For additional glossaries, visit the Well-Being Toolkit.
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Ableism Discrimination and social prejudice that favors "normal" or idealized abilities, devaluing disabled people. It also harms non-disabled individuals by creating rigid expectations of performance and health, stigmatizing natural variations or perceived deviations from these norms.
Accessibility The proactive and intentional design of products, services, environments, experiences, and information that can be used and understood by all people, regardless of their diverse abilities, disabilities, and circumstances. This goes beyond mere compliance with legal standards (like the ADA) to address and dismantle systemic barriers—physical, cognitive, sensory, neurological, financial, linguistic, cultural, and social—that exclude individuals.
Accountability The practice of taking responsibility for one's actions, decisions, and their impacts on others and communities. It involves acknowledging harm, making amends, and committing to behavioral change rather than simply apologizing.
Aftercare The practice of providing emotional, physical, and psychological support following intense experiences, particularly in contexts involving vulnerability, power exchange, or heightened states. Aftercare includes checking in, processing experiences, and ensuring wellbeing and integration.
Afrofuturism A cultural aesthetic, philosophy, and artistic movement that explores the intersection of African diaspora culture with technology, science fiction, and speculative futures. It reimagines narratives about Black identity, history, and possibility while centering African and African-descended peoples in futuristic contexts.
Alternative Referring to non-normative approaches, identities, or practices that exist outside dominant cultural expectations. This includes alternative sexualities, relationship structures, artistic expressions, economic models, and ways of being that challenge conventional norms. In many contexts, "alternative" also refers to practices, knowledge systems, and organizational structures that predate or exist outside colonial frameworks—such as indigenous governance models, traditional ecological knowledge, ancestral healing practices, and community-based economic systems that offer time-tested alternatives to Western, capitalist, or colonial structures.
Anarchy A political philosophy and social movement that advocates for the abolition of hierarchical systems of power and authority, particularly the state, and promotes voluntary, cooperative associations between individuals and groups. Anarchy emphasizes mutual aid, direct action, and horizontal organization as alternatives to coercive institutions and centralized control.
Aromanticism (Aro) A romantic orientation spectrum characterized by experiencing little to no romantic attraction to others. Aromantic individuals may still experience other forms of attraction (sexual, aesthetic, platonic) and can form meaningful relationships that don't conform to traditional romantic structures. This challenges the assumption that romantic love is universal or necessary for fulfillment.
Art At its essence, art's fundamental purpose is to evoke feeling—communicating ideas, emotions, experiences, and cultural meaning through creative expression across various mediums (visual, performance, literary, musical, etc.). Beyond mere aesthetics, it serves as a powerful means of challenging perspectives, fostering connection, and reflecting humanity. This expansive nature of art also encompasses arts integration (using art forms to teach other subjects), integrative arts (blending multiple art forms), arts education (the systematic teaching and learning of art), and arts-based research (the use of creative processes to explore and represent understanding)
Artistocracy A philosophy or way of life characterized by the profound dedication to and immersion in art, wherein one's existence is intentionally lived in service of artistic creation, appreciation, and the cultivation of an aesthetic and culturally rich life. It emphasizes the integration of artistic principles into daily living, valuing creativity and beauty above other societal pursuits.
Artivism Artivism is a portmanteau word (linguistic blend) combining art and activism, and is sometimes also referred to as Social Artivism. (Wikipedia)
An artivist is an artist whose work is a reflection of her activism. (Women Mind the Water by Pam Ferris-Olson)
"Whether you call it artistic activism or artivism, the compound word keeps gaining traction. The use of creative expression to cultivate awareness and social change spans various disciplines including visual art, poetry, music, film, and theater." (Amy Funderburk on artandobject.com)
Arts in Health An interdisciplinary field that integrates creative arts practices into healthcare settings and wellness approaches. This includes art therapy, music therapy, healing through creative expression, and using arts to improve patient outcomes and community health.
Asana A Sanskrit term meaning pose, posture, or seat; refers to the physical foundation of yogic practice and the various body positions used in yoga to cultivate strength, flexibility, and mindfulness.
Asexuality (Ace) A sexual orientation spectrum characterized by experiencing little to no sexual attraction to others, regardless of gender. Asexual individuals may still experience romantic attraction and form intimate relationships. This challenges compulsory sexuality and the assumption that sexual desire is universal.
Autosexuality An orientation on the aroace-spectrum where an individual's primary romantic and/or sexual attraction is directed toward themselves. This can include self-pleasure practices, romantic feelings toward oneself, and prioritizing self-relationship over external partnerships. Autosexuality challenges heteronormative assumptions about sexual desire requiring another person and validates self-focused erotic experiences.
BDSM An umbrella term encompassing Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sadism and Masochism. It refers to consensual practices involving power exchange, physical sensations, and psychological dynamics between informed, consenting adults.
Belonging The feeling of being valued, included, and accepted as an integral part of a community or group. Belonging goes beyond inclusion to encompass a deep sense of connection, shared identity, and mutual care where individuals can bring their authentic selves without fear of rejection.
Bodymind A holistic concept recognizing that the mind and body are two halves of the same integrated system, challenging the artificial separation between mental and physical experiences.
