Future of Journalism

If you’re artistic and creative — or were always that kid who dreamed of working in exciting sexi professional worlds of entertainment, fashion, music or the performing arts — then this one’s exclusively for you! An insider showbiz and entertainment walk led by someone who’s lived inside the industry - a radio music founder, presentator and club DJ, a former international journalist for the biggest global News Agency, an advertising / media agency executive, a red-carpet luxury fashion brand strategist and a failed boy band muscian (I still got the spiked hair though!). So expect stories told with passion and authenticity. This 90 mins backstage wander will take you straight through London’s creative arts & entertainment industry showbiz bloodstream. We’re talking broadcasting nerve centres, global pop stars, legendary stages, Hollywood hideouts, iconic comedy clubs, ad agencies that won general elections, recording studios, fashion designers, radio powerhouses, and the secret corners where reputations are negotiated over overpriced cocktails — all set against the music soundtrack of a city that’s launched everything from Britpop to boybands to global club culture. You’ll hear where the UK’s biggest radio stations broke chart‑toppers, where stars of the film and stage made their name, how certain streets shaped entire genres, how comedians went from dingy basements to national treasures, and why London’s music scene has always been the city’s loudest, messiest, most influential creative engine in the world This free tour will unapologetically appeal to: * **Pop‑culture lovers** who treat celebrity interviews and album drops like sacred texts * **Creatives & media people** who love a bit of insider sparkle and know the difference between a PR stunt and a genuine cultural moment * **Culture lovers** who collect fun facts from music, film, art and can name their favourite live performance of all time * **People working in or consuming** **films, theatre, radio, music, comedy, TV, dance, media, advertising**, **performing arts** and everything in between * Anyone craving something authentic, fun, and just the right amount of chaotic fabulous Expect a crowd that gets excited about the things normal people pretend not to care about — iconic ad campaigns, legendary performances, scandalous headlines, radio gossip, film magic, music history, and the beautiful mess of how culture actually gets made. You’ll walk, you’ll laugh, you’ll learn things you absolutely did not expect, and you’ll leave feeling like you’ve unlocked a secret level of London — the one where the stories, the scandals, and the soundtracks all collide Lucas — The Entertainment Mongul

This event will be for people to meet, go off and film, come back and enjoy the results. Whatever you want to do, be it film, act, direct or even just sort of hang around at the back then this is the event for you! MEET AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE NATIONAL THEATRE. If you are wondering what this group can provide for you, it’s above all else friendship with other like minded people, whether you are a screenwriter, director, cameraperson, actor etc etc. With that in mind, on Saturday we will do the following: 1. We’ll meet at the National Theatre on Southbank. 2. We’ll split into two groups (or more if needed) 3. Each team will try and beat the other teams to a pub in EC1 in London and edit (maybe) the film. BUT 4. Each team must make a 2 minute 30 seconds film on the way with a beginning middle and end, a solid story arc for the main character, etc. Remember to bring: 1. You and your enthusiasm 2. A camera (iPhones dslrs whatever) 3. Someone willing to do an edit after we arrive back at the on their computers All teams will then meet-up at a pub in EC1 and watch what we have filmed, happy with what they have learnt! The first team that finishes gets a Small Prize! Hopefully then, you will stick around to have a great time chatting about film, meeting new people, and forgetting about work until the late hours. Look forward to seeing you there! If there are no more places available on meetup then MORE tickets available on eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/ben-52750032443 Please Check Dates as this isnt a weekly meetup

