The Naked Workplace

This week, Gabby & Dan are unpacking the word “lifestyle,” calling out how unethical swingers misuse naturist spaces, and exploring the wild idea of the naked workplace.

Includes messages from Gabby and Dan

Transcript

Dan: 0:19

welcome back to the Nature's Vibe podcast. I'm Dan, maker of things,

Gabby: 0:24

and I'm Gabby the Crown Duty. So, Dan, how you been?

Dan: 0:29

I've been busy doing a lot of things for various projects we have going on.

Gabby: 0:34

last week we were able to meet with, Couple of musicians.

Dan: 0:39

I know. It's very exciting.

Gabby: 0:40

Yeah. We have something coming up for RK Underground, uh, with a good friend of mine and I'm super excited about it. But I'm also excited about things that we have going on for NVN. Do you wanna share what we got planned and what we got store in store for everyone?

Dan: 0:58

It has been a pretty eventful stretch since our last episode. We've been meeting with some amazing musicians who are joining us for RK Underground, and I cannot wait for our supporters to experience the vibe they're going to bring. We're also in the middle of setting up some live streaming for the Naus Business Network, and We are still hard at work on our member portal Bear trade.

Gabby: 1:19

Yeah, we are really excited about Bear Trade. it's going to be more than just a space for business owners. We are opening up to natures who simply wanna connect, collaborate, and support the community. We had hoped to have it ready last month, but like any big project, a few delays popped up and we are taking our time because we wanna make sure that when Bear Trade launches. It is safe, welcoming, and truly serves as a space where nature's brands, creators and consumers can come together,

Dan: 1:53

which is an amazing thing.

Gabby: 1:54

so we got a couple of different topics we're gonna dive into, but Dan, remember when we sent that note to our NBN members and shared it on social media about the word lifestyle? You and I had such a good conversation about this. That discussion is what sparked us to put out that note in the first place, and the response from the community showed that owning the word can be a bridge, not a barrier. In that note, we explained that natures is a lifestyle, but one rooted in ethics, consent, and. Self-acceptance. It is a way of living that celebrates community and diversity, not secrecy or shame. And that was the moment it really clicked for me. Reclaiming the word is so much more powerful than avoiding it by defining it on our own terms. We can show the real faces of naturism and strip away the outdated. Stereotypes instead of running from them. Of course, in many nature spaces, lifestyle is still a loaded word. It is often tied to swinging hypersexuality or casual nudity without the deeper ethics behind true naturalism, and that is where the tension lives.

Dan: 3:11

But ethical naturalism does not reject the term it reclaims and clarifies it for many naturalism, truly is a lifestyle. A conscious daily practice built on body freedom, consent, respect, and community. The key is context. When we talk about naturalism as a lifestyle, we're talking about a way of living that centers on authenticity, inclusion, ethical engagement with ourselves and others. So while some may prefer way of life for its clarity, ethical nature isn't about avoiding language. It's about using it with intention and making sure the words we choose reflect the values we live by.

Gabby: 3:51

You know, it's funny, every time we avoid the word lifestyle, we actually end up drawing more attention to it. Do you agree?

Dan: 3:59

Yeah. I notice that in a lot of the conversations that we've had recently that. Anytime we're talking about it, we're also talking about it from our point of view. It's hard sometimes to realize that there is the point of view of people on the outside world, so if we're avoiding the word, they may think that there's a reason for it.

Gabby: 4:20

Yeah. A lot of natures swap it for way of life to sound less sexual. But the more we tiptoe around the word, the more it feels like we're trying to clean naturalism up to make it palatable for people who already have the wrong assumptions, and that's not really fair to what nature is. It is a lifestyle. One rooted in ethics, self-acceptance, and community. If we own it confidently, the word loses. Its stigma. When we hide from it, we keep that stigma alive. how can we reclaim or reframe the word in a way that reflects the diversity and ethics of modernism without feeding it into outdated stereotypes?

Dan: 5:04

I think the way we do that is by adding definition to it. If you use a word and you don't provide its definition, people will often add their own. Huh. And so when we're talking about naturalism and we talk about it as a lifestyle, you should always follow it up with this is a lifestyle that is an ethical, honorable, amazing way of life that's open for families and people to be able to come and simply enjoy being in their own skin.

