OUR EDUCATORS

Alice Silk

Alice Silk (she/her) is EDSE’s education coordinator and works alongside attendees and educators to provide support and assistance.

Alice is a fiery millennial born and raised in Los Angeles. She works directly with EDSE Founder and Lead Educator Anne Hodder-Shipp to support workflow and provide hands-on assistance to educators and attendees during the 25-hour Sex Educator Certification. After spending nearly 5 years living in the Pacific Northwest, Alice returned to L.A. to start her career in sex education, and she currently works for Planned Parenthood teaching its state-approved medically accurate sex ed curriculum to 8th and 9th graders across the county. Alice's lessons cover a wide range of topics including sexuality, gender, healthy relationships, anatomy, STIs, pregnancy, birth control and decision-making, and she works hard to make her classes feel like a safe space and to promote sexual wellness for all.

Andrew Gurza, EDSE’s Disability Awareness Consultant’s headshot. He is sitting in a wheelchair and smiling in a bright blue shirt. He has short buzzed brunette hair.

Andrew Gurza

Andrew Gurza (they/he) teaches Sex and Disability with EDSE and is a Disability Awareness Consultant. They bring a unique combination of lived experience as a disabled person with Cerebral Palsy, as well as professional expertise from building a brand aimed at bringing those experiences to the public conscience. They received his MA of Legal Studies from Carleton University looking at the law and disability.

Andrew’s written work has been featured in Huffington Post, The Advocate, and Everyday Feminism, among others. They have been invited to speak on topics such as traveling while disabled, being disabled in the healthcare system, disability in the arts and disability employment. Andrew also is the creator of the #disabledpeoplearehot viral media campaign and the popular Disability After Dark podcast.

Anne Hodder-Shipp, CSE, (she/they) is EDSE’s founder and lead educator, and they teach multiple sections of EDSE’s Sex Educator Certification. She is an award-winning, multi-certified sex and relationship educator dedicated to providing accurate, compassionate, and expansive sex education.

Anne received their first certification and endorsement in 2015 by the renowned San Francisco Sex Information program and continued their training in 2015 via Planned Parenthood Los Angeles’s School Based Sex Education Program, where they honed a special skill for working with adolescents. Anne recently received an additional certification through the Kinsey Institute’s Human Sexuality Intensive and ANTE UP!’s justice-centered education program. In 2022, the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) honored Anne with the Professional Standard of Excellence award.

In addition to running EDSE and their private practice, Anne leads treatment groups for teens and adults recovering from substance use disorder, eating disorders, compulsive sexual behavior and other stigmatized illnesses.

Book a professional development session with Anne here.

Ashanique Nelson, EDSE’s Trauma-informed sex ed teacher’s headshot. She is smiling at the camera with short braided hair, wearing a black shirt that reads “Birthworker of Color.”

Ashanique Nelson

Ashanique Nelson, LCSW (she/her) teaches Trauma-informed Sex Ed with EDSE and is a master's level therapist with an undergraduate degree in Legal Studies and Feminist Studies, with a Master's Degree in Social Work from USC. She serves as a Psychiatric Social Worker and Birth Worker in Los Angeles County.

The discovery of the wonders of conception and birthing instinctively calls her to serve birthing people. Ashanique trained as a birth worker at Kindred Space LA seeking illumination regarding childbirth and spiritual alignment with the body. She serves within the holistic health space as an educator and supporter of communities of color to improve access to wellness through intuitive healing coaching, reiki, prenatal yoga, communal sharing, and birth support.

Ashanique is currently is the founder of Honored Intuition, an intuitive lifestyle coaching organization committed to providing practical tools and soulful guidance to support souls in their journey to living in alignment with their bodies and honoring their intuition. Ashanique is also the founder of The Black Women's Book Collective and community bonded by sharing through the art of reading and listening.

Beck Gee-Cohen, EDSE’s Gender Identity teacher’s headshot. He has short brunette hair with a dark beard, wearing a white shirt that reads “Born mattachine society Marsha P Johnson Harvey Milk Act Up Edie Windsor Perfect”.

