🌟 Essential Conversations: 2020-2025

🎉 21st Anniversary of Art of Convening!

🌟 Essential Conversations: 2020-2025 🎉 21st Anniversary of Art of Convening!

ALL TIMES LISTED ARE CENTRAL U.S.

The Community Hearth and some events are free to attend.
Join CPL Communities for access to all events.

Download CPL’s “Recipe Cards” for Great Meetings & Conversations

Upcoming Events

In an era where a
constant message tells
us we are a divided people, CPL is committed to convening opportunities to remember our shared humanity, and discover our common values of caring for one another, caring for all. 

Join us at CPL Communities to become part of a vibrant community of purposeful leaders like you.

What to look for at each CPL Gathering? Structures of purposeful community;

  • Meet fellow change agents.

  • Find new friends/allies.

  • Deepen friendships and collaborations.

  • Explore new ways of thinking and being.

  • Be inspired by an awesome community.

Photography, audio, and video recording may occur during any CPL event, and by entering the event, you consent to the use of these recordings for various purposes for CPL.

Meeting with Purpose Monthly Member CoLab
May
9

Meeting with Purpose Monthly Member CoLab

Meeting with Purpose Monthly CoLab
Free for all CPL Community Members.

Fri, May 9
9:00am - 10:00am CST

Repeats monthly on the 2nd Friday

We'll use this time to explore different features, answer technical questions, and share general tips and creative ways to use convenings for your offerings. 

Do you have any questions about setting up your convening or conversations? 
Are you running into any challenges? 
Or maybe you are looking for some inspiration for a project?
 
Free for all CPL Community Members.

REGISTER HERE

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Essential Conversations: Grand Bargain Project
May
14

Essential Conversations: Grand Bargain Project

At Center for Purposeful Leadership, or CPL for short, our mission is grounded in principles and practices of convening. We cultivate and inspire leaders from all walks of life to be engaged, inspired and part of essential conversations that imagine and build a world that works for all. We believe that anyone can be a change agent and set intentions that have a positive impact on those we serve.

In line with our mission and vision, we also have the honor and pleasure of partnering with organizations and individuals from across the globe to engage in discussions that focus on what matters and empower you to innovate, to lead.

Every month we host a new discussion and a presenter that through intentional, convened conversations power our communities’ to create an inclusive, interconnected world, one that works for all.

Please join us, free of charge, every month to engage in these conversations. Read below to learn more about this month’s Essential Conversations.

Our next Essential Conversations is on Wednesday, May 14, 9:00-10:30am CT US

 
 

ESSENTIAL CONVERSATIONS

presents

Celebrating 30 years of committed action! The Center for Collaborative Democracy was founded in 1995.

Grand Bargain Project

Reuniting a Divided America around a Roadmap for the Future

with Center for Collaborative Democracy CEO, Sol Erdman

There are Six Key Issues that Grand Bargain Project has designed to unite Americans around a practical plan for advancement that 90+ percent of citizens see as critical to their future.

About Sol Erdman

Sol founded the Center for Collaborative Democracy to develop innovative tools for reaching constructive agreements on long-festering political controversies. Erdman's expertise on resolving ideological conflict emerged at midlife, when he attended the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law school and did cutting edge research with two of the program’s founders. Erdman’s articles on how to bridge seemingly irreconcilable differences have appeared in Barrons, the Boston Globe, the Chicago Tribune, the National Civic Review, State Government News, Roll Call and the Los Angeles Times.
‍
Erdman’s first career was at Oppenheimer & Company, a New York investment firm where he rose to senior vice president and head of options arbitrage. He has a BA in theoretical mathematics from Cornell and an MBA from Harvard.

Watch what Sol Erdman has to say . . .

Join us for this Essential Conversation on Wednesday, May 14, 9:00-10:30am CT US

 

Learn what we’ll be convening about:

Reuniting A Divided America around A Roadmap For The Future

Join CPL and Sol Erdman, from Center for Collaborative Democracy, to be part of this amazing opportunity to reimagine democracy as we know it by:

Creating a new social contract for our future based on the Preamble to the Constitution.