The Barbican Centre is a symbol of brutalist architecture. Sharp edges, concrete, light and shadow, columns and blocky shapes: it’s a place rife with opportunities for our keen eyes and blazing cameras! This maze of shapes and lines is where we will be continuing our journey towards street photography excellence. It isn't the place for complex, layered crowds. Instead, we will focus on a slower, more intentional pace—seeking out the shapes, lines, and patterns where we can purposefully place a human element to create a striking image. Open to all skill levels. Whether you shoot on a smartphone or a high-end camera, this workshop is about elevating your craft and learning to capture better, more intentional images. For those who have joined me before, I look forward to continuing our journey. We’ll be building directly on the skills you’ve already practiced, adding this new 'intentional' element to your toolkit to create even more compelling street scenes. I will be there helping you along to develop the frame and to understand how to build the image from the ground up. Join us for a great afternoon, sharing your passion with fellow photographers and taking an important step in your journey to mastering the streets with your camera! What will you need? A camera or a smartphone, of course, and a pair of comfortable shoes. And a determination to have a good time, because you certainly will! After the workshop you will be invited to join the Tap on the Shoulder WhatsApp group, where you will be able to share your best efforts from the workshop and receive feedback from me and your peers. At the end of the workshop we will be heading for the nearest pub for a refreshment and some banter, enjoying each other’s company and planning our future street photography mischief! What are you waiting for? Book your place now and take your next step in improving your street photography skills! Bring your children, they can participate as well! Attendance is free for children under 15 years of age: please use the discount code UNDER15. Please come 5-10 minutes early. I will wait for 5 minutes for late arrivals then start the workshop out of respect for the people that arrived on time!

It's Herschel's birthday (1792). Not William, who discovered Uranus & various moons around it and Saturn, or Caroline who found a few comets. John, continuing the family work completed mapping of the Southern Hemisphere sky, and named the discovered moons - in Saturn's case, after Titans in Greek mythology. First stop along this Wealden walk will be his home at The Moor, a quintessential English village complete with green where cricket was played in Herschel's day, church, and the Eight Bells. The church houses a very unusual relic, delivered in 1944. Next in our orbit is Bewl Water, the largest stretch of water in SE England, described as unlike anywhere else. [Bewl Water - The Ultimate Destination for a Family Day Out](https://www.bewlwater.co.uk/) Final stop is Ticehurst, with chocolate box cottages. Further details: [Best places to live: Ticehurst, Sussex | Muddy Stilettos | Muddy Stilettos](https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/sussex/best-places-to-live-ticehurst/) And when taking photographs along the walk - who coined the word 'photography' which he helped develop? Yep, John Herschel. Outward Travel: Take the train departing 9.24 AM from London Bridge to ETCHINGHAM. The return train fare with a Network Card or GroupSave is £17.00. Gather outside the ticket office at London Bridge to arrange group tickets. Walk start: 10.31 AM from Etchingham rail station. Bring a packed lunch. Village / pub stops. Orbital walk. *How to join?* * The walk is entirely free of charge; * You only arrange for your own travel and pub expenses; * Understand our terms and conditions below (the "IMPORTANT" part); * Understand how to stay safe outdoors, as you will be responsible for yourself. See our quick safety tips: http://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/ *What to bring* * Plenty of water, 1-2 litres recommended * Enough snacks and packed lunch to keep you energized along the walk * Extra snacks and an extra packed lunch just in case * Rainproof (ideally waterproof) clothing, sturdy shoes/boots you don't mind getting muddy * Spare socks * Walking poles and/or an umbrella :-) * Yourself... * ...and your camera! * Cash for train ticket * Cash for pub at the end of the walk? Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section! IMPORTANT Please bear in mind this is a free of charge, self-guided trip with a hobby group. It is not organized by a business nor any entity with commercial purposes. Any trip details, travel advice, route planning, instructions and other content in our group merely represent our shared personal knowledge, research and suggestions as outdoor enthusiasts. As this is no business, there is no "product", "service" or "package" and also no "tour guide", "operator" or "walk leader". Each participant is responsible for their own safety. Even if some of us are very experienced walking outdoors, nobody assumes responsibility for any kind of injury, damage or loss that may happen. Despite this, we take extreme precautions and all trips we plan are very safe, fun, highly educational and popular. Our experienced members volunteer their time and effort to shape a pleasant and quality adventure for everyone :-) By participating you acknowledge and agree with this disclaimer. Here are our tips on staying safe during outdoor trips: http://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/ TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, INSURANCE Although we provide detailed suggestions, each participant is expected to arrange their own travel - this gives everyone the freedom and choice. Anyone interested in travel or outdoor insurance should also arrange this on their own. As mentioned above we always take extreme precautions, but some people may still feel safer if covered. As most of our trips are confirmed or postponed very close to the event date - heavily depending on the weather forecasts - we advise not to buy this until the last minute. People getting tickets from the same station are encouraged to meet early on the day to benefit from discounts such as GroupSave.

