Dr. Marie Thouin is a leading expert and scholar on compersion in consensual non-monogamy. She has authored two pioneering research studies, the first-ever encyclopedia entry on compersion, and has recently authored the first-ever scholarly book on compersion “What is Compersion?
Jessica Fern, author of Polysecure and Polywise, and a previous guest on the Evolving Love Podcast, wrote the foreword to “What is Compersion?” This is what Jessica had to say to finish off the foreword:
“Welcome to a groundbreaking exploration of compersion. May this book not only inform but also inspire you to approach relationships with a renewed sense of possibility, understanding, and, most importantly, a heart open to the myriad ways we can love and support each other's happiness.”
Marie is also the founder of Love InSight, a Mindful Dating & Relationship Coaching practice where she supports people of all ages, genders, and sexual/relationship orientations to create vibrant and intentional love lives—including folks navigating non-monogamy and/or non-traditional relationship structures.
Wether you are new to the concept of compersion or well versed, this conversation has something for everyone and raises some interesting questions and food for thought along the way. In this episode we discuss “What is Compersion?”, perceived and real fears, do we really need compersion?, is compersion selfish, reciprocal altruism and kin altruism, can you learn compersion, Liam proposes a new scientific study that involves refractory periods and compersive behaviours, Liam and I unpack our own experiences and so much more…
Guest Links:
Can Compersion Be Selfish? With Dr. Marie Thouin