By the time Ava Gardner was 30, she'd been married three times. In 1950s America, that meant you were supposed to disappear in shame. But Ava didn't disappear—she became a legend.

In this episode of Affairs Through the Ages, I'm diving into Ava Gardner's story. From dirt-poor farm girl in North Carolina to Hollywood icon, from three marriages before 30 to never marrying again—Ava wrote her own rules when the world wanted to write her off.

This isn't just Frank Sinatra's affair story. This is about what Ava was searching for, why even "the love of her life" wasn't enough to make her stay, and how she became The Scarlet Edit OG before this podcast even existed.

In This Episode:

1. Ava's journey from Grabtown, North Carolina to MGM at 18
2. Marriage #1: Mickey Rooney and learning fame ≠ faithfulness
3. Marriage #2: Artie Shaw and refusing to be someone's project
4. The Frank Sinatra affair and what it meant to be the other woman
5. Why she left the "love of her life" and never married again
6. Living loudly with insecurity and rewriting the narrative

Key Takeaway: Figuring out what you don't want is just as important as figuring out what you do. Sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is keep leaving until you find yourself.

Research for this episode draws on biographical sources including Ava Gardner's autobiography, published biographies, and archival interviews. All commentary and analysis is my own.

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I never randomly called my boyfriend during our entire relationship. Not because he told me not to—it just became normal. I also never saw him on weekends, never brought him around friends, and kept everything secret. These toxic relationship habits felt completely reasonable when I was in the affair.

After it ended, I fell right into a secretive situationship because those patterns had become so familiar. In this episode, I'm sharing how affairs normalize unhealthy relationship behaviors, why power dynamics and age gaps make it worse, and how I finally recognized I deserved more.

If you've ever wondered why certain relationship red flags felt normal or why you accepted less than you deserved, this one's for you.

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For Collaboration and Business inquiries: 💌 Email: teamnikkicorbett@gmail.com =============================

I'm launching my new signature series, Affairs Through the Ages, and I couldn't think of a better way to kick it off than with arguably the biggest affair of the 20th century: Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.

This isn't just a retelling of the scandal. I dive deep into Monica's background and uncover something I never knew - she was already involved with a married man before she ever got to Washington. That first affair with her high school drama teacher shaped everything that came after.

I explore how Monica went from a 22-year-old intern to a global punchline, why the power dynamics made this relationship so problematic, and the devastating double standard that left her unable to work for a decade while Clinton remained beloved and powerful.

I also look at where Monica is now, because this is what The Scarlet Edit is all about. She reclaimed her story, launched her own podcast, and is using her experience to help others navigate public shaming and trauma.

This episode asks the hard questions: Was Monica groomed? Could this affair have been prevented? And why did she pay such a devastating price while he walked away unscathed?

New episodes of Affairs Through the Ages drop every Monday, with regular Thursday episodes continuing as always.

Topics discussed:

1. Monica Lewinsky's affair with her married high school teacher
2. How past relationship patterns influenced her relationship with Clinton
3. The 27-year age gap and power imbalance
4. Linda Tripp's betrayal and secret recordings
5. The media circus and global public shaming
6. Clinton's impeachment and acquittal
7. Monica's PTSD, unemployment, and rebuilding
8. Her current work in anti-bullying advocacy and podcasting

Rate this episode five stars on Apple Podcasts and let me know what you think of this new series!

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What if the things you want in the bedroom aren't as extreme as you think? Certified sex and relationship coach Amanda Dames breaks down the kink spectrum—from hair pulling to rope bondage—and explains why honest communication about sexual desires is so important for relationships.

Amanda, a former professional dominatrix with over a decade of experience, discusses the crucial difference between kinks, fetishes, and fantasies. She shares why some people who can't discuss their desires with their spouse may look elsewhere, and more importantly, how to have these vulnerable conversations before that happens.

What You'll Learn:

1. The kink spectrum: What actually counts as "kinky"
2. The difference between kinks (nice to have) and fetishes (necessary for orgasm)
3. Why it's hard to share sexual desires with the person who cleans the toilet
4. How to start conversations about fantasies with your partner
5. Why rejection of sexual interests creates deeper wounds
6. The role of shame in preventing honest sexual communication, and why infidelity can stem from this fear
7. What degradation play, power exchange, and impact play actually mean
8. Why you should never bring up new desires during sex
9. How aftercare works in kink relationships

Key Topics Discussed: Sexual communication, kink education, BDSM basics, fetishes vs kinks, power dynamics, consent, relationship shame, how to talk to vanilla partners, core desires, Fifty Shades of Grey's impact, managing sexual incompatibility

Amanda explains why high-powered executives sometimes want to be controlled in the bedroom, how to identify what feeling you're actually seeking through kink, and practical frameworks for opening up vulnerable conversations with your partner. Whether you're curious about exploring kink or just want better sexual communication, this episode provides actionable advice.

