The Grey Areas We Don’t Talk About: A Conversation on Consent & Self-Worth | YKMS

Episode Overview

As mothers of teenagers, we’ve been thinking deeply about how consent, self-worth, and emotional literacy shape the choices our kids make. We remember our own adolescence - when being desirable felt like currency and boundaries were hard to define. It was easy to confuse attention with value, and even harder to say no when something didn’t feel right.

This week, we unpack all of that in a powerful conversation with Lucy Baxter - a film lecturer, filmmaker, and mother using virtual reality to help young people explore consent and emotional awareness in a whole new way.

Her work immerses teens in VR scenarios where they don’t just watch - they feel what it’s like to be in moments where consent is murky, pressure is building, and self-worth is on the line. It’s not about shame, it’s about giving them tools to navigate these situations with clarity and confidence.

Key Discussion Points

• What virtual reality can teach us about empathy, consent, and emotional safety
• How self-worth influences decisions in intimate situations
• Why appearance and desirability are still shaping boundaries
• Why boys need a voice in consent conversations too
• The realities of porn culture, peer pressure, and online influence
• What’s still missing in sex and relationship education

Listener Takeaways

• Consent often lives in the grey - emotional literacy helps teens navigate it
• When young people understand their worth, boundaries get easier
• Emotional education isn’t optional, it’s essential for safer choices

About Lucy Baxter: 

Lucy is a film practice lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast and founder of Sensalience, a startup creating VR narratives for empathy training in the health and social care, justice and education sectors. After a long and award winning career in film and TV, Lucy moved into Academia and her PhD research is around the application of VR drama narratives about emotional abuse and relationship and sex education.

And for more information on Lucy and her work:

https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lucy-baxter

www.sensalience.com

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Disclaimer:

Remember, we’re two friends sharing our personal experiences and discussing everyday challenges. We’re not qualified coaches or therapists, and our content is for general information and supportive conversation only. If you need professional help, please seek advice from a licensed therapist.