Beck Gee-Cohen, MA, LADC, (he/him) teaches Gender Identity with EDSE and is a master’s level clinician with an undergraduate degree in Sociology specializing in Gender & Sexuality, with a Master’s Degree in Addiction Counseling.

Internationally, Beck has presented to conferences, treatment centers, schools, and institutions. Using his personal experience, humor and vulnerability, he connects to participants in a heartfelt way. Beck addresses concerns of equality and acceptance of LGBTQ individuals and promotes improved mental health services, intentional spaces, as well as specific modalities that can assist in improving outcomes for a successful life.

Beck currently is the owner of BGC Bridge, a consulting company helping facilities shift their culture and become more knowledgeable about LGBTQ individuals. He is also a mentor and therapeutic consultant with the Romeyn Collective, helping young people and families navigate the treatment world.

Bethany Stevens, EDSE’s Master Class teacher. She is posing for the camera supported by a chair with her legs crossed and her hand on her hip. She is wearing a silver jeweled crown, has pink eyeshadow, and is wearing a black dress with purple bats.

Bethany Stevens

Bethany Stevens (she/her) teaches Master Classes with EDSE and is a queer femme wheelchair-using sexpert & disability consultant working on a doctorate in sociology at Georgia State University. She has spent the last 15 years delivering presentations, facilitating workshops, and teaching in public health, disability studies, and social work infused with pleasure politics and disability justice.

Bethany’s sexpertise is infused with critical disability studies and pleasure politics, with a particular focus on media representation of disabled sexuality and possibilities of body liberation in disability organizing. Connect with her and the group on IG and Twitter @disaBethany.

Dr. Bianca Laureano, EDSE’s master class teacher’s headshot. She has her back against a bookshelf and is looking sideways with pursed lips. She has dyed orange, curly hair, has big gold earrings, and is wearing a sequined gold top.

Dr. Bianca Laureano

Bianca I Laureano, PhD h.c., MA, CSE, CSES (she/they/Dr.) has taught Master Classes with EDSE and is an award-winning educator, curriculum writer, and sexologist. She is a foundress of the Women of Color Sexual Health Network (WOCSHN), The LatiNegrxs Project, and hosts LatinoSexuality.com. She has written several curricula that focus on communities of color: What’s the REAL DEAL about Love and Solidarity? (2015) and Communication MixTape: Speak On It Vol 1. (2017) and wrote the sexual and reproductive justice discussion guide for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene published in 2018. Bianca has been on the board of CLAGS, the LGBTQ Center at CUNY, The Black Girl Project, and SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective.

Bianca provides private supervision sessions, support, and writing her dreams into curricula and courses. She is the Lead Educator for the Netflix film Crip Camp (2020) and is leading the efforts to create a curriculum that is rooted in disability justice practice, self-determination, and social-emotional learning competences that are aligned to the Common Core State Standard! She received an honorary PhD for her work of justice, equity, and inclusion in the U.S. sexuality field May 2020.

Carlton Perry, EDSE’s anti-racism teacher’s headshot. He is standing against a black back drop, with his arms crossed. He is posing at the camera with arms crossed and a slight smile. Heh as black curly hair and medium-length beard.

Carlton Perry (he/him) teaches Anti-racism in Sex Ed with EDSE and is a Baltimore-based sex educator and former kink educator. With a decade of experience in sex positive communities, Carlton has presented on diversity, inclusion, consent, risk awareness, and information management for the BDSM and Sexual Health community. Carlton has previous experience writing and teaching about the intricacies of the BDSM lifestyle for novices and experienced players alike, including instructing on risk-aware kink play techniques.

Carlton holds a degree in Political Science and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Project Management. Carlton fills his spare time with comic books and kettle bells.

Carly S., sex blogger. She is sitting face-up on a paisley sheet surrounded by colorful dildos. She has one hand placed over her mouth with a surprised expression, and is holding a dildo up to her ear with her other hand as if it’s a telephone.

Carly S.

