Workshops and Seminars
"John Pendal is an awesome presenter!" - Midori
"It was my first time at Darklands and I was overwhelmed and enthusiastic. Your seminars really made a difference and were a highlight of the festival" - Henning
"It was my first time at Darklands and I was overwhelmed and enthusiastic. Your seminars really made a difference and were a highlight of the festival" - Henning
I often travel to leather events giving speeches, taking part in panel discussions or presenting demos, workshops and seminars. I've taught workshops at Beyond Leather in Fort Lauderdale (2018 & 2019); Bloom Community (2023); Darklands, Antwerp (2020); Down an Dirty in Melbourne, Australia (2015 in person & 2020/2022 online); Edgeplay Scotland group in Edinburgh (2016-2019); G.O.D.S. in Denver (2023 & 2024); HunCon in Budapest (2019, 2022 & 2023); Inferno (2009 & 2010); Kink Between the Lines (2022 & 2023); Kink Convention in Denmark (2022 - 2024); Kinkferansen in Oslo (2019); Kinkfest in London (2005 & 2008); Kinky Queer Weekend (2021); Leather Camp in Wichita (2006); London Alternative Market (2008, 2016-2021); Lupercalia in Canada (2017 & 2018); Minnesota Leather Pride (2004); Mr Leatherman Toronto (2007); Palm Springs Leather Pride (2004); Portsmouth KinkCon, UK (2024); The Red Horse Society (2021); Rome BDSM Conference (2017); SINSations in Leather (2010); SM Bergen, Norway (2020); SM Gays in London (2017 & 2018); Spring in the South in Atlanta (2008); Tribal Fire in Oklahoma (2009); Thunder in the Mountains in Denver (every year from 2007 to 2017); and Wicked Grounds (2023-2025).
The rest of my "leather history" is here.
The rest of my "leather history" is here.
"We booked John for an online workshop during lockdown. We found him very professional and easy to work with. The content was tailored perfectly for our audience, John is a very engaging and entertaining presenter. We received lots of positive feedback after the session." - Craig Bascand, Health Educator- Sexually Adventurous Mens Project, Thorne Harbour Health, Melbourne, Australia
"I have been a university professor for 25 years and have never received a more insightful, well-organized, and compassionate presentation on neurodiversity and autism, and I've sat through MANY presentations on the subject." - Anthony
"John was so much fun that my face hurt from the laughter. The attendees look forward to his return." - slave bonnie, co-producer Beyond Leather, Fort Lauderdale
Here are some of the subjects I cover:
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THEORY
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT KINK, BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK We'll try to cover all questions you have about kink but are afraid to ask. Is it possible to be kinky and not like pain? Do you have to be well-behaved to be a submissive? When don't safe words work, and is there another option? What should you do if someone has a panic attack or hits a mental landmine during a scene? Which activities are legally allowed for sexual pleasure in the UK? All these questions and more answered in a friendly and entertaining way. Suitability: newcomers to the scene, helpline volunteers, relationship counsellors Requirements: board and marker pens Audience participation: questions welcome DUNGEON DISASTERS A workshop about all the mistakes I've made so that you don't copy them! No matter how skilled you are as a BDSM player things can and will always go wrong. This class examines both emotional and physical pitfalls of kinky scenes with tips for warning signs you should look out for, ways to avoid a disaster, and coping strategies when the worst situations seem to occur. We also look at some great questions to improve negotiation before a scene, and ideal aftercare for everyone involved. Suitability: all levels Requirements: Board and marker pens. Audience participation: questions welcome AUTISM AND KINK In this workshop we look at the overlap of autism and kink. What is autism and what's the right language to use? Why might an autistic person be attracted to a kinky environment? Can BDSM be used as a form of sensory regulation? What’s the difference between neurotypical and autistic communication? What would be useful to know if you’re playing with a neurodivergent person? And how can you negotiate a scene with someone who doesn’t know where masking ends and they begin? This workshop isn't just for autistic folk, it can help anyone who feels like an outsider or would like to create a more inclusive environment. Suitability: all levels Requirements: Board and marker pens. Audience participation: questions welcome *NEW* WHY WE DON'T SPEAK UP A lot of discussion about consent relies on being able to speak up. For example: • Standing up for yourself in negotiations • Being able to clearly state your needs, wants, desires and limits • Agreeing to AND BEING ABLE TO USE a safe word during the scene But there are occasions when our voices may leave us, e.g. feeling that everyone has invested too much in the scene and we don't want to let others down, flooded with endorphins or adrenaline, reliving past trauma, falling in love with your play partner, autistic shutdown - and that’s what this workshop covers. We examine