Bodymind Politics A framework recognizing the interconnection between physical embodiment and mental/emotional experiences, particularly how systems of oppression affect both body and mind. It challenges the artificial separation between physical and psychological wellbeing in political and healing contexts. This approach includes:
Pleasure Activism: The politics of feeling good and centering joy as resistance
Embodied Sociology: A sociological perspective that considers how the body and its processes shape human interactions with the world
Rest as Resistance: Understanding rest as a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy
Healing Justice: Approaches that integrate personal healing with collective liberation
Creative Activism: The combination of Artivism and Craftivism to create social change through creative expression
Brave Places Environments that acknowledge that discomfort and conflict may arise during discussions, especially around challenging or sensitive topics. These spaces encourage individuals to step outside their comfort zones, engage in difficult conversations, and take risks for growth, learning, and positive change. They prioritize courage, vulnerability, and accountability.
Care Practices of tending to oneself, others, and communities with attention, compassion, and intention. Care includes mutual aid, community support, and creating conditions for collective thriving rather than mere survival.
Cartography/Mapping The practice of creating visual or conceptual representations of relationships, power structures, territories, experiences, or knowledge systems. This includes mapping community assets, relationship networks, systems of oppression, or pathways for change to better understand and navigate complex social landscapes.
Cavendish Spaces Safe, supportive environments specifically designed for individuals who may be marginalized or need protection from hostile external conditions, named after the physicist Henry Cavendish who worked in isolation. These spaces prioritize psychological safety and accommodation for those who may struggle in mainstream environments due to neurodivergence, trauma, or other factors.
Change Agent "A professional troublemaker is someone who speaks the truth, always shows up as themselves, and is almost unable to bow in the face of a world that demands it. A professional troublemaker is a disruptor for the greater good, a trailblazer, a change agent, a groundbreaker, a rebel with a cause." (Luvvie Ajayi Jones, Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual)
"A change agent, also known as an advocate of change, is a person who acts as a catalyst for the change management process. They help an organization, or part of an organization, transform how it operates by inspiring and influencing others. A change agent will promote, champion, enable, and support an organization's change implementation." (Whatfix Blog)
Charity A traditional approach to addressing social problems through giving aid or assistance to those deemed "in need," often maintaining hierarchical relationships between donors and recipients while potentially perpetuating dependency and failing to address root causes of inequality.
Circle of Love A concept articulated by bell hooks in All About Love: New Visions, describing the interconnected network of relationships that provide emotional support, care, and connection throughout one's life. This includes family of origin, chosen family, friends, partners, mentors, and community members who contribute to an individual's wellbeing and growth across different contexts and life stages.
Citizen Science The practice of public participation in scientific research, where non-professional scientists contribute to data collection, analysis, and interpretation. This democratizes scientific knowledge production and recognizes that valuable expertise exists outside academic institutions.
Circular Leadership A leadership model inspired by the principles of circularity and interconnectedness, moving away from traditional hierarchical or linear command structures. It emphasizes distributed decision-making, collaboration across all levels, inclusivity, and a holistic focus on the well-being of the organization, its people, and the wider ecosystem (including environmental and social sustainability). Circular leaders foster empowered, resilient teams by investing in their growth, promoting continuous learning, and valuing diverse perspectives to achieve shared, sustainable outcomes. This model deeply mirrors the ethos of a "Circle of Love," prioritizing mutual care, collective well-being, and relational equity as foundational elements for thriving
Coalition A temporary alliance of diverse groups, organizations, or individuals who come together around shared goals or common interests while maintaining their distinct identities and priorities. Coalitions leverage collective power to achieve objectives that individual members could not accomplish alone.
Cognitive-Somatic Approaches that integrate mental/thinking processes with bodily awareness and sensation. This recognizes how thoughts, emotions, and physical experiences are interconnected and addresses healing or growth through both cognitive and embodied practices.
Collective Referring to a group of individuals who share a common purpose, identity, interest, or resource, and who act or exist together as a unified body rather than as separate entities. It emphasizes shared ownership, responsibility, and action, often contrasting with individualistic approaches.
Colonialism A system of domination where one group establishes control over another's territory, resources, culture, and people. This includes historical conquest and ongoing neo-colonial practices that extract wealth and impose external values while suppressing indigenous ways of life.
Comfort Zone A psychological state in which one feels familiar, at ease, and secure. It is characterized by low levels of stress and anxiety, but also limited opportunities for growth and learning.
Communication The process of conveying information, ideas, feelings, and messages between individuals or groups through various means, including verbal, nonverbal, and written methods. Effective communication involves active listening, clarity, empathy, and respect.
Community A group of people who share a common sense of belonging, identity, or purpose, often based on shared interests, values, experiences, or geographic location. Communities provide social support, connection, and a sense of collective responsibility.
Communion A sense of deep connection, unity, or shared experience with others. It often involves a feeling of transcendence, intimacy, or spiritual connection, and can be fostered through shared rituals, practices, or moments of profound understanding.
Compulsory Monogamy The social, cultural, and institutional assumption that monogamous relationships are natural, normal, and morally superior to other relationship structures. This system marginalizes and stigmatizes multigamy/consensual non-monogamy while privileging exclusive pair-bonding as the only valid form of romantic relationship.
Compulsory Sexuality The societal assumption that all people are sexual beings who naturally desire and should engage in sexual activity. This framework marginalizes asexual identities and experiences while creating pressure for sexual participation regardless of individual desire or orientation.
Consent Ongoing, enthusiastic, informed agreement to participate in activities, particularly those involving vulnerability, intimacy, or risk. True consent requires clear communication, the right to withdraw agreement at any time, and the absence of coercion, manipulation, or power imbalances that might compromise free choice.
Consortium A collaborative arrangement where multiple independent entities come together to pursue shared goals while maintaining their distinct identities and autonomy. Consortiums reflect networked relationship models where individuals or groups collaborate intensely on specific initiatives without requiring total merger or loss of individual sovereignty.
