On a beautiful retreat property in scenic Leipers Fork...just outside of Nashville...where the creeks run and the goats roam...

 

We will convene for a magical evening of Union

between the masculine and feminine.  

Come and nourish the body and soul in deep communion

for an afternoon and evening.

What is the Union Dinner? 

The Union Dinner is a 5 and a half-hour experiential deep dive workshop on masculine/feminine relating, for both women and men, that includes a 4-course, chef-prepared meal. 

The experience is highly interactive, sensual, revealing, and healing. So much more than could be offered in a lecture format. It’s deep soul work, organically woven into the fabric of an intimate fine dining experience.

No previous experience with this work is required. It’s both a great place to begin and the right place to deepen.

Join us for:

  • A better sense of what is meant when we talk about the masculine and feminine
  • More clarity about what feminine/masculine-identified people in your life want and need from you
  • More clarity about what you want and need
  • An enhanced ability to communicate about all of the above
  • Great food
  • A warm environment for deep connection with some new friends you’re soon to love

Who is this right for?

This event is for curious people across the spectrum - single, partnered, men, women, non-binary, of all sexual orientations. All adult ages welcome. 

You will need an open mind and a willingness to connect with others, but, beyond that, we've got everything covered. 

It’s great for newbies who are just exploring these ideas for the first time and even for the seasoned veterans who teach them. The format is based on connecting deeply with others, so your level of exposure to the material is always just right. 

It’s not necessary to have a partner to join. We take care of making sure we have a balance of masculine and feminine aspects at the table.

For this event, we have a very limited number of seats for dinner. We do have space for one couple to come and stay with us on-site. Take advantage of the opportunity for a deeply-supported time out to strengthen your connection to each other. We'll handle the chocolates and flowers, so you can put your full attention on each other. 

*Not all aspects of the property are accessible to people with mobility concerns, but the  dining room in the Clubhouse, where the dinner will be held, is fully accessible. 

 

The Venue

GratiDude is a unique mini-farm and retreat venue, located in the quaint village of Leipers Fork about 30 miles southwest of Nashville. Set on 25 acres of gorgeous hillside, you can pet a goat and have a transformative human experience. 

Dinner will be held in the Event Barn. 

Saturday, April 27th

3:00pm - 9pm 

GratiDude Ranch

Leiper's Fork, TN

Come as early as 2:30pm and explore the grounds. 

 *Further details on arrival and parking will be shared after registration. 

 

Here's what previous attendees have had to say about the Union Dinner:

 

She said…

 

"I thought I had a really clear idea of the masculine and feminine energies, and this event unlocked a whole new room. Nothing comes close to the experiential rawness of a face-to-face 'conversation' with these very real drives, desires and needs. 

The self compassion that unlocked during this evening, I didn't know I needed." - S.E.

 

 

 

He said...

"I learned that there is power in practicing the principles of masculinity in community rather than in isolation.

I think it provides both men and women an opportunity to appreciate each other in a safe space. Too few safe spaces exist for these discussions. The Union Dinner provides that. For men, specifically, I think it can serve as a turning point. The energy experienced within the Union Dinner is an energy of curiosity that we can seek in everyday interactions. It has changed what I see as available to me in the dating space."

 - Byron F.

 

She said…

"I believe that if this type of night was mandatory for all adults, the world would be a better place." 

 -Lee W. 

He said...

"Attending Kianga’s Union Dinner was a really special experience. Much of it was unexpected but was liberating and exciting. I’m a straight man, and I got a ton out of meeting and engaging with the women at the dinner. Kianga is deeply skilled at holding space and facilitating a profoundly deep experience. It was rare form to see folks engage so honestly and with such open hearts around the issues of masculine-feminine relating and our own histories. Parts of the experience were deeply uncomfortable, but I walked away feeling cleansed and at least partially healed of my own traumas around relationships in a way I did not expect going into the event. Lastly it’s an elegant affair in a gorgeous setting with wonderful appetizers and an even more amazing dinner and dessert. 10/10 recommend, would do it again."

-Sam K.

She said…

"I feel that a part of me has softened with compassion for the masculine and with greater awareness of myself in the feminine."  

- Molly E.

 

He said...

"Hi friend, I am grateful for the opportunity you created. I am humbled. There is so much work for me in devillainizing the masculine. The permission to have been injured by the feminine is profound. I have been recommending union dinners and also I would like to attend again."

-Ralph R. 

She said…

"I hoped to get a healing of the masculine/feminine wound. I did get that and so much more. Really deeply being seen and heard with the sincere “I’m sorry” penetrated me in such a deep way and diffused the charge that was there. It was a profound shift for me. I can feel myself showing up differently to the men in my life and also to myself."

 

- J. Patterson

 

 

She said…

 "I wanted a deeper understanding of the masculine. I don't want to be walking around guarded, irritated, frustrated. I wanted to understand, to see what's going on in the inside, because understanding helps me honor and respect. And I wanted to be seen and honored in that way too. I absolutely received that. And so much more that defies description.

It’s the connection, intimacy and love we are all so, so hungry for. "

- Barbara E.

   

 

He said...

My partner and I are doing so good. Oh my gosh, we’ve dropped into such a good space!

 -Ryan B.

