A very tangible and understandable way of looking at your power, privilege and rank.
This workshop (formerly called ‘Playing with your Power’) presents you with a very tangible and understandable way of looking at your power, privilege and rank. These invisible forces are everywhere, and they hugely influence what we can and can’t do, how we get into conflicts and resolve them, how relationships evolve… and our happiness. Exploring them provides a surprisingly enjoyable and often profound set of insights.
Privileges are sometimes given to us at birth, and sometimes we earn them. Mostly, they’re a combination of both, and they give us a level of rank and power in relation to others.
Typically, we discuss ideas relating to privilege in very binary and simplified ways. This workshops explores the nuances; it expands our definition of what is a privilege, explores which ones serve you and which ones don’t, and uncovers the reality that most privileges are very double-edged.
Having more knowledge around these things makes life make more sense. It gives you more appreciation for how you fit into the world, and what’s possible. We then touch on how to share what you’ve got, and also get access to what you apparently don’t have, all of which has the potential to contribute to your happiness and goals.
It would be incongruent to not acknowledge that the facilitator is an old white male-presenting person - a group (accurately) identified as having outsized access to an important set of privileges.
It’s also important to acknowledge that mostly when privilege is discussed, people that identify as ‘white male’ may be thinking to themselves “I should probably brace in preparation for being humiliated about my lack of awareness and misuse of power”, and people that identify as ‘female’ may be thinking to themselves “I’m pretty sure I don’t need to pay good money and time to watch white men struggle with their guilt and pride - again”. Both of these perspectives are entirely valid, because that’s how these conversations generally play out in the mainstream. However, they’re a misdirect in terms of what this workshop is about, and who’s likely to benefit from it.
One cannot (and should not) run a workshop relating to power and privilege without talking about white male privilege. So that important content appears. However, there are many other things influencing privileges and the effect they have in your life - the situation is so much more complicated. Exploring this complexity is rewarding, and eight years of feedback suggest that the experience is likely to be enjoyable, empowering, and accessible way. We don’t believe that any white men have left this workshop feeling humiliated or shamed. And we don’t believe that any women have left thinking it was a waste of money, and in itself an indulgence of privilege. A lot of people have found more compassion and understanding about themselves and others though!
Facilitator: Roger Butler
Power, Rank & Privilege is presented by Roger Butler, who’s been the principal facilitator and driving force behind Curious Creatures for nine years. Their training is in sexuality, facilitation, and counselling, and they’re easily one of Australia’s most prolific sexuality facilitators. Find out more about Rog and the team.
This is one of ~30 workshops offered by Curious Creatures (Australia’s biggest provider in the field). If you’re interested in this event you may want to check out Turning Relationship Lead into Gold: working with conflict.
See all upcoming workshops on our calendar.
Privileges are sometimes given to us at birth, and sometimes we earn them. Mostly, they’re a combination of both, and they give us a level of rank and power in relation to others.
Typically, we discuss ideas relating to privilege in very binary and simplified ways. This workshops explores the nuances; it expands our definition of what is a privilege, explores which ones serve you and which ones don’t, and uncovers the reality that most privileges are very double-edged.
Having more knowledge around these things makes life make more sense. It gives you more appreciation for how you fit into the world, and what’s possible. We then touch on how to share what you’ve got, and also get access to what you apparently don’t have, all of which has the potential to contribute to your happiness and goals.
It would be incongruent to not acknowledge that the facilitator is an old white male-presenting person - a group (accurately) identified as having outsized access to an important set of privileges.
It’s also important to acknowledge that mostly when privilege is discussed, people that identify as ‘white male’ may be thinking to themselves “I should probably brace in preparation for being humiliated about my lack of awareness and misuse of power”, and people that identify as ‘female’ may be thinking to themselves “I’m pretty sure I don’t need to pay good money and time to watch white men struggle with their guilt and pride - again”. Both of these perspectives are entirely valid, because that’s how these conversations generally play out in the mainstream. However, they’re a misdirect in terms of what this workshop is about, and who’s likely to benefit from it.
One cannot (and should not) run a workshop relating to power and privilege without talking about white male privilege. So that important content appears. However, there are many other things influencing privileges and the effect they have in your life - the situation is so much more complicated. Exploring this complexity is rewarding, and eight years of feedback suggest that the experience is likely to be enjoyable, empowering, and accessible way. We don’t believe that any white men have left this workshop feeling humiliated or shamed. And we don’t believe that any women have left thinking it was a waste of money, and in itself an indulgence of privilege. A lot of people have found more compassion and understanding about themselves and others though!