Constellation A relationship configuration or network that acknowledges the interconnected nature of multiple relationships, whether romantic, platonic, familial, or chosen family. Constellation thinking recognizes that relationships exist within webs of connection rather than isolated pairs.
Cooperative An organizational structure where members collectively own and democratically control an enterprise or community. Cooperatives operate on principles of voluntary membership, democratic participation, economic participation by members, autonomy and independence, education and training, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for community.
Couple's Privilege The systemic advantages and social recognition granted to coupled individuals over single (and/or unpartnered and/or uncollared) people, including legal benefits, social validation, financial advantages, and cultural assumptions that coupled life is superior or more complete than single life.
Creative Placemaking Creative placemaking integrates arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities. Creative placemaking requires partnership across sectors, deeply engages the community, involves artists, designers and culture bearers, and helps to advance local economic, physical, and/or social change, ultimately laying the groundwork for systems change. (The National Endowment for the Arts)
Creative placemaking is a process where community members, artists, arts and culture organizations, community developers, and other stakeholders use arts and cultural strategies to implement community-led change. (Planning.org)
Culture The shared beliefs, practices, values, artifacts, language, and ways of life that characterize a group or society. Culture encompasses both material expressions and intangible traditions that are transmitted across generations and continually evolving.
Cultural Placekeeping An approach to community development that focuses on preserving and strengthening the cultural identity and social fabric of a place. It emphasizes the active role of the community, particularly long-term residents, in safeguarding their cultural heritage and traditions.
Date Zero/Discovery Phase The initial period of getting to know someone before formal dating begins, or the exploratory stage of any relationship or project where participants gather information, establish boundaries, and assess compatibility or feasibility.
Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) A blockchain-based organizational structure governed by smart contracts and distributed consensus rather than centralized authority. DAOs operate through member voting and shared decision-making, mirroring relationship anarchy principles where connections are defined by mutual agreement and evolve organically without predetermined hierarchies.
Distributed Leadership A model of shared authority where leadership responsibilities are spread across multiple individuals or groups rather than concentrated in a single person or position. This approach mirrors polyamorous and network relationship models where different people may take lead roles in different contexts based on expertise, interest, or availability.
Diversity The presence of differences within a group or system, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, neurotype, socioeconomic status, religion, and lived experiences. True diversity goes beyond representation to value and leverage different perspectives and approaches.
Ecology The study of relationships between organisms and their environment, or more broadly, the interconnected systems that sustain life. It refers to understanding how individuals, communities, and systems interact within larger networks of relationship.
Economy Systems of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This includes not only market-based exchanges but also gift economies, care work, mutual aid, and other forms of resource sharing that sustain communities.
Emotional Intelligence The ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions while effectively navigating the emotions of others. This includes empathy, self-awareness, social skills, and the capacity to use emotional information in decision-making.
Energy Management Practices of monitoring and directing one's physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy resources. This includes recognizing energy patterns, setting boundaries, and creating sustainable approaches to work, relationships, and life activities.
Equality The state of treating everyone the same, providing identical resources, opportunities, or treatment regardless of individual needs, starting points, or historical disadvantages. While aiming for fairness, equality can inadvertently perpetuate existing disparities by assuming a level playing field that does not truly exist.
Equity The practice of providing resources, opportunities, and support proportionate to an individual's or group's specific needs and circumstances, in order to achieve fair and just outcomes. Equity recognizes and actively addresses historical and systemic barriers, aiming to level the playing field by ensuring everyone has what they need to thrive, rather than simply giving everyone the same.
Erotic(ism) The life force of creative, sensual, and passionate energy that extends beyond sexual expression to encompass joy, power, and deep feeling. As conceptualized by Audre Lorde, the erotic represents a source of power and information that connects us to our deepest knowledge and capacity for connection.
Executive Dysfunction Challenges with executive functioning skills including planning, organization, time management, working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. Often associated with neurodivergent conditions like ADHD, autism, and others.
General Strike A coordinated work stoppage by workers across multiple industries or an entire economy to exert collective pressure for political, social, or economic change. General strikes represent mass collective action that disrupts normal functioning to demand systemic transformation. (What would YOU strike for?! Answer HERE.)
Genderpunk/Expansive/Non-conforming Approaches to gender identity and expression that deliberately challenge, subvert, or exist outside traditional gender categories and expectations. This includes punk aesthetics and attitudes applied to gender, expansive understanding of gender possibilities, and active resistance to gender norms through personal expression and political action.
Growth Zone The space just outside of one's comfort zone, where learning and development occur. It involves a degree of discomfort, risk, and challenge, but also the potential for significant personal, intellectual, or emotional growth.
Harm Reduction A public health approach focused on reducing the negative consequences of potentially risky behaviors rather than eliminating the behaviors entirely. It emphasizes practical strategies, dignity, and meeting people where they are without judgment.
Healing-Centered Engagement An approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and communities and seeks to foster healing and well-being. It shifts the focus from trauma to resilience and emphasizes building on strengths, cultural traditions, and community resources to promote recovery and empowerment.
heteronormative, cisnormative, imperialist, white supremacist capitalist patriarchy (IWSCP) Concept by theorists including Patricia Hill Collins. A complex and interconnected system of power that oppresses people based on race, class, gender, and sexuality. It prioritizes:
White Supremacy: The belief that white people are superior to other races and should hold dominance.
Capitalism: An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.
Patriarchy: A social system that privileges men and masculinity over women and femininity.
