“I believe true, embodied, trauma and power-aware consent is the foundational ideology that can rebuild society based on collaboration, rest, equity… all of those good anti-capitalist values.”
short & sweet
My
Story
My
ideas
Who is it for?
Ella Shields (they/he) works at the intersection of consent, conflict, and community. A playful political activist and workshop facilitator, they are obsessed with the layered beauty of how we interact and shape new worlds together.
Ella’s spaces are silly, brave, and deeply radical. They are where the societal armor can fall away and complexity is held with tenderness. They have a knack for translating critical theory into grounded, giggly embodiment, and for making even the heaviest topics feel like an invitation to connect.
During the pandemic, I completed a master’s degree in Social Anthropology: Sustainable Citizenship. In effect, it was a deep dive into the neoliberal capitalist culture we’re living in – how infinite growth is destroying the planet, eroding trust between people, and entrenching oppressive systems like racism and the cisheteropatriarchy. These systems form an interconnected web that influences not only the structures we live under but also our personal values and daily interactions. Once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. It was everywhere.
At the same time, I found hope in unexpected places: sex-positive workshops and events facilitated by Wilrieke Sophia. I watched strangers walk into these spaces, nervous and unsure. By the end of the day, they’d be laughing, relaxed, and sharing deep, heartfelt connections. I saw how, when people felt safe enough to show up as their true selves, the barriers between them melted away.
The more I worked with consent, the more I realized its transformative potential. Consent is more than a tool for intimacy; as an ideology, it’s the antidote to capitalism and the oppressive systems it upholds. Where capitalism depends on exploitation, consent honors agency and checking in that everyone feels safe and valued. Where capitalism thrives on competition, consent encourages collaboration. Where capitalism demands endless productivity, consent asks us to slow down, honor our limits, and prioritize sustainability – both within ourselves and in our movements.
Instead of burning ourselves out trying to meet external expectations, we can co-create spaces where everyone feels safe enough to express their true feelings, even when those feelings are messy, uncomfortable, or confrontational.
I believe that if we all learn to live by consensual values, we can lay a solid foundation for the equitable and sustainable future we’re striving for.
My decade of experience as a community organizer has shown me that in-fighting and unresolved conflict are some of the biggest pitfalls for any group. Whether you’re dreaming of a commune, an anarchist bookstore, or organizing a festival, learning how to navigate mistakes, repair relationships, and move beyond the binary of “good” and “bad” is essential groundwork.
Consent as an ideology helps us embrace imperfection, de-taboo making mistakes, and learn how to hold space for growth—both ours and others’.
So, who is my work for?
The people who find their way to my work are usually thoughtful, caring, and paying attention to the world around them. They can see that many of the systems and relationships we live inside aren’t really working, but stepping into conflict, difficult conversations, or political organizing can feel intimidating.
They want connection that is more honest, more resilient, and more alive. They want relationships where people can disagree, make mistakes, and still stay full of care for one another. They want long-term connections where they feel seen and safe.
Let’s collab
elladoesworkshops@gmail.com
Telegram: @ellashields
Instagram: @elladoesworkshops