"We the People" are the opening words of the Preamble to the United States Constitution, signifying that the power of the U.S. government originates from the citizens, not the government itself. It establishes the Constitution's fundamental purposes, which include forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty. 


Systemic Remedy

To reunite the American people around a shared vision of our future – before it’s too late -- we are proposing common-sense reforms in the above six areas that, when combined, would vastly improve life for all.

We distilled ideas — from major stakeholders, think tank leaders, former policymakers, political activists and citizen groups — into 41 reforms, each one sentence long, that — when combined — would yield historic progress in all six areas, and at lower cost than current policies. 

Building an Exponentially Growing Movement

Bridge Alliance, various Rotary Clubs, and other civic groups are working with us to incorporate the Grand Bargain into their community-building programs.

CPL, Braver Angels and others will host workshops in which participants deliberate over the evolving plan.

To foster nationwide dialogue, we will hold at least three workshops in each of the 435 congressional districts. Citizens will deliberate over the combined reforms — in community meeting and online. We will, in turn, distill the results into a form that we will deliver to political leaders as representing the will of the America people.

Make a donation today to support the Essential Conversations and CPL’s work of creating a world that works for all.

THANK YOU . . .

About Howard 'Bud' Wilson, Advisor

CPL thanks Bud Wilson for his introduction to the Center for Collaborative Democracy, Bud Wilson is a nature-based leadership development trainer and advocate for ecological, social, & personal renewal. With over 40 years of experience in executive positions as a researcher, writer, educator, and community leader, Bud brings a keen understanding of systems change and human behavior. After graduating Harvard College with an interdisciplinary degree, he spent a decade as Director of Conferences for Snowmass Village convening thought leaders and change agents across all domains of society. He has designed and coordinated experiential education programs for the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio, Rotary International’s Preserve Planet Earth Campaign, John Denver’s Windstar Foundation, and the University of Michigan, among others. His wide variety of projects and interests have taken him to more than 20 countries for which he is immensely grateful.

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CPL Connect
May
15

CPL Connect

 

CPL Communities Connect (aka Office Hours)

What is CPL Communities? What are all the features of your CPL community?

Free for all CPL Community Members.

CPL Members, join Patricia Neal, CPL Executive Director.

Updates on all things CPL and Community Builder Community of Practice! 

Whether you are new to CPL Communities or have been here a while, do you know how to navigate the network, the platform, events, find people, connect?

We'll use this time to explore different features, answer technical questions.

View Event →
Essential Conversations: Acquaint: A Foundation for a More Collaborative World
Jun
11

Essential Conversations: Acquaint: A Foundation for a More Collaborative World

You can sign up here to join CPL volunteers: https://www.acquaint.org/opportunities?tsrc=aliapr

 

Acquaint: A Foundation for a More Collaborative World
A report from the Founders

 

KATHERINE MAHON
Founder and CEO

ALEX SZEBENYI
Co-Founder & CTO

Join Acquaint’s co-founders, Katherine Mahon and Alex Szebenyi, for a powerful Essential Conversation exploring how intentional human connection can reshape our relationships, communities, and even our sense of belonging in the world.

Together, we’ll explore the story of Acquaint—a global volunteer-powered platform designed to make the practice of human connection more accessible and joyful for people of all backgrounds.

We’ll reflect on why human connection matters now more than ever, how Acquaint supports non-transactional relationships, and how AI can play a gentle role in supporting communication growth without replacing the magic of live conversation.

Through storytelling, breakout discussions, and shared reflections, we’ll consider what it means to value connection for its own sake, and how we can each play a part in creating a world that feels a little more like one big family.

Why Human Connection?

We believe that meaningful connection is more than just a skill—it’s a joyful, challenging, and rewarding art. Yet today, it’s often seen as a chore or necessity rather than something to be celebrated and practiced.