Gabby: 5:38

Yeah. And the more we show the real faces of naturalism families, solo travelers, creatives, wellness seekers, the less power those old stereotypes have. We do not need to hide from the word, we need to redefine it. So when people hear nature's lifestyle, they think of freedom, integrity, and connection, not the outdated myths. I also wanna make it clear that we're not trying to force anyone to start using the word lifestyle. What we want is for people to understand that in any project we are involved in, the word will likely appear. And like you said, context matters. It is important to recognize that in our work lifestyle means exactly what it means, a way of life, not a secret code for swinging.

Dan: 6:26

which brings us to why practicing nature is ethically is so important. Yeah. Part of that responsibility is educating people on why nature's spaces must remain dedicated to non-sexual nudity and addressing any inappropriate behavior. As soon as it happens, when those boundaries are not respected, it opens up the door for people who treat nature's spaces like playgrounds for swinging or casual sexual encounters, which undermines everything. Nature is, stands for.

Gabby: 6:53

It's worth pointing out that not all swingers are unethical. In fact, many within the swinging community have clear codes of consent, respect, and communication. They know the importance of boundaries and engage in their lifestyle with care and mutual understanding. But like any community, there are those who ignore the values that uphold it, and unfortunately, some of those individuals are finding their way into nature's spaces under false pretenses. For some hypersexual individuals or unethical swingers, nature of spaces have become a shortcut, a way to bypass the rules. Costs or accountability expected in overtly sexual settings like sex clubs or swinger parties, they see nudity and make assumptions. They treat clothing optional spaces as morality, optional zones, and instead of honoring the ethical foundation of natures rooted in body acceptance, non-sexual nudity and mutual respect, they treat it as an easier, less regulated version of a hookup club.

Dan: 8:00

But here's the truth. Ethical naturalism isn't a backdoor to sex culture. It's a lifestyle built on the radical idea that nudity does not equal consent, doesn't equal invitation, and doesn't exist for voyeuristic consumption. You can be a sex positive person and still behave ethically in spaces that are non-sexual. The two aren't mutually exclusive. In fact, being truly sex positive means understanding context. It means honoring the purpose of a space, respecting the people within it, and being accountable for how your energy gaze, or presence impacts others. Sex positivity without ethics isn't liberation. It's entitlement. When individuals enter nature's spaces and ignore those values, they aren't just being disrespectful. They're actively threatening the safety and sanctity of what naturalism stands for. And the consequences are real women feeling unsafe at events, marginalized communities becoming even more hesitant to join, and the slow erosion of a space that was supposed to be about freedom, not fantasy,

Gabby: 9:05

ethical nature spaces aren't sex positive by default. They are consent positive, context driven, rooted in deep respect for autonomy. When those ethics are stripped away, what's left isn't liberation. It's exploitation. And if someone speaks up about harassment done to them or that they have witnessed, the people running the nature space need to do their due diligence to ensure that behavior doesn't happen again. Ignoring it, minimizing it, or protecting those who crossed boundaries only reinforces a culture of silence and fear. A truly ethical space must be accountable, transparent, and willing to evolve for the safety and dignity of everyone involved. So yes. While not all swingers are the problem, the ones who disregard boundaries, misread silence as invitation or treat naturalism as their personal playground are exploiting the vulnerability and openness that nature. Requires. They're not just entering a space, they're contaminating it. And it's up to those of us in the ethical natures movement to draw the line clearly, compassionately and firmly. Not with shame, but with clarity. Not with exclusion, but with expectation. So let's table this conversation for now. We would like to take a minute to shout out our listeners.

Dan: 10:31

Thank you to everyone who's tuned in and supported the Natures Vibe podcast. Your feedback means the world to us and will help shape every episode. We're honored to be in conversation with you and grateful to build this space for honest, necessary dialogue around ethical naturism. And I just recently learned that you can actually text TNV podcast through your favorite streaming platform. Send us your stories, questions, comments, and feedback, and keep the vibes coming.

Gabby: 10:58

And, and speaking of vibes, we have our weekly vibe check. What's the vibe for this week, Dan?

Dan: 11:04

This week we're checking in with a simple but powerful reminder. Naturism isn't one aesthetic. It isn't one look, one body type, one background or one way of being. Too often mainstream images of natures present a narrow curated version of who belongs, but ethical nature is about breaking that mold. It's about making space. Real intentional space for all body types, all stories, and all cultures to be seen, celebrated and honored. You don't have to look a certain way to be a natures. You don't have to perform comfort or confidence for anyone else. Whether you show up with stretch marks, scars, disabilities, curves, smoothness, softness, or sharp edges, you still belong because this isn't about perfection. It's about truth. It's about presence. It's about liberation. So this week, celebrate the diversity of natures expression around you and within you. Celebrate the way someone dances freely in their joy. Celebrate the quiet power of someone simply showing up as themselves. Celebrate the cultural traditions, histories, and lived experiences that people bring to naturalism. Ethical natures thrives when we make room for difference, when we make sure no one is left out of the frame.