Perfect for listeners interested in: Sexual wellness, relationship communication, BDSM education, overcoming shame, couples therapy insights, sexual compatibility, fantasy exploration

Guest: Amanda Dames | The Kink Consultant

1. Website: amandadames.com

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Should you date a separated man? Is dating during divorce a red flag? How long should someone be single after a long marriage before dating again?

In this episode, I share results from a viral question I posted on Threads that received 141 responses from women in their 40s about whether they'd date men who are separated or going through divorce. The overwhelming answer reveals important truths about healing timelines, self-discovery, and what it really takes to be relationship-ready after ending a long-term marriage.

What You'll Learn:

1. Why 90% of women over 40 won't date separated men (and what that means for you)
2. The "Runaway Bride test" - why knowing yourself matters more than relationship status
3. Real responses from women AND men going through separation and divorce
4. Why living independently after divorce is essential before a new relationship
5. How roles in long marriages affect readiness for dating

Plus: I announce an exciting new signature series launching soon and share updates on upcoming anonymous guest episodes where everyday people share their infidelity and divorce stories.

Perfect for: Women navigating dating after divorce, anyone wondering about dating timelines post-separation, or those seeking relationship advice for dating in your 40s and beyond.

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In this solo episode, I challenge one of the most commonly repeated relationship mantras: "once a cheater, always a cheater."

Drawing from research and my personal experience, I explore why this phrase is not only inaccurate but potentially harmful. I break down the critical difference between serial cheaters and situational affairs, share surprising statistics about infidelity recurrence, and discuss how society weaponizes the "cheater" label—especially against women.

In this episode:

1. The data behind who cheats again (and who doesn't)
2. Serial cheaters vs. one-time affairs: key differences
3. Why people who've been cheated on are 2x more likely to be cheated on again
4. How "the other woman" gets unfairly labeled
5. Why I believe people can change (though it's hard)
6. My personal reflections on being the other woman and growing beyond that identity

If you've ever been affected by infidelity or have strong opinions about cheating, this episode will give you a lot to think about.

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Welcome to the first solo episode of 2026 and Season Two of The Scarlet Edit.

In this episode, I’m sharing two important things:

1. The direction of the podcast in 2026, based entirely on listener data
2. A powerful dating concept you need to understand this year: Fantasy Access

I break down what the data has made crystal clear. You want honest conversations about affairs, divorce, shame, starting over, and emotional healing. Those episodes resonate because they make people feel seen, less alone, and understood. And in 2026, we’re leaning into them even more.

I also introduce Fantasy Access, a term that explains why certain dating dynamics feel confusing, emotionally draining, and stuck. Fantasy access shows up when someone maintains emotional proximity to you without showing up in real life. Likes, story views, low-effort texts, vague interest — without dates, commitment, or clarity.

In this episode, I explain:

1. What fantasy access is and how it shows up in modern dating
2. Why fantasy access benefits emotionally unavailable people
3. How social media and online dating amplify emotional confusion
4. Why attention is not the same as intention
5. How to cut off fantasy access without confrontation
6. Why neutrality and boundaries are the most powerful response

If you’re single, dating in midlife, navigating divorce, or tired of entertaining emotionally unavailable men, this episode will help you start 2026 with clarity, self-respect, and stronger boundaries.

Topics Covered

1. Affairs, divorce, shame, and starting over
2. Emotional availability in dating
3. Dating after divorce in your 40s
4. Boundaries and self-worth
5. Fantasy access and unearned emotional proximity
6. Why being alone is better than being misled

Listen if you’re ready to stop confusing attention for effort and start choosing yourself.

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It’s officially a new year, and instead of predictions or resolutions, I wanted to do something different.

In this episode, I’m sharing a curated Best of 2025 from The Scarlet Edit. Real conversations. Real insights. The moments that stayed with me long after the mic was turned off.

You’ll hear from past guests on topics like:

1. Why so many women stay in relationships long after they stop working
2. How limerence, fantasy, and low self-worth keep us stuck
3. Why sex education fails women and what that costs us later
4. The quiet ways shame shows up in relationships
5. The difference between settling and choosing yourself
6. What happens when you stop outsourcing your worth
7. Why listening to your inner voice changes everything

This episode is for anyone starting a new year feeling reflective, exhausted, hopeful, hungover, curious, or quietly ready for something more.

If you’re looking for conversations that make you feel less alone, more clear, and more grounded in who you are becoming, this is a powerful place to begin.

Guest Info. (in order of appearance)

Paul Keable, Ashley Madison https://www.ashleymadison.com/

Dr. Zoe Shaw, Psychotherapist https://drzoeshaw.com/

Lisa Johnson, Been There Got Out https://beentheregotout.com/

Leah Marie Mazur, Mindfully Ready https://www.mindfullyready.com/

Mike Messeroff, https://www.mikemesseroff.com/

Christina Ketchen, https://christinaketchen.com/

If this episode resonates, follow the show, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and share it with someone who might need it right now.

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For Collaboration and Business inquiries: 💌 Email: teamnikkicorbett@gmail.com