We’re losing the incidental spaces where connection once happened:
🎥 Movie theaters
🎳 Bowling alleys
🏛️ Town squares

Acquaint is here to offer something different: a digital space where anyone, anywhere, can connect with someone else for no reason other than to connect. It’s fun. It’s surprising. And it’s meaningful.

By practicing connection intentionally, we become more human—and better at being human together.

What We’ll Explore

  • The Genesis of Acquaint
     -How a pandemic pivot and a vision of global community gave rise to Acquaint
    -Intergenerational roots and inspiration from early projects like HomeAgain VR
    -The journey from idea to a platform supporting thousands of global conversations
    -Alex and Katherine’s journey collaborating on Acquaint as a couple

  • What is a Non-Transactional Relationship?
    Are friendships transactional? What happens when we connect without expecting anything in return?

  • Society & Strangers
    Who still talks to strangers? Why does it feel risky or rare?
    What are we losing as spontaneous connection disappears from daily life?

  • The Role of Humility and Vulnerability in Conversation
    How do we create symmetrical experiences in dialogue, where everyone contributes and grows?

  • The Future of Acquaint

    • A global community rooted in the value of human connection

    • Self-guided journeys and live connection, supported by gentle AI reflection

    • Making human connection a habit, not a chore.

Who This Is For?

Anyone curious about:

  • Deepening their connection with others

  • Exploring non-transactional relationships

  • Building community across cultures and geographies

  • Practicing humility, curiosity, and communication in conversation

  • Volunteering in a way that helps everyone grow

You can sign up here: https://www.acquaint.org/opportunities?tsrc=aliapr

Intercultural Communication Training:

Our platform includes a library of interactive intercultural communication training that equips individuals with the skills to bridge cultural gaps and navigate diverse environments effectively. Volunteers can unlock new training modules by participating in the intercultural dialogue sessions. The modules cover essential topics such as cultural awareness, active listening, empathy, and conflict transformation.

Practical Application:

We believe that true learning happens through practice and application. Acquaint empowers volunteers to take their skills beyond the virtual realm and make a tangible impact in their communities. By applying their newfound collaborative skills locally and globally, our volunteers become catalysts for change, inspiring others to follow suit.

Partnerships:

Acquaint partners with corporations, educational institutions, nonprofits, and other types of organizations to offer meaningful engagement to their members. In addition to the intercultural dialogue and communication training elements, we can also provide workshops and impact data collection to our partners.

Acquaint is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

KATHERINE MAHON
Founder and CEO
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-mahon1/
info@acquaint.org

Katherine is a nonprofit founder who is dedicated to bridging cultural gaps through the power of innovative technology and meaningful connections. Along with CTO Alex Szebenyi, she co-founded Acquaint, a global cultural exchange platform where worldwide volunteers connect for 1-on-1 conversations to share stories and perspectives. Katherine has overseen the recruitment of hundreds of volunteers from over 100 countries, who have spent over 15,000 hours fostering understanding and empathy through dialogue.

Katherine's artistic background has driven her to think creatively about how to bridge divides. While working as a 3D artist at Amazon and pursuing her previous dreams of working for Disney or a major video game company, she became increasingly aware of the polarization and hate that is dividing society in her home country, the US. Since founding Acquaint, addressing these issues globally has become her calling.

Her most valuable learning experiences stem from working and volunteering with people from various industries, including tech, art, and medical professionals. A notable experience was her involvement with the Atlas Corps VLI, where global social change leaders from both US and Russia came together to network and learn.

Katherine is committed to continuing her work with Acquaint, expanding its reach and impact, and invites you to join her in fostering a more connected and understanding world.

ALEX SZEBENYI
Co-Founder & CTO
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-szebenyi/
info@acquaint.org


Before Acquaint was founded in 2021, its predecessor was an intergenerational program. The program focused on connecting younger and older people to address the effects of isolation, particularly during the height of the pandemic. It recruited younger “volunteers” to connect for conversations with “participants” living in care homes. However, Co-founders Katherine Mahon and Alex Szebenyi started noticing a problem with this dynamic. Dividing people into two groups created an othering effect, where the “volunteers” felt a stronger sense of purpose than the “participants” – the group we were supposedly serving. It didn’t seem right. If everyone in the program was taking time to connect and talk with each other, shouldn’t they all feel like contributors?

