resilience circles

A practice of conscious connection to cultivate the inner strength and outer support you need to orient, adapt, and thrive in a radically changing world.

Ditch the doomscroll — unplug to reconnect

Y’know how when a group of people get together often the loudest, fastest talking, most extroverted people hi-jack the conversation? Or when there are only introverts and no one can keep a conversation going?

This is the opposite of that.

To facilitate means “to make easy,” and that’s what we do. We’re attuned and present to guide the conversation. We use tools like prompts, questions, and timed shares to give everyone space to speak and be heard without having to compete for time or attention.

Rooted in ancient forms of gathering, each circle weaves meditation, storytelling, deep listening, and reflection into an emergent community building experience.

If you’ve felt like you’re constantly bracing for the next crisis, or that your softness isn’t welcome in this world—you’re not broken. You’re responding to a culture that’s forgotten how to feel.

What it is

  • A space to feel, reflect, and connect

  • A space to take off your mask and be seen

  • A practice to increase your emotional capacity in the face of overwhelm, numbness, and disconnection

What it isn’t

  • Group therapy

  • A place to debate or intellectualize about political issues

  • A space to rescue, fix, or give advice

This is for you if…

If any of the following apply, the resilience circles may be a good fit for you.

  • You want to move beyond small talk and connect more deeply

  • You feel overwhelmed, shut down, or generally stressed out by navigating life in the era of cascading crises

  • You struggle with self-trust, finding your voice, or sharing with confidence

  • You feel emotionally exhausted or drained by social interactions

  • You want to connect but experience social anxiety in group settings

  • You feel called to co-create a culture of mutual support and resilience

“The great irony is that modern culture is suffering an epidemic of alienation, yet so many of us feel alone in our unbelonging, as if everyone else was inside of the thing that we alone are outside of.”

Toko-pa Turner, Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home

What to expect

Orient

Groups are small and intentional, we use agreements and check-ins to show up consciously and create trust

Ground

Root into your body with guided meditations and trauma-informed embodiment activities that help you to stay present with your experience

Share

Facilitated partner activities that help you to speak authentically and listen and reflect without judgment

Catalyze

As you become more comfortable with the group, new awareness and insights may emerge

  • No, this is primarily a talking and reflection based practice. Though we may invite you into some short, light movement practices as part of the circle.

  • We provide prompts, ask questions, and lead guided self-connection practices to help you get clear on your thoughts and feelings.

  • This is a practice of learning to listen to your inner voice to share authentically and meaningfully at a level of vulnerability that feels right for you. You’ll receive guidance and support in this process.

Meet your facilitators

On the night they met, Erin and Jordan bonded over the phrase this too belongs, a line from Toko-Pa Turner’s book, Belonging. It became a mantra for them, a shared intention to prioritize radical compassion and acceptance in their connection.

For Erin’s 50th birthday, her girlfriend’s honored her with a surprise talking circle — a gift that honored her preferred way of relating. Erin owned a wellness studio for eight years before cofounding an organization focused on bringing empathetic listening and conscious communication into healthcare. Erin has a gift for bringing people into deeper connection with themselves, she’s designed guided meditations and facilitated circles at community events and within her former organizations.

Jordan grew up so shy, most classmates didn’t know he could speak. When he discovered circles and facilitated discussion practices he gained the skills and confidence to share his authentic voice in groups. He’s since facilitated hundreds of circles, engaging participants in complex discussions around gender, race, and trauma with sensitivity and compassion.

we need your voice, perspective, and gifts

Through ongoing practice you’ll continue to build up your muscles of personal and collective resilience. You’ll learn to hear and clarify your inner voice, listen to other’s perspectives, and build bonds of trust and connection — all while increasing your capacity to navigate challenging situations and emotions.

Every one of us has a unique contribution to make to our community and society.

How to participate

Just register for the next upcoming circle. Every practice is a beginner friendly introduction to the practice of sitting in a talking circle.

  • Each circle is limited to 12 participants

  • Unless otherwise noted, Resilience Circles are open to all genders

Our next circle

  • Thu, 6/19 (6:30 - 9:00 pm)

  • Village Witch Hive (Columbia City)

Agreements

We ask that all participants be willing to agree to the following practices to participate:

  1. We slow down to track ourselves and each other’s experience

  2. We own and share our feelings by using I statements.

  3. We witness and reflect one another rather than judge or fix

  4. We respect self and other by honoring confidentiality

  5. We embrace the discomfort of generative tension and paradox

Contact / Waiting list

If you have any questions or if you’d like to be added to the waiting list for a future resilience circle, please use this form to contact us.