What Did We Do In University? | Easy Russian Podcast 82

Marina and Nikita engage in a candid conversation exploring the intertwining themes of sex and university life. They reflect on the university years as a pivotal period for sexual exploration and self-discovery, noting how societal norms and personal experiences shape one's sexual development. They discuss the importance of sexual compatibility in relationships, drawing from personal anecdotes and broader societal observations. Despite intending to focus on sex, the discussion frequently veers into related topics such as societal pressures, cultural taboos, and personal growth. The hosts express a desire to address these themes more openly in future episodes, inviting listener questions and feedback.

• The podcast begins with an informal and improvisational tone, setting a playful atmosphere.
• The hosts, Marina and Nikita, discuss the challenges of recording remotely due to being in different countries.
• Marina attempts to create a playful ambiance using pink lighting, but notes technical challenges with white balance.

"Improvisation today is complete, in short. You and I are talking about... My sex universities."

• The podcast is unscripted, aiming for a spontaneous discussion on personal topics.

"I created, as it seemed to me, a playful atmosphere by using pink lighting."

• Marina uses pink lighting to enhance the visual setting, though it presents technical challenges.

• The hosts discuss the weather conditions in their respective locations, affecting their recording environment.
• Marina and Nikita humorously describe the challenges of recording in cold weather, including the irony of being colder indoors than outside.

"But there is some problem with the cold sea wind, which is so traditional in Riga."

• Nikita describes the challenges of recording in Riga's cold climate, emphasizing the impact of the environment on their podcasting.

"It was just colder in the trailer than outside."

• Marina highlights the irony of indoor spaces being colder than the outdoors, common in certain climates.

• The main theme of the episode is the exploration of sex and university life.
• The hosts aim to connect the themes of dating and university experiences, focusing on sexual exploration during university years.

"As you understand, it is about sex, but not only. We decided to improvise in a provocative way today."

• The episode intends to discuss sex provocatively, linking it to university experiences.

"It’s still not entirely clear how to link these two huge topics, but it’s obvious that for most people, the peak of their sexual experiments, self-knowledge, and generally exploring their sexuality occurs during their university years."

• The hosts acknowledge the challenge of connecting sex and university but identify university years as a peak time for sexual exploration.

• Marina shares personal reflections on her past views on sexuality, noting a shift in her understanding over time.
• Initially, she believed sexual compatibility could be developed over time with any partner.

"In my understanding of relationships, sex... wasn't that important, or sexual compatibility wasn't that important when I was young."

• Marina reflects on her youthful belief that sexual compatibility was not crucial in relationships.

"What changed for me decades later was that I began to understand that, after all, people’s sexuality is different, sexual needs and appetites are also different."

• Marina acknowledges a shift in her perspective, recognizing the importance of sexual compatibility in relationships.

• Nikita introduces the concept of "fake sex," humorously discussing societal perceptions and personal anecdotes.
• The discussion includes a joke about elderly men exaggerating their sexual activity.

"To be honest, I don’t see anything wrong with fake sex. You know, sex toys have come to a good level now."

• Nikita humorously addresses the concept of "fake sex," referencing advancements in sex toys.

"But, in principle, this is what I mean by fake sex. So you just kind of talk a lot about sex that you don't actually have."

• The hosts discuss "fake sex" as the act of discussing or exaggerating sexual experiences that aren't real.

• Both hosts agree on the significance of sexual compatibility in relationships.
• They emphasize the need for openness and communication about sexual preferences early in relationships.

"The sexual component is now very important for me when I start to build a new relationship."

• Marina stresses the importance of discussing sexual preferences early in relationships to ensure compatibility.

"I think that if you somehow fit each other from the very beginning in a sexual sense as well, then how could you, I don’t know, improve your sex indefinitely."

• Nikita agrees with Marina, highlighting the importance of initial sexual compatibility in relationships.

• Attraction is deeply rooted in biological instincts, often driven by factors like smells and small behavioral characteristics.
• Initial attraction is often intense and can be described as a manic state, which is not sustainable over time.
• This biological drive is linked to reproduction, with the "reptilian brain" signaling the urgency of finding a suitable partner.