The solution to this dynamic was simple: Make everyone a volunteer and put the focus on human connection, rather than one group serving another. Furthermore, a lack of connection was far from just a generational problem. Wanting to create a program that bridged cultural divides as well, the founders opened Acquaint to all countries and restructured the platform for meaningful intercultural dialogue.

Make a donation today to support the Essential Conversations and CPL’s work of creating a world that works for all.

View Event →
CPL Connect
Jun
19

CPL Connect

 

CPL Communities Connect (aka Office Hours)

What is CPL Communities? What are all the features of your CPL community?

Free for all CPL Community Members.

CPL Members, join Patricia Neal, CPL Executive Director.

Updates on all things CPL and Community Builder Community of Practice! 

Whether you are new to CPL Communities or have been here a while, do you know how to navigate the network, the platform, events, find people, connect?

We'll use this time to explore different features, answer technical questions.

View Event →
CPL Connect
Apr
17

CPL Connect

 

CPL Communities Connect (aka Office Hours)

What is CPL Communities? What are all the features of your CPL community?

Free for all CPL Community Members.

CPL Members, join Patricia Neal, CPL Executive Director.

Updates on all things CPL and Community Builder Community of Practice! 

Whether you are new to CPL Communities or have been here a while, do you know how to navigate the network, the platform, events, find people, connect?

We'll use this time to explore different features, answer technical questions.

View Event →
Meeting with Purpose Monthly Member CoLab
Apr
11

Meeting with Purpose Monthly Member CoLab

Meeting with Purpose Monthly CoLab
Free for all CPL Community Members.

Fri, April 11
9:00am - 10:00am CST

Repeats monthly on the 2nd Friday

We'll use this time to explore different features, answer technical questions, and share general tips and creative ways to use convenings for your offerings. 

Do you have any questions about setting up your convening or conversations? 
Are you running into any challenges? 
Or maybe you are looking for some inspiration for a project?
 
Free for all CPL Community Members.

REGISTER HERE

View Event →
Essential Conversations: Being, Becoming, Belonging: 3 Human Rights - Part 2
Apr
9

Essential Conversations: Being, Becoming, Belonging: 3 Human Rights - Part 2

 

Being, Becoming, Belonging

An exploration of Our Three Human Rights:

Our right to Be. Our right to Become. Our right to Belong.


Pele Rouge Chadima
CoFounder, Timeless Earth Wisdom

David O’Fallon
Elder Patriot Warrior

Join us for a two-part conversation: March 12 and April 9.

In these Essential Conversations sessions we will explore:

  • The relationship of Freedom - Autonomy - Responsibility - Community.

  • Addressing Challenges and Finding Identity

  • Developing the Courage (even when I don’t “know”):

    • to embody… who I am, the right of Being

    • to discover… what is mine to do, the right of Becoming

    • to live into…who are My People, the right of Belonging
      and from these Three Human Rights

    • to choose in each moment To Be Free

This is an ongoing Journey of Self-Discovery, Practice, Grounding, Self-Authority, and Collective Power.

Leadership in These Times: In these challenging times, the importance of self-reflection and authenticity, and the need for collective embodiment and experience, is crucial to include as a leadership imperative.

What is a map to follow in this journey of self-discovery? A focus on the need for a deeper transformation in society, the importance of learning and growing together, and the need to face and overcome fear. Community support is crucial: how to help each other and move together, rather than feeling alone.

The importance of learning and growing together, and how this process can lead to increased safety and understanding, is a way to face and overcome fear, and how this can lead to personal growth and strength.