Carly S. (she/her) is the Queen of Wands, pleasure educator, porn star, model, sex blogger of DildoOrDildont.com and a bad bitch from the Bronx. She's been a manager of some of NYC’s hottest award-winning sex toy stores, as well as a regular educator. She's been featured as an educator in Exxxotica, Cycles and Sex, Sex Expo, Cosmopolitan contributor, and countless podcasts. She is a polyamorous, thick as hell woman of color, who loves her dogs as much as she loves her wands. Follow her @Makeupandsin on all social media.

Caz Killjoy, EDSE’s master class teacher’s headshot. They are looking at the camera with a slight smile with their head tilted to the side. They have brunette, slightly wavy hair and is wearing a bright blue shirt.

Caz Killjoy

Caz Killjoy (they/them) has taught Master Classes with EDSE and is a cripsex agitator, disability activist, educator, writer, storyteller, and general pain-in-the ass who focuses on what makes most people uncomfortable: advocacy and accountability; sex and kink; pain, disability, and illness; death and poverty; accessibility and technological security.

Caz has taught to graduate and undergraduate students, to sex workers and tantra practitioners, to business-focused professionals and to those concerned about their technological privacy, among others. They have assisted as peer support for disabled individuals, as a consultant for nonprofits and solopreneurs, and as an advocate for individuals in need. Caz has also been writing for over twenty years; their work has appeared in several zines, anthologies, and other publications. Recently, they have taken to the stage as a ribald storyteller with a focus on medical quest narratives.

They are a co-founder of the Disability and Sexuality Access Network and a founding board member of the Kinder Foundation. Caz is queer, white, nonbinary, multiply disabled, formerly unhoused, a survivor of sexual trauma and medical neglect, and is proud to have earned their GED. Connect with them at @CazKilljoy and ConnectWithCaz.com.

Cyndi Darnell, EDSE’s master class teacher’s headshot. The photo is a sepia colored shot, where Cyndi is wearing a fur coat and black top and gold hoop earrings. She has curly, brunette hair with light eyes, and is smiling at the camera.

Cyndi Darnell

Cyndi Darnell (she/her) teaches Master Classes for EDSE and is a NYC-based, internationally renowned sex and relationships therapist and clinical sexologist. Originally from Australia, her approach spans the clinical to the esoteric, with a strong emphasis on somatic approaches and Narrative therapy.

She holds a board affiliate position for the University of Wisconsin - Stout Graduate Certificate in Sex Therapy Program. She’s a clinical associate with Pink Therapy UK and faculty on Pink Therapy's Foundation Certificate in Gender, Sexuality & Relationship Diversity Therapy and at New York’s Omega Institute. Her academic work is published in the Journal of Sex Education (UK) and Sexual & Relationship Therapy (UK). She's writing her first book for Rowman & Littlefield due out in 2022 on reigniting desire in relationships

Her online courses  and podcast The Erotic Philosopher meet today’s adult sex education needs by bridging the gaps in peoples’ knowledge regarding pleasure, relationships, passion and desire. She maintains a global consulting practice in NYC and online and offers insight into the quandaries of the erotic to transform fear into freedom. 

Damon Holzum, sexual orientation teacher with EDSE’s headshot. He has short dark hair and a full medium-length beard and has a slight smile. He is wearing a bright orange shirt that reads “I F*ck with education” and has his arms crossed.

Damon Holzum, LCSW, (he/him) has taught Sexual Orientation and Identity with EDSE and is a licensed clinical social worker/clinical therapist, educator, California State-certified HIV counselor, speaker, and author. Damon provides insight, support, and empowerment for individuals interested in or actively exploring alternative sexual practices and relationships encompassing polyamory, open, nonmonogamy identities and more.

For more than a decade, Damon has provided insight and services through individual and couples counseling, speaking, and public education. Through individual sessions, workshops, and interactive classes specializing in the de-stigmatization of all things intimate, Damon has provided sex-positive, trauma-informed services to diverse populations and communities.

