Cheers Sexy People!
I recently had the honor of interviewing a new friend of mine for my latest podcast here at Loving Without Boundaries! I had the good fortune of meeting Michael Rios at the amazing Beyond The Love conference in November 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. I participated in his “Polyamory as a Spiritual Path” workshop first thing Saturday morning. I would say within about the first half hour even of the workshop, I was just blown away by this man, his compassionate ways, and his teachings. I was taking notes in my spiffy new notebook that I bought for this kickass poly-immersion weekend. And I literally wrote in my notebook:
“Holy shit, this guy is GOOD!”
When his workshop was over, I remember being astounded and texting my husband “WOW! I just was at the most amazing workshop! It’s the first day and I’m already blown away by what I’m learning at this conference! So AWESOME!”
Here is the write-up for his “Polyamory as a Spiritual Path” workshop:
What would relationships with others be like if we really were “our own best friend”? The more we do our own spiritual work, which is really about learning to fall in love with ourselves, the more available and loving we become. We no longer approach our partners from a place of need, but from a place of appreciation. Painful emotions become opportunities instead of threats, and positive feelings can come without fear of loss. We are able to take delight in our connections whatever form they might take.
Just. Awesome.
He also taught a workshop that weekend entitled “Polyamory Without Drama” that I was unable to attend. I plan to check that one out at my earliest opportunity.
What I do plan to attend though is Endless Poly Summer with my boyfriend / beloved that begins this coming August 19th. This will be my first time attending one of Michael’s poly educational camping events that he holds in the mountains of West Virginia. And I am THRILLED! Of course I will tell you, my readers, all about it upon my return. Would anyone here like to enjoy the event also? Please let me know if you plan to attend! I would love the opportunity to say hello in person to you.
Here is Michael’s full bio from his website:
Michael Rios has been a pioneer of social change for more than 4 decades; he currently lives at Chrysalis, an intentional community in Arlington, VA.
In the mid 1960’s, while still in high school, he founded a polyamorous commune that lasted 30 years, at a time when neither concept was common even among the most creative thinkers. By the early 1970’s, he had cofounded several alternative schools and educational programs as well as the first domestic violence hotline in the US. In 1976, he started one of the first retail computer stores. In the early 1980’s, he founded a social service agency, and personally took in over 100 teen-aged foster children.
He calls himself a “parallel entrepreneur” and practical visionary, starting businesses, non-profit organizations, and social networks, and helping them become economically self-sufficient. Over the last 15 years, he has focused on developing the practice of New Culture as a powerful tool for personal growth and effective social change. Most recently, he has taken the concept of intentional community to a new level with the creation of an Intentional Village.
His social change activism has included pioneering work with victims of domestic violence, the homeless, and at-risk teens. His favorite social organization principles include guerrilla capitalism and responsible anarchy. He regularly organizes New Culture events aimed at creating a culture based on awareness, compassion and freedom rather than on fear and judgment.
Michael is available for public speaking and workshops on these among other topics:
- Intentional Community
- Alternative Business Models
- Effective Activism
- Alternative Workstyles
- Partnership Parenting
- Giftedness
- Sex Education
- Sex-Positivity
- Polyamory and Open Relationships
- Relationships without Drama
To learn more about the Intentional Village, click here.
Thank you Michael, for being so generous with your time, and for sharing your thoughts and insights with us via the podcast interview! Meeting you in person again at my home and getting to share a few precious hours with you was something that I will never forget. You are just a lovely and beautiful human being. I look forward to deepening our friendship as time goes on. You rock, Michael! Follow his adventures at his website at michaelrios.com or at his Center for a New Culture at cfnc.us.
To hear the podcast, go to the Podcast link, subscribe to the Loving Without Boundaries podcast, and check out Episode 19 with Michael Rios. Also, please help spread awareness of alternative lifestyles and create more tolerance for ethical non-monogamy in the world at large by Rating and Reviewing the Loving Without Boundaries podcast in iTunes. It only takes a few minutes.
If you would like to be interviewed either in written form or via audio on the podcast, please feel free to contact me and we will set something up. Thank you!
Wishing you peace, love and happiness,
(and thrilling, fun sex too!)
Kitty