What to consider for this session… A story of being, becoming and belonging (click on the image to hear)

PELE ROUGE CHADIMA
CoFounder, Timeless Earth Wisdom pelerouge@timelessearthwisdom.com

Pele Rouge is a carrier of an ancient body of Earth Wisdom Teaching. These powerful teachings are a design which foster wholeness and balance within the self, with others and all aspects of life.   Working in tandem with her husband FireHawk, she has brought these teachings into a wide variety of individual and organizational settings in the U.S. and Europe. At the heart of Pele’s passionate journey is her love of co-creating sacred ceremonial space in which people can gather to “do their work”.

She is a contributing author to Community Building and author of the children’s story, Never Shout at a Bear. Her professional background includes service in the Peace Corps, a decade as a Continuing Education Specialist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and as the Senior Context Designer for the International Center for Organization Design. Her journey walk has taken her to more than 50 countries around the world.

Pele’s large family is of primary importance to her and continues to be a major source of joy, learning and nurturance.

 “An example of Pele and FireHawk’s work”
https://www.centerfortimelessearthwisdom.org/2024,_2025_winter_dreaming_online

DAVID O’FALLON
davidof43@gmail.com
North of 80, https://davidofallon.substack.com/

Elder Patriot Warrior.

Life has always had three themes: education/learning; the arts/theater; and community, especially those on the margins, the edge. My titles and jobs and roles have changed many times. The three themes never. They are the themes in every life improvisation, from major federal programs, universities, to smallest NPO.

At this time I think we are in the second Axial Age; the depth and complexity of the changes in every system, and the cascade and convergence of crises, challenge us—me—in ways I struggle to admit and understand. It’s a compelling reason that I am part of CPL.

I have three adult kids, in Boston, Salt Lake City, and Minneapolis, and five grands! I live in Minneapolis just a mile or so from George Floyd Square. His murder ignited fires of change that are still burning, and that provoked a great destructive reaction.

We see the rise now in the USA of a racist, nationalist, party that desires control and flaunts law and civic norms. Our democracy is threatened.

I’m committed to do whatever I can, where I am, the best I can, to turn this time, turn the wheel around the axle, towards a creative, cooperative, sustainable culture. 

Make a donation today to support the Essential Conversations and CPL’s work of creating a world that works for all.

View Event →
CPL Connect
Mar
20

CPL Connect

 

CPL Communities Connect (aka Office Hours)

What is CPL Communities? What are all the features of your CPL community?

Free for all CPL Community Members.

CPL Members, join Patricia Neal, CPL Executive Director.

Updates on all things CPL and Community Builder Community of Practice! 

Whether you are new to CPL Communities or have been here a while, do you know how to navigate the network, the platform, events, find people, connect?

We'll use this time to explore different features, answer technical questions.

View Event →
Meeting with Purpose Monthly Member CoLab
Mar
14

Meeting with Purpose Monthly Member CoLab

Meeting with Purpose Monthly CoLab
Free for all CPL Community Members.

Fri, March 14
9:00am - 10:00am CST

Repeats monthly on the 2nd Friday

We'll use this time to explore different features, answer technical questions, and share general tips and creative ways to use convenings for your offerings. 

Do you have any questions about setting up your convening or conversations? 
Are you running into any challenges? 
Or maybe you are looking for some inspiration for a project?
 
Free for all CPL Community Members.

REGISTER HERE

View Event →
Essential Conversations: Being, Becoming, Belonging: 3 Human Rights - Part 1
Mar
12

Essential Conversations: Being, Becoming, Belonging: 3 Human Rights - Part 1

 

Being, Becoming, Belonging

An exploration of Our Three Human Rights:

Our right to Be. Our right to Become. Our right to Belong.


Pele Rouge Chadima
CoFounder, Timeless Earth Wisdom

David O’Fallon
Elder Patriot Warrior

Join us for a two-part conversation: March 12 and April 9.

In these Essential Conversations sessions we will explore:

  • Addressing Challenges and Finding Identity

  • Developing the Courage (even when I don’t “know”):

    • to embody… who I am, the right of Being

    • to discover… what is mine to do, the right of Becoming

    • to live into…who are My People, the right of Belonging
      and from these Three Human Rights

    • to choose in each moment To Be Free

This is an ongoing Journey of Self-Discovery, Practice, Grounding, Self-Authority, and Collective Power.