Facilitator: Roger Butler
Power, Rank & Privilege is presented by Roger Butler, who’s been the principal facilitator and driving force behind Curious Creatures for nine years. Their training is in sexuality, facilitation, and counselling, and they’re easily one of Australia’s most prolific sexuality facilitators. Find out more about Rog and the team.
This is one of ~30 workshops offered by Curious Creatures (Australia’s biggest provider in the field). If you’re interested in this event you may want to check out Turning Relationship Lead into Gold: working with conflict.
See all upcoming workshops on our calendar.
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Tickets
Our 'rounds' of tickets are really simple: they're all the same, except that some of them are cheaper, to encourage you to book in early (because it makes a huge difference to us in terms of planning). Round One tickets are similar to 'early bird' tickets, and make up almost half of all ticket sales. Round Two tickets, slightly more expensive than Round One, also make up almost half of all ticket sales. Round Three tickets are generally only there once we're close to being sold out, but can squeeze in a late-comer or two. If you're feeling generous, you can buy whatever ticket feels right, but in general, folks buy the cheapest ones available. For this workshop, tickets range in price from $90 to $140, per person. Logistics LATE POLICY: Unless otherwise stated, workshops start at the advertised time, and doors will be locked ten minutes later. This is because late arrivals interrupt the dynamic of the group, and will miss crucial safety information. TICKETS ON DOOR?: All workshop tickets must be pre-purchased online, before the event. It is never possible to pay cash at the door; you will be turned away. More info at https://www.curiouscreatures.biz/faq.html |
To book into this workshop...
To book into any Curious Creatures workshop, we have a once-off application process that takes less than five minutes. Once you've done it, we will give you a level of access, and you can then book into as many workshops as you wish at that level of access. You can read more about this application process here. To apply, click here now. This workshop requires 'Normal' (or higher) access level. If you've already applied and received access, you can access the ticket-booking link here: MELBOURNE: Sign up to our newsletter to be notified when new in-person sessions are released (put your location as VIC). |
WHO THIS IS FOR AND NOT FOR...
INTENSITY: Two or three out of four chillies. Issues of rank, power and privilege are sometimes close to home for some of us.
WHO FOR: Anyone with an interest in the topic.
WHO NOT FOR: People with no interest in self-reflection or becoming more empowered.
WHAT EXERCISES?: Many exercises, mostly based around inner-work with some small group sharing and large group discussion.
WILL THERE BE PAIR WORK? There will be some discussion and sharing done in pairs, trios, and small groups.
HOW WILL PAIRING BE DONE? Randomly.
CAN YOU WORK EXCLUSIVELY with partner/s you arrive with? Not relevant.
NUDITY / SEXUAL CONTENT: None. (If that seems like a strange issue to be clarifying, please note that many other Curious Creatures workshops include adult content).
COMMITMENT: You may sit out of any activity, or participate only to a level that's right for you.
RATIO of discussion to experiential: The workshop is a mix of theory and discussion in a large-group format, as well as exercises of activities done as solo inner-work, pair-work, trios, or small group discussions.
BRING: Water bottle, your own snacks. Bring lunch, or you can wander out to a cafe at lunch-time.
WEAR: Whatever you're comfortable in.
WHO FOR: Anyone with an interest in the topic.
WHO NOT FOR: People with no interest in self-reflection or becoming more empowered.
WHAT EXERCISES?: Many exercises, mostly based around inner-work with some small group sharing and large group discussion.
WILL THERE BE PAIR WORK? There will be some discussion and sharing done in pairs, trios, and small groups.
HOW WILL PAIRING BE DONE? Randomly.
CAN YOU WORK EXCLUSIVELY with partner/s you arrive with? Not relevant.
NUDITY / SEXUAL CONTENT: None. (If that seems like a strange issue to be clarifying, please note that many other Curious Creatures workshops include adult content).
COMMITMENT: You may sit out of any activity, or participate only to a level that's right for you.
RATIO of discussion to experiential: The workshop is a mix of theory and discussion in a large-group format, as well as exercises of activities done as solo inner-work, pair-work, trios, or small group discussions.
BRING: Water bottle, your own snacks. Bring lunch, or you can wander out to a cafe at lunch-time.
WEAR: Whatever you're comfortable in.