## 🍷 The Five-Minute Salon: Ideas, Rants & Revelations **An Evening of Short Talks & Lively Discussion** This is a salon-style discussion night for curious minds who enjoy thoughtful conversation, respectful disagreement, and a glass of wine. The format is simple, structured, and fun: **short talks, followed by open discussion** — no lectures, no panels, and no pressure to be an expert. If you like listening to interesting people think out loud — and doing the same yourself — this night is for you. *** ### 🕰 How the Evening Works Guests who wish to speak will each get: * **5 minutes** to talk about *any* topic that interests them (an idea, a question, a rant, something they know a lot about, or something they can’t stop thinking about) * **5 minutes** of group discussion immediately after You’re welcome to **bring notes or a couple of slides if that helps**, or you can **completely wing it** — both are equally encouraged. No preparation is required. You can decide your topic in advance or on the night. *** ### 💬 Example Topics (to Inspire You) You’re free to bring *any* topic. To give you a flavour, here are the kinds of things people often talk about: #### 🔥 Big, Provocative, Curiosity-Hooking * “A belief I held for years that completely collapsed” * “Something we’re all pretending is normal that absolutely isn’t” * “An opinion I’m slightly embarrassed to admit — but I think I’m right” * “A question that keeps me up at night” * “The strongest argument *against* my own position” * “A problem that would mostly disappear if we talked about it honestly” * “A hill I will die on — intellectually, not literally” #### 🧠 Politics, Culture & Society * “Is democracy actually compatible with social media?” * “Why housing feels broken even when the numbers ‘improve’” * “Has tolerance quietly turned into indifference?” * “Is the culture war mostly a distraction?” * “What will future generations judge us for?” * “Are we confusing progress with motion?” #### 🧬 Psychology, Identity & Human Behaviour * “Why smart people fall for obviously bad ideas” * “Is therapy making us better — or just more self-focused?” * “The lie we tell ourselves about happiness” * “Are we becoming more narcissistic, or just more honest?” * “Why we defend beliefs we don’t really believe” * “Is ‘being authentic’ overrated?” #### 🤖 Tech, Work & the Future * “What AI will actually change — and what it won’t” * “Is work still the centre of a meaningful life?” * “Why productivity culture makes us miserable” * “Would you want a frictionless life if you could have one?” * “Are we outsourcing too much thinking?” #### 🎭 Philosophy, Meaning & Life * “Is meaning discovered or invented?” * “What would a good life look like if no one was watching?” * “Is comfort the enemy of depth?” * “What do we owe strangers?” * “If you could erase one human trait, should you?” #### 🍷 Personal & Salon-Style * “Something I’ve never said out loud in a group like this” * “A time I was very wrong — and didn’t notice for years” * “A contradiction I live with” * “A question I hope someone else answers tonight” * “Why this topic matters more than people realise” Vent if you want. Teach if you want. Ask if you want. *** ### 🧠 Salon Etiquette To keep the night enjoyable and balanced for everyone: * Please respect the **5-minute time limits** * No interruptions during talks * Discussion > monologues * Disagreement is welcome; dominance is not * Attack ideas, not people The host will gently keep time and help the discussion flow. *** ### 🍷 Food & Drink * Wine drinking encouraged (BYOB to share) * Light snacks provided * Feel free to bring something extra if you’d like *** ### 📍 Location Address will be sent by **private message** to approved attendees. 1-minute walk from **Borough Station** / 8-minute walk from **London Bridge**. *** ### ⚠️ Important * **VERY LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE** * **RSVP is mandatory** * Address is sent **only by PM on Meetup** * Please ensure your Meetup notifications are turned on *** If you enjoy thoughtful conversation, hearing many perspectives in one evening, and a relaxed salon atmosphere — we’d love to have you. 🍷🕯️

