Personal Growth


Whatever Happened to the Renaissance Community?

Posted on November 12, 2019 by

Despite the lethal combination of power, ego, and spirituality that brought the Renaissance Community to an end, most of its ex-members cherish their time there as a growth experience that made them better people.


In the Shadow of the Guru

Posted on November 5, 2019 by

Referring to himself as “the biggest asshole” in the county, a group’s spiritual teacher “told us if we could work with him and learn from him, we could deal with anyone in any situation.”


Missed Opportunity at the Goat Ranch

Posted on October 29, 2019 by
1 Comment

Ted and Sally were truthful when they said they had no idea what they were doing, either running the business or establishing a community. They didn’t, much to the dismay of their departing managers and volunteers.


Village-Building Stumbles: A few of the things Earthaven Ecovillage has gotten wrong

Posted on October 1, 2019 by

Those of us privileged enough to find ourselves in an intentional community often imagine that our environment will be free of the horrors and evils of the world. But alas, we bring it all with us.


The Shadow Side of Community

Posted on September 17, 2019 by

The more friendliness we have towards difficult parts of ourselves and difficult aspects of living in community, the easier it will be to make the journey together.


Notes from the Editor: Exploring the Shadow Side

Posted on September 10, 2019 by

A higher standard for interpersonal accountability and care makes the effect even more devastating when feelings of safety, security, and affection in community turn out to be based on illusion.


The Shadow Side of Cooperation – get your free download!

Posted on August 27, 2019 by

A natural follow-up to our Summer 2019 Sexual Politics issue, Communities #184 (Fall 2019) focuses on The Shadow Side of Cooperation. We explore problems and pitfalls, disappointments and betrayals, unintended outcomes of cooperative attempts ranging in impact from trivial to tragic. Authors’ stories describe the clash of idealism with reality, communication breakdowns, cultural patterning, internalized oppression, rights and boundary violations, founder’s syndrome, business and organizational struggles, power, ego, disempowerment, dysfunction, trauma, and strategies to address these and other challenges. Please join us!


How to Stop Climate Change and Never Be Lonely Again

Posted on July 30, 2019 by

Empowered, sustainable communities are the antidote to isolation. And they are the pivotal technology that makes renewable energy, essential for reversing climate change, actually renewable.


Pros and Cons of Polyamory

Posted on July 16, 2019 by

Polyamory comes with abundant advantages as well as numerous downsides; a polyamorist weighs the tradeoffs, grieves disappointment and loss, and celebrates love.


I Survived a Dysfunctional Polyamorous Relationship and Learned Some Lessons about Love

Posted on July 9, 2019 by

Love is too strong an instinct to be dismissed, repressed, or restricted, even if it is not returned. The author recovers from a soul-crushing breakup.


Are you curious about intentional community?

Posted on May 21, 2019 by

Intentional communities go by many names: ecovillage, commune, co-housing, housing co-ops and more. If you’ve spent time at one, you probably noticed that intentional community feels different than normal living.… Read More


Bodies in Isolation

Posted on May 18, 2019 by

Being immersed in mainstream culture and isolated from supportive, body-positive communities can prevent choice and body-awareness exploration. But living in a supportive community can make alternative choices and attitudes easier to sustain.


Best Films for Inspiration🌱🌎🤸🏾‍♀️

Posted on March 19, 2019 by

From urban cohousing to rural commune, journey throughout European ecovillages or bicycle across the United States. Get started on these documentary films today for the BEST inspiration on creating sustainable… Read More


Your Monthly Freebie: Localization of Happiness

Posted on March 11, 2019 by

Localization: Essential Steps to an Economics of Happiness By Helena Norberg-Hodge Edited by Steven Gorelick and Kristen Steele This month’s free resource comes from our friends at Local Futures, who work to… Read More