Leadership in These Times: In these challenging times, the importance of self-reflection and authenticity, and the need for collective embodiment and experience, is crucial to include as a leadership imperative.

What is a map to follow in this journey of self-discovery? A focus on the need for a deeper transformation in society, the importance of learning and growing together, and the need to face and overcome fear. Community support is crucial: how to help each other and move together, rather than feeling alone.

The importance of learning and growing together, and how this process can lead to increased safety and understanding, is a way to face and overcome fear, and how this can lead to personal growth and strength.

What to consider for this session… A story of being, becoming and belonging (click on the image to hear)

PELE ROUGE CHADIMA
CoFounder, Timeless Earth Wisdom pelerouge@timelessearthwisdom.com

Pele Rouge is a carrier of an ancient body of Earth Wisdom Teaching. These powerful teachings are a design which foster wholeness and balance within the self, with others and all aspects of life.   Working in tandem with her husband FireHawk, she has brought these teachings into a wide variety of individual and organizational settings in the U.S. and Europe. At the heart of Pele’s passionate journey is her love of co-creating sacred ceremonial space in which people can gather to “do their work”.

She is a contributing author to Community Building and author of the children’s story, Never Shout at a Bear. Her professional background includes service in the Peace Corps, a decade as a Continuing Education Specialist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and as the Senior Context Designer for the International Center for Organization Design. Her journey walk has taken her to more than 50 countries around the world.

Pele’s large family is of primary importance to her and continues to be a major source of joy, learning and nurturance.

 “An example of Pele and FireHawk’s work”
https://www.centerfortimelessearthwisdom.org/2024,_2025_winter_dreaming_online

DAVID O’FALLON
davidof43@gmail.com
North of 80, https://davidofallon.substack.com/

Elder Patriot Warrior.

Life has always had three themes: education/learning; the arts/theater; and community, especially those on the margins, the edge. My titles and jobs and roles have changed many times. The three themes never. They are the themes in every life improvisation, from major federal programs, universities, to smallest NPO.

At this time I think we are in the second Axial Age; the depth and complexity of the changes in every system, and the cascade and convergence of crises, challenge us—me—in ways I struggle to admit and understand. It’s a compelling reason that I am part of CPL.

I have three adult kids, in Boston, Salt Lake City, and Minneapolis, and five grands! I live in Minneapolis just a mile or so from George Floyd Square. His murder ignited fires of change that are still burning, and that provoked a great destructive reaction.

We see the rise now in the USA of a racist, nationalist, party that desires control and flaunts law and civic norms. Our democracy is threatened.

I’m committed to do whatever I can, where I am, the best I can, to turn this time, turn the wheel around the axle, towards a creative, cooperative, sustainable culture. 

Make a donation today to support the Essential Conversations and CPL’s work of creating a world that works for all.

View Event →
CPL Connect
Feb
20

CPL Connect

 

CPL Communities Connect (aka Office Hours)

What is CPL Communities? What are all the features of your CPL community?

Free for all CPL Community Members.

CPL Members, join Patricia Neal, CPL Executive Director.

Updates on all things CPL and Community Builder Community of Practice! 

Whether you are new to CPL Communities or have been here a while, do you know how to navigate the network, the platform, events, find people, connect?

We'll use this time to explore different features, answer technical questions.

View Event →
Meeting with Purpose Monthly Member CoLab
Feb
14

Meeting with Purpose Monthly Member CoLab

Meeting with Purpose Monthly CoLab
Free for all CPL Community Members.

Next Event: Valentine’s Day
Fri, February 14

9:00am - 10:00am CST

Repeats monthly on the 2nd Friday

We'll use this time to explore different features, answer technical questions, and share general tips and creative ways to use convenings for your offerings. 

Do you have any questions about setting up your convening or conversations? 
Are you running into any challenges? 
Or maybe you are looking for some inspiration for a project?
 
