What we’re about
New Culture (http://www.new-culture.org) is a community and a movement whose purpose is to examine every aspect of society and experiment to create a world that works—in every way, for everyone. It is a decentralized network with no leader, guru, or dogma; just a loose collection of local groups that value community, authenticity, personal growth, compassion, and social change.
Welcoming of all people—regardless of race, class, national origin, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual or relationship orientation, mental or physical health status, or any other identity or characteristic—the events in this group are opportunities to explore ways of relating that are free of oppression and violence; in spaces designed for radical acceptance, freedom, play, and self-knowledge.
How do we create a world based on love and freedom, rather than fear and violence? What might intimate relationships look like in such a world? How do we live well together and co-create joy? We have lots of questions and not too many answers. The fun part is looking at these issues together and trying out possible solutions; while practicing being unattached, curious, transparent, playful, creative, and connected.
In order to create a New Culture in our lives (and in the larger society), we develop and practice the skills we need to make that real through connection events and workshops.
This group is for people who wish to explore New Culture in Southeast Michigan and the surrounding areas.
For more information about New Culture visit:
https://www.cfnc.us/new-culture/
To stay connected via Facebook, join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/317674395712718/
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Cuddle Sanctuary: A Collective Healing Space for Consensual, Platonic TouchCenterPeace Troy, Troy, MI$15.00
***RSVPs on meetup do not relfect actual number of registrations/attendees. We always have at least 10 attendees, often more like 15***
Join us for an afternoon of connection, relaxation, and empowerment through consensual, platonic cuddling!
Cuddle Sanctuary is a collective healing space for meeting our basic human need for physical connection. It’s one small part of building a culture in which consensual touch is accessible and abundant beyond sexual and romantic relationships.
Doors open at 2:45pm. In order to participate in cuddling, attendees must be here by 3:05pm, so that we can begin the opening circle.
The event will be facilitated by Juno Aventurine (they/them), a workshop organizer who focuses on consent, authentic relating, connection, and conflict skills. They’re also a former professional cuddler who was trained to offer therapeutic platonic cuddle sessions to people in need of touch.
You must register for this event on the Center Peace website, in order to come: https://www.centerpeacehealing.com/all-events/cuddle-sanctuary-07132025
Tickets are $15 for those who can pay. However, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. If the cost is a barrier, please contact Juno to register without paying.
More About the Event:
Cuddle Sanctuary is all about self-care, community care, and healing the pain of touch deprivation.
We all need touch for our well-being. It’s well documented that cuddling releases the stress-reducing and pain-relieving hormone oxytocin (“the love drug”), creating feelings of relaxation and even bliss. When done in alignment with our genuine desires, cuddling is a form of co-regulating our nervous systems with other people, and a natural way to cultivate wellness through human connection.
Cuddle Sanctuary is also an empowering workshop where we practice consent by asking for the kind of cuddling we authentically want, saying “no” to what we don’t want, accepting rejection with gratitude, and negotiating our boundaries.
Everyone is at choice in this space. This means you’re encouraged to tune in to your body and ask for what you truly want without shame, because there is nothing shameful about your needs and desires. It also means that no one has to cuddle with anyone else who asks them to, or cuddle in any particular way. You get to decide what you want to do with your own body, and you have the right to change your mind about cuddling at any point in the process.
To facilitate this, there will be an opening circle at the beginning of the event in which we’ll practice rejection (both giving and receiving). We’ll also spend a little time getting in touch with what our specific cuddle desires are, communicating them, and seeing where our desires might overlap with each other.
During the opening circle, we will go over the community guidelines for the space, which you can read beforehand here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OSp18szX3clxnsrWUdpQ8ylQdJQUlUuvp2qL3tuTLmw/edit
After the opening circle, participants are welcome to ask for and engage in platonic cuddling in any way they’d like. All forms of platonic cuddling are legitimate here! Cuddling can be holding hands, spooning, sitting against each others’ backs, laying your head on someone’s stomach, touching palms, interweaving arms, and so much more.
Finally, Cuddle Sanctuary is an opportunity to experiment with going outside of your comfort zone when it comes to who you cuddle with and how you cuddle. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you’re encouraged to try out a form of cuddling that you don’t know if you’ll like, challenge your expectations, and experience something new.
Near the end of the event, there will be a brief closing circle where attendees can share a little about their experience and their desires for the next time they attend Cuddle Sanctuary.
Accessibility Info
- Please refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, or other scented things to the event, because many people have debilitating scent sensitivities.
- The main entrance to the building is wheelchair accessible, as well as the bathroom and the room where Cuddle Sanctuary will take place.
- The space is designed for cuddling on the floor, which is newly carpeted (very fluffy and soft). There will also be blankets on top of the carpet and big cushions available for use.
If there’s anything you need to make Cuddle Sanctuary more accessible, please reach out to Juno before the event to see if we can come up with a solution.
Juno’s email: junowayward@gmail.com.
- Non-Hierarchical Relating: Support and Discussion GroupLink visible for attendees$10.00
Join me for a support and discussion group for people practicing or curious about non-hierarchical relating. Bring your questions, relationship challenges, and ideas to share with the group, or just come to listen and offer feedback.
The meetup will be held via Jitsi video meeting, which is very easy (and free) to access.
This group is for you if you:
- Practice non-hierarchical polyamory
- Practice relationship anarchy
- Need guidance in transitioning from hierarchical to non-hierarchical poly
- Want support to challenge hierarchy in all relationships (friendship, community, dependent-caregiver)
- Want to support others in challenging hierarchy
- Want to become more aware of your own hierarchical assumptions, expectations, and behaviors
- Want to learn how non-hierarchical relating opens the door for more connection, authenticity, and getting more of your needs met.
How it works:
You may claim time to share interpersonal challenges and receive (optional) feedback and support. You can also claim time to bring up a more general question or idea for conversation. I will divide the time we have equally between everyone who wants to share.I will also have some discussion prompts ready, if anyone wants inspiration for a topic.
***REGISTRATION***
RSVPing on FB, Meetup, or email does NOT mean you are on the attendance list. In order to attend, you must register via the Google form link here: https://forms.gle/1TSxQyh4VNi9B6Hs6There is a sliding scale fee of $10-$20, which you can pay when you register. Please pay what you want within that range and according to what works best with your budget.
There are financial assistance spots available for each meetup. If you cannot afford the lowest rate, choose that option in the registration form, and Juno will be in touch regarding the availability of a spot for you.
You'll be sent the virtual jitsi meeting link for this event, once you've paid or confirmed a free spot with me through the registration page.
Attendance:
Attendance for this group is capped at 15 people, so it’s a small enough group for people to fully share and be heard.Learn more:
Want to learn more about the kind of hierarchy we’re challenging in this space? Check out this IG post created by the facilitator @relational_liberation: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLIeGkMM-62/?img_index=1Facilitation:
The group is facilitated by Juno Aventurine (they/them), a consent and connection facilitator, conflict mediator, and non-hierarchical relating educator. Juno has been practicing non-hierarchical non-monogamy for 7 years within a larger practice of relationship anarchy.***Note*** I strive to make this a safer space for marginalized people by challenging the ways systems of oppression might show up, like racism, sexism, transphobia, ableism, mono-normativity, anti-immigrant sentiments, etc.
(Background image designed by Freepik.com)