Dawn Serra, EDSE’s master class teacher’s headshot. She is posed outdoors in a forest-like setting with fall colored leaves shown in the back. She has shoulder length blonde hair, and is smiling warmly at the camera. She has one hand combing through

Dawn Serra

Dawn Serra (she/her) has taught Master Classes with EDSE and is a therapeutic sex and relationship coach as well as the founder of Radical Summits, a consulting firm specializing in inclusive, justice-based online events. Dawn believes that we heal in relationship and her work is dedicated to creating a space where you can explore the kind of healing you want to invite in without having to do it alone - in your personal life and with your business. Dawn knows she can never be an expert in your life. Her biggest hope is to help you tap into the wisdom and truth that you already possess and to leverage it with more presence and purpose. You’re pretty magnificent! She is a white, fat, cis, disabled, queer, survivor and an uninvited settler on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples.

Dirty Lola, EDSE’s sex toy 101 teacher’s headshot. She has short brunette hair with tight curls and is smiling at the camera in a magenta low-cut shirt. In her hair, she has a jeweled letter “L”.

Dirty Lola (she/her) teaches Sex Toy 101 with EDSE is a sex edutainer, speaker, and self-proclaimed “dildo slinger.” Known for her live sex ed Q&A show, Sex Ed A Go-Go, and as co-host of New York Magazine’s The Cut’s “Sex Probz” web series, Lola has spent almost a decade working to end stigma and shame surrounding sex and sexuality. Having started her journey sharing personal discoveries with polyamory and kink online, Lola now uses her knowledge, warm candor, and public platforms to teach the masses in-person and to rapt Internet audiences.

In addition to her educational projects, Lola is also the creative director of Spectrum Journal, an online magazine offshoot of the female-owned online sex shop Spectrum Boutique based in Detroit, and has brought her unique brand of sex-positive sex education to brands such as B-Vibe, Spencers Gifts, and Math Magazine.

Elle Chase, EDSE’s body image teacher’s headshot. She is sitting on blue steps and is sitting posing for the camera with short red slicked back hair and black glasses. She is wearing gold hoops and is wearing a black leather jacket over a pink top.

Certified sex educator, author, and body-acceptance and pleasure advocate Elle Chase, ACS, (she/her) has taught Body Image with EDSE and teaches a Cliteracy Master Class. She is certified by the prestigious San Francisco Sex Information (SFSI) sex-educator training program, the American College of Sexologists International (ACS) and is also a member of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH).

Elle is considered a powerful thought leader and a key influencer in the sexual health community, most notably for her respected voice in the body acceptance movement. Chase has been featured on NBC’s The Today Show, ABC’s Nightline, The New York Times, Elle, Redbook, Glamour, Playboy, The Daily Beast and Cosmopolitan to name a few. She is a regular speaker and presenter at colleges and universities and private organizations across the country, including UCLA, USC, Emerson College, UC Riverside, The Woodhull Sexual Freedom Summit and AASECT.

Evan Sweeney (he/they) is a 40-year-old disabled male who identifies as genderqueer, and works primarily as a freelance writer and sex educator. His topics include disabilities, sex, gender, and queer culture. He has been running sex and disability workshops for more than 15 years, and he got started with it after realizing how little good, sex-positive information there was for those with disabilities. Evan is the author of the book "Queers on Wheels" and has lectured across the nation, discussing sex and disability. Through "Cripping Up Sex with Evan," he continues to conduct live and online workshops. He is also available for individual consultations.

Goody Howard, EDSE’s sex and aging teacher’s headshot. She is posing for the camera with a stern look on her face and hands on her hips. She has orange, braided hair arranged on top of her head with a rainbow striped dress.

Goody Howard

Goody Howard (she/her) teaches Sex and Aging with EDSE and is an intimacy consultant, sexuality educator and HIV activist who has worked as an adult industry insider for more than 10 years. She informs, educates and empowers her clients with the knowledge that sexual pleasure IS sexual health. Goody hosts sex-positive workshops around the country that are focused on intimacy & empowerment. She layers her focus on pleasure and education with her energetic and engaging presentation style. Goody's oral sex series LICK! and Lip Service! are her most popular classes, but she's been teaching comprehensive sexuality education and healthy relationships for campuses, companies, and communities for over 12 years! Her mantra is “Be Good or Be Good At It!” and she is determined to normalize sex-positive conversations as a way to ease stigma and improve sexual responsibility.

