365: Polyagony – Mistakes in Non-monogamy

Feb 16, 2026 | Latest Episodes, podcast, Published Authors

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In this episode of The Better Sex Podcast, host Jessa Zimmerman speaks with Candace Sjogren about the intricacies and common mistakes involved in polyamory, as addressed in Sjogren’s book, ‘Polyagony’. They discuss personal experiences, motivations behind polyamorous relationships, and essential strategies for maintaining healthy open relationships. The conversation touches on setting boundaries, ethical non-monogamy, agreements, and navigating the dynamics of multiple partners, including poly parenting. Sjogren emphasizes the importance of communication, consent, and the continuous evolution of relationship agreements.

00:00 Introduction to Better Sex Podcast
00:49 Guest Introduction: Candace Sjogren on Polyamory
01:25 Candace’s Personal Journey with Polyamory
02:13 Challenges and Advocacy in Polyamorous Relationships
03:34 The Rise of Ethical Non-Monogamy
07:09 Defining Ethical Non-Monogamy
08:33 Common Mistakes in Open Relationships
12:42 Forming Agreements in Open Relationships
16:43 Exploring Hopes and Fears in Relationships
16:59 The Importance of Moving at the Slowest Pace
17:30 Maintaining Relationship Cadence
18:02 Invitation to Share Personal Stories
18:31 Dealing with Stagnation in Relationships
20:19 Understanding Consent Within and Outside the Couple
22:26 Navigating the Role of a Hinge in Polyamory
25:04 Challenges of Poly Parenting
28:31 Group Dynamics in Polyamory
30:12 Conclusion and Resources
If you want to share your story on the show, email us at info@intimacywithease.com

Bio:

Candace Sjogren is a lawyer, entrepreneur, and transformational leader whose work spans finance, technology, and human development. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, she graduated from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law and practiced law before founding and leading multiple mission-driven companies. She served as CEO of Bad Girl Ventures, a microfinance firm investing in female founders, and later founded Somolend, one of the first nationally available crowdfunding platforms. Through this work, Candace played a key role in shaping the JOBS Act, the legislation that made securities-based crowdfunding legal in the United States.
Over the past fifteen years, Candace has served in senior executive and C-suite roles across venture-backed startups and global payments companies, including Chief Commercial Officer of Lynx, a healthcare payments company, and Senior Vice President of Embedded Finance at FIS, a global payments firm with more than 66,000 employees.
She is also the former co-author of Typhoon Honey: The Only Way Out Is Through, a book on emotional intelligence and transformational growth.
Today, Candace leads The Liberation Company, where she facilitates emotional intelligence, somatic healing, and identity-based workshops designed to support deep personal and collective transformation. She lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with her husband Andrew, their son Ivar, and their two dogs, Pan and Cinder.