Talking Circles
We Gather In Circle to Remember Who We aRe
Talking circles are spaces to show up as you are and share what’s on your mind and heart, without getting one-upped or receiving unsolicited advice. In circle, we hold space for and honor each voice present — a rare yet needed gift.
4+
Years Facilitating
Circles In Chicago
100+
Circles FAcilitated
Since 2000(ish)
100+
Women, Genderqueer
Folk, & Men Served
To Be Truly Seen Is Rare
Most of us are not good listeners, and we move through the world preparing our response to whoever’s speaking rather than being fully present to them and their words.
We all know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of such ‘listening’, and it sucks. Worse yet is when the listener one-ups us or offers advice that we neither asked for nor wanted.
The result? A lack of genuine, heartfelt connection. Unfulfilling relationships. And worse…
To be clear, it’s not anyone’s fault — we’re a product of culture and this is how we’ve learned to ‘listen’ — but we have the power to change how we show up for each other.
From Surface Level to Depth
Talking Circles
Talking circles are rooted in many Indigenous cultures and span millennia. They also create the structure of 12-Step programs and many therapy groups.
There are many flavors to talking circles, and over the past 28 years, I’ve sat in hundreds of them as either a facilitator or participant.
I’ve also studied circle and trauma-informed group facilitation, and between my own experiences as an introvert and the trainings I’ve received, I’ve created an approach to circling that emphasizes equity in sharing. This enhances the depth and potency of the circling experience.
Talking Circles
Equity in Sharing
What’s Inside a Circle:
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All circles begin with a grounding and centering practice so that we can be fully present to each speaker, and so that we can take up space from a place of grounded presence when it’s our turn to share.
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In each and every circle I facilitate, we collectively read our circling agreements. These agreements create our circle’s structure, inform how sharing happens, and minimize the potential for conflict. Participants are invited to request additional agreements.
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Most talking circles I facilitate include a reading and a reflection prompt (or three). Readings are varied but are always intended to help you tap into your innate wisdom, feel empowered, or wayfind.
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One of the most cherished elements of the circles I facilitate is the practice of equity in sharing.
Each participant receives equal time to share, be it in words or silence. This means that our circle will hold space for the same amount of time for each person present, and that no one passes the talking piece until their time is up.
I do this for many reasons, most of which stem from my own dissatisfying experience as an introvert sitting in other circles where this isn’t practiced (e.g. 99% of them!). But the gist is that this practice ensures that everyone is given the same ‘right’ to take up space. And it’s fucking powerful.
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In the ongoing circle I’ve facilitated since 2022, the ritual has been to release what no longer serves us. While I always reserve the right to swap out this ritual for another one, this one has been continuously embraced by my community since it’s initiation and will likely remain.
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During our closing debrief, we take a few minutes to share popcorn style anything that we’re feeling called to share about our experience. Often, participants will offer their support to others. It’s a beautiful way to close out our circle.
Ready to get started?
Some circles have registration caps, so please consider registering earlier than later.
Real testimonials
From real women
Guiding Principles
Guiding Principles
01 / Equitable
Each participant will receive ample and equal time to share, with either words or silence. Even in larger circles. This is non-negotiable.
02 / Simple
These circles aren’t heavy on rituals or other activities. They are simple in structure, with the primary focus being on collective sharing.
03 / Welcoming
These aren’t ethereal goddess circles, as lovely as those can be. Nor are they dogmatic. They welcoming to new faces and belief systems.
04 / Non-Hierarchal
My approach to facilitation ensures that no one dominates the circle, including me. Our agreements are created to support this.
05 / Trauma-Sensitive
I facilitate circles via a trauma-sensitive lens. Our agreements are instrumental in creating brave spaces, for participants.
06 / Values-Driven
These circles are rooted in my yearning for collective liberation from oppression from capitalism, patriarchy, racism, etc.
Opportunities to Join a Talking Circle
01
View the
Lineup
View the lineup to see if any circles speak to you. If they do, I encourage you to register as early as possible (some have a cap).
02
Request
A Circle
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Drop me a line! Props if you have friends who are looking for the same thing and/or a space in mind.
