About

Jean Franzblau is a consent-positive and sex-positive speaker who walks her talk. When she discovered the importance of sexual empowerment, she wrote a play about it and performed it in ten cities. When she realized how important hugs were to her emotional wellbeing, she founded Cuddle Sanctuary, a training organization which certifies people to be cuddle therapists and group cuddle event leaders. When there was a need in Hollywood for consent experts to support actors shooting intimate scenes, Jean was there. 

Jean has presented at sexuality conferences on both coasts and for audiences around the country and abroad. She's known for her fun, upbeat style honed by her years in corporate training and the performing arts. Jean graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Communications from UCLA. You can find her writing in The Consent Guidebook, the sex ed anthology, Embraceable, and her blog. Jean has been featured on Good Mythical Morning, BuzzFeed, Comedy Central, Rolling Stone, and more. 
Sex After #MeToo
Cuddle Sanctuary - ITV
Your Brain on Hugs / Pajama Party!
The Real Sex Ed
USC Interview
Check out Jean's appearance on Keeping Up with The Kardashians
Check out Jean's Instagram as well as Cuddle Sanctuary's Instagram!

popular programs

Having honed her craft leading hundreds of workshops, trainings and presentations across the US and abroad, Jean will tailor the presentation to meet the special needs of your event. Here are Jean’s signature programs:
CUDDLE SANCTUARY
Session length options: 70mins - 3hrs

Laughter, friendship, and fun. This is the heart of Cuddle Sanctuary. Cuddle Sanctuary is a workshop and social experience that creates a safe environment for practicing consent, boundaries, and choice. There are lots of options for participation and absolutely no touch is required. Students practice what they learn with exercises and activities. 

Students will:
  • Practice communication and consent techniques
  • Learn the "Ask and Wait" method
  • Feel what it's like to have their boundaries accepted enthusiastically
  • Experience receiving a "no thank you' gracefully
  • Have a chance to show off their onesies
FREE HUGS
The Free Hugs program, led by Cuddle Queen Jean Franzblau, offers an engaging experience on college campuses, promoting connection and well-being among students. Participants can join (and help plan!) lively events where they freely give and receive hugs, creating a warm and inclusive environment while learning valuable lessons about consent and respectfully engaging with strangers, whether verbally or physically.

​This program, which can be deployed in conjunction with Jean's Cuddle Sanctuary workshops, provides students with opportunities to practice consent, boundaries, and choice in a safe environment. By organizing their own Free Hugs events, student leaders foster independent production and collaboration. As a standalone event or as an add-on, Free Hugs serves as an empowering program to boost engagement and participation, cultivating community and generating excitement on campus. 
SEX ED DO-OVER
(WHAT THEY DIDN'T TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL)
Session length: 70mins + Q&A

This information-packed session helps students navigate their intimate lives. Topics include safer sex practices, consent, intoxicants, gender identity, sexual orientation, and communication skills. In a welcoming, inclusive environment, this program helps students initiate the (at times) awkward conversations necessary to make informed decisions.

Students will:
  • Develop the skills to have safer sex discussions
  • Explore five aspects of consent
  • Practice use-friendly consent techniques
  • Be empowered to make risk-aware sexual decisions 
MY MOTHER DOESN'T KNOW
​I'M KINKY
Session length: 60 - 120 minutes

How does a mother react to the fact that her very-good-daughter is into BDSM? Jean's thought-provoking solo show is filled with drama and comedy. The story includes themes of empowerment, consent, intergenerational healing, and strengthening of the human spirit.
Reviewers and audiences have called it an "intoxicating" and "complex journey" that's "brave, truthful, funny and sexy." Rita Lawrence at the University of Florida hosted the show and said, "For colleges working to fill the deficit of knowledge about healthy sexuality, I recommend Jean as a resource!" 
Expect a meaningful and thought-provoking theatrical experience that pairs well with an optional post-show Q&A.
DISRUPTING THE POWER DYNAMICS
​IN HOLLYWOOD
Session length: 90mins

When famous actresses began calling out powerful producers for sexual harassment, the world listened and the #MeToo movement was born. One positive result has been the creation of a new job. Jean Franzblau is part of a pioneering group that has become Hollywood's first Intimacy Coordinators. She's also an Intimacy Director for theatrical productions. This class gives participants an insider's view on how sex scenes are made. 

Students will:
  • Recognize how an imbalance of power on the set or elsewhere can cause unnecessary harm
  • Learn the step-by-step process of creating memorable intimate scenes
  • Witness firsthand what it might be like to direct an intimate scene
  • Observe a mock rehearsal of an intimate scene from a play

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The workshop went very well. Jean and [co-presenter] Nicky imparted so much good information. Our Associate Dean shared that our Dean was very pleased with the specificity of the information that they shared.
 
Thank you so much for all your help and support in getting everything set up for Jean and Nicky to participate.

Sylvia Terry
Administrative Analyst, EDI
UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television

​MORE REVIEWS

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Bestselling Author of Permanent Midnight and I, Fatty

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