you need to care for your mouth. If you go to getquip.com/private, you’ll get your first refill FREE. Let’s be fr

For the 69th episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra bring you the perfect 69 — a marriage of new & old travels — featuring Sofiya's recent trip to Portugal & Morocco, as well as the "happy ending" finale to our Tokyo, Japan series. First, Sofiya shared the highlights of her recent travels to Lisbon, Portugal, & Marrakesh, Morocco. Then, it's time to revisit our MOST POPULAR EPISODE OF ALL-TIME, wherein we recount our last night in Tokyo going to a sex club & getting happy ending massages. We explore what it was like to buy sex for the first time as women, what it takes to make it as a male happy ending masseuse among over 2,000 applicants, our experience at an S&M bar (shout-out Black Heart in Ginza!), & how paying for sex opened our minds on so many unexpected levels. Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Everlywell offers affordable, at-home lab tests (including STD tests!) that give you trusted, p

For the 68th episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra welcome Dena Goldberg, a genetic counselor specializing in breast cancer. This is a continuation of our breast cancer awareness series, with Dena filling us in on the difference genetic testing can make on breast cancer diagnosis & treatment, the genes beyond BRCA1 & BRCA2 that impact breast cancer risk, common misconceptions about genetic counseling in general & more. For more Dena Goldberg: Check out Dena's website denadna.com Follow Dena on Instagram @dena.dna Follow Dena on Twitter @DenaTalksDNA Follow Dena on Tiktok @DenaDNA Like Dena on Facebook @DenaTalksDNA Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Good health starts with good habits. quip makes it easy, by delivering all the oral care essentials you need to care for your mouth. If you go to getquip.com/private, you’ll get your first refill FREE. Dipsea is an audio erotica app full o

For the 67th episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra do something a little different... In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Courtney interviews Sofiya about her experience as a breast cancer survivor. In this episode, we explore what it was like to battle Stage 1 “triple positive” breast cancer, including finding the lump & getting the diagnosis, some tips for making chemotherapy feel manageable, how to be a supportive friend to someone with breast cancer, an unexpected silver lining & more. Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Dipsea is an audio erotica app full of short, sexy stories and guided sessions designed to turn you on. Dipsea is offering a 30-day free trial when you go to dipseastories.com/private. Everlywell offers affordable, at-home lab tests (including STD tests!) that give you trusted, physician-reviewed results. Everlywell is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home

For the 66th episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra welcome 80-something author Joan Foor, whose latest book recalls her experience traveling alone across Europe on a motor scooter in 1964. We dig into why she decided to finally write about this trip of a lifetime during the pandemic, what it was like to solo travel as a woman, her frequent encounters with men on her journey (for better, worse, or downright terrifying) & more. For more Joan Foor: Order Joan's book My Heart's Journey: Chasing Love Through Europe on a Motor Scooter Follow Joan on Facebook @joan.foor Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Everlywell offers affordable, at-home lab tests (including STD tests!) that give you trusted, physician-reviewed results. Everlywell is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at everlywell.com/private. Like A Kitten will ship you a gift box with all your erotic essentials

For the 65th episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra welcome TV writer and former sex worker Jaclyn Moore to talk about transitioning during the pandemic.  We dive into her decision to transition, the emotional effects of hormones, coming out as bi (or rather, not really having to), the religious imprint of shame, her experience as a sex worker, and how sex work allowed her to explore her sexuality and afforded her the time and luxury to pursue making art, and more. You gotta respect the come-up from working the sheets to running some of the best TV shows, including Dear White People and the new Queer as Folk reboot! For more Jaclyn Moore: Follow Jaclyn on Instagram @jaclynpmoore Follow Jaclyn on Twitter @JaclynPMoore Follow Jaclyn's hallowed lewds account @JaclynLewds (cool, sex-positive kinksters only) Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Dipsea is an audio erotica app full of short, sexy sto

For the 64th episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra welcome Diet for Great Sex Author Christine DeLozier for a (very necessary) sexual-dietary realignment. You may not think food has much to do with your sex life, but Christine teaches us that healthy eating and libido are linked. Not only that, but certain foods, like leafy greens, led to stronger nerve conduction, and therefore bigger and better orgasms! Plus, she shares a sexy and delicious sample dinner menu. Christine's book Diet for Great Sex is full of handy sex tips like these. And don't be triggered by the word diet — being thin is not the same as being healthy or sexually fit, as we discuss in this episode. For more Christine DeLozier: Order a copy of Christine's book Diet for Great Sex Follow Christine on Instagram @dietforgreatsex Follow Christine on Twitter @ChristineDeLoz4 Check out Christine's website christinedelozier.com Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. T

