Released in 2016, The Heart of Dominance is Fulmen’s more reflective work — a guide to the mindset and ethics of dominance. If The Dominance Playbook is about the “how,” this one is about the “why.” It’s thoughtful, measured, and firmly rooted in consent culture.

What It’s About

Fulmen outlines the principles that make up healthy dominance:

  • Confidence and presence. How to step into dominance without posturing.

  • Consent and ethics. Making consent the foundation of every action.

  • Communication. Listening deeply, leading clearly, and negotiating honestly.

  • Self-awareness. Recognising your own motivations and biases.

  • Emotional grounding. Bringing stability and care into scenes and relationships.

Strengths

  • Grounded, ethical, and compassionate.

  • Makes dominance approachable without losing its intensity.

  • Useful for both dominants and submissives who want to understand each other better.

Weaknesses

  • Light on specific techniques — more philosophy than instruction.

  • May feel too gentle for readers seeking an “edgy” or authoritarian take.

Why It Still Matters

The Heart of Dominance is a counterweight to the caricatures of dominance in popular culture. It insists that dominance done well is as much about care, trust, and integrity as it is about control. For those who want to embody authority with responsibility, it remains a modern classic.

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About the Author: Gareth Redfern-Shaw

Gareth is the founder of Consent Culture, a platform focused on consent, kink, ethical non-monogamy, relationship dynamics, and the work of creating safer spaces. His work emphasizes meaningful, judgment-free conversations around communication, harm reduction, and accountability in practice, not just in name. Through Consent Culture, he aims to inspire curiosity, build trust, and support a safer, more connected world.

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