The Container

This episode covers the concept of active and receptive modes in circling (also known as yin and yang). It's the first in a new format we are calling ARCS (Authentic Relating & Circling Seminars). Shout out to Rob for his awesome contribution... from the woods!  If you would like to know more about circling, authentic relating, nonviolent communication (NVC), and more Relational Arts, che...

Last week, we began our conversation with Jason Digges on the history of circling. Today, we finish that discussion. Jason takes us from the Integral Center, where he and a team of intrepid researchers and facilitators helped link the pioneering work of Ken Wilbur and Susan Campbell with the early founders of circling like Guy Sengstock into a core modality in the world of the Relational Arts. As...

In this episode, we welcome none other than Jason Digges onto the podcast to track the history of circling from its origin among the likes of Susan Campbell, Ken Wilbur, and Guy Sengstock to where it is today. The story comes from someone who saw much of the history firsthand at the Integral Center in Boulder, Colorado, and then later as a leading figure in the authentic relating movement. Want to...

The second half of our talk with energy healer and qi gong teacher Jay Demaio. He teaches us a lot about how to let our energy flow in our day-to-day lives as well as in the circle. This includes how to yawn, the importance of napping, using the tongue mudra, and integrating emotional experiences. It's a lot of great stuff! To learn more about Jay Demaio and to schedule a consultation with hi...

Circling gives us a lot of tools to communicate in a profoundly present way. But our bodies are tools for connecting, too. In this first of two blockbuster episodes, we talk with Jay Demaio, a qigong teacher and trauma-informed somatic energy healer. We explore how we can use the body to move energy in a way that builds stronger connections. Oh, and we circle, too! To learn more about Jay Demaio a...

This is a discussion with the incredible Cathy Courtenay. A true master of circling and a committed educator, she teaches the skills of the relational arts to a wide range of people, while also holding space for a community of practitioners in Asheville, North Carolina. Here, she gives us accessible tools we can begin using right now to connect with one another.  To learn more about Cathy Courtena...

This is an exciting episode! Sigh and Jonathan discuss a new practice that's been capturing their attention: Circling Strongstyle. With a heavy emphasis on the meditation side of things (as well as a heavy dose of discipline), this format will hopefully build our capacity to stay in the present with other people even as things get into the red. (See Episode 9, "The Traffic Light," f...

On this, our first interview episode, Joel Tenbomb joins us to discuss the fraught issue of caretaking. While some people see it as simple acts of kindness, it's important to keep an eye out for the many ways caretaking can limit the sovereignty and expression of others. This holds true inside of circling and in our lives. More about Joel: Joel is the creator of Circling Curious, a Circling g...