Key aspects of IWSCP:
Intersectionality: Recognizes that these forms of oppression are not isolated but rather reinforce each other. For example, a Black woman might experience racism and sexism simultaneously.
Economic Exploitation: Maintains power imbalances through control of resources and labor. People of color are often overrepresented in low-wage jobs and underrepresented in positions of power.
Gender Inequality: Limits women's opportunities and reinforces male dominance in social, economic, and political spheres.
Cultural Hegemony: Promotes white, capitalist, and patriarchal values as the norm, marginalizing other cultures and perspectives.
IWSCP is a harmful system that has far-reaching consequences for social justice and well-being.
Heteronormativity: Concept developed by scholars like Adrienne Rich. The assumption that heterosexuality is the natural, normal, or desirable sexual orientation. This marginalizes LGBTQ+ identities.
Cisnormativity: Concept by scholars like Julia Serano. The assumption that everyone identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth (sex assigned at birth). This marginalizes transgender and non-binary identities.
Imperialism: A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. It often involves exploiting or controlling other territories and their people.
Together, these concepts help us understand how various forms of oppression work together to maintain an unequal and unjust social order.
Impactpreneur An entrepreneur who is driven not only by financial success but also by a strong commitment to making positive impact on society and the environment. Impactpreneurs prioritize social and environmental values in their business models and decision-making processes.
Inclusion The practice of creating environments where all individuals feel welcomed, respected, valued, and able to participate fully. Inclusion goes beyond diversity to ensure that different perspectives are heard, considered, and integrated into decision-making processes.
Independent Scholar Individuals who conduct serious academic research and scholarship outside of traditional institutional affiliations, or approaches to learning that are self-directed and autonomous rather than institutionally mandated. This recognizes that valuable knowledge production and learning can occur outside formal academic structures.
Industrial Complex: A term used to describe a powerful and often problematic entanglement of governmental, corporate, and sometimes non-profit interests that mutually benefit from and perpetuate a particular social, economic, or political system. These complexes typically involve businesses that profit from the existence or continuation of a system, even when that system may be detrimental to broader society or its stated purpose.
While the Military-Industrial Complex, which refers to the intricate network of relationships between a nation's military establishment, its defense industry (private contractors that supply weapons and services), and the political leaders who allocate resources, is the most well-known example, other prevalent forms include:
Prison-Industrial Complex: The overlapping interests of government and industry that use surveillance, policing, and imprisonment as solutions to social, economic, and political problems.
Medical-Industrial Complex: The network of pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, hospitals, and insurance providers whose economic interests can sometimes influence healthcare policies and practices in ways that prioritize profit over patient well-being.
Non-Profit Industrial Complex (NPIC): A critical framework used by activists to describe how non-profit organizations, governments, and corporations can become intertwined in ways that may unintentionally undermine grassroots activism and systemic social change, by directing focus towards service provision rather than radical transformation, or by co-opting dissenting voices.
Interconnected The fundamental state of mutual dependence and reciprocal influence between all elements of existence, recognizing that nothing truly exists in isolation. This goes beyond simple links to encompass interbeing (Thich Nhat Hanh's concept that "to be is to inter-be," highlighting the non-dualistic, interwoven nature of all phenomena) and the integral theory framework (which synthesizes diverse perspectives to reveal how individual, collective, internal, and external realities are inextricably linked and evolve together).
Interculturally-Competent The ability to function effectively across cultures, to think and act appropriately, and to communicate and work with people from different cultural backgrounds – at home or abroad.
Intersectional A framework recognizing that individuals hold multiple, overlapping identities and that systems of oppression interact in complex ways. Developed by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, intersectionality examines how race, gender, class, sexuality, ability, and other identities create unique experiences of discrimination and privilege.
Intimacy Deep connection and closeness between people+ that can be emotional, physical, intellectual, or spiritual. Intimacy involves vulnerability, trust, mutual understanding, and authentic sharing of oneself with others.
Joint Ventures Business arrangements where companies come together for a specific project or shared goal, maintaining their individual identities while collaborating intensely on a particular initiative. This mirrors relationship models where individuals have core partnerships but also engage in defined, collaborative relationships with others for specific purposes.
Joy A feeling of great pleasure, delight, and happiness. It is often associated with positive experiences, gratitude, and a sense of contentment. Joy affirms the value of creativity, celebration, and community connection.
Justice The principle of fairness and equity, where all individuals are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities and resources. It involves addressing systemic inequalities, challenging oppression, and advocating for the rights and well-being of all members of society.
Kink/y Sexual or sensual practices that fall outside conventional norms, often involving elements of power exchange, sensation play, role-playing, or other alternative expressions. Kink emphasizes consent, communication, and exploration of desire.
Kincentric Eco-Womanism An intersectional framework developed by Kristine N. Leslie for environmental justice that centers the experiences, knowledge, and perspectives of Black and Indigenous women. It draws upon and expands upon the principles of:
Womanism: Defined by Alice Walker, Womanism emphasizes nurturing, community well-being, and self-determination for Black women.
Ecowomanism: Coined by scholar and activist Melanie Harris, ecowomanism highlights the connection between environmental justice and the oppression of women, particularly women of color. It emphasizes the concept of "ecowisdom" - a deep connection to nature passed down through generations.
Ecofeminism: A broader feminist movement that examines the parallels between the domination of nature and the domination of women. Kincentric Eco-Womanism acknowledges the valuable insights offered by ecofeminism from diverse perspectives.
Kincentric Ecology: Incorporates Indigenous knowledge systems that emphasize kinship with all living things and a sense of responsibility for the environment.
