Creative Problem Solving

Join us at The Alcove Cantina for our Business Networking luncheon in Round Rock. Connect with fellow professionals, foster business growth, and enjoy the interactive and referral-driven atmosphere of our group. We also contribute to local charities, making our networking experience not only beneficial for your business but also for the community. Don't miss out—come network with us! **Agenda:** \- Open Networking and Lunch Order \- Announcements and Updates \- Introductions \- Networking Activity or Spotlight Speaker \- Open Networking 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 BXN S𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: 👉 [Bradenn Pools](https://bradennpools.com/) 👉 [Keyss Inc - Think Tech. Think Us.](https://keyssinc.com/) 👉 [Luna Tech - Managed IT Services](https://lunatechteam.com/) 👉 [American Eagle Plumbing](https://americaneagleplumbing.net/) 👉 [Dolan Mortgage Team](https://dolanloans.com/) 👉 [Balarini Floors](https://balarinifloors.com) 👉 [KingFiher Roofing](https://kingfisherroofing.com) 👉 [CESHKER Group - Law & Title Offices](https://www.ceshker.com/) 👉 [Horizon Realty](BuyWithBatya.com) 👉 [PuroClean - The Paramedics of Property Damage](https://puroclean.com/pwa-tx) 👉 [Truist Financial](https://www.truist.com/) 👉 [COR Bookkeeping & Consulting ](https://www.mycorbookkeeping.com/) 👉 [Dynamic Electrical Service ](https://www.facebook.com/DynamicTX/) 👉 [Temperature Pro ](https://temperaturepro.com/round-rock-tx/) [Learn more about BXN](https://bxnmembers.com/) We look forward to seeing you soon! BXN Leadership Team #networking

Connect with other artists, creatives, technologists, and entrepreneurs working at the intersection of art, tech, and AI. **April’s Topic: Protecting Your Creative Voice in an AI World** In a world of fast and easy generation, your unique voice as an artist matters more than ever. In this session, we'll dive into the topics of building a brand and staying true to your values and ethics: how to talk about AI with your audience, where to draw the line, and how to protect the integrity and originality of your creative work. We'll reserve plenty of time for an open group discussion addressing important questions such as: * How do you address AI in your creative business without undermining perceived value or originality? * What are your non-negotiables (where will you not use AI at all in your workflow)? * What ethical and/or legal concerns are most pressing for independent artists and creative businesses? **What to Expect:** 
We'll bring beverages, ice breakers, and discussion prompts to get the conversation flowing. You bring your thoughts, experiences, and viewpoints. ACE meetups are a warm, collegial, and inviting space. All backgrounds, disciplines, and levels of experience will be respected and given space to express their perspectives, opinions, and concerns about the current state and future of the arts, AI, and technology. **Flow of Events:**
 6:15p: Doors Open
 6:30-6:45p: Network & Mingle 6:45p-8:00p: Presentation & Group Discussion
 8:00p-8:15p: Network, Mingle, & Connections 
8:15p: Clean Up **Where:**
 We’ll be in Padawan on the 5th floor of Station Austin, which is located inside the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin. Once inside the Omni, head to the elevators near the security desk in the lobby area outside of Station Austin. Take the elevators to the 5th floor and look for the room "Padawan." **Parking:**
 You can park streetside (metered) or inside the garage under the Omni Hotel. Station Austin will validate parking in the Omni Garage to the reduced rate of $8 if you arrive after 5p and leave before 10p. **Membership Not Required:**
 Meetups are free and open to the public. All are welcome. You do not need a Station Austin membership to attend. **Supported By:**
 Thank you to Station Austin for sponsoring ACE meetups. Station Austin is the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas. They meet the best entrepreneurs in the state and introduce them to their first investors, employees, mentors, and customers. To sign up for a Station Austin membership, [click here](https://capital-factory.officernd.com/signup?office=5d1bcda0dbd6e40010479eec).

