What we’re about
Higher Grounds has been meeting for about a year in Falls Church, Virginia, where it began as a simple idea: bring people together for thoughtful conversations about life beyond small talk. Now, we’re expanding into Del Ray/Alexandria and Vienna as more members step up to host. We’re a collective, not a top-down group, with multiple facilitators who share the spirit of curiosity and openness.
Most gatherings happen in cozy coffee shops, with the occasional walk or hike when the weather is nice. Every meetup starts with a round of introductions where everyone shares what makes them interesting like why they’re showing up to a group like this and what they hope to get from it. In your intros, details you’d normally find on LinkedIn can wait until the very end, if they come up at all. We don't care about your career accomplishments as much as what makes you you.
Our conversations have ranged widely, from the nature of happiness, family relationships, loneliness, spirituality, capitalism, parenting, personal philosophy, art, travel, personal transformation, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. These gatherings often dive much deeper than casual chats and tend to attract people who are reflecting on what comes next. After introductions, we dive straight into what's on people's minds rather than any set question. Conversations are popcorn-style and we make an effort to listen as much as we speak.
If you’d like to start a chapter, you must attend at least three sessions to get a feel for how we do things. After that, you’ll have a one-on-one conversation with AJ to talk in more detail about your location and ideas for hosting.