Gentle people, It is my pleasure to invite you to Part III of Italian artists at the V&A, and a luscious afternoon of socialisation at the Grand Cafe at the V&A which is absolutely stunning. **Please note that there is no social before the tour, but only after.** I will be giving a guided tour of the Italian artists to the members of LGBT Culture Lovers group, throughout this year in multiple parts. **There's no need to have attended previous sessions as I always recap.** ***In the third event of the series, we will be looking at the sculptures of quattrocento and cinquecento.*** Included are works by **Donatello, Andrea del Verrocchio**, **Michelangelo, Raphael**, & many others. The tour will last around 60 minutes. **And here is the agenda:** * 1:45pm: Meet at the Italian style entrance on Cromwell Gardens (not the brutalist one on Exhibition Road). We will wait for 15 minutes. * 2pm: The tour starts right on the dot. * 3pm: Social at the V&A Grand Cafe! (appreciate a drink😜) I really encourage you to watch the two short videos in the further resources section, if you can. I hope to see there. J x **Further Resources** [Donatello's marble carving technique](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dn8F06y5mc)*,* V&A, video. [Donatello's clay modelling technique](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcoRoP3Abt8), V&A, video. *Due to the high demand of these tours, and the amount of preparation it takes, those with poor or problematic attendance will be moved to the waiting list, to give the space to more committed members.*

Time is precious. Here we value non-boring valuable chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit (mind the pun!), today’s fully hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive & curious - those drawn to the mysteries of the universe, life and everything in between. A tasty caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring spirituality/consciousness and related interconnected topics spanning **philosophy,** **neuroscience**, **parapsychology,** **paranormal.** **cosmology** and **noetic sciences** over a mug of sweet coffee. Hosted by me - a former Reuters journalist & published empirical researcher exploring spirituality topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager, there'll be no strict structure - a relaxed friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas & experiences without judgement, but I'll preside to promote inclusivity and zone in on specifics to avoid people digressing onto unrelated tangents to ensure like all of our events - particpants derive maximum utlity and insights from attending. We’ll touch on everything from the limits of scientific understanding to exploring the unexplained using practical fun exploratory divination practices drawing on elements of **psychology, metaphysics, epistemology** and **statistical** **probability** of rare events as we do so. Whether you're a practicing "spiritualist", a curious skeptic, or just someone who loves deep conversation on **life’s big questions**, you’ll hopefully walk away more enlightened with some practical tips you can start applying and inspired to explore more! As well as illuminating chats to guide self-reflection, obviously no sprituality event woul be complete without practical tools so there'll be FREE Tarot & I-Ching readings, demonstrations of meditation method to activate super powerful gamma brain waves, and pyschic tests for a bit of fun, laughter & intrigue! **Sample of conversational threads** might include: Are we mere organisms pursuing biological survival or does consciousness exist beyond neurons firing in our brains? What explains peoples' paranormal experiences? What would reality look like If our brains were limitless? Declassified CIA files show that as as well as mind control experiments, the US govt employed mediums and remote viewers. If all mumbo jumbo then why? Is Nirvana just a fantasy of deluded people? Does everything happen for a reason? To clarify - we define spirituality here as an exploration of consciousness, Donald Rumsfeld's unknown unknowns and undiscovered aspects of reality, NOT religion. After all, as my philosophy professor once rightly postulated to me: "If God created Adam, who created God Lucas?" Yep - that inconvenient flaw **debunks every fairytale religion** out there including the oldest religion of them all - paganism - so why is witchcraft still practised outside of **Hogwarts** today? I may also share the latest peer reviewed empirical evidence surrounding **paranormal** and **consciousness** phenomena. **=== POTENTIAL CONVERSATION STARTERS ===** 1. Does consciousness survive death or is Cambridge Astrophysics Professor Brian Cox right in asserting if **ghosts** existed then particle accelerators at CERN would have already detected ghost molecules making Ouija boards kids play? Are Poltergiests 100% hoax? Brain scans indicate thalamocortical circuits in our brain (pathways in the parietal cortex & central lateral thalamus) drive **consciousness -** so how can spirit/mind live on after **brain death**? 2. Is **synchronicity/coincidence** simply randomness disguised in the eye of the beholder or can what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance" (quantum entanglement) explain it? Molecular Biologists have shown that just like plants - our cells give off resonant frequencies between 10 & 180 kilohertz - could this be a source of non-verbal communication like telepathy? 3. Given **neuroscience**'s infancy with much yet undiscovered - could mediation help access functions outside of our BAU alpha & beta brain wave states? Can **Kundalini yoga** boost **DMT** (dimethyltryptamine) naturally vs drugs like ayahuasca, mushrooms, LSDand if so by what mechanism? Do the artifically created neural signatures using magnetic stimulation observed during mystical experiences debunk them? Is the Maharishi Effect real? 4. Are clairvoyants and mediums just good people readers or are they really able to access time and space in non-linear ways? Is Tyler Henry the real deal or just faking it? Was **Abraham Lincolm** precognizant when he dreamt his own fatal assignation? 5. The laws of statistical probability, Drake Equation & common sense tells us there is other non-microbial life out there. So what explains the Fermi Paradox? Was that 1976 WOW signal aliens? How about the recent strange bahaviour of Boyajian's star or Oumuamua/Atlas interstella object that has just entered our solar system? 6. Could metaverse explain deja vu & reincarnation vs theories from the **psychology** literature (Mandela Effect?) or do we just live in a **simulation** as **Elon Musk** proposes? 7. **Stephen Hawking** once said: "The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities" If matter only manifests when observed as the double slit experiments shows, does that mean everything is consciousness? Does the discovery of *quantum superposition /* disappearing neutrons imply **parallel universes**? 8. Do NDEs suggest something beyond physicality? Were Steve Jobs final words "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow" before he died (New York Times) visions of an afterlife or just neurochemical changes / drugs playing tricks? 9. Can photons omitted by our bodies explain auras that people see? 10. Could limits in our understanding of quantum physics, space and time explain paranormal experiences? 11. What existed before the **big bang** \- how do you get something from "nothing"? I believe our reality is the product of a black hole\. What you reckon? ***So how do we get to the "truth"?*** Both in my journalism days and applying the most advanced empirical research techniques in my client consulting work - it becomes clear the truth is often elusive. No matter how much we triangulate evidence - we can only provide part answers. "All models are wrong, but some are useful" George Box What we think we know and reality diverge leading to that great **paradox of knowledge.** And as the boundary between knowns and unknown converge, we end up with cognitive dissonance and more questions. In that spirit - every credible philosopher & scientist acknowledges - we'll never get to the complete truth but could **experimental methods** get us closer to it? A balanced approach guided by Immanuel Kant's pragmatism and Aristotle's deductive reasoning seems the most rationale framework here but are there any other methodologies? How about the **"spirituality"** toolkit? **=== RENDEZVOUS POINT ===** We will meet in the Penderel's Oak. *283–288 High Holborn, Holborn WC1V 7HP* zone 1 central london so very easy to get to. I'll be wearing a **Starwars identifier** and will share mobile hotline just before event start and table number/location Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answers