**This Real Estate Mastermind Group often has lively discussions about real estate and other creative means of investing. Beginners welcome!** Come join us for informative networking, deal pitching, discussing real estate and investing strategies, and creative ways to leverage your success. 11:30-Noon, order food, networking Noon-1PM, introductions, deal pitching, questions, current trends, any other real estate topic. The Galaxy Cafe 8127 Mesa Drive, Ste A100 Austin, TX, 78759 Free parking

Join us for another great presentation and discussion topic by Watson as he reviews the book "Broken Money" by Lyn Alden. [Broken Money: Why Our Financial System Is Failing Us and How We Can Make It Better](https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Money-Financial-System-Failing/dp/B0CG83QBJ6) *Broken Money explores the history of money through the lens of technology. Politics can affect things temporarily and locally, but technology is what drives things forward globally and permanently. The book's goal is for the reader to walk away with a deep understanding of money and monetary history, both in terms of theoretical foundations and in terms of practical implications.* \-\-\-\- From 6:30 - 8:30PM, the Allen R. Baca Center will be our starting point. We will share an educational topic before heading across the street for Bitcoin Happy Hour in historic downtown Round Rock. Some light refreshments will be provided, but you are also welcome to BYOB. We'll also demo some tools and provide opportunities for a little peer to peer circular economy A.K.A. Satoshi Square. The purpose of this group is 2 fold: \*Share knowledge, tools, resources, and benefits of the Bitcoin network for advancing humankind. - Peer to peer networking with other bitcoiners in order to grow adoption by local businesses within our community. Whether you are new to bitcoin or a hardened node runner, if you live in or around Round Rock, this group is for you. Come join us for The Round Rock Bitcoiners meetup! Find our past discussion topics and more on the website: [https://roundrockbitcoiners.com/](https://roundrockbitcoiners.com) Vires in Numeris -Jason

REAL ESTATE INVESTORS IN ACTION! Real Growth REI Network is a Real Estate Investor Networking Group of Newbie, Aspiring and Experienced Investors. All Are Welcome to Our In Person Meetup Events What You Get: * Our Host have been R.E. Investors for over 40+ years. * A Networking Environment to Build a Business and Team of Strategic Partner's * DFP & Wholesale Type Acquisitions & Sales * NO to Low Money Down & NO Credit * Creative Deal Making & Structuring 101 * Learn to Use OPM to The Max. Yes Newbies Can Do It To!!$$ * Proven Structured Deal Making Strategies like = Owner Finance, Seller Finance, 2nd Lien Carry Backs, Now Money & Monthly Money, Wealth Building Equity, Become the Lender Yourself = Top of the Food Chain. * Case Studies, Live Deals Breakdowns, Networking & Collaborations Our Agenda: * Every 1st & 3rd Thursday of Each Month * 6:30 - 7:00pm = Networking * 7:00 - 8:15pm = Individual Intros, Deals, Education, Speakers etc * 8:15 - 8:45pm = Networking can go past 8:30pm if wanted Our Mission: * Real Growth REI Network exists to connect real estate investors who want to learn together, partner on deals, and build real wealth through collaboration, education, and strategic investing opportunities.

Come play pickleball and make new friends at Pickleland! 🏓 \*\*\* **Important: Please sign up on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com) directly.** \*\*\* We divide our open play by levels! 😄 (All levels welcome!) If you've never played, come and learn the rules! We have other beginners join us every day. You don't need a paddle, we have some you can rent ($10)! If you are an avid player, come and find some nice and friendly competition. If this time doesn't work for you, we are open M-F 8am to 10pm, and Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. Find other times on the Pickleland App ([iOS](https://pickleland.com/ios) \| [Android](https://pickleland.com/android)) or [website](https://play.pickleland.com). The website and app will show the most accurate roster and sign up count! Follow [@picklelandatx](https://www.instagram.com/picklelandatx/) for more! **⭐️ Come see why we were recently named the "Best Pickleball Club" in Austin by Austin Pickleball Update and 750+ other players!**

Bring a whiteboard or a laptop or a piece of paper. We will be solving 1 easy and 1 medium problem on LeetCode. We have no rules for being late or leaving early, you can be late and start from the second problem or do the first one and leave. The main idea is to work together on it, share thoughts and discuss a solution. For those who don't like the time pressure during the session, I will be posting problems in the comments for the session 1 day in advance.

