Deep Discussions (At River's Edge) Topic - Family Dynamics

Note the Location Change!! This month is at River's Edge in Tumwater (the Golf Course restaurant).

You don't have to buy dinner to attend. Have a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, a beer or just some water -- but come! RSVP early as the group reservation is limited to 30 (if you find yourself on the waitlist, come anyway. We have always had seats at the table).

Topic: Family Dynamics - How do we talk with those closest to us?

Family can take many forms: the people we’re born into, the people we choose, or those with whom we share long or important stretches of life. Yet no matter how we define it, communicating with the people closest to us can be surprisingly complicated. During the holiday season (a time filled with tradition, expectation, celebration, and sometimes strain) these dynamics often feel even more intense. Old roles can resurface, shared history shapes what feels safe to say, and deep care can make honesty harder rather than easier.

Building on last month’s exploration of meaning and fulfillment, this month we turn to the relationships that influence both. What makes some family conversations nourishing and others tense? How do identity, emotion, and long-standing patterns affect the way we speak and listen? And what does it take to communicate more authentically, and more compassionately, with the people who matter most? Join us as we explore the philosophy, psychology, and lived experience of talking to those closest to us, however we define “family.”

Join us as we explore these questions and more in our ongoing monthly discussion series, where we aim to go deeper into discussing and exploring what shapes our shared human experience.