Free for all CPL Community Members.

REGISTER HERE

View Event →
Whole Person Leadership: What's Life Asking of You Now? TQ & EQ
Feb
13

Whole Person Leadership: What's Life Asking of You Now? TQ & EQ

Back by popular demand!

What's Life Asking of You Now? TQ & EQ

with Whole Person Leadership Faculty member, Kim Kristenson-Lee, MAIR, ACC, TICC, CCL

☀️FREE TO ATTEND☀️

Knowing how to healthfully navigate transitions is a key capability of generative human beings.  

We live a nonlinear life with regular disruptors.  There are “life quakes”- major disruptions that cause us to need to re-craft our entire storyline. Our ability to recognize, navigate, and make meaning of life transitions keeps us healthy and keeps our stories coherent.

A lens that allows us to understand what is happening:  we are almost always in some transition state—and that transition is normal—is transformational. 

A special conversation and a taste of Whole Person Leadership & leading the Whole Person Way. Find community, inspiration, and resources for leading during uncertain and disruptive times. Explore with us becoming and being a whole person leader.

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Essential Conversations: Unearthing US: Poems and Practices for Discovering Our Fullest Selves
Feb
12

Essential Conversations: Unearthing US: Poems and Practices for Discovering Our Fullest Selves

Make a donation today to support the Essential Conversations and CPL’s work of creating a world that works for all.

Unearthing US: Poems and Practices for Discovering Our Fullest Selves

Unearthing Us: Poems and Practices for Discovering Our Fullest Selves is a collection of 21 poems and practices inviting readers to envision a world planted with possibility, growth, and flourishing. Each poem includes an Unearthing Practice that draws wisdom from the poet's visits to his ancestral land of Jamaica. These poems and practices beckon readers to dig deeper into ourselves and our communities to grow more joy and beauty within and around us.

In this Essential Conversations session, we will explore 3 stages of Unearthing: 

  • Plant: Poems for planting seeds 

  • Grow: Poems for growth 

  • Flourish: Poems for cultivating abundance 

What inspired you to start writing poetry, and how has your background growing up in Minnesota influenced your work? 

I had a lot of creative energy as a kid and I needed somewhere to put it. Art was always my outlet. At first it was playful and I would write poems to my schoolyard crush, but it became therapeutic when I got severely sick and began writing as a way to process my childhood trauma. Being immersed in the artist and activist communities throughout the Twin Cities taught me how to elevate the art as a catalyst for social and cultural transformation. Now I tour the country using poetry to power possibility, inviting the practice of envisioning and embodying a world beyond the status quo. 

 

Your poetry often explores themes of identity and social justice. Can you share some of the experiences or events that have shaped your perspective on these issues?

 Encountering the work of Langston Hughes and Maya Angeluo at a young age is what first ignited my imagination and showed me what's possible for Black folks in spite of our circumstances. There was joy, there was hope, there was the unconditional love and affirmation of my humanity and the humanity of others like me.  Although I was further called into action by my community's response to police violence, I'm grateful to have been given a deep-rootedness of joy, hope, and love as initiating forces. 

Joe Davis is an award-winning spoken word artist and bestselling author who uses poetry to power possibility. 

He is the founder and director of Finding Your Freedom Practice, teaching holistic health and wellness practices through spoken word, writing, music, theater, and dance. Joe holds a Master of Arts degree in Theology of the Arts and also heads a multimedia production company, a soul funk band, and a racial justice education program. His work has been featured on BET, CNN, and VH1. 

Poetic Diaspora: Journeying through the sonically diverse realms of old school and new school hip hop, R&B, funk, and soul, Joe Davis & The Poetic Diaspora seamlessly blend melodic harmonies, smooth instrumentation, and  raw, poetic energy to tell stories of struggle, resilience, and celebration.

Formed in the heart of the Twin Cities, Minnesota, the collective is dedicated to crafting vibrant soundscapes around honest narratives that reflect their community's sacred humanity. Each song is an ancestral echo, a battle cry calling for freedom, an unending dance for justice and joy, welcoming all of the diaspora HOME.