Dr. Grace Abruzzo, PT, DPT, CAPP-OB, CD(DONA), PYT-C, (they/them) teaches Pelvic Health and Function with EDSE and is a licensed physical therapist and wellness coach specializing in pelvic health for women and people with vaginas. A certified specialist in obstetric and pelvic physical therapy, Dr. Grace uses an integrative approach to treating people in preparation and recovery from childbirth. Dr. Grace also spends time in birthing spaces, supporting mamas during labor and birth.

Dr. Grace utilizes an integrative approach to wellness, which includes interventions like education; manual therapeutic techniques, including visceral, myofascial, and internal pelvic mobilizations; yoga therapy; meditation practice; and general life coaching.

Hunter Riley, EDSE’s sex toys 101 teacher’s headshot. She has one side of her head shaved, with long dyed pink hair on the other side. She is pointing at the camera with her mouth open in a big smile.

Hunter Riley

Hunter Riley (she/her) teaches Sex Toys 101 with EDSE and is the director of education and outreach at Self Serve Toys in Albuquerque, NM (occupied Tiwa land). She’s a sex educator, speaker and general nerd. She helps adults of all genders find their voice and comfort level around conversations about sex and sexuality. After earning degrees in psychology, Spanish and journalism, she moved on to teaching classes in English and Spanish about communication, safer sex, consent, pleasure, sex toys, oral sex, kink, non-monogamy, birth control and more! She has authored several sex columns for newspapers and online media outlets in New Mexico including the Daily Lobo, the Santa Fe Reporter and Albuquerque Free Press. She has partnered with organizations like Planned Parenthood, the University of New Mexico, UNM Hospital, Enlace Comunitario, Santa Fe Care Center and more. Contact Hunter via email: hunter@selfservetoys.com.

Ignacio G Hutia Xeiti Rivera, EDSE’s sexual orientation and identity teacher’s headshot. They are taking a selfie outdoors with shaved brunette hair, pink translucent glasses with a septum piercing and a red cardigan.

Ignacio G Hutía Xeiti Rivera, M.A., (they/them) teaches Sexual Orientation and Identity with EDSE and is a cultural sociologist with expertise in sexual trauma and healing for marginalized populations. Ignacio is a Queer, Trans/Yamoká-hu/Two-Spirit, Black-Boricua, and Taíno activist. They are an internationally known speaker, educator, writer, and performer with over 20 years of experience on multiple fronts, including economic justice, anti-racist, mujerista, LGBTQI2S, and sex positive movements. Ignacio’s work is influenced by their lived experience of homelessness, poverty, and sexual trauma and is focused on providing educational opportunities geared toward the sexual liberation of transgender, gender variant, and queer people of color. As the Founder and Executive Director of The HEAL Project, Ignacio is on a mission to prevent and end childhood sexual abuse through healing the wounds of sexual oppression and embracing sexual liberation.

N. Jasmine Johnson, EDSE’s porn literacy teacher’s headshot. She is smiling at the camera with her hands on her hips in a bright red top. She has long, black hair with brown streaks arranged into one ponytail on the top of her head.

N. Jasmine Johnson

N. Jasmine Johnson, MSW, MA, LCSW, (she/her) teaches Porn Literacy with EDSE and is a licensed clinical therapist and owner of virtual mental health practice Blue Pearl Therapy LLC. She has a strong therapeutic emphasis on Intimacy Post Injury & Illness, Trauma, Drama and Kink, and Sex-Positive Parenting. Jasmine is the co-owner of Royal Fetish Films and Jet Setting Jasmine LLC where the love of the arts, film, and sex education are combined to produce erotica that stimulates and engages the audience to push their sexual boundaries. Jasmine shares more than 20 years of experience, with partner King Noire as Adult Entertainers, Educators, and Master Fetish Trainers. The duo are award-winning adult film stars and have dedicated their craft to creating a more inclusive and ethically sound adult entertainment industry.

