What Heated Rivalry Gets Right About Queer Love and Consent

Heated Rivalry continues to cause a stir, and a lot of its potency comes down to depiction. Hosts Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith and Martha Kauppi explore what makes the show, and novels, such an effective—and surprisingly moving—portrayal of male/male passion. Whether keying in on how the series handles consent, communication, or conveys broader messages, both Skye and Martha agree: there's a lot to love. 

Join Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith on September 25, 2026 for Bridging the Gap: Integrating Sexual Wellness Into Your Practice. More information on the workshop can be found here. 

Use code UNTANGLINGINTIMACY to unlock 10% off "Consensual Non-Monogamy Level 1: Clinical Skills and Interventions" and individual webinars.

To work with Dr. K. Skye Henry Smith, submit here.

To find out more about Martha Kauppi, and access more training materials, visit here.

Read the abstract for Dr. Mims Wilder's dissertation on male/male romance novels here. 

Have a question for Skye and Martha? We can't promise every submission will be answered, but we'd love to hear from you! Send your thoughts to: ⁠support@marthakauppi.com.


Thanks for listening!