Key aspects of Kincentric Eco-Womanism:
Shared Experiences: Recognizes the shared experiences of marginalization faced by Black and Indigenous women concerning the environment, including historical dispossession of Indigenous peoples from their land and the forced labor of enslaved women of African descent.
Indigenous Knowledge as Strength: Positions kincentric ecology as a core strength, reflecting the valuable knowledge systems of Indigenous cultures that emphasize reciprocity with the natural world.
Amplifying Diverse Perspectives: Broadens the conversation on environmental justice by considering the specific ways environmental issues impact both Black and Indigenous communities, building upon the insights of ecowomanism and ecofeminism.
Focus on Reparations: Positions reparations for stolen land, stolen labor, and environmental degradation as central to achieving environmental justice for Black and Indigenous communities. These reparations can include land back movements, environmental cleanup efforts, and empowering these communities in environmental decision-making.
Spiritual Connection and Well-being: Acknowledges the spiritual connection to the environment present in both ecowomanism and Indigenous knowledge systems. This focus on well-being extends to the health of the planet itself.
Kincentric Eco-Womanism promotes environmental justice and well-being by advocating for solutions informed by the unique perspectives and knowledge of Black and Indigenous women. It seeks to heal the historical wounds of dispossession and oppression, fostering a future where all can thrive in a healthy and just relationship with the Earth.
Credit for the core concept of Kincentric Eco-Womanism is attributed to Kristine N. Leslie.
Kinetic Cognitive Style (KCS): A proposed reframing of ADHD that emphasizes a cognitive style driven by attention, interest, fascination, novelty, challenge, and urgency. It encompasses all types of ADHD (Hyperactive/Impulsive, Inattentive, and Combined), acknowledging not only the energy and need for movement but also the capacity for hyperfocus and flow states often perceived as inattentiveness. This term aims to be less pathologizing than traditional labels. (Source: Stimpunks Foundation)
Learning Edge The boundary of one's current knowledge, skills, or understanding. It's the point where one begins to encounter new information, challenges, or experiences that require them to stretch beyond their comfort zone.
LGBTQIAPK An inclusive acronym representing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic, Pansexual, and Kink communities. The acronym continues to evolve to include diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and relationship styles.
Listening The intentional and conscious process of receiving, interpreting, and responding to spoken or non-verbal messages. It extends beyond merely hearing sounds to various deeper forms: active listening (fully engaging, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback), reflective listening (paraphrasing to ensure understanding of both content and emotion), empathic listening (connecting emotionally and seeking to understand another's perspective with compassion), critical listening (evaluating information for bias, logic, and validity), and appreciative listening (engaging for pleasure or enjoyment). Effective listening is foundational for communication, understanding, and building meaningful relationships.
Marriage A combination or mixture of two or more elements; a close or intimate union. (e.g., the legal union of two or more people; the marriage of our creative and care economies; a perfect marriage of flavors.)
Meditation Contemplative practices designed to train attention, cultivate awareness, and develop mental qualities like concentration, clarity, and equanimity. Meditation includes various techniques from different spiritual and secular traditions.
Mental Health Aware An approach that recognizes the impact of mental health on all aspects of human experience and creates environments that support psychological wellbeing. This includes understanding trauma responses, recognizing signs of distress, reducing stigma, and ensuring access to appropriate resources and support.
Metamorphosis The process of profound transformation or change, particularly referring to fundamental shifts in identity, consciousness, or way of being. This can apply to individual development, organizational change, or social movements that involve deep structural transformation rather than surface-level modifications. (See Tagline: Metamorphosis-Simplified)
Mindfulness The practice of present-moment awareness without judgment. Mindfulness involves observing thoughts, feelings, sensations, and experiences as they arise while maintaining a stance of acceptance and curiosity.
Minority Referring to groups that are numerically smaller or hold less social, political, or economic power within a given context. This can include racial, ethnic, religious, sexual, or other identity-based minorities who may face marginalization or discrimination from dominant groups.
Multigamy Relationship structures involving multiple committed partnerships with the knowledge and consent of all involved parties. This includes polygamy, polygyny, polyamory, and other forms of consensual non-monogamy that may or may not involve legal marriage. (Source: Open Relating)
Multi-Member LLCs Business structures where multiple individuals or entities share ownership, profits, losses, and management responsibilities according to an operating agreement. This mirrors polyamorous relationship models where multiple partners share commitment, resources, and decision-making in non-hierarchical ways.
Multihyphenate An individual who successfully operates across multiple fields, roles, or identities simultaneously. Multihyphenates embrace diverse interests and talents rather than limiting themselves to single career paths or identity categories.
Mutual Aid Community-based practices of reciprocal support and resource sharing that operate outside of formal charity or government systems. Mutual aid is based on principles of solidarity, collective care, and shared responsibility, where community members support each other's survival and liberation through direct action, resource distribution, and collaborative problem-solving.
Nature From a sociological and critical perspective, "nature" refers less to an objective, pristine wilderness and more to the complex interplay between the biophysical world and human societies, recognizing that our understanding and interaction with it are profoundly shaped by cultural, historical, and power dynamics. It challenges simplistic divisions between "nature" and "culture," acknowledging how human activities, social structures, and scientific frameworks define, utilize, exploit, and perceive the non-human world. This includes discussions around environmental justice, resource management, and the social construction of ecological concepts.
Negotiation The process of discussing, planning, and agreeing upon the terms, boundaries, and expectations for activities, relationships, or interactions. Effective negotiation involves clear communication, active listening, respect for all parties' needs and limits, and ongoing consent throughout the process.
