Unpacking Adult Cinema and Society: My Candid Talk with 'Diary of a CEO'

Heading to New York for my appearance on The Diary of a CEO podcast, I felt both excitement and a deep sense of responsibility. This opportunity, extended by Steven Bartlett—host and successful entrepreneur—was more than just another podcast. It was a chance for me, an adult cinema director and founder of ERIKALUST, to engage in a meaningful conversation about a misunderstood and often controversial topic: the impact of pornography on individuals, couples, and society at large.

The Diary of a CEO is one of the world's largest podcasts, known for its candid discussions with leaders across industries. From the start, I knew this would be a thoughtful, nuanced exploration of adult cinema's place in modern society and its broader implications.

What drew me to accept the invitation was the podcast's approach to breaking taboos. As many of you know, my work has always been about challenging outdated norms and sparking honest conversations about sex and pleasure. Joining a roundtable with experts like Dr. Rena Malik and Dr. Alok Kanonjia felt like the perfect opportunity to bring my perspective to a broader audience.

At ERIKALUST, our mission is to prioritize female pleasure and representation, ensuring everyone involved is treated with respect and care. By focusing on authentic passion and pleasure, we challenge outdated stereotypes and encourage viewers to feel more comfortable with their sexual desires.

Mainstream media typically steers clear of these conversations, or worse, misrepresents them. But with platforms like Diary of a CEO, we can start to normalize open, honest discussions around sexuality and pleasure. At ERIKALUST, we want to be present in mainstream spaces, helping people feel empowered to own their pleasure—free from guilt, shame, or judgment.

Arriving at the studio, I was eager to share my passion for ethical adult content and my vision for a sex-positive future. I believe the adult industry can promote healthier attitudes towards sex and relationships, moving away from the harmful stereotypes that have persisted for too long.

Pleasure is deeply personal and universal. Through ethical porn, we hope to help people better understand their own sexual fulfillment. It can be a tool for self-discovery and pleasure, but it also raises important questions about consent, representation, and mental health—questions I love exploring and which drive me to create films that center on female pleasure, diversity, and respect.

I hope our ideas inspire more open, healthy conversations about porn and sexuality. It's time to shift the narrative, empowering people to explore their desires and own their pleasure.

In this episode, we tackled big questions: How does porn affect relationships? Can it be empowering? And how can we use it to foster a better understanding of ourselves? It was an honor to be part of this discussion, and I believe conversations like these will help dismantle the stigma around porn and lead to a more sex-positive society.

Join me and other experts as we dive into the conversation—because it's one we all need to have.