amalie: I feel more free than I feel held back
We have been following Amalie Søderberg for a while as she’s the journalist and creator behind the podcast ‘Just Sex’ (Bare Sex) - a concept completely in line with everything we believe in. Through conversations with (famous) guests, she uncovers stereotypes, intimate stories, taboos and fears - and she always manages to create a safe space where there’s room for these important honest conversations. We loved our conversation with Amalie as she does exactly what she asks of her guests: she speaks about intimacy in such an honest and reflective way. And we agree with her: it is much needed.
We’re excited to follow her journey and can’t wait to see what projects she gets up to next. Make sure to follow her right here as you’ll want to hear much more about her after this interview.
Hi Amalie, can you start by giving us a bit of insight into who you are and how you’re feeling at the moment?
First of all, thank you for interviewing me. I am feeling a bit nervous, because I know I will talk about vulnerable topics, but at the same time it’s important for me that I am as honest as I can be. Now who am I? I am a journalist, and I work with different brands such as Roskilde Festival and Nationalmuseet, but what is most important for this interview is probably that I am the founder and one of the hosts on the podcast Bare Sex on the radio station 24syv. Beside those titles I am also just a normal 22 year old girl trying to figure out life as I go.
You started the podcast ‘Just Sex’ (bare sex). What’s your mission with it and how did it all start?
Growing up I didn’t have anywhere to go in regards to my questions about intimacy and how the body works in general. This was exactly what I was talking to my friend about a few years back. We were both frustrated that school and mass media doesn’t showcase the willingness to really talk about sex, so therefore we decided to take matters into our own hands, which is how “Bare Sex” was created. When looking at how big it has gotten, it is clear to see that we do need more representation of sex and honest, real conversation about it.
You invite guests onto the show. Do you think people find it easy to open up about their desires, experiences and intimate stories?
I don’t think anyone find it easy at all - at least not in the beginning of the interviews. But I have experienced multiple times that our guest start talking about specific subject they told us before the interview was a no-zone. I know they open up because they feel the welcoming and accepting room we invite them into. Right before we press the “on” bottom, I tell them they are welcome exactly as they are. It is completely okay if they are nervous, if they are excited, if they are happy or sad. Here all of them is welcome and I truly mean that. I look for real people with real experiences and emotions because I know that it is what makes a difference.
What learning have you done since you started the show?
SO MUCH! I sometimes find myself being in the middle of an interview and thinking: “wow, I have to listen to this when its out, just to make sure I take all the knowledge in”. I feel like I learn something new from every interview. Sometimes what I take away from a conversation could be how to own my body, other times it could be realizing how many people go longer periods without sex and other times again i could be about something completely different. Much like our listeners, I am open to learning, and our guests on the podcast are open to being vulnerable, and I have found that to be a beautiful combination.
What changes would you still like to see in regards to the language and narrative that define ‘intimacy’ in today’s society?
I think it’s funny how I’m often asked what words we are lacking in order to speak more openly and fluently about this topic. My answer is always that we are not lacking any words. We simply need to start using the ones we have. My wish for our society is that we learn to be vulnerable with each other. Because sex is often a vulnerable thing, and when we accept that it takes a bit to open up, and that it’s okay to stumble a bit and not be overly confident in the beginning, that’s when we accept that the narrative around sex can be a lot of different things, because it comes from a lot of different individuals.
Has the journey with ‘Just Sex’ changed how you approach intimacy in your private life?
It definitely has. I own myself and my body way more. The podcast and all the amazing guests we have had on have really inspired me to tune into my body and be proud of it.
Do you feel free to explore your own desires or do you think you’re still held back by norms and maybe taboos?
I feel more free than I feel held back. But both narratives are true for me, and I want to emphasize that this is okay and true for most people. Intimacy, like any other part of our life, is something which is constantly evolving and changing.
And finally: do you have three easy tips if someone wants to start exploring their sexuality more?
- Explore your own body in a non-sexual way first: Cook yourself a nice meal, shave for yourself, if that's something you usually do for a partner. Put on your favorite clothes and check yourself out in the mirror. Practise feeling good for yourself.
- Being sexual also means being sensual. Really tune into pleasure in your body from all kinds of experiences, like eating food, smelling your fresh laundry or feeling the water clean you when you step into the shower. Challenge yourself to notice all the pleasure you actually experience throughout a mundane day in your life.
- If you feel unsure or shameful about something, I think it’s important to talk, read, listen or watch about that specific topic because you will realise you are absolutely not alone in your experience. We are all perfect the way we are.Thank you for this honest chat.
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