Joan Price, EDSE’s sex and aging’s teacher. She is smiling at the camera with grey, short hair, gold earrings, and a low-cut pink, brown and white blouse.

Joan Price (she/her) has taught Sex and Aging with EDSE and is an author, educator, and advocate for ageless sexuality, and she has been called other things by the media: "senior sexpert," "the beautiful face of senior sex," "wrinkly sex kitten," and — her favorite — “the woman leading a sex revolution for seniors.” At age 76, Joan continues to talk out loud about senior sex, partnered or solo, in speeches, workshops, and webinars, and on her zesty blog, which includes senior sex news, views, and sex toy reviews from a senior perspective.

Joan has been writing and speaking about senior sex since 2005. Her books include Sex after Grief: Navigating Your Sexuality After Losing Your Beloved; The Ultimate Guide to Sex after Fifty: How to Maintain – or Regain! – a Spicy, Satisfying Sex Life; and Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud about Senior Sex, winner of Outstanding Self-Help Book 2012 from the American Society of Journalists and Authors and 2012 Book Award from American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists. Joan also narrated and collaborated on “jessica drake’s Guide to Wicked Sex: Senior Sex,” an explicit, educational film for Wicked Pictures, and she writes the “Sex at Our Age” column for SeniorPlanet.org.

Dr. Joy Cox, EDSE’s body image coach’s headshot. She is smiling and posing for the camera in a dark blue and green plaid turtleneck. She has shoulder-length black hair with tight curls.

Dr. Joy Cox (she/her) teaches Body Image with EDSE and is a social justice advocate who uses research and leadership skills to foster social change through the promotion of true diversity and inclusion initiatives. Much of Dr. Joy's work has focused on matters of intersectionality addressing race, body size, accessibility, and "health" within the context of body acceptance and fat liberation. Dr. Joy received my Ph.D. in Communication from Rutgers University in 2018 with an emphasis on organizational communication and its impact on marginalized groups and boasts more than eight years of experience in qualitative and quantitative research. In addition to research and teaching, Dr. Joy is the host of the Fresh Out the Cocoon podcast, which showcases the lived experiences of fat Black womxn and femmes, and the co-founder of Jabbie, an identity-inclusive, body affirming app that encourages people to move their bodies in their own way.

Kristine Ives, EDSE’s trauma-informed care teacher’s headshot. She has shoulder-length light brown hair which is flipped outwards. She is smiling at the camera with her arms crossed in a black cardigan over a red silk top.

Kristine Ives, MA, LMFT, (she/her) has taught Trauma-informed Care with EDSE and is a passionate advocate for those who feel they do not have a voice, that they are not empowered to heal, or cannot envision a hopeful future. From her extensive experience working with issues related to trauma, relationship dissatisfaction, eating disorders, addiction, and mood disorders, Kristine has helped clients chart a course out of the maze of dysfunction and on to the path of authentic connection to self and others.

Kristine is licensed in California as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and in Colorado as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and is the founder and director of Mosaic Counseling, a private practice in Santa Monica. Drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, as well as her own transformative life experiences, Kristine believes that the therapeutic relationship is the most powerful context for change. Experiencing connection built on trust, openness rooted in authenticity, and vulnerability free from shame provides a rich and unique therapeutic process. Individuals who lean into this relationship foster deep and sustained trust in themselves, hope for the future, and a growing commitment to love and be loved.

Dr. Laurie Mintz, EDSE’s cliteracy teacher’s headshot. She is posed outdoors smiling at the camera with red shoulder-length hair and tight curls. She is wearing a large beaded necklace and a blue green cardigan.

