Moving Beyond Gender Tyranny: Setting The Stage

Hear our live broadcast this coming Saturday, June 2. Details below.

(Please note there were last minute technical difficulties at showtime on Saturday May 26, due to emergency flood disaster conditions in the area of the New Horizons Retreat Center which is also home to Ms. Rosen-Jones)

The #Metoo movement is creating quite a stir!

No doubt about that!

To escape the daily explosion of high profile and general news and commentary on the subject, a person would truly need to bury their head in the sand, especially here in the United States.

Gender tyranny is not much fun for
anyone. So get out of the loop
it creates, even in subtle ways!

Hopefully, it is going to be a long, long time before this topic – way overdue -- settles down!

Maybe never, I hope!

There are so many hidden secrets, having to do with  the evil that men do to women (and occasionally do to men and that women do, too, but less habitually) that a person, such as myself, a staunch feminist, who has been guiding and supporting the liberation of women, including myself, for decades, have not even touched any where near the depth and breadth of the issue; freeing ourselves from male power-dominance problems, still needing to be reversed. 

Whatever has been done, to date, has not ever been enough!

But we have moved, now, into a new era. 

Thanks to the voices of women who have had the courage to come forward and expose some of these evils that have been, heretofore, concealed.  And, those, such as Ronan Farrow and the New York Times journalists, who have helped bring their stories to light.

Perhaps in taking the steps I have chosen in filing my own Ethics Complaint,  I am even one of them. I don’t know. Time and patience will tell.

No matter how important these bold and brave steps have been, as I said early on when the depravity of gymnast’s doctor, Larry Nassar, was been revealed – and – Aly Raisman, one of his most outspoken victims, was touting her book, Fierce, “fierceness is not enough,” however.

Fierceness is the giving voice to abuse. 

Fierceness is the courage to keep fighting institutions that turn their backs on those who are being victimized, when it is their collective efforts and power that are most needed!

Fierceness is the taking of a stand and having the courage to live a new way of life, without holding back to keep hidden the wrongdoings of the violators of human dignity and safety, the perpetrators of darkness.

Fierceness is facing up to the harm that has been done to oneself and having the resilience, or develop it, to heal from the damage and find new, unfamiliar ways of being a more authentic human being, faced, almost daily, by the challenges this may bring.

Michelle Knight, one of the victims of Ariel Castro, and Elizabeth Smart who was kidnapped, repeatedly raped and held hostage by her keepers, are among my heroes in this.

As a woman, now dealing with an ethics violation done to my person hood by a former professional mentor, I am also presently facing up to these challenges daily.

Along with this effort, of my own, I am increasingly aware that the support of caring others is seeing me through this challenging time. 

I am particularly aware, too, that I need compassion and kindness through this difficult period, not only from other women, but from the men in my life also.

One of my best boosters is my husband, Madison. 

For going on thirty-three years, now, he has been one of my most devoted and loyal champions though not quite perfect. As this new phase of my woman’s liberation journey continues forth, you will, no doubt,  hear more and more about him and the story of our love which has not always been pain-free. 

But that is for another time, not yet come. 

However, last week I got a sign that that story, side-by-side with the story behind the story of my Ethics Complaint, might do best in a full-length book for which I already have a title, 

If War Is Not The Answer, What Is?

The Art Of Moving Beyond Gender Tyranny

on my drawing board now

Madison and I know, as well as any couple could, what it can take to move “beyond gender tyranny;” the Dark and the Light of it.

The plan for this new writing project is now in place. But the resources are not. Even in terms of my available time and energy. So it will just need to wait.

I will, however, not hold back on what I can deliver through my Anastasia The Storyteller Radio Show. It does not require the resources a full-length book demands. 

So you can count on that, for now, as a vibrant source of information, guidance, tools and discussion to help you, if you are interested, in moving through this #Metoo era to a higher plane, New Horizons-style, where all good men (and women) can succeed at a more vibrant, life-affirming level, separately and together.

