An Antidote is at Hand, Starting on Sunday
The free online gatherings we're offering this summer will prove a tonic.
I write Toxic Workplace Survival Guy because I want to help as many people as possible do as I did: survive long enough to emerge with my soul, dignity and career intact, on my own terms. A big thank-you to all those who’ve become paid subscribers — you make this work possible.
Survival Tool #24: Find Supportive Community
Just so there’s no room for confusion: The series of free online gatherings I’m co-facilitating with my friend Jacob Kishere over the next few weeks are not designed only for people stuck (for now) in a toxic workplace.
But if you are stuck (for now) in a toxic workplace, they’ll almost certainly help.
In these 90-minute, Sunday evening sessions (UK time), we’ll be creating spaces that are about as far from a toxic work environment as it’s possible to get:
Instead of putting on a mask, we’ll name what’s true.
Instead of conforming to rigid hierarchies, we’ll meet as equals.
Instead of being fake, we’ll speak from our core.
Instead of hiding, we’ll see each other — and be seen.
Instead of feeling alone, we’ll rest in a field of shared awareness.
Instead of being dominated, we’ll experience reciprocity and care.
Instead of looking for validation, we’ll listen to our inner authority.
Instead of feeling on edge, we’ll move into coherence.
These shifts and many more will remind your nervous system — exhausted from your toxic workplace — what it means to feel safe, connected, celebrated and received.
Cultural Transformation
The circles mark the launch of the Resonant Man Initiative, an impulse towards cultural transformation that Jacob and I are initiating this summer.
The first three circles will be for men, and the fourth circle will be for men and women. (Details and registration links below).
The circles begin with a brief meditation to help everyone land in the space, before we structure a series of opportunities to reflect and share on a particular theme — both in the large group, and in small-group breakouts of two or three people.
Our approach is informed both by my several years of study with the facilitator Thomas Hübl and his team, and Jacob’s practice of Dialogos, pioneered by the quantum physicist David Bohm.
It’s always something of a struggle to capture exactly why such sessions are so powerful, suffice to say that I always leave feeling energised, refreshed, inspired and reconnected with my essence. And if you’re stuck (for now) in a toxic workplace, that’s exactly the medicine you need.
There is no charge for any of these circles.
The Zoom sessions start at 1900 BST (1100 PST / 1400 EST) and last 90 minutes.
Sunday, June 23: Inviting Vision (men)
Sunday, July 14: Speaking from our Deepest Listening (men)
Sunday, July 21: Gifts and Wounds of our Ancestry (men)
Sunday, August 4: Finding Integrity in Relationship (men and women)
Hope to see you there!
Summary
“Seek out nourishing community spaces that remind your nervous system of what it means to feel valued, connected, celebrated and received.”
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I consult on surviving toxic workplaces; and can also help you navigate your toxic workplace via the Tarot. Click here to inquire:
I write Toxic Workplace Survival Guy during my spare time from working as an editor at nonprofit climate news service DeSmog (a model workplace). Subscribing, sharing, liking, commenting or buying me a coffee helps make this project sustainable. Thank you!