"I loved the pace and how deep our conversations went. Rog was great in giving us space to explore and discuss. There is so much in this topic and it takes time to drop into it. I loved how held I felt, even in very uncomfortable topics. It was an eye opener for me to see privilege in a more positive light and it gave me space to own my privilege, and realising I have SO much more than I thought."
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"Empowering!"
•
"Rog was a great instructor and tackled this tough subject with grace and humility."
•
"I hadn't considered ways to increase my power in this positive way. The walking exercise was also quite illuminating (as in how much privilege we mostly had)."
•
"I really enjoyed it, and appreciated the upfront setup around the topic, and the safe and welcoming vibe. I really liked the wealth of information on the website and in the registration emails - there were no surprises."
•
"Thank you so much - I can't wait to do more workshops!"
•
"This was the first course / workshop / shared learning experience my partner and I have done together (in 14 years) and given that I spend half my life in workshop mode, this was a really wonderful way to share this with them. Personally it's the best intro to power that I've seen."
•
"I felt quite comfortable considering it was my very first workshop."
•
"My biggest takeaway was that I have great privilege in some areas and social circles (I was a bit blind to this) while simultaneously having little privilege in other areas/circles. Somehow I was much more aware of contexts where I am marginalized than those where I have more power. It was fascinating (and empowering, and sobering) to realise that rank often 'flips', depending on context. And WONDERFUL to learn that I can use my privilege on behalf of others, which helps create a more inclusive world for us all. I am now practicing power-sharing in my everyday life!"
.
"There was a good balance of theory and activities. It's a comfortable space and I loved the way Rog approached the topic with zero judgement - in fact they did a great job in acknowledging it was ok to have privilege and the first step was seeing it without guilt."
.
"I really enjoyed this workshop. It was super insightful and gave me a bit to think about. I'll be recommending it to my friends for sure. Your presentation style is excellent. Pacing, and the layout of the workshop was spot on as well I thought. I reckon I'd attend almost any workshop you're running just to witness Rog in action. Really appreciate the community you've built for us."
.
"Loved the content- could have talked about for much more time!"
.
"Great workshop. I appreciated the breakdown of categories of privilege. The walking backwards or forwards exercise was good as well. Really enjoyed the little insights that Rog would drop into the session."
.
"Now that I'm starting to be more consciously aware of my privilege, I'm curious to see how I can use this healthily for my community."
.
"Empowering!"
•
"Rog was a great instructor and tackled this tough subject with grace and humility."
•
"I hadn't considered ways to increase my power in this positive way. The walking exercise was also quite illuminating (as in how much privilege we mostly had)."
•
"I really enjoyed it, and appreciated the upfront setup around the topic, and the safe and welcoming vibe. I really liked the wealth of information on the website and in the registration emails - there were no surprises."
•
"Thank you so much - I can't wait to do more workshops!"
•
"This was the first course / workshop / shared learning experience my partner and I have done together (in 14 years) and given that I spend half my life in workshop mode, this was a really wonderful way to share this with them. Personally it's the best intro to power that I've seen."
•
"I felt quite comfortable considering it was my very first workshop."
•
"My biggest takeaway was that I have great privilege in some areas and social circles (I was a bit blind to this) while simultaneously having little privilege in other areas/circles. Somehow I was much more aware of contexts where I am marginalized than those where I have more power. It was fascinating (and empowering, and sobering) to realise that rank often 'flips', depending on context. And WONDERFUL to learn that I can use my privilege on behalf of others, which helps create a more inclusive world for us all. I am now practicing power-sharing in my everyday life!"
.
"There was a good balance of theory and activities. It's a comfortable space and I loved the way Rog approached the topic with zero judgement - in fact they did a great job in acknowledging it was ok to have privilege and the first step was seeing it without guilt."
.
"I really enjoyed this workshop. It was super insightful and gave me a bit to think about. I'll be recommending it to my friends for sure. Your presentation style is excellent. Pacing, and the layout of the workshop was spot on as well I thought. I reckon I'd attend almost any workshop you're running just to witness Rog in action. Really appreciate the community you've built for us."
.
"Loved the content- could have talked about for much more time!"
.
"Great workshop. I appreciated the breakdown of categories of privilege. The walking backwards or forwards exercise was good as well. Really enjoyed the little insights that Rog would drop into the session."
.
"Now that I'm starting to be more consciously aware of my privilege, I'm curious to see how I can use this healthily for my community."