4 Building Blocks of Community

Posted on February 25, 2019 by

Start a Village “If you don’t like the way things are, Start a Village!” This was the essential message that Stephen Brooks delivered at his enthusiastic TEDx talk at Black… Read More


Starhawk Recognized for 2019 Kozeny Communitarian Award

Posted on February 6, 2019 by

The Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC) recognizes Starhawk as the 2019 recipient of the Kozeny Communitarian Award, honoring of the indomitable spirit of Geoph Kozeny (1949-2007), who devoted his adult life… Read More


Accepting nominations for 2020 Kozeny Communitarian Award

Posted on January 7, 2019 by

The Foundation for Intentional Community announces that nominations are now open for the 2020 Kozeny Communitarian Award. This honors the indomitable spirit of Geoph Kozeny, who devoted his adult life… Read More

Filed Under: Events, Inspiration, Newsletter

Planet Community – Episode 3 – Enright Ridge Urban Ecovillage

Posted on December 31, 2018 by

We have to transform our cities! Over 50% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and it’s only increasing. Models for sustainable, equitable, urban community must be developed. In… Read More


What it Takes to Create Community Connection

Posted on December 3, 2018 by

Common Conceptions of Community How can we create community connection — including more support, belonging, smiles, and growth — in our lives? Bianca Heyming gave a TED talk based on… Read More


Thanks for the Fun on #GiveItAwayTuesday!

Posted on November 28, 2018 by

What a fun day it was yesterday! From 8am to 8pm on Tuesday November 27, many of staff, board, and supporters of FIC hosted a marathon event we called #GiveItAwayTuesday.… Read More


Planet Community – Episode 2 – Student Housing Cooperatives

Posted on November 19, 2018 by

What is it like to live in a Student Housing Cooperative? Quite different than a typical student dorm experience, a Student Housing Cooperative is more like “the University of Life!”… Read More


Join FIC for Giveaways on #GiveItAwayTuesday

Posted on November 19, 2018 by

Connect With FIC for a Day of Giving Back!   We are inspired to give back and show our love of community on this global day of giving – November… Read More


The Revolution will be Podcasted

Posted on November 5, 2018 by

Are you Listening? We’re searching for hope, we’re fighting for change, we’re learning new tactics and strategies, and we’re uniting to make a difference together. Activists, journalists, citizens, and revolutionaries… Read More


Cohousing is… Quotes from Cohousers

Posted on September 17, 2018 by

Quotes from Cohousers Cohousing is… “… a challenging task, with pitfalls (and perseverance), with laughter and hugs (or nods and drawing into oneself), with food and nurturing (or caution and… Read More


Cohousing Makes You Happier

Posted on August 20, 2018 by

  Loneliness kills. This is what new evidence suggests from a range of reputable institutions and studies, to bolster that likely feeling in your gut about this. To clarify, loneliness… Read More


What does it mean to live like a village?

Posted on August 13, 2018 by
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What is a Village? “In the simplest terms, it is the intersection and interconnection of people and place” explains Jamaica Stevens, author, event producer, and community activist. “How do we… Read More


Call it Your Community

Posted on July 25, 2018 by

Humanity thrives when people work together. An “Intentional Community” shows what happens when people take this premise to the next level — by living together in a village of their… Read More


It Takes a Village to Organize a Mind

Posted on July 19, 2018 by

I studied psychology in high school and college, and still find it imminently relevant today. I am fascinated when evolutionary psychology can offer insight into the roots of why we… Read More


The Virtue of Sharing

Posted on July 11, 2018 by

How Important is Sharing to the Future? This ‘Future Tense’ podcast ‘The Virtue of Sharing‘ covered the remarkable nature of sharing, and it’s critical importance to a thriving human culture,… Read More


Home Funeral and Death Care Midwife Training June 15–17, 2018

Posted on April 17, 2018 by

  The Center for End of Life Transitions (CEOLT) and the FIC are proud to offer this three-day workshop on home-based end of life care and celebrations for the journey of… Read More