She said…

"For women - we leave feeling cherished, heard and appreciated. For men - I believe they leave feeling that they have been honored and allowed to be the supportive structure they desire to be for us. Love, forgiveness and healing are available to all of us! The exercises are simple and so incredibly powerful."

- Diazina M.  

 

He said...

"The Union Dinner was a way for me to peel back the layers of where my growth journey has taken me and the areas that still need nurturing. The interactive dialogs and prompts between the masculine and feminine dynamic challenged me to really open myself up and get real about things. It was direct, revealing, scary, healing, sometimes funny, and other times tear filled. It was beautiful to explore these deeper layers in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Everyone that attended truly engaged in the process. That alone makes so much difference for the growth we all achieved together. After the universe threw me two massive curve balls a few years back, I have continually tried to walk the path of healing and clarity. Granted this journey had its fits and starts and I have felt stagnant for a while. The guided interactive dialog helped me break through that stagnate plateau to really show me that I’ve come far, that I still have far more to go, but to not be afraid as we all are walking our own paths. It was so revealing to hear myself speaking my own unguarded truths. It was also very humbling to hear others sharing. That brought an insight I have never felt nor seen before. I must also say that Kianga is an amazing, skilled, nurturing, and empathic leader in keeping me, and others, in the zone. She gently, but directly, guided me to really push through and take the risk of looking deeper than where I have been. Being able to share a meal and break bread with the others after the session was such a great and organic way to feel community and support. In the weeks since I attended the Union Dinner, the themes I explored have kept me in a state of discernment and re-energized me to continue my journey of healing, growth, and self-discovery."

-Carlos D. 

She said…

"I came to this dinner already having been working on healing my own masculine and feminine energies and healing my traumas from these two energies as well. I was sitting right on the edge of a few breakthroughs and attending this dinner helped push me into them. I’ll speak about one of those.

I’m currently in a 10-month program that is a serious deep dive into healing. Right before this dinner I had brought all of my wounded inner children into me to protect and what came out of that process was a mighty warrior mother who all stands guard and doesn’t allow anyone to hurt me anymore, to include myself. When I start the self-shame spiral she immediately shuts it down, it’s amazing. Those spirals are a rare occurrence now.

She is also quick to include any and all womxn+ under her wings. However, I’ve had a LOT of trauma from men in my life, so I’ve had this trauma response of keeping men separate and always as a potential threat. No trust till proven worthy of it, but rarely deep level of trust is ever possible. Just shy of actual man hating, to be honest. Well, through this dinner process, that push I spoke of was that the masculine energy was brought under the protection of my inner warrior too.

Y’all, that is huge.

This dinner helped me shift some pretty profound blocks in my life and I wish I could attend them all!

The food was absolutely amazing! They took great care in making sure my lemon allergy wouldn’t be an issue. At least one other person also had an issue with an ingredient or two and they did great!

Kianga is such a warm and empowering human. She is able to hold space for people in a way that fosters a feeling of safety being vulnerable with complete strangers. She will also challenge you, but with compassion. She’s pretty amazing."

-Jenny M.

Photo by Summer Hokulani

A little about me (your dinner facilitator and magical concierge)...
 

My name is Kianga Ford, and I’m the very real woman behind Love + Freedom Education.  Just about a decade ago now, I walked through the doorway of what I now call the Creation Arts. Almost accidentally at the time. My life has never been the same. 

At that time, I was a university professor and a fine artist, running one of the top fine arts programs in New York City. I’m now a full-time entrepreneur, with a coaching business that focuses on helping men and women to unlock the full potential waiting within each of us. To do that, I help people understand how to master and use the twin forces of creation—masculine and feminine energy.

Over the years of working with men on reclaiming healthy masculinity without apology and helping women recover from the burnout of living in masculine overdrive, I've crafted some really sweet moments of connecting across the divide that allow us to really see with compassion what things are like on the other side.

The Union Dinner is probably the format that I'm most proud of, because it allows people to cultivate that compassion from just where they are, even if they've never thought "personal development work" was for them. 

I have a PhD (abd) in cultural theory and an MFA in fine art. I’m also a certified coach and Orgasmic Meditation trainer. But what really qualifies me to do this work is that I’ve walked this walk in the real world. I've been out there on the mean streets of Bumble and in the intimate moments of being human with others who are also unskilled but genuinely hungry for true connection. 

I’ve parlayed decades of work as an artist and educator into a refined expertise in curriculum and experience design. What results is a context for you to have your own personal and direct communion with the magic of creation. 

All the logistics...

What time is it?

The Union Dinner is an expansive workshop experience that runs from 3pm to roughly 9pm. As with all good dinner parties, sometimes you just want to linger a bit in the warm feelings of the evening. Guests will be welcome to come and explore the grounds beginning at 2:30pm. Dinner will be served around 6:30pm.

 

How much is it?

  • Early Bird tickets purchased by 4/5 - $544 
  • General Registration tickets - $644

Do I need a partner?

Nope. You absolutely do not. There is no right relationship status here. Come with your significant other or come alone. Come if you're feeling in love or if you're feeling over the whole love business altogether. Come as you are. 

Can’t make the date, but would love to attend?

Join our mailing list, and we’ll be sure to let you know about the next one.