Nervous System Resilience The capacity of the nervous system to respond adaptively to stress and return to states of regulation and balance. This involves developing skills to recognize nervous system states and cultivate practices that support healthy stress responses.
NeuroArts an interdisciplinary field, rooted in the science of neuroaesthetics, which explores how the arts and aesthetic experiences change the brain, body, and behavior and how this knowledge can be applied to improve health and wellbeing. (NeuroArts Resource Center)
Neuroaesthetics An interdisciplinary field that scientifically investigates the neural bases of aesthetic experiences, exploring how the brain perceives, processes, and responds to art, beauty, and other sensory stimuli. It seeks to understand the biological mechanisms underlying appreciation, creativity, and the impact of artistic engagement on human well-being.
Neurocosmopolitanism A perspective that embraces neurological diversity as valuable to human civilization and culture. It advocates for inclusive global communities that recognize and accommodate different neurological ways of being as contributing to collective wisdom and innovation.
Neuroexpansive A strength-based term for members of the African Diaspora describing neurological differences that can offer unique perspectives, abilities, and ways of processing information. It reframes neurodivergence as expansion rather than deficit, recognizing diverse neurological styles as valuable variations.
Neurodivergent Individuals whose neurological development and functioning differ from societal norms or expectations. This includes conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological variations that are increasingly understood as natural human diversity rather than disorders.
Neuroinclusive Creating environments, practices, and policies that accommodate and celebrate neurological diversity. Neuroinclusive approaches recognize different cognitive processing styles, sensory needs, communication preferences, and learning differences as valuable variations rather than deficits requiring correction.
Non-binary Gender identities outside the traditional male/female binary. Individuals on this spectrum may experience gender as fluid, multiple, neither, or entirely different. This concept also challenges binary thinking more broadly—the tendency to reduce complex realities into simplistic, opposing pairs—advocating for a more expansive understanding of human diversity.
Normal The phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the Earth, independent of human creations. Yet, nature is also inherently queer and non-binary; it is a dynamic, fluid, and diverse force that consistently defies rigid categories and binary oppositions. Embracing the principle of "yes, and," nature reveals an infinite capacity for variation, adaptation, and complex interdependencies that extend far beyond human-imposed classifications, reflecting the boundless possibilities of existence itself.
Omnipotentialite An individual with multiple interests, passions, and talents who may struggle with traditional career paths that demand specialization. Omnipotentialites thrive when they can integrate diverse pursuits and resist being limited to single areas of focus.
Open Source Communities Self-organizing groups of developers and contributors who collaborate on software projects through voluntary participation based on interest and skill, with fluid roles and often no single "owner" or manager. This mirrors chosen families or communities built around shared passions.
Paradigm: A distinct set of concepts, theories, research methods, or thought patterns that form a widely accepted framework or model within a discipline, community, or society at a given time. It represents the fundamental assumptions, values, and practices that shape how a group perceives and approaches problems, and what constitutes legitimate knowledge or contributions. A "paradigm shift" occurs when a prevailing paradigm is replaced by a new, fundamentally different one, often due to new evidence or a change in perspective.
Parallel Structure Organizational or relational arrangements where multiple autonomous units operate simultaneously within a shared framework or ecosystem. In business, this might look like franchise networks; in relationships, this mirrors polyamorous configurations where individuals maintain distinct partnerships while sharing resources, values, or community connections.
Pathology: The scientific study of disease, specifically of the causes and effects on biological and social systems in reference to a condition, behavior, or pattern within an individual, system, organization, or society that is labeled as dysfunctional, abnormal, or indicative of systemic issues. This labeling process, particularly in modern scientific and medical contexts, can be significantly influenced by societal biases such as ableism, racism, and cisnormativity, leading to the pathologization of human differences, non-normative experiences, or natural responses to oppressive environments rather than recognizing them as variations or valid forms of being.
Peer Education An approach to learning and health promotion where individuals with shared experiences, identities, or circumstances provide information, support, and skill-building to others in their community. Peer education recognizes experiential knowledge as valuable and creates culturally relevant, accessible learning opportunities.
Peer Support A practice of mutual assistance between individuals who share similar lived experiences, challenges, or identities. Peer support emphasizes reciprocal relationships where people offer emotional, practical, and social support based on shared understanding rather than professional expertise.
Philanthropy A strategic, long-term approach to social change that addresses root causes of problems and works to transform systems, often involving partnership with communities and sharing of power in decision-making processes, in contrast to traditional charity models.
Pipeline A systemic process or pathway that guides individuals or resources through a series of stages toward a specific outcome, often revealing or exacerbating existing inequalities or demonstrating intentional pathways.
This term is frequently used to highlight structural trajectories, such as:
School-to-prison pipeline: The disproportionate tendency of minors from disadvantaged backgrounds to be incarcerated due to increasingly harsh school disciplinary practices, often influenced by racial bias, that push students out of schools and into the criminal justice system.
Intern-to-subcontractor pipeline: A structured process where individuals gain initial experience as interns and then are guided or transition into roles as independent subcontractors within an organization or industry.*
Prison-to-arts industry pipeline: An initiative focused on creating pathways for incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals to gain access to, training in, and employment opportunities within the arts and creative industries.* (See: Research)
Pleasure Activism A framework developed by adrienne maree brown emphasizing pleasure, joy, and embodied experience as essential to sustainable social justice work. It argues that fighting for justice should include creating the conditions for individual and collective flourishing and enjoyment.