Gabby: 12:21

And we're calling that the Celebrate diverse expressions vibe. A vibe that reflects the diversity of the nature's world and respects everyone's unique identity. It's a real vibe killer Dan, when we enter nature's spaces and there isn't representation of people from diverse backgrounds. Spaces like that don't involve. we are going to shift gears today and talk about something a little cheeky, literally. Let's talk about the naked workplace. Could it ever work?

Dan: 12:56

You mean like full on Monday morning meetings naked, filing reports in the nude budget reviews with no pants.

Gabby: 13:02

Exactly. Strip away the sarcasm, unintended, and it's a legit question. If naturalism is all about equality, authenticity, and comfort, then why not bring that energy into the workplace?

Dan: 13:17

On paper, it sounds like a radical way to flatten hierarchies. No Armani suits, no power. Heels, just skin. Everyone is on the same level, but the reality, it's complicated. It's very complicated.

Gabby: 13:29

I agree. It can get pretty complicated. But up next, we'll explore what a naked workplace might actually look like and the surprising lessons it can offer about how we show up on the job. Before we even get into the idea of a naked workplace, I think we need to ask a bigger question. Why does clothing carry so much authority in our lives? Why does fabric have the power to define our worth in certain spaces?

Dan: 14:09

It's wild when you think about it. Clothing has become a social language, a suit whispers, I belong in the boardroom. The hoodie says I'm relaxed, maybe even rebellious. And a uniform says I am part of this machine.

Gabby: 14:23

And because it is a language, it comes with rules. Those rules are unspoken, but very strict. When you walk into a job interview, people will say just for the job you want. That advice is really about your abilities. It's about visual performance. You are performing authority, competence, and trustworthiness with your clothes before you even speak.

Dan: 14:47

And the rules are selective. Someone in a tailored suit gets treated like a leader. Someone in ripped jeans is often dismissed as unprofessional. Even if they're brilliant,

Gabby: 14:57

then there is the bias layered into those rules. Tattoos, piercings, locks, natural hair, religious clothing, gender non-conforming fashion, or even just a body that doesn't fit into the sample size suit can become a career hazard. We pretend that professional is neutral, but it is coded. It has race, gender, and class stitched into every scene,

Dan: 15:21

and that is exactly why the Naked Workplace concept is so provocative. By removing the uniform, even hypothetically, you're removing a huge piece of that hierarchy. You're asking what happens if we stop letting the costume determine who has power,

Gabby: 15:37

and let's be real. Most of us feel naked in the workplace, long before we ever take our clothes off. Every performance review, every meeting, every networking event is already about exposure. You are constantly negotiating how you were seen. So maybe the fascination with a naked workplace is really about the fantasy of freedom, the fantasy of not having to perform at all.

Dan: 15:59

The question underneath it is powerful. Are we respected because of who we are and what we can do? Or are we only respected because we play the costume code?

Gabby: 16:10

And that is where this conversation really begins. We'll dive right into it when we come back. Let's start by saying what this isn't. This isn't a plug for some utopian tech startup where everyone codes naked. This is a deeper reflection on how we assign power, professionalism, and even morality to clothing. The uniform isn't just fabric, it's symbolism, control, identity,

Dan: 17:12

and boundaries. The workplace is already full of power dynamics, bosses and subordinates, pay gaps, gender politics. Adding nudity to that mix doesn't necessarily dismantle those dynamics. It can actually heighten them,

Gabby: 17:26

right? Because without strong ethical infrastructure, what starts as liberation can easily turn into exposure and not the good kind, especially for women, queer folks, trans folks, and people of color who are already navigating over sexualization or surveillance in cloth environment.

Dan: 17:46

Let's break it down. What would a naked workplace have to include to even come close to working?

Gabby: 17:51

First? Explicit consent. Every employee would need to opt in, not just legally, but emotionally and socially. No peer pressure. No pressure from hr. No expectations that nudity equals belonging.