the many reasons why anyone may stay silent during a kink scene - whether they are a novice or experienced player. What to do if someone is triggered, and different strategies to help people communicate - even if they've had a lifetime of 'people pleasing' or don't know who they are. Suitability: all levels Requirements: Board and marker pens. Audience participation: questions welcome *NEW* EDGE PLAY: PUSHING LIMITS In this class we examine the different definitions of edge play. Why do people do it and extra risks you might need to consider. Is it possible for the bottom to lead? What should be the goal of the scene? How can we spot a trauma response, and what to do when we hit a bump in the road or a complete crash. Also lots of practical tips for enjoying scenes where limits are pushed. Requirements: board and marker pens Audience participation: questions welcome *NEW* GETTING INTO HEADSPACE Sometimes it can be a challenge getting into Dominant or submissive headspace: you might live apart from your partner and only get together occasionally, you might live together and domesticity is getting in the way of kink, you might just be feeling scattered and struggling to find your way into the scene. This class looks at ways to help access headspace ... or bring someone back if they're enjoying themselves too much and have floated away! Requirements: board and marker pens Audience participation: questions welcome LEADERSHIP BURNOUT AND SPLITS Why do so many leather and kink clubs suffer from splits and discord? Why are so many leather leaders facing burnout, and how do we make leadership roles more appealing for the next generation? Using role playing we'll look at four ways of running leather clubs and see which group copes best with a mole in their midst determined to stir up trouble. Suitability: anyone who is a member of a leather club or social group Requirements: Board and marker pens. Large enough clear space that we can play games. Audience participation: all encouraged to join in SO YOU WANT TO BE A PRESENTER? For anyone who wants to improve their public speaking skills. Together we'll be covering communication skills, body language, legal liability, handouts, coping with nerves and some of the pitfalls of talking in front of an audience. Suitability: anyone who wants to present a workshop Requirements: Board and marker pens. Large enough clear space that we can play games. Audience participation: everyone encouraged to join in |
ROPE CLASSES
ROPE BONDAGE FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS This is the class for people who've always wanted to tie someone up but never had the confidence to give it a try. We'll cover simple restraint positions, quick handcuffs and long-term handcuffs, a rope gag and some easy techniques which you can develop into your own style. There won't be lots of different knots to learn. There will be laughs. All beginners welcome ... and if you have a short to medium length piece of rope please bring it along. Suitability: absolute beginners Requirements: Board and marker pens. Table to lay out rope. Large enough clear space that we can play games. Audience participation: all encouraged to join in HOW TO TIE SOMEONE UP SO THEY CAN'T ESCAPE ... AND HOW TO GET OUT ANYWAY Are you fed up with pushy bottoms who aren't where you left them? Or maybe you love getting tied up but are tired of suspending your disbelief? Here's a workshop that will explore rope bondage from the perspective of both the Top and the bottom who wish to improve their skills. No previous experience required. Suitability: anyone interested in tying someone up so they can't escape, or being able to escape anyway Requirements: Board and marker pens. Table to lay out rope. Audience participation: questions welcome. A couple of volunteers, if available BDSM ACTIVITIES UNARMED BDSM: THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH JUST THE HUMAN BODY There is a myth that to be a good SM Top you need to have huge toy bags full of expensive equipment, or access to a tool-shop to make your own gear. But what happens when you meet someone hot and you only have the space behind the coke machine on the 7th floor to come up with something creative? This session is for people on a limited budget or who would like to be able to enjoy a spontaneous scene without having their toy-bag with them. Together we'll explore the many different kinds of SM which can be practised with just the human body: no lube, gloves, toys or any other equipment allowed. Suitability: all levels Requirements: Board and marker pens. Table to lie on Audience participation: questions welcome. A couple of volunteers, if available BUDGET BDSM Some think that in order to enjoy great play you have to have lots of equipment, many expensive implements, and a well stocked dungeon in which to entertain your guests. This class will show you how you can have a scene on a tight budget. From chili peppers to chopsticks - and from "ice sounds" to Mexican Hot sauce, we will inspire your imagination to create some of the most fun and entertaining scenes you can experience spending less money than most bars charge for a drink. If you want to get the most out of a very cheap date, then this is for