This is a bit of a technology geek-out article, however the ability to run a room with simultaneous local participants and remote Zoom participants has been a game-changer for me personally, and the participants LOVE  the option to join via Zoom. The technology works perfectly and, from my perspective, this scheme combines the best of both worlds: the personal interaction of local meetings (“belly to belly”) with the power and convenience of video conference. Basically you can run a program that gives people a choice of local or Zoom participation. If they are local they can decide at every meeting how they want to attend, and maybe save the drive. There are a lot of possibilities here. For large meetings you could breakout the remote participants into their own room, led by your remote co-lead(s). And so forth.

There is roughly $250 technology cost for this. See the image below and read the notes for how it’s done.

Notes: how it’s done

[Read more…]

I am thrilled to let you all know of a new training and community from Boston-based Peter Benjamin (and team), The Connection Institute.

This is a new, year-long program focused specifically on training Circling leaders (i.e. it’s professional education), and the price of $20/mth (no commitment) is hard to resist. There are currently 3-5 events per week, covering both base-training for new leaders, AND alternative/experimental Circling modalities (i.e. “Coyote circling”).

Important: This is a beta program and normally enrollment closes today, Monday Aug. 19.  Peter has agreed to extend the registration deadline until Friday, since I asked him. It feels like too good an opportunity not to share with you all — plus I (of course) love company!  Maybe I will see you there?

In other news…

I am settling in quite nicely here in Asheville, NC, preparing a number of new ventures that will launch this fall. Most exciting is an online dating course series called Authentic Singles (I will let you know of upcoming Authentic Dating free introductions through this list, but if you are already super-interested, please subscribe from there). I am also doing a 2nd Edition of the Circling guide, with updates specifically focused on another Circling modality which we are creating here called Developmental Circling.

So, more news soon…

So — the March courses Authentic Dating for Men and Authentic Dating for Women have been scheduled! And the February pilot program is currently enrolling.  But that’s not why I am writing.

I am looking for co-leads, A/R facilitators, and marketing / JV partners

Naturally, I would reach out to my A/R community first, and to the graduates of the first men’s pilot program that ran in January, and was very successful.

Here is the business case.  As you know, Authentic Relating is a game-changer in most every sphere of life, but the need is especially acute in sex and romance.  50 million people have tried online dating in the US alone.  My guess is that the majority of these people will have left disappointed or worse.  You simply can’t hope to be successful in relationship (any relationship, and not just sexual relationships) without a strong foundation in empathy and emotional communication.  The problem is compounded by men and women’s internalized oppression under patriarchy, the shame and guilt surrounding most anything sex-related.  “Sex is dirty — save it for someone you love” — Esther Perel.  Most people are entirely clueless here.

I want to create and run this business in we-space (aka collaboration)…

[Read more…]