**Join LCC Sunday, March 8th at the Hackney Marshes playing field as we make another attempt at playing the Soviet Union's very own *Zarnitsa,* a capture-the-flag alternative with a small twist.** **WHAT IS ZARNITSA?** Zarnitsa (Зарница), or heat-lightning, officially known as the All-Union Young Pioneer military sports game "Zarnitsa", is a massive multi-player physical sports game developed and practiced by the Young Pioneers communist youth organisation during the Soviet era. The game provides a simulation of military actions such as reconnaissance, co-ordinated offensives, giving chase, etc. Popular once again in modern Russia, this is a simple game designed for children and young people in military/cadet organisations, but great fun for active people of all ages. The rules of Zarnitsa are based on the classic capture the flag concept. Two teams each have a "base area" with a flag contained within, concealed or otherwise. Each team's goal is to protect their own flag and seize the other team's and bring it back to the base area. Players can walk, run, sneak, hide, create diversions and use any means short of physical violence to achieve their objectives. What makes Zarnitsa different from classic CTF is simply this: every player has two velcro-attached shoulder straps that serve as health indicators and can be torn off by the opponents. Losing one indicates "wounded", losing two indicates "dead". The "wounded" players cannot run and should only walk. The "dead" players return to a respawn point or leave the game in some modes. Why are we doing this? Capture the flag is simply top fun and anyone who says otherwise is joking themselves. Zarnitsa's slightly elevated level of complexity should give us just that extra challenge needed to really make it interesting. That said, this is our first go with organising multiplayer sports games, so we'll see what the results are! As always comments, questions, suggestions and concerns are more than welcome - just contact an organiser. Sports games are a great way to get and stay active, meet new people, and break the monotony of everyday life under British capitalism. Let's get out there! For our first attempt at organising a little Zarnitsa league here in London, we'll hit up Hackney Marshes and Wick Woodland. We'll divide into two teams; each will receive coloured vests or other garments to which the health indicator strips are attached. Then we'll take up our places, count down from 60 seconds, and let the games begin! **Note: we'll want at least five people per team for this to really work right, so we'll cancel or reschedule if this one gets less than 9 RSVPs.** There's no limit to how big our group can be of course, so please do join us! Just be sure to either turn up on the day or change your RSVP if you can't make it in the end, just so we know what to expect. Take care and see you on the pitch!

