New Year’s Ritual

Last night, we had our final cuddle event of the year. The Love Dome (our fantastic venue) was chock full of cuddlers! During the closing circle, each person had the opportunity to share one word describing what they’d like to release for 2016; and one word for what they’d like to invite into the New Year.  Here’s mine: What I’d like to release is worry. What I’d like to invite is fun.

As often happens after a cuddle, I woke up this morning feeling happy, settled in my body and connected. Even though I woke up alone, I felt connected to people, to community, to humanity. Cuddle Sanctuary is so good for me! But even better than that, on 12/31/15 at 8:23am, as I write to you. I’m having fun and want to share it with you now. I just jumped up from my computer and with the extra balloons from last night took this selfie.

Would you like to try this with me? What one word describes what you’d like to release to 2015? What word would you like to invoke for 2016?

The Real Sex Ed: January 16 in Los Angeles

I am humbled and honored – an agent who specializes in promoting college presenters has expressed interest in my being her “go-to” sex educator. This means 2016 may find me visiting universities and giving classes on communication skills, consent and safer sex. I’ll also be able to share an inclusive and fun sex-positive attitude and hopefully make a difference for a lot of students. How cool is that?!

Want to see the presentation before I take it on the road? It’s called The Real Sex Ed and I’ll be sharing it for the first time in Los Angeles at an event that’s open to the public and for people of all ages. And it’s only five bucks!

I’d love to see you there. Here’s a link to all the details and here’s a teaser description of the class:

The Real Sex Ed is an information-packed session that helps people navigate adult sexual choices with topics including safer sex, consent, decisions about drugs and alcohol, communication skills and sexual diversity. More than half of the states in the U.S. don’t require public schools to teach sex education. Yet studies reveal that comprehensive sex ed helps people adopt healthy sexual behaviors. In a welcoming, LGBTQ inclusive environment, Jean Franzblau helps students initiate the (at times) awkward conversations necessary to help students make informed sexual decisions…[more here]

Happy Birthday Cuddle Sanctuary! (New App, Memberships and Training Program, Oh My!)

Cuddle Sanctuary celebrated it’s one year birthday in November. We’ve hosted 55 events and are getting a slow but steady stream of private clients. And some of you have been asking me to launch a facilitator training program. It’s feeling like a bona fide small business! So it’s time to grow. First, I’m working with a business coach to take us to the next level. We’re building infrastructure for a strong foundation. It’s hard work and sometimes I feel like I need a hard hat for all the construction I’m doing behind the scenes!

I’m ready to share the exciting news that we’re now available on your smartphone. You can sign up, pay for cuddles and track how many events you have left – right from our new app called Mind Body. Ready to download it for free?

If you’re like me and could use some tips on how to use the app, I’ve created some for you here.

And there’s more! To launch 2016 with a bang, we’re offering two new cuddle memberships. The Gold Membership gives you free cuddles for a whole year. The Platinum Membership provides cuddles for a lifetime. That’s right, cuddles forever! If you want your New Year’s Resolution to include lots of hugs and warmth, you can claim your membership here.

Lastly, I invite you to stay tuned: I’ll be announcing the first ever Cuddle Sanctuary Workshop Facilitator Training Program soon. Woot!