On Thursday, November 12, starting at 14:30 hrs (2:30 pm) US Eastern Time (check your local time here), Eric will facilitate a discussion of the Green Dreamer podcast episode 317 featuring Bayo Akomolafe and titled Slowing down and surrendering human centrality. Listen to the episode on the web at this link, or on your favorite podcast app. The discussion will last approximately 90 minutes, and will be facilitated on Zoom.

This event is for Eric's paid subscribers on Substack and Patreon. Follow the links to subscribe on either of those platforms. Links to join the Zoom meeting will be shared through these platforms the day before the event.

This discussion will be facilitated by FutureCurious’s founder, Eric Garza. Eric lives in Vermont’s Champlain Valley, in the Northeastern United States. He has facilitated dozens of events like this, and has taught courses at various colleges and universities. He spends much of his time pondering the skills and practices that will help us navigate today’s many converging crises.

This event will be facilitated in English, and will likely attract participants from across the English-speaking world. To create a supportive container for this event, Eric will expect participants to abide by the following agreements during our meetings:

1. When interacting with others, do so from a place of curiosity. In this spirit, avoid speaking for others, making assumptions about others’ intentions and experiences, or making generalizations about other groups of people. Make space in your interactions for varying styles of communication, viewpoints, and experiences. Expect that meetings may not offer closure on all questions or issues.

2. Share what your learn from the course with peers, but do not name anyone in attendance, share recordings, or share screen captures from them. Get consent from other participants before you share their stories or talk to them about something they shared during an event. Please realize that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in any group space, so practice discernment when sharing vulnerable experiences or personal details.

3. Do not attempt to derail a meeting or event, or use it to further your own or someone else’s agenda. Do not offer unsolicited advice to anyone, no matter how qualified you believe yourself to be. Do not use meetings to seek status by calling others out (or in, or any which way). If you have an issue with something that someone says or does, message the facilitator(s) using the Zoom chat or email the facilitator(s) after the meeting.

4. Listen to those who are speaking rather than planning how you want to respond. Give other participants the gift of your full presence. Share your own experiences using “I” statements. If you speak often, step back and make space for others. If you tend to be shy, be brave once in a while.

5. Take responsibility for your intentions, impact, triggers, and biases. At the same time, hold yourself and others gently. Make room for yourself and others to make mistakes. Refrain from blaming or shaming yourself or others. If you need to step away from the meeting to use the bathroom, get food or drink, move your body, etc, please turn your video off so you do not distract others.

If you have questions about any of these, email eric@futurecurious.org. If you are not willing to abide by these agreements, this event will not be a good fit for you.