you. Suitability: all levels Requirements: Board and marker pens. Table to lay out items. Audience participation: questions welcome. A couple of volunteers, if available NIPPLE PLAY Nipples are great fun to play with! This class looks at many ways to including nipples in a BDSM scene including abrasion, clamps (home-made and bought), weights, things you can do with your hands, suction, biting, foodstuffs, temperature play, impact play, predicaments, temporary piercings and health risks. Suitability: anyone interested in nipples. Requirements: Board and marker pens. Table. Audience participation: questions welcome. A couple of volunteers, if available HOW TO BLOCK PAIN ... AND HOW TO BREAK BLOCKS! This workshop is for people who like pain and would like to be able to take more, to increase their pleasure. It’s for folk who want to get over a part of a sensation they don’t like, to enjoy the other parts that they love. It’s also for well-behaved submissives who would like to go further in a scene as a way of increasing their submission and surrender. It’s for not-so-well-behaved submissives who want to be a challenge for their Dominants. It’s also for Tops who want to know what their bottoms might be getting up to! Suitability: anyone interested in processing pain or intense sensations Requirements: Board and marker pens. Table and chair. Audience participation: questions welcome IT'S ALL ABOUT THE THUD Do you like the dull smack of something thudding against your skin? This class examines the legal and health risks possible in this type of play and how you can reduce or eliminate them. What are the best ways to maximize the endorphin rush that impact play inevitably brings and what sort of aftercare do you need to consider? Suitability: anyone interested in thuddy impact play Requirements: Board and marker pens Audience participation: questions welcome PUNCHING & BRUISING (for legal reasons I’m unable to teach this class in the UK) Why do some people like consensual punching and bruising? What's so fun about the dull thud of hands against flesh? What are the health risks and how can we reduce them? This class shows you how you can create those greeny-brown giggle buttons that stay with you long after the scene has gone.... For a bruising good time, this is a class you should see. Requirements: Board and marker pens Audience participation: questions welcome |
"Everyone we asked said they had come to see you, and they want you back next year. Great Stuff!" - Rich Dockter, Thunder in the Mountains
"I just want to say thank you for the best workshop in Skive this weekend. I had the best time and the stand up was over the top. Thanks!" - Tina, Denmark
"John Pendal is quite incredible. An English BDSM educator with fascinating perspectives on autism and kink" - Susanna
"I just want to say thank you for the best workshop in Skive this weekend. I had the best time and the stand up was over the top. Thanks!" - Tina, Denmark
"John Pendal is quite incredible. An English BDSM educator with fascinating perspectives on autism and kink" - Susanna
UPCOMING APPEARANCES
Fri 18 to Sun 20 April - I'll be teaching workshops at KinkFest 2025 in Portland, Oregon. More info at www.kinkfest.org/home.php
I'm available to teach workshops in person and online. I also work full-time as a kink mentor and life coach online with English-speaking clients around the world. Please send me a message via the form below if you are interested.
If you'd like to watch some comedy I have a YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/johnpendal - including the full version of my last show "Monster" at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsZAXNkrwII (18+ age restriction due to content)
Fri 18 to Sun 20 April - I'll be teaching workshops at KinkFest 2025 in Portland, Oregon. More info at www.kinkfest.org/home.php
I'm available to teach workshops in person and online. I also work full-time as a kink mentor and life coach online with English-speaking clients around the world. Please send me a message via the form below if you are interested.
If you'd like to watch some comedy I have a YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/johnpendal - including the full version of my last show "Monster" at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsZAXNkrwII (18+ age restriction due to content)
Page updated 17 February 2025
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You are welcome to link to any page of this site but text must not be reprinted without permission from the author.
With the exception of Thriving Autistic, I have no relationship or affiliate advertising with any products, organisations or applications shared on this website. Any resources listed here are for information only and are used at your own risk.
All text on this website copyright © John Pendal 1999-2025 unless otherwise stated. All Rights Reserved.
You are welcome to link to any page of this site but text must not be reprinted without permission from the author.
With the exception of Thriving Autistic, I have no relationship or affiliate advertising with any products, organisations or applications shared on this website. Any resources listed here are for information only and are used at your own risk.