"What makes you, what attracts you most is what is most dangerous for you."

• Initial attraction can be intense and sometimes linked to danger, reflecting the biological drive for survival and reproduction.

"I love this feeling when you literally lift off the ground and go crazy. But this is just such a mania."

• The initial phase of attraction is exhilarating but also manic, highlighting the unsustainable nature of such intense emotions.

"You cannot be in this state all the time. No matter how purely biologically and physiologically in your nervous system it is quite difficult to be in such a state of insanity all the time."

• The intense feelings of initial attraction are not sustainable due to biological and physiological limitations.

• Initial attraction often involves a hormonal peak that eventually declines.
• People may unconsciously seek partners in unpredictable or dangerous professions to prolong intense emotions.
• The natural distance created by partners in dangerous jobs can intensify feelings and prolong the period of strong emotions.

"It seems to me that those people for whom it is most important to experience vivid emotions in a relationship also subconsciously act in the opposite direction."

• Some individuals subconsciously choose partners who will provide intense emotional experiences, even if it involves risk.

"The feeling of risk, the feeling of possible loss intensifies your sensations, as if this period of intense feelings is prolonged, you artificially increase it."

• The risk associated with certain professions can intensify emotions and artificially extend the period of strong feelings in a relationship.

• There are various strategies to address the decline of intense feelings in relationships.
• Some individuals prefer safe and comfortable partners, while others seek novelty and excitement through different means.
• Honest communication with oneself and one's partner is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship.

"I still want to believe that I am able to saturate my life with a sufficient amount of bright emotions and adventures and, perhaps, even adrenaline, by some other methods."

• Seeking excitement and novelty outside of relationship dynamics can be a healthier alternative to constantly changing partners.

"My only recipe is still to be as honest as possible with myself, this is the most important thing, secondly, to be as honest as possible with my partner."

• Honesty with oneself and one's partner is essential for sustaining a fulfilling relationship, emphasizing open communication.

• Personal experiences in relationships can vary widely, from boredom to intense passion.
• Relationships can evolve into non-romantic partnerships, highlighting the importance of addressing changes openly.
• The speaker's experiences emphasize the importance of self-awareness and honest communication in relationships.

"Different things have happened to me, but nevertheless, so far my only recipe is still to be as honest as possible with myself."

• Personal experiences underscore the importance of honesty and self-awareness in navigating relationship dynamics.

"I thought that everything was fine, but it turns out there were problems brewing."

• Acknowledging and addressing underlying issues is crucial, as assumptions about relationship health can be misleading.

• Sexual compatibility is emphasized as critical in relationships, involving aspects like mutual attraction and biological factors such as scent.
• The speaker expresses skepticism about the idea that sexual compatibility can improve over time.

"Going back to your original question about sexual compatibility, I think, again, it's very important that you're sexually compatible, that you like each other's smell and all that stuff."

• The speaker highlights the importance of mutual attraction and biological compatibility in relationships.

"I don't think it's something that will get better over time."

• The speaker is doubtful that sexual compatibility can improve as a relationship progresses.

• The twenties are seen as a period of maximum activity, including education and early career development.
• The speaker notes cultural differences, suggesting that in Russia, this period of life responsibility often begins earlier than in other countries.

"That your twenties, that is, the period from 20 to 30, is like the period when you should maximally be active in everything."

• The twenties are portrayed as a time for significant personal and professional development.

"It seems to me that for Russians it often starts there at about 16, a little earlier, we seem to grow up a little earlier."

• The speaker points out that in Russia, adulthood responsibilities may start earlier due to cultural and educational differences.

• The Russian education system is described as having fewer years of schooling compared to some European countries, leading to earlier university entry.
• There is no common practice of taking a gap year in Russia, partly due to societal expectations and the military draft.

"We study for 11 years, and not 12, as in many European countries, and we, if I’m not mistaken, again, in some."

