The Naturist Society (TNS), founded in 1980 by Lee Baxandall (1935-2008) has been pivotal in promoting body acceptance, personal freedom, and harmony with nature. Through its magazine Nude & Natural, the World Guide to Nude Beaches and Recreation, national gatherings, and advocacy efforts, TNS has united naturists, fostered public understanding, and defended rights to clothing-optional recreation. Tim Chizmar interviews Nicky Hoffman who has been working with TNS since 1985. She took over the leadership of TNS in 2001 when Lee retired. She was part of a group of staff members that included Margaret Thornton and Judi Ditzler that purchased TNS.

Thank you to the PODCAST PRODUCERS GUILD for recording this interview for Tim.

Links to useful information and items mentioned in this episode:

• CFI clothesfree.com
• Naturist Society
• N Magazine
• AANR
• Whitethorn Lodge
• World Naked Bike Ride
• Los Angeles Nude Bike Ride
• Bare to Breakers
• Lupin Lodge
• Erections in Naturism
• Oklahoma Naturist
• Florida Young Naturists
• World Naked Gardening Day
• National Nude Day
• Wreck Beach
• Lee Baxandall
• Glen Eden Sun Club

Episode CLXII

Photo: The 1990 issue of the TNS magazine when it changed from “Clothed with the Sun” to “Nude & Natural” (later also called N Magazine) as well as the 1991 edition the “World Guide to Nude Beaches and Recreation” – two emblematic publications that were key to promoting both TNS and naturism in general.

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Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is developing at breakneck speed. This episode goes against our normal policy of creating “evergreen” content that should stay relevant years from now. But the potential impact of A.I. on naturism is too important to ignore. ChatGPT first came out two years ago. That first version now seems primitive and various other versions of A.I. are infiltrating all aspects of our lives. It could be an incredible tool for naturists yet we are often excluded because of body-phobic policies similar to those of social media. We discuss what it all means with Evan Nix, the publisher of Nude Planet and the Naked Age podcast.

Links to useful information and items mentioned in this episode:

• Dec 2022 post on the Bare Oaks blog about ChatGPT
• The Planet Nude article about Nicky Hoffman’s retirement that A.I. turned into a podcast.

Episode CLXI

Photo: the A.I. generated image created when prompted for a nudist man and woman in a studio recording a discussion for a podcast (Jetpack AI-Generated Featured Images) – Surprisingly, and contrary to the commentary in the podcast, this particular non-porn A.I. did generate people who appear to be nude. This was the third attempt. The first two prompts generated people with some level of clothing despite using words like “naturist” and “nudist”.

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The mainstream world assumes that a naturist environment would attract child predators. Does it? What motivates them? Do people understand sex offenders? Can you identify one by the way they look or how they act? We discussed these questions and more with a psychologist who has decades of experience dealing with sex offenders in the criminal justice system.

Links to useful information and items mentioned in this episode:

• BlogTO article about July 2024 threats against naturists
• GTA Skinner Dippers
• Children in Naturism page with resources
• Family Naturist Weekend at Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park
• Episode 1 of 2 of the Children and Naturism NLS episode – academic evidence
• Episode 2 of 2 of the Children and Naturism NLS episode – parents explain

Episode CLX

Photo: mother and child at Bare Oaks Family Naturist Park

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Gay Naturists International states that their mission is “to serve as a resource to male naturists by hosting and sponsoring men’s naturist events and providing information and resources to individuals and local clubs. In addition, GNI is a voice for gay naturists in wider naturist efforts to educate society about naturism and to advance the interests of naturists worldwide.” Some might wonder why gay naturists need their own organization in a movement that talks about inclusivity and acceptance. Rick Johnson, GNI Executive Director, explains.

Links to useful information and items mentioned in this episode:

• GNI – Gay Naturists International
  • GNI website
  • GNI Board of Directors
  • GNI on Facebook
  • GNI on Instagram
  • GNI on Vimeo
  • GNI X
  • GNI Gatherings
  • GNI 2025 Annual Event
• The Naturist Society listing on Connexions
• Gay Naturism History – Lee Baxandall, Murray Kaufman, and The Naturist Society
• Gay Naturism on Wikipedia
• Lee Baxandall and The Naturist Society
• Same Sex Marriage, U.S. Supreme Court
• Zipolite Nude Festival
• Black Naturists Episode of The Naturist Living Show

Episode CLIX

Photo: Celebrating at Viv’s Salsa Party by Brian Becnel

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