Polytalented Possessing multiple talents, skills, or areas of expertise across diverse domains. Polytalented individuals may resist traditional career paths that require specialization in favor of integrating their various abilities and interests.
Power Exchange In contexts such as BDSM and multigamy/consensual non-monogamy, power exchange refers to the explicit, negotiated, and enthusiastic sharing or delegation of control between consenting individuals. This dynamic involves partners intentionally shifting roles (e.g., dominant/submissive, top/bottom, master/slave, facilitator/receiver) within agreed-upon boundaries and for specific durations or aspects of a relationship. Unlike abusive power imbalances, ethical power exchange is characterized by ongoing communication, trust, mutual respect, and the ability of all parties to withdraw consent at any time, aiming for mutual pleasure, growth, or the exploration of specific fantasies or dynamics.
Psychedelics Naturally occurring and synthetic substances that alter consciousness, perception, and cognition, traditionally used as plant medicine and sacred sacraments in Indigenous and spiritual practices across cultures. These include psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca, peyote, cannabis, and other entheogens utilized for healing, spiritual connection, community ritual, and expanding awareness.
Public Art Public art is art in any media that is intentionally created for the general public and installed in a public space, such as parks, plazas, transportation centers, government buildings, and even private properties with public access. It's a broad term that encompasses a wide range of artistic forms (mediums), from sculptures and murals to performances and installations.
"Public Art is RESPONSIVE artmaking" - Unidentified Participant in Making It Public with Forecast Public Arts
Relational Intelligence The capacity to understand, navigate, and nurture healthy relationships with oneself, others, and larger systems. This includes skills in communication, empathy, boundary-setting, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem-solving.
Relational Landscapes The interconnected web of relationships that shape our experiences, identities, and possibilities. This includes relationships with people, places, ancestors, descendants, and the more-than-human world that influence how we understand ourselves and move through life.
Relationship Anarchy A philosophy and practice of relationships that fundamentally rejects imposed hierarchical structures and predetermined relationship categories in favor of individually negotiated connections based on the needs, desires, and agreements of the people involved. While rejecting prescriptive hierarchies (like those prioritizing romantic or sexual relationships), it can accommodate consensual functional hierarchies that emerge from practical needs or specific agreements, as long as they are continuously negotiated and uphold autonomy, authenticity, and the rejection of broader societal expectations about how relationships "should" function.
Relationship Escalator The societal expectation that romantic relationships should follow a predetermined sequence of increasingly serious steps (dating, exclusivity, cohabitation, marriage, children) that culminate in legally recognized partnership within the nuclear family structure. This model is deeply embedded in racial capitalism and white supremacist systems that privilege certain family forms while marginalizing alternative relationship structures and community-based care systems.
Reparations (rupture and repair) Processes of acknowledging harm, making amends, and restoring relationship after damage has occurred. This can apply to historical injustices requiring systemic change or interpersonal conflicts requiring individual accountability and healing work.
Rest A state of physical, mental, and emotional repose characterized by reduced activity, relaxation, and recovery. Rest is essential for restoring energy, promoting healing, and maintaining overall well-being. Rest is a radical reclaiming of time and energy.
Safe Spaces Environments where individuals feel secure, comfortable, and free to express themselves without fear of judgment, discrimination, or harm. These spaces prioritize acceptance, validation, and support, allowing people to be their authentic selves.
Scene In kink and alternative relationship contexts, a scene refers to a planned period of time during which specific activities take place with negotiated boundaries, roles, and agreements. Scenes have clear beginnings and endings and involve ongoing consent and communication.
Scene Setting The intentional process of creating and maintaining environments, communities, and cultural practices that foster specific experiences or ways of being within alternative contexts. This includes: creation of a structured scene in Kink/BDSM and The careful preparation and management of the environment—both internal and external—to optimize the safety, intention, and potential for growth during a psychedelic experience.
Sexology The scientific and academic study of human sexuality, including sexual behavior, function, development, relationships, and cultural expressions of sexuality. Sexology draws from psychology, medicine, anthropology, and other disciplines to understand sexual experience.
Sexuality The complex interplay of sexual identity, orientation, behavior, attraction, and expression that encompasses how individuals experience and express themselves as sexual beings. Sexuality includes physical, emotional, psychological, and social dimensions that evolve throughout life.
Single-Member LLCs / Sole Proprietorships / Independent Entrepreneurs Business structures representing entities owned and operated by a single individual who is self-reliant, makes all decisions independently, and enjoys full benefits and risks of their enterprise. This parallels concepts like sologamy (commitment to self), autosexuality (primary sexual attraction toward oneself), and self-collaring (the act of an individual taking ownership of their own submission, discipline, or personal code, often symbolized by wearing a collar they have chosen for themselves), prioritizing personal vision, autonomy, and self-relationship as driving forces for fulfillment and success.
Singleism Discrimination, prejudice, or stigmatization directed toward unmarried or unpartnered individuals based on the assumption that coupled life is superior, more fulfilling, or more legitimate than single life. Singleism manifests in social attitudes, institutional policies, and cultural narratives that marginalize single, unpartnered, and/or uncollared people.
Social Intercourse The general term for social interaction and communication between individuals or groups within a society. It encompasses all forms of exchange—conversations, gestures, shared activities, and communal engagement—that facilitate human connection, the exchange of ideas, and the maintenance of social bonds.
Social Neuroendocrinology An interdisciplinary field studying how social environments and relationships influence hormone systems and neurological functioning, and conversely how hormonal and neural processes shape social behavior and connection. This field recognizes the deep biological interconnection between individual physiology and social context.