Dan: 18:08

Second. Cultural unlearning. You can't just tell people, Hey, your body is welcome here. When society has spent decades, centuries, really telling them the opposite, shame doesn't vanish with a memo. It takes time, trust, and radical inclusion.

Gabby: 18:24

And third, zero tolerance for objectification. And that means retraining entire teams on how to hold gaze. How to give and receive feedback without veiled judgment and how to move through conflict without weaponizing nudity.

Dan: 18:41

So let's be real. In most workplaces, that's a tall order, and maybe that's the point, because the naked workplace might not be about nudity at all. It might be about asking why does the way we dress, determine how we're treated?

Gabby: 18:57

Yes. Why does a suit equal competence? Why does a crop top mean on professionalism? Why does a tattoo or visible body hair disqualify someone from leadership?

Dan: 19:09

What we're really getting at here is the performance of professionalism. Clothing has become armor, a costume we wear to be taken seriously, and the moment someone steps outside that dress code even slightly, they're labeled inappropriate, distracting, or less intelligent. Okay,

Gabby: 19:26

so maybe the naked workplace is less about actually being naked and more about creating environments where authenticity is safe, where you can show up fully as yourself, your body, your identity, your truth, and not be punished for it.

Dan: 19:42

It's about shifting the focus from appearance to presence, from looking polished to being effective, from surface optics to deeper ethics.

Gabby: 19:51

Now would I want to sit in a brainstorming session with a bunch of fully nude coworkers? Honestly not without a very well ventilated room in some serious ground rules.

Dan: 20:03

Same, although it still sounds fun, but I would love to work somewhere where no one flinches at a visible scar or natural breasts, or a body that doesn't fit the corporate mold.

Gabby: 20:16

So, no, the Naked Workplace probably isn't coming to your office anytime soon. But the idea of it, what it forces us to interrogate that is worth sitting with

Dan: 20:27

because if nudity makes us uncomfortable at work, maybe the issue isn't the nudity. Maybe it's the toxic culture that taught us that certain bodies don't belong.

Gabby: 20:35

And maybe just maybe the naked workplace is a metaphor, a challenge, a reminder that professionalism and humanity don't have to be at odds.

Dan: 20:47

That's the vibe, and there's more of that coming up.

Gabby: 20:54

So if the Naked Workplace is probably going to stay a thought experiment for now, what can we actually learn from imagining it?

Dan: 21:03

The truth is this conversation is not really about nudity. It's about authenticity. The naked workplace challenges us to rethink what belonging at work really means. What would it take to create an environment where people could show up as fully as themselves without fear of judgment?

Gabby: 21:19

Picture a workplace where scar is not a distraction. A natural chest or stomach is not inappropriate and visible identity markers like vitiligo, stretch marks, or body hair are not caused for whispers. a workplace where who you are is not constantly under silent surveillance.

Dan: 21:40

And here's the twist. Most companies love to use the phrase. Bring your whole self to work. But what they really mean is bring the version of yourself that doesn't make anyone uncomfortable.

Gabby: 21:50

Exactly. And I've had that same conversation many times over bringing your whole self means more than wearing jeans on casual Friday. It means dismantling the respectability politics that have kept some bodies and identities under wraps. It means giving people safety to exist without code switching, hiding, or shrinking.

Dan: 22:16

And that requires more than address code policy. It requires culture work, It means training people to recognize bias. It means calling out those subtle ways. We use appearance to decide who deserves respect or advancement. It means building workplaces where the measure of a professionalism is presence, skill, and ethics, not surface optics.

Gabby: 22:38

And if we can do that, maybe the real naked revolution is not physical nudity at all. It is stripping away the layers of performance that keep us from being human at work.

Dan: 22:48

Because the truth is most people do not want to literally sit in a conference room with 20 nude coworkers. But we do want a culture where a woman is not judged for visible body hair, where a man is not told to hide his tattoos, where a non-binary person is not misgendered because they do not fit the company's idea of professional dress.

Gabby: 23:06

And food for thought. If your workplace only respects you in a costume, then maybe that costume was never about you in the first place.

Dan: 23:16

And if we can create environments that honor people as they are, we might never need to get naked to finely feel free. Thank you for spending time with us on the Nature's vibe. We hope today's conversation gave you something to think about and maybe even inspired you to see naturalism in a whole new light.

Gabby: 23:34

Until next time, stay curious, stay kind, and keep the vibes alive,

Dan: 23:40

and that is the nature's vibe.

Gabby: 23:42

Bye.

24:12

Okay.