Dr. Laurie Mintz

Dr. Laurie Mintz (she/her) teaches a Cliteracy Master Class with EDSE and is a Professor at the University of Florida, where she teaches Human Sexuality to hundreds of undergraduates yearly. She has published over 55 academic works. She is the author of two popular press books—both with published studies demonstrating their effectiveness: Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters and How to Get It  and A Tired Woman’s Guide to Passionate Sex. Mintz has a private practice, working with clients on general and sexual issues. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, indicating that her work has had a positive national influence on the field of psychology.

Marla Renee Stewart, EDSE’s master class teacher’s headshot. She has shaved dark hair and multiple nose piercings. She is looking to the side with a pearl necklace wrapped around her neck. She is pulling on the necklace wearing a black blazer.

Marla Renee Stewart

Marla Renee Stewart, MA (she/her) teaches Master Classes with EDSE and is a professional sexologist, intimacy/relationship/sex coach, speaker, and author. She is the owner of Velvet Lips, a sexuality education company, as well as Contract Liberation, a company focused on research for non-profit groups. As a Lecturer at Clayton State University, she teaches Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies. As the Co-Founder of the Sex Down South Conference, Marla aims to bring diverse groups together to learn and share their experiences in the essence of being authentic and fostering sexual liberation across communities. Marla has studied human sexuality for over 19 years, has educated over 20,000 people in over 13 years, given over 400 workshops, and have served over 100 clients in her private practice, all around the world. She has had her influence in the media, as well; she has written over 200 articles, featured in over 20 magazines and books, and has been on over 30 podcasts and independent television shows. She was featured on Netflix’s Trigger Warning with Killer Mike, Love & HipHop Atlanta, and filmed as a sex expert for Personal Injury Court and Bad Girls Club: Atlanta. In addition, she also sits on the Boards for SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW! and the Diverse Sexualities and Research Education Institute. She co-wrote her first book, The Ultimate Guide to Seduction & Foreplay (2020) with Dr. Jessica O’Reilly and is currently writing a chapter and co-editing An Intersectional Approach to Sex Therapy, coming in 2021.

Midori, EDSE’s kink educator’s headshot. They are posing with a slight smile with brunette hair and blonde streaks tied up behind their head. They are wearing a red feather-like top that is wrapped around their body.

Midori

Midori is a trailblazing educator, coach, artist, and trusted expert on kink and BDSM, who brings a multicultural and holistic approach. Her reputation as a leading authority in the field comes from her unique teaching style, which distills complex topics into accessible lessons with eloquence and humanity. She is known for her "head-heart-hands" method, encouraging self-exploration, and creativity in relationships and self-expression.

Midori has received numerous accolades for her work, including the 2022 Humanitarian Award from AASECT, the 2022 Effing Foundation Grant, and recognition as a Saint by The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Her intensives and classes are highly sought after. She is best known for her transformative small-group educational intensives, Rope Dojo, and ForteFemme: Women's Dominance Weekend Intensive.

Midori is the author of several books, including The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage, Wild Side Sex, and Master Han's Daughter, and has contributed her expertise to numerous articles, columns, and instructional books. She is also an accomplished multi-disciplinary artist.

Nathaniel Hodder-Shipp, EDSE’s trauma-informed care teacher’s headshot. He is looking above the camera with his mouth slightly open. He has a short brown Mohawk with shaved hair on both sides and a short beard. He is wearing a bright blue shirt.

Nathaniel Hodder-Shipp, B. Msc. – aka Nathaniel V. Dust – (he/him) has taught Trauma-informed Care with EDSE and has worked as a professional healer for almost a decade, using the power of a person’s breath as a catalyst for positive changes in clients’ lives. Equipped with an arsenal of techniques – with a special focus on breathwork – Nathaniel has helped thousands of people process trauma, disarm negative thought patterns, and maintain healthy and happy relationships with themselves and loved ones. Nathaniel is the founder of Breathwork for Recovery, the first and only national organization comprised of certified mental health breathwork professionals with special training in healing trauma, recovery from substance use disorder, chemical dependency, eating disorders, compulsive behaviors, and other mental health issues.