03
Submit an
Inquiry
If you would like to hire me to facilitate a talking circle for your group or event, please submit an inquiry. I’d love to explore it!
Hi! I’m Kristi.
Trauma-Sensitive Circle Facilitation
I attended my first circle on 11/11/99. Jimmy Anderson of the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota tribal community facilitated it, and one of my sisters at the encampment showed me how to smudge when he fanned the sacred smoke my way.
My first sister circle was held maybe a year later on the full moon with Tree, Sky, Madi, and Flo. For a while, we gathered monthly, and these early circles stirred something deep within my soul.
I’ve both participated in and facilitated hundreds of circles in the decades that followed, many of which have left an imprint in how I facilitate circles today and which I’ve shared earlier on this page.
I’ve also taken numerous trainings on circle and group facilitation, including one that was explicitly through a trauma-informed lens. Through this training and Heather Plett’s The Art of Holding Space, I came to appreciate the importance of creating brave spaces rather than safe spaces.
My facilitation emphasizes invitational language and the retention of personal agency in everything we do in circle.
“[Kristi] has a beautiful way of gently leading a group with love.”
Diane Rakocy
“Thank you Dear sister. Your circle was the perfect medicine to my heart today.”
Ritvika Radha Devi
“Your circles are beautiful and healing.”
Diane M.
You’ve got questions?
I’ve got answers
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All circle events pages will indicate which gender identities are welcome.
The degree of a circle’s inclusivity depends on the intent of the circle, the host’s intent, etc.
The circles I facilitate are not rooted in any spiritual tradition, as I don’t claim membership to any. They are, however, influenced by the Indigenous circles I participated in nearly three decades ago, as well as other types of circles.
I often share readings and reflection prompts from Indigenous, Earth-based, or soul-focused authors (again, not from a religious perspective). If this would bother you, the circles I facilitate probably won’t be a great fit.
Open-mindedness and the ability to hold space for worldviews that differ from yours is another important criteria.
There is an important caveat: worldviews that perpetuate injustice or oppression are not welcome in the circles I facilitate.
The circles I facilitate are based on expressed community interest or need. I am also available to facilitate one-off or bookended circles.
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If a circle is explicitly noted to be a women’s circle, anyone who identifies as a woman is welcome (unless explicitly noted otherwise). Additionally, genderqueer AFAB folk are welcome (again, unless explicitly noted otherwise).
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I currently don’t have a regular cadence for virtual circles, though I’ve facilitated them in the past and would like to do so again. If you would like to join a virtual circle, please drop me a line! If enough interest is there to support them, I will enthusiastically add them to the lineup.
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If you would like me to facilitate a circle or series of circles for you, please submit an inquiry. I look forward to learning about your intentions and ideas!
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It depends on who’s hosting the circle and how registrations are processed. Some hosts offer a sliding scale, and if I’m aware of this I’ll include mention of it on the circle lineup page.
If you need financial assistance for a circle that I’m both hosting and facilitating and none is offered as an option at checkout, please email me at kristi@kristiamdahl.com. If I can work with you, I will. There is never any shame in asking.*
*Please note that I don’t currently have a pool of scholarship funds and that my intention is to both create a sustainable source of income and make my work accessible. This is a dance and, as such, financial assistance (or trades) generally don’t apply to very high-touch offers.
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While these circles have a social element to them, they aren’t social circles. With that, please keep the booze at home, and plan to turn off your phone for the duration of our circle.
Also, for circles held at yoga studios, please plan to either sit on a bolster or meditation cushion (provided), or bring your own close-to-the-ground seating. If you bring your own, please also plan to bring a yoga mat or rug to place between it and the floor. This is to prevent scratches and other damages.
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I facilitate circles in Chicago’s Far North Side. Specifically, North Mayfair (not far from Pulaski & Foster). I’m also in talks with a yoga studio in the Andersonville/Ravenswood area, and I am open to other locations.
Free download
Facilitating Circles
Facilitating circles isn't rocket science, and there are countless ways to do it. This guide offers my approach for facilitating talking circles and is for both new and experienced folk.
✓ Create brave spaces over safe spaces
✓ Collectively read your circling agreements
✓ Give everyone equal time to share
✓ Borrow the format I use for most circles