**The world keeps changing. Fast. The question is whether your approach is.** KAA 2026 is where Agile practitioners, leaders, and builders come to work through what's actually hard right now: delivering real value, building trust across teams, and figuring out where AI fits without losing the human system underneath it. This isn't a theory conference. The speakers are doing the work. Our keynote, **Kevin Koym**, has helped over 6,500 entrepreneurs across 42 countries build something real. He founded Tech Ranch Austin. He's seen what stalls people and what moves them. If you're building something, leading something, or still figuring out what comes next, his talk is worth your whole morning. The rest of the lineup covers leadership, product, teams, and technology. Talks and workshops. Practitioners and executives. A room full of people who take this seriously. **If that sounds like your kind of day, purchase tickets here:** [https://www.agileaustin.org/kaa-2026-ticket-info](https://www.agileaustin.org/kaa-2026-ticket-info) Want to see who's speaking first? [https://www.agileaustin.org/kaa-2026-speakers](https://www.agileaustin.org/kaa-2026-speakers)

**Location Change: Due to forecasted rain this weekend, we'll be meeting again at Easy Tiger at the Linc, which has a covered outdoor patio and cozy beverages :-)** Tired of small talk and today's atomized culture? Longing to expand creatively in a community that encourages big dreams, growth, and change? Want to find your voice and support others as they find themselves too? Welcome! The Creative Friendship Lab encourages people from all walks of life to explore the rich emotional and social world around them, while pursuing individual and shared creative projects. Our Lab invites both serious artists and just-budding amateurs to come enjoy our events and experiments! This group is a project by *Difficult Friends,* a volunteer-run community arts organization: [Website](https://www.difficultfriends.com/) ⟡ [Substack](https://difficultfriends.substack.com/) ⟡ [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/difficultfriends/) **This Week's Writing Workshop** This week, we'll be meeting at Easy Tiger at the Linc at 2 PM on April 12th to explore the themes of *emotion, memory, and color*. Color speaks to all of us through the subtle language of sense and reminiscence. Come join us in channeling what you see into words for what you feel. This week, we'll be experimenting with the structure and format of [the lyric essay](https://writers.com/lyric-essay). Our April 12 workshop reading will be excerpted from *Bluets* by Maggie Nelson. The rough structure of our workshop will be as follows: * Saying hello to each other * Introducing the writing prompt * Independent free-writing * Collaborative group writing exercise * Closing out rituals and sharing work Thank you in advance for contributing your unique perspective to our workshop! Whether you’re just starting to explore your own creativity or you’ve been committed to it for decades, we hope you’ll join us in welcoming all members of this community in a spirit of vigorous encouragement, thoughtful engagement, and empathetic open-heartedness. \*\*\* ***[Difficult Friends](https://www.difficultfriends.com/)*[: Uniting Creative Friendship Lab x Dissent School](https://www.difficultfriends.com/)** There are things that can only happen between people who are genuinely present to each other. Not performing, not managing, not carefully calibrating what they show. Wholehearted creative collaboration is one of them. Real intellectual encounter is another. The kind of friendship that actually sustains people through difficulty is a third. Difficult Friends organizes two volunteer-run grassroots projects in Austin: [Creative Friendship Lab](https://www.meetup.com/creative-friendship-lab/) and [Dissent School](https://www.meetup.com/dissent-school). Our mission is to develop in members: (1) creative confidence, (2) intellectual independence, and (3) the subtle skills needed to form close friendships. We think it’s good to be a [Difficult Friend](https://difficultfriends.com/). Friendship itself is difficult to the degree that it is both genuine and built across difference. You will find our events creatively and intellectually challenging. They will put you in touch with people in ways that are energizing but unfamiliar. *But Difficult Friends are friends worth having.