Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nyssa Everhart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nyssa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
It all started on this one day in the spring of 2014 when I picked up my niece Lea, my nephew Gavin, and my daughter Willow from elementary school.
The bell rang and they piled into my gold mini-van as usual but something seemed off. Lea (5th grade) was visibly upset. Gavin and Willow (2nd grade) were unusually silent.
Lea climbed into the front seat, shut the door, and asked “What’s an orgasm?”.
The three kids stared at me with big eyes waiting for an answer. They were used to me feeling comfortable talking about anything but this time I froze.
“Didn’t you ask that in health class today?” I said, stalling for time.
“The teacher told us to put our questions in the anonymous box and said she’d answer them at the end of the lesson. I put my question in the box but she read it and said it was inappropriate” she replied.
“She refused to answer you? I asked, stalling some more.
“Yeah. At recess my friends told me what one was but I don’t know if they’re right” she said.
“Where did they learn about it?” I replied.
“They learned by watching porn online” she said.
I did my best to contain my shock at the thought of 11 year olds watching free online porn and tried to put an orgasm into words the kids could understand. It was more difficult (and awkward) than I expected.
That day my niece and her entire 5th grade class learned that pleasure, a natural part of sexuality, was something to be ashamed of. The teacher taught them it was taboo, wrong, and shouldn’t be discussed…with no explanation why.
I remember how confusing it was to learn about sexuality before the internet. My heart broke when I realized the kids in my family had it even worse than I did at their age.
At the time, hardly anyone wanted to acknowledge this was the reality of modern youth so I decided to do something about it.
This moment got me started on my journey towards getting certified in holistic sexuality education. Throughout my studies, I searched for a way I could help.
The problem we faced back then, and today, is that most parents and caregivers weren’t taught how to raise kids in this modern, plugged-in, porn-heavy environment. Most of the adults teaching our kids have had little, to no sex ed themselves.
The adults and the kids are learning how to navigate this.
What I knew in my heart and learned through my studies is that the most effective way to keep kids safe and help them grow into sexually healthy adults is for the trusted adults in their lives to have lots of little conversations about sex.
My mission became clear: to help people get over the hump (literally) and get them talking.
Nyssa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Barefaced is a revolutionary new sex ed game that’s fun, engaging, and informative.
Say goodbye to boring lectures and outdated textbooks and hello to a game that will keep you entertained while teaching you everything you need to know about navigating your sexuality.
Barefaced is designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience that covers everything from anatomy and reproductive health to boundaries and healthy relationships. It’s suitable for players ages 12 and up and is designed to be inclusive and sex-positive.
The game features a range of interactive activities, quizzes, and challenges that are designed to help players learn about different aspects of sexuality in a fun and engaging way. Players can explore different scenarios and learn about the consequences of different actions, as well as how to make informed decisions about their own sexual health and relationships.
The game is also designed to encourage players to communicate openly and honestly about sex and sexuality, helping to reduce stigma and promote healthy attitudes towards sexuality. With its accessible and user-friendly design, Barefaced is the perfect tool for educators, parents, and anyone else who wants to learn more about sex education in a safe and supportive environment.
Barefaced is sex educators, counselor, and therapist approved and is a fun and informative way to learn about sex.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Due to the sensitive subject matter I deal with, word of mouth is key. Gaining the trust of parents and caregivers raising tweens and teens is no easy task and posts about a sex ed game on social media tend to get flagged. I’ve had the most success through advertising at trade shows for professional sexuality educators, counselors, and therapists.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I supplied the initial source of funding for the first shipment of games myself. My dad was an educator and my mom was a therapist. They both passed away and left me an inheritance that I wanted to put towards positive change in the world. Those funds are long gone now so keeping the business going is another story!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://barefacedgame.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barefacedgame/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyssa-everhart-4019b920a/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKowTV4hpTOb1UUta55HR7Q
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@barefacedgame
Image Credits
Linda Brooks Photography