Join this fun challenge to shoot in the style of famous photographers such as Moriyama, Cartier Bresson, Erwitt and others. This challenge is designed to stretch and encourage you to shoot a new and different type of photography. We'll start with a brief and set you into teams, look at your first challenge, then we'll go out shooting until we've worked through all the challenges. We will set the teams once everyone arrives and that way you'll have the courage (if you need it!) shooting street photography. We will stop for a coffee and review some of the images of the day. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: * The work of famous street photographers * Composition - layering / rules / what to look for * Candid or posed and how to approach people **PAYMENT OPTIONS** * **PayPal via RSVP** * The Meetup transaction fee will be added. and you'll automatically be added to attend * **Send £25 via PayPal** to \*\*[creativebeansproductions@gmail.com**](http://creativebeansproductions@gmail.com%2A%2A/) with no extra fee. * Send us a text or comment below and we will add you to the event attendee list. EQUIPMENT: * Any camera * A standard 18-55, 24-70 etc kit lens will do or a 70-200 for candid OTHER ESSENTIALS * A fun and experimental attitude! TRAVEL * As usual check TFL website for any issues that may delay your journey CONTACT * Alex 07956 264049 VENICE PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKEND - Oct 2026 [https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographicopa/events/313109095](https://www.meetup.com/londonphotographicopa/events/313109095) UPCOMING EVENTS [www.meetup.com/londonphotographicopa/events](http://www.meetup.com/londonphotographicopa/events)

Philosophy in the Park is a philosophical discussion group. Open to all. No previous philosophical experience necessary. We will meet in the Barbican Centre on Level Minus 1. Outside The Hall. Here's how it works: * At the start of each hour vote on which questions to discuss. You can vote for more than one question if you'd like. The questions with the most votes are the questions we discuss. * We then break up into groups and each group does a different question. The question is just a starting point and it's cool if you go on tangents and up end talking about different things. You're welcome to join in and participate or if you'd prefer you're welcome to sit back and enjoy the conversation. After an hour we all come back together, take a quick break and then repeat all over again. So in 3 hours we go around 3 times. The aim is to have fun, meet new people, generate interesting and thought-provoking conversations, have your horizons expanded, challenge your preconceptions and who knows - you might even learn something? In order to make the conversations as fun, interesting and productive for everyone as possible please follow these simple guidelines: 1. Keep it Philosophical (No Science, no History, no Evolutionary Psychology, no contestable facts, personal anecdotes etc). 2. Think for Yourself (No phones, no looking up definitions, no name dropping Philosophers / books you've read). 3. Tangents are Cool (Don't worry too much if the subject drifts and you don't answer the question). 4. Keep it Succinct (Like this). 5. Be Excellent to Each Other (But of course). Philosophy is about conceptual analysis. It's thinking about thinking. It's not about empiricism or the real world. It's about abstractions, concepts and ideas. To terms of the right attitude: It's not about debating and trying to win - it's about listening to people and working collaboratively to increase our collective understanding. No homework or prior knowledge or reading is necessary - simply come and enjoy the discussions. After the event finishes we have an area reserved in The Shakespeare pub which is just around the corner from the Barbican. You are very welcome to join us if you'd like. If you would like to submit a question please join the Whatsapp group. Question submissions take place on the Thursday before the meeting. We hope to see you there. Nice one. ... To join the Philosophy in the Park WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CdFaxJHbeOw9UOfuk7spiK](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CdFaxJHbeOw9UOfuk7spiK) (in order to stop spam bots this will take you to a Waiting Room. Once in please write your name and we will join you to the main chat). If the link doesn't work then please send me a message with your phone number and I can add you directly. Meetup charges subscription fees. If you would like to make a donation please click here: [https://paypal.me/philosophycollective](https://paypal.me/philosophycollective)