Nathaniel also is EDSE founder Anne Hodder-Shipp’s partner in life and marriage.

Portia Brown, EDSE’s master class teacher’s headshot. She is smiling at the camera with shoulder-length brown hair with tight curls. She has a patterned white scarf and a grey cardigan.

Portia Brown

Portia Brown (she/her) has taught Master Classes with EDSE and is a Brooklyn-based sex educator and Sex + Communication Coach. She specializes in working with women/femmes who need to work toward better communication and boundary setting in their sex lives.

In her 1:1 virtual coaching program, she helps her clients identify the work they need to do outside of the bedroom in order to have the sex life of their deepest desires. She also offers sex education based workshops to organizations and other groups.

Dr. Shanea Thomas, EDSE’s trauma-informed sex ed teacher’s headshot. He is smiling while standing against a brick wall and has short, bleached blonde hair and has a septum piercing. He is wearing a bright yellow blouse.

Dr. Shanéa Thomas

Dr. Shanéa Thomas, LICSW, LCSW-C (He/She/Dr.) teaches Trauma-informed Sex Ed with EDSE and is a bold lecturer and seasoned scholar-practitioner with more than 15 years of professional social work experience in the Washington D.C. metro area. His main commitment is training and strategizing with social workers, educators, and service providers around building safer therapeutic and educational spaces for all people. This is especially for those working in communities who are underserved and under resourced, and those identifying as Black, Indigenous, people of color, and LGBTQI+ folks. Dr. Thomas has facilitated over 50 workshops centering diversity, equity and inclusion needs, grief and loss, mental health, sex and gender, and LGBTQI+ populations. When creating organizational change through strategic planning, Dr. Thomas' work unapologetically centers marginalized voices with community organizations and healthcare institutions to help shift power, privilege, and organizational accountability.

Reba Thomas, EDSE’s master class teacher’s headshot. She is looking at the camera with a blank expression and slightly open mouth. She has long, wavy black hair and is wearing a black turtleneck.

Reba Thomas

Reba Corrine Thomas (aka RebaTheDiva) (she/her) has taught Master Classes with EDSE and is a pleasure-positive sex educator and CEO of Sexpert Consultants, a company geared toward bridging the gap in adult sexual health education through public workshops, events, and training programs for emerging sexuality professionals. After successfully hosting a series of adult sexual education workshops in Washington D.C., Reba seized an opportunity to build a brave community of clients and empowered consultants to increase access to pleasure-positive sexual health education among adults in the U.S.

Sarah Tomchesson, EDSE’s kink and BDSM teacher’s headshot. She is sitting outdoors in a wicker chair with shoulder-length brunette hair with her hands in her lap. She is wearing a wrap green dress with orange flowers.

Sarah Tomchesson

Sarah Tomchesson (she/her) teaches Kink and BDSM 101 with EDSE and is a kink-positive, pleasure-based educator and pleasure product expert. Since 2007, Sarah has developed, programmed and presented comprehensive, pleasure-based sex education nationwide, and she brings an inclusive and approachable teaching style to topics ranging from Multiple Orgasms for All Bodies to Creating Meaning D/s Dynamics in Play. In addition to her work as a sex educator, Sarah sits on the Board of Directors of SIECUS - Sex Ed for Social Change - and has more than 10 years of executive-level, small business management experience as a sex toy retailer.

Shanae “HonestlyNae” Adams, EDSE’s master class teacher’s headshot. She is sitting in an office setting with braided hair. One side of braids is dyed green and the other is dyed purple. She is wearing a light blue button up shirt.

Shanae “HonestlyNae” Adams

Shanae "HonestlyNae" Adams, MA, LPCC, NCC, CIGT (she/they) teaches a Master Class with EDSE and serves her community in a variety of ways, including as a therapist, educator, and sex-positive enthusiast. Her mission is sexuality normalization, explanation, and melanated representation. Her passion revolves around the liberation of embracing sexuality. She is known for her dynamic workshops, sex-positive mindset, and eliminating the "taboo" surrounding sex and sexuality.

 

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