The New Renaissance: Ancestors Rising: Ascension. The New Renaissance presents ANCESTORS RISING: ASCENSION theater production! If you'd like to experience the magic, save the date for bigger and better at the Northrop Auditorium on Saturday, February 22 2025.

Based in Minneapolis, Joe tours internationally to join schools, faith spaces, nonprofits, and businesses to practice envisioning and embodying a world of collective liberation and human flourishing. His work employs poetry, music, theater and dance to shape culture. Connecting with audiences as a keynote speaker, facilitator, and teaching artist, Joe also heads a multimedia production company, a soul funk band, and a racial justice education program. He holds a Master's degree in Theology of the Arts.

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CPL Connect
Feb
6

CPL Connect

 

CPL Communities Connect (aka Office Hours)

What is CPL Communities? What are all the features of your CPL community?

Free for all CPL Community Members.

CPL Members, join Patricia Neal, CPL Executive Director.

Updates on all things CPL and Community Builder Community of Practice! 

Whether you are new to CPL Communities or have been here a while, do you know how to navigate the network, the platform, events, find people, connect?

We'll use this time to explore different features, answer technical questions.

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Whole Person Leadership: What's Life Asking of You Now? TQ & EQ
Feb
5

Whole Person Leadership: What's Life Asking of You Now? TQ & EQ

What's Life Asking of You Now? TQ & EQ

with Whole Person Leadership Faculty member, Kim Kristenson-Lee, MAIR, ACC, TICC, CCL

☀️FREE TO ATTEND☀️

Knowing how to healthfully navigate transitions is a key capability of generative human beings.  

We live a nonlinear life with regular disruptors.  There are “life quakes”- major disruptions that cause us to need to re-craft our entire storyline. Our ability to recognize, navigate, and make meaning of life transitions keeps us healthy and keeps our stories coherent.

A lens that allows us to understand what is happening:  we are almost always in some transition state—and that transition is normal—is transformational. 

A special conversation and a taste of Whole Person Leadership & leading the Whole Person Way. Find community, inspiration, and resources for leading during uncertain and disruptive times. Explore with us becoming and being a whole person leader.

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A CPL Mid-Winter Celebration (free to attend)
Jan
18

A CPL Mid-Winter Celebration (free to attend)

Free to attend.

Saturday, January 18, 2025
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

A CPL Mid-Winter Celebration with Terry Chapman

Host: Brian Mogren
Terry Chapman is in town--let's gather to celebrate with CPL friends @ St. Jane House for an evening of warmth and great conversation.

Join us on 1/18 at the St. Jane House. All are welcome!

You may know Terry from CPL’s weekly Hearth, or as a senior Convening Leader, or Illuman convening leader, or CPL Retreat leader. Terry being in town is a great reason to gather and the St. Jane House is the perfect place for a mid-winter celebration.

All CPL gatherings bring a diversity of people together for great conversation, food, drink, and joyful connection.

What will we do? We will Hear All the Voices in many ways, and have a lot of fun.

Light appetizers, desserts, and beverages will be provided.

If you're inspired to create something to add to the table, that would be great.


St. Jane House, 1403 Emerson Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Street parking.

A free-will offering will be accepted to help cover event costs.

We look forward to being with you!

RSVP to join us. No need to print your tickets.

Brian, Stephanie, Terry

St. Jane House

2023 CPL Retreat

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CPLC Connect
Jan
16

CPLC Connect

CPLC Connect:

What is CPL Communities? What are all the features of your CPL community?

Free for all CPL Community Members.



Updates on all things CPL and Community Member Community of Practice! 

Whether you are new to CPL Communities or have been here a while, do you know how to navigate the network, the platform, events, find people, connect?

Join Terry Chapman and Patricia Neal to learn more about this Community of Practice.  

#ConveningBestPractices
 
Free for all CPL Community Members.

REGISTER HERE

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