Keeping that in mind, be sure to join Steve Lebherz, my guest co-host and myself, as we bring you another, unfolding, live adventure through dialogue and discussion on this week’s Anastasia The Storyteller Radio with our topic – 

Moving Beyond Gender Tyranny: 

Setting The Stage

Saturday, June 9, 11:30 a.m. 
(Rescheduled from Saturday, May 26 and June 2)

(Please note there were last minute technical difficulties at showtime on Saturday May 26, due to emergency flood disaster conditions in the area of the New Horizons Retreat Center which is also home to Ms. Rosen-Jones)

Be sure to join us, live. 

And get into our conversation!

.

Our call in number, if you would like to join us on the air is:  646.564.9608. 

If you do call in, be sure to press one to get into the studio queue 
to let us know you are out there.

When War Is Not The Answer, Leaning In Might Just Be The Way

I made an excellent choice for my last week’s Anastasia The Storyteller Radio show, inviting New Horizons Board Member, Steve Lebherz, to co-host that show with me.

I’ve known Steve for close to three years and have often been rewarded by having his continuous support and, more recently, his devoted participation as a New Horizons Board Member. During this time, I have come to appreciate a certain, very personal manner Steve has, in conducting himself, that often gratifies me.

These attributes, along with a quick wit and an agile mind, coupled with a kind heart brought me a bouquet of delight last Saturday, almost matching the pleasure of my Mother’s Day flowers, sitting in an honored place in the living room, diminishing as they are, now, but still brightening my days.

I make this comparison to highlight the unusual uplifting Steve’s leaning in way of being, with me, on last Saturday’s program brought me.

The bounty for me --- and – for the show came of Steve’s role modeling of the practice of leaning in on that show. Previously he'd asked me what I meant by this term, "leaning in," after his seeing mention of it on an earlier blog post of mine.

However, there he was, live on the air demonstrating the first steps of it, as second nature!

So completely spontaneous, open-hearted, yet well-thought out, Steve demonstrated an inordinate willingness to become a male student of womanly ways that is so much needed in this #Metoo era to help us all make it through the rocky terrain men and women are treading these days.

If you want to hear a wonderful, living example of the very opposite of “No, no, not me!,” leaning in, listen to our podcast of last Saturday’s show. You'll hear me getting all excited about what Steve brought, in his person-hood, consistent with my experience of his sincerity, over time. 

Wow!  

“If War Is Not The Answer, 

Beyond Gender Tyranny, What Is?”

Then come back for more when Steve joins me, again, this coming Saturday for our next show –

Moving Beyond Gender Tyranny: 

Setting The Stage

Saturday, May 26  1:30 p.m

Look for more stories – and details -- on how the New Horizons Beyond Gender Tyranny movement, programs and projects is now utilizing its vast resources to guide this mission forward.

Also, take advantage of the more personal opportunities we offer, especially if you are a male to:

• Tell us your #Metoo-related stories, on the air or off (We want to know “how you are moving through the #Metoo era, its trials and rewards.) and; 
• Avail yourself of New Horizons personal/business and organization coaching and consulting services to help you get through the #Metoo era at the top rung of the ladder of movers and shakers, building a pathway to a new era of male-female respect, dignity and equality.

For details, contact: Anastasia at MountainWomanRJ@aol.com

OMG!! We Were Moving Beyond Gender Tyranny, LIVE, As We Broadcast!

Now on podcast!

Want to know how to move Beyond Gender Tyranny in your own lives?

Listen to me, Anastasia, and my co-host, New Horizons Board Member, Steve Lebherz, LIVE TODAY, now on podcast – as we demonstrate, live on air, how to take the first steps in moving Beyond Gender Tyranny. 

Hear us in action!

Listen to our podast for today’s show – 

“If War Is Not The Answer, 

Beyond Gender Tyranny, What Is?”

Our show today was a whopper!! Especially when you get into the second half.

So awesome that Steve and I agreed to be back, again, with our listeners, as soon as we can put our next plan together!

Be sure that our agenda will be to guide our listeners, step by step, in --

Moving Beyond Gender Tyranny: 

Setting The Stage

Saturday, May 26  11:30 a.m

Look for more stories – and details.

If War Is Not The Answer, What Is?