• Education in Russia is shorter, leading to earlier university attendance.

"In Russia there is no such thing as a gap year - this is when you can just take a year to think and travel."

• The gap year is not a common practice in Russia due to cultural norms and military conscription.

• Military service is mandatory in Russia, with conscription seen as dangerous due to hazing and violence.
• University education provides a deferment from military service, influencing educational and career decisions.

"The army was in second place with a small gap behind prisons, the penitentiary system, you can’t say right away, in terms of the number of violence."

• The military is perceived as a dangerous environment, second only to prisons in terms of violence.

"The simplest and most logical way was to enter a university or institute, go to study in the higher education system, which gave you at least a deferment from military service for the duration of your studies."

• Higher education is a strategic choice to defer military service in Russia.

• University is seen as a time of newfound freedom and experimentation, contrasting with the controlled environment of school.
• The speaker reflects on personal experiences of freedom and exploration during university years.

"For me school is associated more with something that you are directly obliged to do, what you need to do, but I didn’t particularly choose the university."

• School is viewed as obligatory, while university offers more personal freedom.

"I just had the feeling that that’s it, I’m free, it’s generally cool, I can do anything."

• University is associated with a sense of liberation and the opportunity to explore one's interests.

• The conversation frequently veers away from discussing sex directly, focusing instead on feelings and relationships.
• The speakers express a desire to address sexual topics more explicitly in future discussions.

"As it turns out, you and I are terrible prudes. And whatever we want, we will still leave sex and talk about feelings, about fate, about psychology, about anything, just not about sex."

• The speakers acknowledge their tendency to avoid direct discussions about sex, focusing instead on broader relational topics.

"We will come to you next time with evidence to tell not only our own stories."

• There is an intention to explore sexual topics more thoroughly in future conversations.

• The speaker reflects on their first year of university as a time of newfound freedom and personal growth.
• University provided a supportive community, fostering friendships and personal development.
• Initially feeling shy and uptight, the speaker found university to be a place for self-discovery.

"The university seems to be the place where you begin to recognize yourself from different sides."

• University is depicted as a transformative period for self-exploration and personal development.

• The speaker discusses the transition from joking about taboo topics like sex in school to openly discussing them at university.
• The societal taboo around sex, especially in Russian society, is highlighted.
• The speaker's curiosity about historical perspectives on sex, particularly in literature, is mentioned.

"At school, of course, you talk about sex, you joke, but it’s more like you’re joking than talking."

• This quote illustrates the shift from superficial discussions in school to more open and meaningful conversations at university.

• The speaker's mother played a significant role in advancing sex education in Russia during the 1990s.
• She facilitated the translation and distribution of educational materials on sex, pregnancy, and sexual diseases in Russian schools.

"My mother, in her time as a journalist, made a rather serious contribution to the development of sex education."

• The speaker's mother's efforts contributed to making discussions about sex more acceptable and informed in educational settings.

• The 2010s saw increased media coverage of mental and sexual health, promoting open discussions.
• Recent news about potential restrictions on condom sales to teenagers in Russia is criticized for being illogical and counterproductive.

"In the 2010s, when I was studying, the media began to talk even more, even more openly and directly about mental health, about sexual health."

• This period marked a shift towards more open and inclusive discussions on previously taboo topics.

• The speaker criticizes the proposed ban on condom sales to teenagers in Russia, arguing it would lead to negative consequences.
• They highlight the potential increase in underground activities, sexually transmitted diseases, and unsafe abortions.

"It's absolutely terrible. Well, where is the logic? There is absolutely no logic, like, give birth."

• The speaker questions the rationale behind the legislation and emphasizes its potential harm.

• The hosts express interest in preparing scientific discussions and awkward questions about sex for future episodes.
• They invite audience participation by asking for topic suggestions and tricky questions.

"If you want us to prepare for the next issue some cool, interesting scientific facts regarding sex, as well as tricky questions for each other, then write to us in the comments."

• Audience engagement is encouraged to shape future podcast content and discussions.