* Follow us on [Substack](https://difficultfriends.substack.com/) or [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/difficultfriends/) to get access to all our events. And please consider donating to us through our Meetup page. It really makes a difference. **Creative Friendship Lab's Session-Based Structure** This is a group designed to incubate close creative friendships. We run themed sessions that last 2-4 weeks of small, interconnected workshops and events. If you come to our sessions, you will get to know your creative cohort very well over a short time period. You will do cool work and make new friends who like to write, draw, take photos, etc. Your session cohort will also have the opportunity to join a Signal thread just for people in that session. The link will only be shared at in-person events for that session. And the thread will be closed and archived after the session ends. The session thread is designed to let people from the session keep in touch during their workshop period. The thread closes to encourage people to carry out individual connections away from the pressures of a continuing group dynamic. However, each event will also be able to stand on its own! So you should feel free to come by whenever, regardless of your attendance at prior events. We welcome first-timers always :-) Members are free to drop in and out of the Lab. We encourage everyone to feel a sense of freedom and lightness while doing as much or as little with the community as they please. **Creative Friendship Lab's Guiding Principles** “I am made and remade continually. Different people draw different words from me.” ― Virginia Woolf, *The Waves* “In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets.” – C.S. Lewis, *The Four Loves* "Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. I use the word ‘love’ here not merely in the personal sense but as a state of being, or a state of grace—not in the infantile American sense of being made happy but in the tough and universal sense of quest and daring and growth.” — James Baldwin, *The Fire Next Time* "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." — Anaïs Nin, *The Diary of Anaïs Nin* **Statement of Welcome and Inclusivity** The Creative Friendship Lab is for everybody! We are an inclusive community space, and we particularly seek to protect and welcome our LGBTQIA+, queer, transgender, and nonbinary members. Event attendees may be asked to share their preferred pronouns and will be asked to respect the preferred pronouns shared by other participants. Women, immigrants, people of color, religious minorities, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent folks seeking a diverse community are also especially encouraged to attend! That said, no particular identity performance is needed, desired, or expected from participants in our Lab. Come as you are and know you have a seat at our table, no matter how life has brought you into our community. **Empowering All Members to Lead** Creative Friendship Lab is a volunteer-run organization focused on encouraging members' creative confidence. Towards that end, we value all our members not only as attendees and followers, but also as continually developing community leaders. [Please click on this link for an overview of this organization's skill-based path to leadership development](https://docs.google.com/document/d/14AezcXqTm2i4abJiUx68r8goXMuKEMqWuzZs5nO_3vQ/edit?usp=sharing). The Leadership Skill Tree covers everything from the powers of one-time event attendees to instructions for becoming a Co-Organizer in our community. We also offer an all-member feedback form. Please take advantage of it, knowing your feedback is important, helps us improve, and will be collected anonymously: https://forms.gle/rxP7J2XLqcZrLpwVA **Supporting Our Community** Most of our events are offered on a donation basis to minimize financial barriers. Please consider making a donation if you would like to contribute to our mission, allow us to offer more meaningful events, and help defray the costs of our [meetup.com](http://meetup.com) hosting fees. Or not! We appreciate the many ways in which everyone contributes to our community, whether via financial or other means—simply by showing up and being kind, you are doing a good thing :-) **About Me (Personally)** I'm a writer living in Austin with my dog, Cookie. If you're interested in following my thoughts, you can find me at https://substack.com/@rachelsummercheong I love long essays, fiction, and philosophy. I also like to draw and go out dancing.

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)

This is a free, in-person meeting on the subject of betrayals, losses and how to get over them so you can build lasting relationships. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Pay attention! We’re delaying a week for those of you who may be on Spring break and/or celebrating the holiday. Ok, no pancakes, but waffles-a-plenty. Join the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. Look for us upstairs!

The topic for April is "Water" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. [Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/) \*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected! Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋 **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).