In a blog article, posted on April 23, I wrote the following words that bear repeating here, as New Horizons and I continue our expanding efforts to offer guidance to men and women, everywhere, through both historical and present obstacles, to attain the dignity, respect and peace that separates the sexes, where only love, caring, compassion and concern for one another should be. 

Writing these words, at the time I first composed them --

If North Korea will not come to the table, what do we do?  

If Germans look the other way when Jews are being exterminated what do we do?

Or as Bob Dylan wrote -- 

“… how many times can a man turn his headAnd pretend that he just doesn't see?  

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind. The answer is blowin' in the wind.”

-- I was still at a strikingly earlier time in my own journey through these obstacles than I am now.  (And that was less than a month ago! OMG!!)

Most pointedly, the processes within which I am presently engaged, involving not only one, but two #Metoo-type situations in my personal life; one actually concerning both my personal and professional lives, have now placed me right on the front lines, very much needing to sort out for myself what do we women do in situations where our basic human rights have been violated, “If War Is Not The Answer.”

It is not easy to know what else to do when one is under siege, emotionally, spiritually and physically, especially when our enemies are also our friends and/or associates. 

Personally, right now I am challenged on a daily basis. Follow my stories on Anastasia The Storyteller to find out how I am managing these, as my own story is unfolding and being lived. There are no easy answers, especially when each person’s story of harm may be similar on many levels, yet each is also different and unique. 

Women around the world are actively fighting for their basic human rights on many fronts, each and every day. Each and every one of us is a part of this battle, if only as a supportive bystander. 

And, we must be a part of it for, as has been said many times – 

“If you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem."

At New Horizons, as our Small “Zones of Peace” Project defines it, we are pledged to promote fair fighting, meaning standing up for and by our truths, yet doing this in ways that make room for the opposing side too.

We are about honoring the need for the polarization that defines differing viewpoints. 

And, we are also about the importance of leaning in to discover the common ground that can assist each and every one of us in building the bridges that can cross our unique separateness, without the undue reactivity that can keep anger and hostilities alive and escalating.

At New Horizons we know, with decades of experience behind us, that storytelling is one of the most impactful means for inviting people to understand one another in caring and compassionate ways. Story “listening” is equally a part of this process.

We also know, with that same wealth of understanding, that the establishing and sustaining of support communities, specially designed to heal certain kinds of troubles, can take people to unimaginable heights of clarity and cooperation. 

We need these types of communities now!

At this profound time in our personal, local and national state of polarized affairs, we, at New Horizons, are asking that you make every effort possible to join our Beyond Gender Tyranny movement by opening up to the endless possibilities in your personal and public lives to reach across whatever aisles separate you from others by making your best efforts to be a bridge builder across any and every relationship gap you find. 

You can do this daily, even in small ways. Do this by:

• Leaning in to others; 
• Sharing your personal stories (men and women); and 
• Inviting out the stories of others to which you will carefully listen, with an open mind and an open heart.

I will be sharing some of my own stories, again soon, on both my Anastasia The Storyteller Radio with –

If War Is Not The Answer, 

Beyond Gender Tyranny, What Is?

Saturday, May 19, 11:30 a.m.

Please join me on the air, this coming Saturday, with your stories, experiences and thoughts.

My guest call in number is:  646.564.9608
 
And be sure to keep reading the tales of my personal adventures in the #Metoo era on my Anastasia The Storyteller blog site –

This is the New Horizons Small “Zones of Peace” Project call to action for everyone!

Beyond Gender Tyranny: Where And How To Begin

Article posting still under construction. Check back later for added links.

It has taken me a good bit of soul searching, along with countless hours of research and staying current with what the #Metoo era is bringing into our lives, to be able to figure out, with the aid of my board members, how for New Horizons to next, best serve in these turbulent times.

The HUGE package New Horizons offers of specialized business, organization and personal consulting, guidance, support, tools,  skills and seasoned philosophies that make up our HUGE treasure chest of select contributions for moving through the #Metoo era,  is perfectly designed to help you navigate the choppy waters of today’s turbulence, especially in the area of gender dissonance.

