On the Power of Positive Empathy in Consensual Non-Monogamy (In-Person)

• Register for the in-person event and for one week of ad-free replay access 
• Books are available to add to your order at check-out for pick-up from Marcus Books in Oakland, California or delivery within the United States 
• These tickets are for the in-person version of this event. To buy tickets for the livestream event CLICK HERE.

Join author and mindful dating and relationship coach, Dr. Marie Thouin, for an illuminating conversation with Poarch Creek Two-Spirit Indigequeer activist, artist, sex therapist, and somacultural theorist Dr. Roger Kuhn. In their conversation Dr. Thouin and Dr. Kuhn explore the emotion of positive empathy, or compersion, as a roadmap for radical love in monogamous and non-monogamous consensual relationships. 
 
In the context of non-monogamy, compersion is understood as sharing our partner’s joy regarding their other intimate relationship(s). It could look like experiencing vicarious joy knowing your partner is going on a date with someone else. In other relationship types, it can be understood as an orientation towards love that involves supporting our loved ones’ freedom, joy, and success—even when it does not benefit us directly. This could look like celebrating and supporting an interest of your partner’s even when you don’t share that interest. 

Drawing upon her seminal research with consensually non-monogamous (CNM) individuals, Dr. Thouin unravels the complexity of compersion and more in her recent book, What is Compersion?, the first ever book to offer a comprehensive model of compersion and a practical roadmap to cultivating it. 
 
Dr. Thouin shares valuable insights for CNM individuals, therapists, counselors, and scholars. She also addresses the broader social context, explaining how understanding compersion is a groundbreaking step toward a world that supports relational diversity and freedom. By disrupting the idea that jealousy is the only valid response to intimacy beyond monogamy, the existence and practice of compersion builds the foundation for a completely new paradigm of loving relationships.
 

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Dr. Marie Thouin, PhD is the author of What is Compersion? Understanding Positive Empathy in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships, the first-ever comprehensive scholarly book on compersion (forthcoming June 2024). She has been featured in several magazines and podcasts, including ELLE, the Savage Lovecast, and Multiamory. Marie has also published seminal research studies, the first encyclopedia entry on compersion, and is the creator of www.WhatIsCompersion.com, a popular website that features her research, blogs, and a list of resources on the topic of compersion. She is also the Founder of Love InSight (www.LoveInSight-Dating.com), a Mindful Dating & Relationship Coaching practice where she supports and guides people of all backgrounds and relational orientations to create intentional and vibrant love lives.  

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Dr. Roger Kuhn is a Poarch Creek Two-Spirit Indigiqueer soma-cultural sex therapist, sexuality educator, writer, activist, and musician. Dr. Kuhn’s work explores the concepts of decolonizing and unsettling sexuality and focuses on the way culture impacts and informs our bodily experiences. He is a community organizer of the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirit (BAAITS) powwow, and a board member of the Two-Spirit & Native LGBTQ+ Center for Equity. His latest music project, Mvto, is a songwriting anthology of his work over the past two decades. His first book, Somacultural Liberation, is currently available in paperback or audio. Learn more about Dr. Kuhn at his website.   

We are grateful to our Bookstore Partner

Marcus Books is the nation’s oldest Black-owned independent bookstore celebrating its 60th year. Marcus Books’ mission is to provide opportunities for Black folks and their allies to celebrate and learn about Black people everywhere. Learn more about Marcus Books.

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Accessibility

If you need to request accessibility accommodations, please email publicprograms@ciis.edu at least one week prior to the event. For more information, explore our Accessibility web page.

Recording Policy

Ticket holders will have access to an ad-free replay of the event for one week after the live event. A replay with ads will be released on our YouTube channel one week after the livestream. Portions of the audio will also be released on our podcast. Only registered ticket holders who choose to watch live can participate in the chat and Q&A.

Refunding Policy

All tickets and donations for this event are nonrefundable.