For the 63rd episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra welcome comedian & sex worker turned sex worker rights activist Kaytlin Bailey. She founded Olds Pros to tell more accurate sex worker stories & also hosts The Oldest Profession podcast.  We talk about Kaytlin's experience with sex work (both from a place of privilege, as well as really needing the money), how FOSTA-SESTA dismantled the online community protecting sex workers, her work as a sex worker rights activist, some effed up whorephobic laws you should know about & more. For more Kaytlin Bailey: Check out The Oldest Profession podcast Follow Kaytlin on Instagram @kaytlinbailey Follow Old Pros on Instagram @oldproinc Check out Old Pros' website oldproinc.com Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Dipsea is an audio erotica app full of short, sexy stories and guided sessions designed to turn you on. Dipsea is offering a 30-day free tria

For the 62nd episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra drop the 10th episode of our "Comedians of OnlyFans" series. First, we get the postmortem about the recent OnlyFans debacle with sex workers on their platform from previous guests Meredith Jacqueline and Selena the Stripper. Then we interview Los Angeles-based burlesque performer, comedian & OnlyFans creator, Tito Bonito.  Out-of-work comedians have been flocking to OnlyFans to help pay their bills during the coronavirus pandemic. This series explores the intersection of comedy, sex work & COVID-19. For more Tito Bonito: Subscribe to Tito's OnlyFans onlyfans.com/titobonito Follow Tito on Instagram @cubanmissilecrisis Follow Tito on Twitter @TitoBonito_ Check out Tito's website titobonito.com Psst, Courtney has an OnlyFans too: onlyfans.com/cocopeepshow Here's a playlist of our entire "Comedians of OnlyFans" series. Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought

For the 61st episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra welcome former Jumbo's Clown Room dancers Coco Ono & Megan Rippey, who are both brilliant performance artists and activists, as well. This episode explores the intersection of sex work, workers' rights & COVID-19. Read Megan's "Jumbos Exposé(d)" essay. Sign the petition to Stop Strip Clubs From Firing Strippers Without Just Cause! For more Coco Ono, Megan Rippey & Strippers United: Follow Coco Ono (aka Kayla Tange) on Instagram @coco.ono Follow Megan Rippey (aka Reagan) on Instagram @meganrippey Follow @cyberclowngirlsshow on Instagram Follow Strippers United on Instagram @soldiers_of_pole_ Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Manscaped, #1 in men’s below the belt grooming. Manscaped offers precision-engineered tools for you or your man’s family jewels.  Get 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code PRIVATE at Manscaped.com.  EveAdam

For the 60th episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra welcome sexual health researcher Ashley Townes for her expert advice on how vulva-owners (& everyone, really!) can experience more pleasure during intercourse. We dig into incorporating sex toys into your repertoire with a partner, navigating the awkwardness of sex positions that don’t feel good, the importance of communication in the bedroom, tips for women who want to make sure they get off & why sex education should be more pleasure-centric. For more Ashley Townes: Follow Ashley on Instagram @dr.ashleytownes Read Ashley's work on Pure Romance Psst, this is the pleasure mapping workbook from Afrosexology that Ashley recommends! Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Dipsea is an audio erotica app full of short, sexy stories and guided sessions designed to turn you on. Dipsea is offering a 30-day free trial when you go to dipseastories.com/priv

For the 59th episode of Private Parts Unknown, your hosts Courtney Kocak & Sofiya Alexandra welcome Zoë Noble, Berlin-based photographer and We Are Childfree creator for a discussion about living your best childfree life, bodily autonomy as a human right & the motherhood expectation faced by many women around the world. For more Zoë Noble: Read Zoë's NYT debut "Women Who Said No to Motherhood" Follow Zoë on Instagram @zoenoblephoto Follow We Are Childfree on Instagram @wearechildfree_ Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Intensity by Pour Moi is an intimate health and stimulation device. Pour Moi is offering our listeners an additional $25 off of Intensity when you go to PourMoi.com & enter code Private at checkout. You can use this code along with any code on their website. Manscaped, #1 in men’s below the belt grooming. Manscaped offers precision-engineered tools for you or your man’s family jewels. Get 20% Off and Free Shipping