Dysfunctional Families

Neurodivergent brains come with their own operating manuals — but most of us were never handed ours. Some of us run hot on sensory input, others stall out on transitions, some need movement to think, others need silence to function. The tricky part is that our needs are often invisible, even to ourselves, until something tips us over. This month at Neurospicy Bayside, we're slowing down to look at two questions: * What support do I actually need to feel okay and do my best work? * What might the people around me need that I've never thought to ask about? We'll talk about the kinds of accommodations that exist (formal and informal — at work, at home, in social spaces), share what's worked and what hasn't, and gently map out where each of us tends to struggle. The goal isn't to fix anyone. It's to build a richer vocabulary for our own needs and a more compassionate lens for the people in our lives who might be quietly white-knuckling things we'd never guess. Bring yourself as you are. Stim, doodle, pace, listen, share as much or as little as feels right. Fidgets and ear defenders welcome. There's no expectation to disclose anything you don't want to. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Fellas, Come along, grab a coffee, and connect with other dads who understand life after separation. Chat if you feel like it, and enjoy a good coffee. I’ll be sitting with my push bike helmet on the table — just come up, say hello, and grab a seat. Cheers, Paul

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your lamp, use the MEETAMC10 coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Join us for a hands-on workshop where families can learn the art of creating beautiful Turkish lamps together. This unique and engaging class will guide parents and kids through crafting intricate and colorful lamps. No prior experience is required, as our expert instructors will provide step-by-step instructions on design, assembly, and decorating techniques. This workshop is perfect for families and friends to bond, unleash their creativity, and take home a stunning handmade craft that can brighten any room. Come discover Turkish lamp-making's magic with your little ones in a fun and supportive environment. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you'll lose track of time and end up with a beautiful lamp to take home!

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your lamp, use the MEETAMC10 coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Join us for a hands-on workshop where families can learn the art of creating beautiful Turkish lamps together. This unique and engaging class will guide parents and kids through crafting intricate and colorful lamps. No prior experience is required, as our expert instructors will provide step-by-step instructions on design, assembly, and decorating techniques. This workshop is perfect for families and friends to bond, unleash their creativity, and take home a stunning handmade craft that can brighten any room. Come discover Turkish lamp-making's magic with your little ones in a fun and supportive environment. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you'll lose track of time and end up with a beautiful lamp to take home!

Due to popularity, we are doing another walk, talk, lunch and coffee, this time as requested, in the city. Fitroy Gardens. Ticket here: [Walk, talk and lunch - Fitzroy Gardens](https://www.trybooking.com/DMDSE) Meeting at Kere Kere Green cafe, on the grassed area. It's a nice open space to meet, mingle, talk before making our way around the gardens, over to The Tan and back. Meeting at 10:30am, starting walk around the gardens at 11am, walk shall take about 70 mins, to then make our way back to Kere Kere Green Cafe. Grab your coffee as we meet and then lunch once we make it back. The cafe has seating inside/outside or we can stand on the outside grassed area. There is prospect of rain but come prepared with umbrella and rain coat. If it is too wet, we can just stay at cafe for a coffee. Dogs welcomed! Please do NOT be late, smell of alcohol/be hungover (Sober Sunday) or have bad BO. Being a Sunday, there should be parking around, plenty of public transport options as well. Your ticket goes towards the associated costs of running the group and it is ONLY $5! ## Date

🌟 **A new one-on-one, personality-based connection experience** Many of you have been asking about structured events and if I’d ever bring them back. Well… here it is - a new version, more intentional, and built around something I care about : **matching people based on personality.** Over the years, I’ve seen how hard it can be to find people you truly click with as adults. Small talk goes nowhere, and most events don’t give you the space for real conversation. 💫 **What to Expect** This is not speed dating, and it’s not a big mixer. It’s a curated, one-on-one connection experience where you’ll meet a few people who’ve been matched to you based on personality and vibe. Expect: * A cosy, comfortable venue * A hosted structure so you’re never left awkwardly standing around * A series of guided one-on-one conversations * A relaxed atmosphere where you can genuinely be yourself * This is not dating focused event, there will be a seperate one for dating Each conversation is designed to feel natural — because the match is based on compatibility Get your tickets here - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1988143914969?aff=oddtdtcreator 🧭 **Before the Event** Once you get your Eventbrite ticket, you’ll receive a **short personality test (If you have already taken the test at a previous event you don't need to do it again)**. It takes only a few minutes but helps us understand your communication style, energy, and compatibility factors. This is how we curate meaningful one-on-one pairings for the event. 🌿 **Come Join Us** If you’re tired of small talk and ready to meet people who truly fit your personality, this is for you. A warm, intentional space created for deeper conversations and genuine chemistry - whether it becomes friendship, something romantic, or just a surprisingly great chat. RSVP now — spots are kept limited to ensure quality one-on-one time.

Hey girls 💛 Join us on a Sunday for a relaxed afternoon at the Hotel Esplanade. Think ocean views, good chats, and a few drinks to wind down the weekend ✨ 🕒 Time: Sunday, 17th May at 2pm 📍 Location: The Espy, St Kilda Come along for a casual catch-up, meet some new faces, and ease into the week ahead 💫 See you there! xx

**How to take control of your subconscious and harness its power!** EVERY SUNDAY AT 11AM Join us for an eye-opening lecture where the speaker will break down complex ideas in a clear and practical way. You'll gain insights into: * The true definition of the subconscious * How it generates unwanted emotions * Its real purpose and function * What determines the pressure it exerts on you But this isn't just another lecture where you sit and listen passively. It's interactive and engaging - you can ask questions at any time. FREE ADMISSION Reserve your spot today. Seats are limited, so don't wait too long to sign up.

