Julia Maryanska & Ian MacKenzie: From Polyagony to a Village of Lovers

Feb 6, 2024

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Does open relating always lead to polyagony? Or is there a way to heal the wounds of gender and experience love free from fear?

Today we are revisiting an episode originally released in 2019 with Ian McKenzie and Julia Maryanska about the Love School at Tamera. Their documentary "Village of Lovers," will be available at a global streaming premiere on February 7th. We revisit this discussion about love, relationships, and intentional communities today in a new edit.

In this episode, we dissect the complex dynamics of free love, the challenges and solutions prototyped by Tamara, and the personal journeys of those seeking healing within communal witnessing. Julia shares her contrasting experiences between One Taste and Tamara, offering a unique perspective on sexuality-based communal living. We explore the significance of personal healing for collective benefit, especially in romantic relationships, and tackle the myths surrounding the concept of 'The One.' The conversation also navigates through the nuances of jealousy, brotherhood in romantic contexts, and establishing genuine connections beyond superficial narratives. We touch on sensitive topics like women's safety in polyamorous spaces and the political implications of healing gender relationships.

Ian MacKenzie is a filmmaker, writer, activist and host of the Mythic Masculine podcast. His films include Occupy Love, Amplify Her, and the Village of Lovers. Julia is a filmmaker who has worked on numerous award-winning documentaries. Her work re-imagines how we look at women’s bodies, relationships and our approach to sensuality through video poetry, her other film UNION and her photographic project “Sensual Surrealism.” Along with their co-director John Wolfstone, Julia and Ian are part of the filmmaker collective Re/Culture Films.

Discover the pioneering role of Tamara in addressing the intricate challenges of love and connection in Village of Lovers, available on February 7th.

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Timestamps

(09:30) - The Origin and Evolution of Tamara
(12:00 )- Contrasting the One Taste and Tamara
(17:00) - Personal Healing in Witness and Service of the Collective
(27:30) - Free Love and the Myth of the One
(34:00) - We Can’t All Live in Tamara
(41:00) - Eros and Eco Villages
(43:00) - Dealing with Jealousy
(48:00) - Making Contact by Dropping Your Story
(58:00) - Woman’s Safety in Polyamorous Spaces
(1:06:00) - The Personal is Political: Healing Gender Relationships