In this episode of Universal Intimacy host Josephine Lauer sits down with Ashley Summers and Nicole Sonnefeldt, co-founders of the upcoming women’s empowerment retreat UNLEASHED: https://www.thisisunleashed.com/ taking place in Chicago on February 21, 2026. Together we explore the deeply personal journeys that led Ashley and Nicole to create a trauma-informed, sex-positive space for women to reconnect with their fullest selves. Ashley shares her evolution as a photographer, creative, and mother, weaving together her background in therapeutic recreation and her path from religious shame to embodied self-expression. She reflects on how boudoir photography became a powerful tool for trust, vulnerability, and helping others feel truly seen—what she calls her “ultimate kink.” Nicole brings her perspective as a coach, former therapist, and sex-positive activist. With a background in counseling psychology and trauma-informed modalities, she opens up about her experiences with polyamory, pansexuality, and the challenges of navigating professional boundaries while honoring her own sexual authenticity. Her transition from therapist to coach allowed her to work more freely with individuals, couples, and polycules seeking expanded ways of relating. The conversation culminates in the vision behind UNLEASHED: a retreat designed to help women unlearn shame, soften into connection, and experience open-hearted community. UNLEASHED offers a somatic, trauma-informed flow—combining movement, reflection, and intimate workshops—to support deep feminine connection, surrender, and self-acceptance. This episode is an honest, expansive dialogue about 3 women's journey thru sexuality, creativity, healing, and what becomes possible when women are supported in showing up as their whole selves. We cover topics including, The Power of Community, Competition vs. Support: Women are taught to be in competition with each other, making it hard to unlearn that conditioning. The "new paradigm" is to celebrate and cheer on other beautiful, sexy women. Trauma and Touch: It is sad that, due to trauma, the majority of women shut down and do not feel safe to receive touch, even when given structured systems to feel safe, and Co-Regulation. Register for the retreat at: https://www.thisisunleashed.com/ Use code "PODCAST" for an 11% discount off ticket price