Join us for a transformative 4-week immersion workshop in Authentic Relating and practice of **deeper listening**, designed to enhance your experience of intimacy and aliveness within connection, and **cultivate the embodied skills** required to navigating deep connections. Each week, we will explore themes, including self-awareness, vulnerability, empathy, and **artful communication**. Through experiential learning, group discussions, in a supportive environment, you will learn be able to practice "active listening", express yourself authentically, and cultivate more meaningful exchanges. There will also be a deeper dive into the practice of artful reflecting and responding to others, and how to respond to someone's sharing in a way that makes them feel seen while expresses the core of what you wanted to share. This is an ongoing process of learning these skills, but we will be covering some of the core foundations of this skill, through discussion and practice. There will be a strong emphasis on slowing down, tuning into the body, and allowing the habitual communication patterns to relax, while organically giving space for the novelty of spontaneous truths to be spoken and revealed. Having a closed group of participant and journeying over **4 x 3 hour classes**, over 4 weeks, will allow for a new level of depth and practice to extend and expand your capacity for more aliveness and more realness. This is a workshop for people who seek for more depth in their relating, for those who have a curiosity that calls them forward into the mystery of life. The workshops will consist of core authentic relating practices, but with the continuation of participants and familiarity it will allow for greater depth, nervous system regulation and greater sense of safety. some other practices that usually won't be run in one-off events, will also be able to be explored due to the increased depth of the group. If this sounds like something you want to explore, I look forward to sharing the space with you and others. If you have any questions, please reach out. \*\* people in challenging financial situations are welcome to reach out and we work something out The pricing of the event is done in a way which hopefully makes it accessible to most people; however it is more expensive than the monthly AR nights per session. This for few reasons: -the level of space holding and depth that the deep dive facilitates requires more space holding -there is a cap on the group as to not make it too large -there is more actually teaching and coaching around the authentic relating practice compared with the Monthly. all bookings must be made through [https://events.humanitix.com/authentic-relating-deep-dive](https://events.humanitix.com/authentic-relating-deep-dive) If you need to talk to me, please email me at authenticcmelb@gmail.com or FB [Authentic Connection Melbourne ](https://www.facebook.com/authenticmelb/) Looking forward to journeying with you! Daniel - Authentic Connection Melbourne Details Cost $250 early bird. $300 General admin DATES 4 Sundays MAY 17th, 24th,31st, JUNE 7th 5:30PM-8:30PM \*\*Participants will need to arrive on time, and the door will be closed by 15 minutes after starting. This is done to set the energy and foundations of the evening as a group. \*\*If you miss one of the sessions, you will still be able to attend the other sessions.

Please join us this Sunday to discuss discomfort, growth and personal development. We will meet at the Captain Melville at 2pm for a 2:15pm start sharp. **Please note the new $5-10 mandatory donation entry fee** (cash or transfer on day) to help with MeetUp subscription costs, venue costs (food & drinks for table), etc. There is no pre-requisite preparation necessary, nor a philosophical background, all that is required is a curious mind. These discussions are both a Socrates Cafe style discussion and lively metaphysical dojo, in the spirit of learning and friendly debate, so please feel free to challenge assumptions and be prepared to have your own assumptions challenged. This event is also posted to the Philosophy Circle group. Topic questions below, however please note these are open sessions not strict to the below: * What does it mean to “improve” oneself? Are we trying to become our true selves, or create better versions of ourselves? * Does growth require discomfort? * Can unnecessary suffering be mistaken for productive discomfort? * Can suffering produce wisdom when it is reflected on properly? * Is courage the willingness to remain present inside discomfort? * Can comfort become a prison and lead to a shallow life? * Is personal growth possible without some form of sacrifice? * Is there a danger in constantly treating oneself as a project? * Should personal development aim at happiness, virtue, freedom, usefulness, wholeness or holiness? * Make makes a strong family? * What duties do children owe their parents, and what duties do parents owe their children? * What have religions and spiritual traditions said on the above questions? Hope to see you there!

Summer Session, Thursdays, June 4 - July 23, 2026, from 6 to 8:30pm ET **NAMI Family-to-Family** is a free, eight-week program for family members, caregivers, and partners of individuals living with mental illness. NAMI Family-to-Family provides information about anxiety, depressive disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. Other topics covered include communication, problem solving, treatment, and recovery.

At Unity of Columbus, our Youth and Family Ministry nurtures the spiritual growth of children and families through love, joy, and practical spiritual teachings. Each Sunday, children explore timeless spiritual principles through stories, creative activities, music, and group sharing in a safe and welcoming environment. Our program encourages children to discover their own inner light, express kindness, and develop a personal connection with God. Together, we celebrate diversity, cultivate understanding, and inspire each child to live with purpose and compassion. Parents and families are invited to join in this uplifting journey of learning, laughter, and spiritual connection.

Join us for a relaxed and enjoyable brunch at 17 Arrows Kitchen and Bar! This is a great opportunity to meet new people, enjoy good food, and ease into the weekend with great conversation. Whether you’re new to the group or it’s your first event, you’ll feel right at home.

**Lunch before Musical!** **All are welcome 😊**