Ready to think clearer, reason better, and express with clarity? Join us for a practical wholesome philosophy practice where we learn essential thinking skills through hands-on group practice. Leave academics and theory at the door— this is a skills-building adventure for everyday life! ✨ This event's focus: **Constructing Your Position** 🎯a part of the Wholesome Philosophy series — that help you build a complete thinking toolkit. **See below** **Why should you sign up?** ✅ Practical toolkit you can use immediately ✅ Small group practice ✅ Private, quiet venue for focus ✅ Standalone session - Previous parts help, but not required **What is Wholesome Philosophy?** Practical philosophy for everyday life - helping you build useful skills for thinking clearer and communicating better in work, relationships, and daily conversations. You'll learn through pair work, and group practice. spread across **different sessions:** * **Clear Thinking & Better Arguments** — How to reason * **Develop Thinking Habits** — Spotting biases and fallacies * **The Art of Dialogue** — Having productive disagreements * **Constructing Your Position** — Building solid viewpoints * **Decision-Making Frameworks** — Choosing wisely under uncertainty * **Self-Examination & Growth** — Questioning your own beliefs Each session works standalone — attend one, some, or all. ***Want to join all?*** Speak to the facilitator about discounted pricing for the full series ✅ **Who is it for?** * You want to think clearer and communicate better * You feel frustrated when your point doesn't land * You want to spot weak reasoning (including your own) * You enjoy learning through practice, not just theory * You crave thoughtful conversation with curious people * You want practical tools you can use tomorrow No philosophy background needed — just show up ready to practice. **What's in it for you?** * Make your points stick (without fighting) * Think more clearly about any topic even complex ones * Have disagreements that don't turn into arguments * Understand the world better * Connect with curious, thoughtful people ✨ * Gain confidence in your reasoning abilities **How does it work?** * Facilitated practice session (2 hours) with structured exercises ⏱ * Small group discussions (4-6 people) * Pair work for hands-on practice * Individual reflection moments * Whole group sharing (optional, not required) Everything is timed and guided — you'll know exactly what to do at each stage **What to expect** Collaborative discovery, without competitive learning. Practicing together, without performing for each other. What happens in the room stays in the room. * **Depth**: Beyond small talk, but it's not therapy — we're developing thinking skills * **Safety**: Wholesome Agreement principles apply — respect, curiosity, no judgment * **Practical**: You'll leave with tools, not just concepts — things you can actually use the next day ️ * **Participation**: These are practice sessions — your active participation creates the learning environment **Ready to upgrade your thinking skills?** Join us for a Wholesome Philosophy practice session and walk away with various thinking tools — it's for anyone who wants to navigate life with a sharper, kinder mind. We really hope to see you there! **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** * **Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ * **Open-mindedness:** Be open to different perspectives and ideas. * **Active Participation:** Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. ️ **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80)