But how we were to help you our loyal followers and supporters access and utilize these resources has not been easy. We are barely even one step off the drawing board of creating relevant projects and programs, since Harvey Weinstein and the Hollywood scandals unleashed a spewing volcanic eruption in this area.

Making things more than interesting ??? and certainly much more complicated is that back in December, while working on my almost ceaseless project of decluttering the accumulated debris of a lifetime in my home and office, I came across a file drawer filled with documents that showed me, most shockingly, that long ago I, too, experienced a serious episode of sexual harassment and power-over abuse by a male superior.

The situation was not a workplace state of affairs. Rather I would place it as more in the way of an academic set up, having specifically to do with an advanced degree, specialized training and credentialing involvement of the highest level in my career track of psychology.

If you are, then, interested in the details of this, which, I might add, has for the past months strongly influenced the program and project planning endeavors of New Horizons, check out my stories on “Beyond Gender Tyranny” on my Anastasia The Storyteller blog site.

If you are intrigued by the saga and/or wondering how this unfolding drama of mine is developing and affecting New Horizons and myself, keep reading about this personal/professional most taxing situation of mine as it plays out to whatever conclusion it may bring.

Simultaneously, while I was uncovering and dealing with that personal/professional #Metoo issue, New Horizons, also, was beginning, its Beyond Gender Tyranny project by launching its newest study, a study of male attitudes and needs to help us all move through the challenges of the #Metoo era.

To hear more about this, check out my Anastasia The Storyteller Radio Show for programs beginning with my new series, specially focused on “How We Are Going To Move Ourselves Through The #MeToo Era”–

Anastasia Introduces The “New” Specially Designed

Anastasia The Storyteller

A radio show series focusing on 

challenges of moving through the #Metoo era

Then continue to listen in to my radio show broadcasts or podcasts (and read my blog posts too) to see what we, at New Horizons, are figuring out. Many shows are in the works on this subject for broadcasts and podcasts ahead.

As we continue to develop that on air track, today we offer you this – 

Question: Where do we begin to move “Beyond Gender Tyranny?

Answer: I think we begin with whomever and whatever is closest to us – personally and professionally. This means we take stock of all of our most important relationships and start cleaning up whatever is in our own backyard, gender-related or otherwise. (After all conflict and polarization are what they are, regardless of the topic) –

• In our most intimate relationships;
• Our families, close in and extended;
• Our workplaces;
• Our churches and synagogues;
• Our neighborhoods and communities.

Inviting others to tell you their personal stories, while you listen attentively, is an almost surefire "lean in" way to take this step.

Question: How do we begin to move “Beyond Gender Tyranny?

Answer: I think the how is that we next commit ourselves to building small “zones of peace” in each of these areas, to the highest, most refined level possible. 

Again, story listening is a great way to move forward with this step.

This is the New Horizons Small “Zones of Peace” Project call to action for everyone!

New Horizons made itself a training center of acclaim for decades, until I lost my eyesight in 1998, by establishing a small “zone of peace” we called a therapeutic community; a counterculture model program that focused on teaching people “what not to do” and “what to do.”

In the coming days, weeks, months etc,, we will be sharing some of the principles that made this program of ours so powerfully transformative in ways that are still carried forth today.

Principle #1: What not to do in the #Metoo era:

For men: Deny or resist looking at whatever contributions you are making to the #Metoo problem. Here are two articles, surrounded by a collection of many more on my Exploring Your Dark Side blog site, to get you started;

For women: Explore how to take back your power, without being power hungry, in any area where you think/feel you have lost or forfeited it.

Much more coming on this last item, for women.

For a next discussion, incorporating more from New Horizons' special package of conflict resolution and healing guidance -- 

Tune in to my next Anastasia The Storyteller Radio Show program –

If War Is Not The Answer, 

Beyond Gender Tyranny, What Is?

Saturda, May 19, 2018, 11:30 a.m.

We will continue on track with #Metoo related issues for anyone who is invested in  conscientious advancement, of the highest regard, moving through the #Metoo era.

Also listen to the last podcast of this new Anastasia The Storyteller Radio Show series titled –

“Women Managing Their Anger and Pain 

In The Face Of Male Resistance”

Much more to come.