Tied to Something Real: Shibari, Scent & the Sacred Art of Connection with Francis Bollwage

What if rope and aroma could quiet the noise of modern life and plug you back into real, felt connection—body, heart, and spirit?

Gwyn sits down with Francis Bollwage—rope artist, facilitator, and self-described “label-resistant” human—whose near-death experience rewired his path from addiction and numbness to a mission of deep human connection. Francis shares how discovering the BDSM community (and especially Shibari/Japanese rope bondage) helped him work through touch aversion, build trust, and create spacious, non-sexual intimacy. He breaks down the therapeutic and spiritual sides of rope, why he pairs it with aromatherapy/essential oils (hello, scent–memory pathways), and how guided imagery and “rope space” can feel like a shamanic journey. You’ll also hear how his Embrace Love workshops use simple, clothing-on ties, breath, and scent to help partners (or new friends) communicate, co-regulate, and remember what presence actually feels like.

You’ll hear about:

• From near-death to mission: choosing connection over disconnection

• Rope as meditation: safety, consent, and creating “rope space”

• Aroma & memory: why certain oils can shift state and anchor experiences

• Connection beyond sex: spirituality, sensuality, and community care

• Entry-level practices you can learn without prior kink experience

If you’re craving less doom-scrolling and more embodied “I’m right here with you,” this episode offers grounded ways back.