Tired of small talk and ready to connect on a real level? Join us for **deep**, **meaningful conversations** and **new friendships** 👯‍♀️🎉 with a group of like-minded individuals who share your interests. This event is **free** but you will be **required** to buy food or drink before you can join us 🍭🍬🧁🍰🥤🧃- having water doesn't support the venue **Who is it for?** * You want more satisfying, deeper conversations * You want more meaningful and long-lasting connections in your life * You crave more from life and know its out there * You are bored of just socialising and want to have fun and explore a new type of event! **What's in it for you?** * **No more awkward silences!** We'll provide questions to spark engaging conversations. 💡 * **Meet like-minded people** who crave deeper connections. 🤝 * **Have fun** in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. 😊 **How does it work?** * We'll pair you up with different people for **15-minute 1-1 chats**. 🔄 * **Use our questions** as a starting point, or go off on your own tangent! 🗺️ * Be **open**, **honest**, and **curious**. 👂 * 15 minutes is a good amount of time to explore a question deeply and **not have awkward silence**.⏳ * You are also **free to take the conversation in any direction** you choose.🤩 * You can always sit out a round to **take a break** 😪 **Examples of questions that we provide:** * "If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?" 🦸‍♀️ * "What's your biggest fear, and why does it scare you?" 😱 * "What's the most meaningful thing you've ever done?" ❤️ * "What would you do if you had all the money and time in the world?" 💰 **Why do we love deep conversations?** * They're **authentic**, **raw**, and **honest**. * There are **no limits** to where they can go. * You'll feel **uplifted**, **inspired**, and **connected**. 🌟 **How to be a great conversation partner?** * **Be Respectful:** Listen attentively and avoid interrupting others. 👂 * **Be Open-Minded:** Consider different viewpoints and challenge your own assumptions. 🧠 * **Be Engaging:** Ask thoughtful questions and contribute to the conversation. 💬 * **Be vulnerable:** We are a safe space, so it’s okay to be yourself 🥺 🙈 * **Be honest:** Be honest about our experience of life 🌍 * **Be curious:** Be interested in the other person ❓ 🤔 👀 **Ready to take the plunge?** 🌊 Join us and experience the magic of deeper conversations! 💫 You may leave feeling **uplifted**, **inspired**, **connected**, **invigorated**, **positive**, **grateful**!❤️ **What others have to say**: * **Parimal**: "I had the most amazing time! The conversations were refreshing and genuinely authentic." * **David Saville**: "This is a wonderful event run by two extraordinary individuals." * **Edomi**: "This is one of the best meetups I've been to. Highly recommended!" We really hope to see you there! 👋 **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centered around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** * **Respect:** Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ * **Open-mindedness:** Be open to different perspectives and ideas. 🧠💡 * **Active Participation:** Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. 🗣️💬 * **Accessibility:** We believe meaningful connection should be accessible to everyone. Our community makes this possible by supporting each other. 🤝 **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using 👉🏽 [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) 👉🏽 [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80) **Keep This Event Free 💝** If this event brings you something meaningful, you can help others access the same transformational experience. Whether it's £5 or £15, every contribution keeps these events accessible to everyone in our community. You'll find a QR code on your conversation sheet during the event, or you can contribute here #SupportYourCommunity 👉🏽 [Ko-Fi](https://ko-fi.com/deeperconnections) 👉🏽 [Buy Me A Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/deeperconnections) 👉🏽 [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DDSNCCFCYUEB2)

**Google Analytics Alternatives** Is it finally time to make the switch away from Google Analytics? Two-and-a-half years ago Jason Packer asked this question at Columbus Web Analytics Wednesday. Since then: Google’s Universal Analytics has been sunset, we’ve changed our name to Columbus Data & Analytics Wednesday, and Jason has released two editions of his book “Google Analytics Alternatives”. Fresh off the release of the 2nd edition of his book, we thought it was time to re-open this conversation. While people love to complain about it, GA’s market share has remained relatively constant (at least in the United States). Why is that? You won’t find any complaints about GA4 in this talk, but rather an overview of what’s currently available in the market and how to frame your decision-making process. We’ll also be giving out some free copies of Jason’s book! So even if you’ve got a “GA4Lyfe” tattoo (no judgement), there’s free books to go with the free pizza and beer. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)

**How to take control of your subconscious and harness its power!** 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 And the most important topic: **How do you take control of your subconscious!** 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. 📅 Reserve your spot now! Seats are limited, so don’t wait too long to sign up. Location: 1266 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215 Hosted by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation

The topic for March is "Our Bodies, Ourselves" 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!

It’s time to take control of your mental health. How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp.

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

Feeling down? Sometimes depressed? Can't focus? Negativity & stress? Recent losses? Creativity in career and personal life hindered by mental blocks? Sometimes we never fully recover from traumatic experiences. Whether it was yesterday, last week or a year ago, traumatic experiences - a loss of a loved one, losing a job, a breakup - can leave you scarred. You talk about it and feel a little better, but it never goes away. After you hang up the phone, it's still there; the sadness, the cloud, the over-thinking, the worry, the guilt. You try to focus, but you're blocked. You try to look forward into new experiences, new relationships but a cloud is hanging over you, casting a shadow on what you once considered a bright, cheerful future. What happened to your courage? Your strength of character? You're 'why not' attitude? Whoever said 'time heals' must have had a special time machine, because after weeks, months, years, you're wondering - when exactly does that kick in? Sometimes it seems like drinking or drugs are the way to go. But they wear off, and now the problem is still there with added side effects from the drugs. At this free local Meetup event we will talk about: * What causes grief, anxiety and depression to become chronic. * Is it possible to regain your joy and happiness even after traumatic experiences? * How to break away from negativity and focus on the future * What are the steps to take to get control of your mind and your emotions? Learn about a safe, gentle, do-it-yourself counseling that can be done in the comfort of your own home. Let's explore safe, effective solutions for healing from traumatic experiences. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center.