Memphis Wine Lovers

Understand before you compromise.
We’ve all heard that compromise means “meeting halfway” — finding a middle ground where everyone gives something up. But what if the best solutions don’t come from splitting the difference at all?
In Never Split the Difference, Chris Voss explores how understanding what people really need can transform difficult conversations. Beneath the negotiation techniques is a powerful emotional intelligence lesson: what people say they want is not always the same as what they actually need.
Chris Voss developed these techniques in high-stakes negotiations, where understanding the other person could literally change the outcome.
In this Emotional Intelligence Practice Lab, we’ll explore the emotional intelligence underneath those techniques: listening deeply, recognizing emotions, reducing defensiveness, and understanding another person’s perspective. These skills are useful not only in difficult negotiations, but in everyday conversations with colleagues, friends, family, and anyone we want to communicate with more effectively.
We’ll discuss ideas from the book, reflect on where these patterns show up in our own lives, and practice applying them to real conversations.
You don’t need to have read the book to participate. Come ready to explore, connect, and practice having more meaningful conversations.

Difficult Conversations: Practice Lab (Live Rehearsal Session)
This session is focused on one thing: practicing real conversations before (or after) they happen.
If you have a conversation coming up that you’re unsure about (or one that didn’t go the way you wanted) this is a space to work through it in a structured, supportive environment.
What to expect:
This is a hands-on session with minimal theory.
1\. Quick Check\-In \(brief\)
We’ll start with a short reset and, if relevant, reflections from anyone who tried applying ideas from previous sessions.
2\. Real Situations \(focused\)
Participants can bring:
* an upcoming difficult conversation
* a recent interaction that didn’t go as expected
* something they’ve been avoiding
We’ll select a few situations to explore more deeply.
3\. Live Roleplay & Rehearsal \(core\)
We’ll actively practice conversations:
* try different approaches
* notice what changes
* repeat and refine
After each roleplay, we focus on:
* what was noticed
* where the interaction shifted
* what alternative responses might change the outcome
This is not about getting it “right.” It’s about experimenting and building awareness.
How this is different:
* This is a practice session, not a discussion group
* We work with real situations, not abstract advice
* We focus on patterns and responses, not critique
You don’t need to have attended any previous session to join.
If you’ve ever thought:
* “I need to have this conversation, but I don’t know how”
* “That didn’t go the way I expected”
* “I wish I could try that again differently”
This session is designed for exactly that.

Do you find it uncomfortable meeting new people? We've all been there.
This is a simple, structured space to practice one thing:
getting comfortable talking to someone you’ve never met before.
No pressure. No performance. No expectations.
Just real conversations with real people.
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What to expect
We’ll keep things light and practical.
* You’ll be paired with another participant in a breakout room
* Each conversation lasts about 10 minutes
* Then you’ll switch and meet someone new
By the end of the session, you’ll have spoken with several different people.
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How it works
The goal is not to impress or “get it right.”
It’s simply to:
* get words out of your mouth
* stay present in a conversation
* get more comfortable starting and continuing interactions
If the conversation stalls, you’ll have a few simple prompts to help keep things moving - but feel free to let it flow naturally.
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A quick note on boundaries
This is a practice space for conversation skills, not a dating or networking event.
* Keep interactions respectful and low-pressure
* No need to share personal details or contact information
* If a question or topic doesn’t feel right, simply steer the conversation elsewhere
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Who this is for
* If you sometimes feel unsure how to start a conversation
* If you find small talk awkward or draining
* If you just want a low-stakes way to meet new people
You’re in the right place.
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Come as you are.
You don’t need to prepare anything. Just show up and be willing to try.

\# Overthinkers 'R' Us: Integration Lab
Ever walked away from a conversation and replayed it in your head for hours... or days?
"I should've said..."
"Why did I respond like that?"
"I completely missed what they were trying to say."
"Next time, I'll..."
If that sounds familiar, you're in good company.
This is a relaxed, supportive space for people who tend to reflect on conversations after they've happened. Instead of replaying them alone, we'll unpack them together.
Bring along that conversation you've been replaying in your head. It might be something that happened with a friend, a family member, a colleague, a neighbour, or even a complete stranger. It could be a conversation that went well but left you wondering why, or one that left you wishing you'd handled it differently.
Together we'll explore questions like:
\* What actually happened?
\* What assumptions was each person making?
\* Was there a misunderstanding?
\* What worked well?
\* What might you try differently next time?
Depending on the situation, we might simply discuss different approaches as a group, or we may roleplay parts of the conversation to explore other possibilities. There is never any pressure to roleplay—observing and contributing ideas is just as valuable.
\#\# What to expect
\* A welcoming, judgment-free environment
\* Real conversations from everyday life
\* Gentle discussion and reflection
\* Optional roleplay to explore different approaches
\* Insights from other participants who may see things you hadn't considered
This isn't about finding the "perfect" response.
It's about becoming a little more aware, a little more intentional, and a little more confident the next time a similar conversation comes along.
\#\# A quick note on boundaries
This is a conversation practice and reflection group—not therapy or counselling.
Please respect each other's privacy and experiences.
Share only what you're comfortable sharing, and remember that everyone's perspective is welcome.
\#\# Who this is for
\* If you regularly replay conversations in your head afterwards...
\* If you wish you'd thought of the perfect response ten minutes too late...
\* If you're curious about how other people interpret the same interaction...
\* If you'd like to become more thoughtful and confident in everyday conversations...
...you're in the right place.
Come as you are.
You don't need to prepare anything - although, if there's a conversation that's been living rent-free in your head, bring it along. We'll see what we can learn from it together.