Sologamy The practice of marriage to oneself, representing a commitment to self-love, self-care, and personal growth. Sologamy challenges the assumption that marriage must involve another person and celebrates self-partnership as a valid and fulfilling relationship structure that prioritizes individual wholeness and autonomy.
Spectrum: A conceptual range used to describe the vast and varied possibilities within a particular phenomenon, characteristic, or identity. Rather than a linear scale, a spectrum is often understood as multidimensional, fluid, and circular, allowing for diverse expressions, combinations, and shifts over time. This approach recognizes that categories often exist not as fixed points, but as broad continuums where individuality and uniqueness are centered, moving beyond rigid binaries or singular definitions.
Strategic Alliances Collaborative partnerships between organizations or individuals that maintain their independence while working together on specific projects or shared goals. These arrangements mirror relationship models where individuals engage in defined collaborations for mutual benefit without requiring exclusive commitment or loss of autonomy.
Sustainable Practices, systems, or approaches that can be maintained over time without depleting resources or causing harm to people, communities, or the environment. Sustainability considers long-term impacts and seeks to create regenerative rather than extractive relationships.
Therapeutic Pertaining to the healing of disease or disorder; contributing to overall well-being and improved health. In a broader sense, it refers to any practice, activity, or environment that provides relief, support, or a pathway to recovery and greater mental, emotional, or physical health.
Transdisciplinary An approach that transcends and integrates knowledge, methods, and perspectives from multiple disciplines to address complex problems that cannot be solved by any single field of study.
Transformation A profound and fundamental change in form, nature, or character, often leading to a new and improved state. It refers to shifts in consciousness, systemic structures, or individual behaviors that lead to liberation, equity, and holistic well-being.
Transparency The quality of being open, honest, and easily understood, particularly in communication and decision-making processes. It involves providing clear information, sharing motivations, and operating in a way that fosters trust and accountability within relationships, organizations, and communities.
Trust A firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. It is foundational to healthy relationships, collaborations, and community building, built through consistent action, integrity, and mutual respect.
Understanding The ability to grasp the meaning, nature, or significance of something; a state of sympathetic awareness or comprehension. It involves active listening, empathy, and an effort to comprehend diverse perspectives, experiences, and systems.
Universe Encompassing all of existence—including the entirety of the cosmos (all physical matter, energy, space, and time), and the comprehensive study and understanding of it through cosmology. Beyond its observable physical dimensions, the Universe is also understood to include profound non-material realities, such as the collective consciousness, and various spiritual or philosophical interpretations of an ultimate interconnected essence, often referred to as God, God, or Oneness. It represents the sum total of all that is, has been, and will be, in both its tangible and intangible forms.
Unlearning The process of consciously letting go of old beliefs, biases, assumptions, or behaviors that no longer serve one's growth or align with new understanding. It often involves critically examining internalized norms, challenging dominant narratives, and making space for new knowledge and perspectives.
Vibe/Vibration/Vibrational Field In spiritual and holistic contexts, refers to the subtle energetic frequencies that permeate all living things and spaces. It suggests that emotions, thoughts, and environments possess distinct energetic qualities that can influence well-being and interaction.
Vision A mental image of what the future could or should be; a clear and inspiring idea of what one hopes to achieve or create. Collective visioning is a process where a group collaboratively imagines and articulates a desired future, serving as a guiding force for action and innovation.
Vulnerability The state of being open to emotional or physical hurt, but also the capacity to show one's authentic self, including weaknesses, fears, and emotions. In relationships and growth, vulnerability is often a prerequisite for deep connection, trust, and genuine transformation.
Well-becoming An ongoing process of growth, transformation, and flourishing that recognizes wellness as a dynamic journey rather than a static state. It emphasizes the continuous evolution toward greater wholeness, authenticity, and alignment with one's values and purpose.
Wellbeing A multidimensional state encompassing physical health, emotional balance, social connection, spiritual fulfillment, and environmental harmony. It represents a holistic approach to human flourishing that considers all aspects of life and their interconnections.
Wellness A holistic and active pursuit of health that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental well-being. It is more than the absence of illness, involving conscious choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.
whiteness A cancer; a virulent, destructive, and parasitic disease within the social body. Just as racism is identified as a societal disease, the system of whiteness — with its historical and ongoing privileging of white people, white norms, and white culture at the expense of others — spreads, consumes, distorts, and ultimately threatens the health and integrity of society, our planet and its moon, and the wider cosmos as a whole.
Wholeheartedness Living and loving with courage, compassion, and connection; engaging with life from a place of worthiness. As conceptualized by Brené Brown, it involves embracing vulnerability, imperfections, and the full spectrum of human emotions.
Wisdom The ability to apply knowledge, experience, and good judgment to make sound decisions and navigate complex situations. It often involves a deep understanding of life, empathy, and the capacity for insight and perspective.
Yoga To yoke, to yoke up, to gather - the marriage of our mind-body-spirit connection in order to sustain equilibrium through oscillations of life
Zero-Waste A philosophy and set of practices aimed at minimizing waste production, particularly by rethinking consumption patterns, promoting reuse, recycling, and composting, and redesigning systems to prevent waste from being generated in the first place. It often extends beyond material waste to include wasting time, energy, or resources. This approach is intrinsically linked to regenerative disobedience, as it actively challenges extractive norms by embracing permaculture's closed-loop design principles and Indigenous wisdom like the Honorable Harvest—ensuring reciprocal relationships with resources and the Earth by taking only what's needed and utilizing everything given.