Bound Together
One couple’s insights into BDSM

Latest Posts

The Ethics of Domination and Submission in BDSM

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Allegations of sexual abuse and assault against the famous author Neil Gaiman first came to light in 2024 via the podcast Master, which presented the accounts of four women who had been sexually involved with Gaiman. An article in Vulture in early 2025 brought renewed attention to those allegations and included the stories of additional women. 

Collectively, these accounts revealed a pattern: Gaiman seems to have sadistic dominant tendencies and picked vulnerable, mostly much younger, women to enact them with. In many of the cases, the women allege that they hated his treatment of them but felt compelled or coerced to consent. Gaiman’s position is that all of these relationships were entirely consensual. This raises important questions about the ethics of domination and submission in a BDSM dynamic.

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How to Use AI in BDSM

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When people talk about generative AI, they’re usually referring to large language models (LLMs), which try to predict the best answer to your questions based on the published history of a topic.  You’ve probably used it to ask questions you would have Googled in the past (How long does it take to cook chicken thighs? What causes lake-effect snow?). Or maybe you’ve used it to do work-related tasks like draft code or revise the tone of an email you want to send. Some people find it fascinating and helpful, while others are deeply suspicious of its capabilities. Love it or hate it, one thing is clear: AI is here to stay. So, if you’re game, why not try to use it in BDSM? In this post, we’ll explain how AI can help you with two common BDSM tasks: coming up with scene ideas and writing a contract.

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15 Kinky Gift Ideas for BDSM Lovers: 2024 Edition

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When it comes to giving kinky gifts, it can be hard to know where to start. How do you find quality gear? What if you’re on a budget? What gifts are good for newbies versus experienced BDSM players? We’ve got you covered! There’s something on our list for every kinkster.

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A Guide to BDSM Brats and Brat Taming

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Scene from The Breakfast Club of a group of teens sitting in a row sullenly.
A pack of brats.

“This rule is ridiculous,” the brat said, rolling their eyes. “And I’d break it again.”

The dom didn’t disagree. “You told me you want me to hold you accountable, and that’s what I intend to do.”

“Make me!”

With the end of Brat Summer and the dawn of Brat Fall, it’s high time to educate the world about brat play in BDSM. Being a brat is similar to what it sounds like, but in this guide to BDSM brats and brat taming we’ll dive into some of the nuances and complexities that other online resources often ignore. We’ll also continue the brat scene example drawn from real experiences that we started above.

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What’s the Deal with BDSM Energy Play and Sex Magic?

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Cupped palms against a mystical, New Age purple background suggestive of swirling energy.

“Start by pulling magic out of your fingers…”

—“The Invisible Toybox: Incorporating Energy Work into BDSM,” Raven Kaldera 

If you’ve been exploring BDSM for any length of time, you’ve undoubtedly stumbled across references to BDSM energy play, sex magic, and the like. A quick online search conjures up workshops on “exploring energy play in kink,” guides on using sex magic to “manifest positive life energy,” and D/s classes on “conscious energy flow, power exchange, and feeding.”  But what does any of this mean? In this post, we’ll translate these mystical concepts into plain facts.

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Bound Together
One couple’s insights into BDSM