The Stories That Shape Us
Our world is dominated by what scholars call “domination systems”—patterns of thinking and being that prioritize:
Competition over collaboration
Individual success over collective flourishing
Control over connection
Extraction over regeneration
These aren’t just ideas—they’re lived realities embedded in our institutions, relationships, and daily practices. They create what feels like an inevitable way of being, but they’re actually choices we can change.
Breaking Free from Invisible Cages
Transforming how we see the world challenges us at every level:
Mentally: Our minds resist information that contradicts what we already believe. It’s uncomfortable to question fundamental assumptions about how life works.
Emotionally: Recognizing our interconnectedness means facing both our vulnerability and our responsibility—which can feel overwhelming.
Socially: We’re surrounded by systems that reward old patterns and make new ones seem impossible or naive.
Structurally: Our institutions, from schools to governments, are designed around separation and competition.
New Stories, New Possibilities
Partnership systems offer a different way of being that honors:
Mutual benefit over zero-sum competition
Dynamic collaboration over rigid hierarchy
Interdependence as strength, not weakness
Regeneration that enhances life for all
This isn’t utopian thinking—it’s practical wisdom that’s already emerging in communities, organizations, and movements worldwide.
Explore the Four Dimensions
Choose a dimension to learn more
Ways of Knowing
Explore the methods and insights that shape our understanding.
Ways of Relating
Discover the connections that foster partnership-based collaboration and communities of care.
Ways of Being
Understand the values and practices that guide our actions.
Ways of Doing
Learn about the practical approaches we employ to drive change.
Join us in reimagining our systems and stories. Together, we can create transformative change.
