Gender Studies

Who's NOT had to deal with a life curveball--sudden challenges or worse.. We'll squeeze this important Rotman Author Talk into our schedule. # The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans Ticket link is below-- $20 attend only $40 attend + copy of book ### **Agenda:** 5:00 pm - Check-in opens + light refreshments 5:30 pm - Fireside chat and moderated Q&A 6:30 pm - Meet-and-greet with author + book signing ### **Book Synopsis:** A revelatory exploration of how we can find meaning in the tumult of change, from a renowned cognitive scientist and host of the critically acclaimed podcast *A Slight Change of Plans.* **Life has a way of thwarting our best-laid plans**. *Out of nowhere, we’re confronting the end of a relationship, an unexpected diagnosis, the loss of a job, or some other twist of fate. In these moments, it can feel like we’re free-falling into the unknown.* As a cognitive scientist, Maya Shankar has spent decades studying the human mind. When an unwanted change in her own life left her reeling, she sought out people who had navigated major disruptions. In *The Other Side of Change*, Shankar tells their riveting, singular stories and weaves in scientific insights to illuminate universal lessons hidden within them. The result is a rich portrait of our complex reactions to change and a deep well of wisdom we can draw from during these experiences. Shankar invites us to rethink our relationship with change altogether. When a big change happens to us, it can lead to profound change within us. The unique stresses and demands of being thrust into a new reality can lead us to uncover new abilities, perspectives, and values, transforming us in extraordinary ways. What if we saw moments of upheaval as an opportunity to reimagine who we can be, rather than as something to just endure? What potential could we unlock within ourselves? ### Speaker: Maya Shankar Cognitive Scientist; Creator, 'A Slight Change of Plans' Podcast **Maya Shankar is a cognitive scientist** and creator of the podcast A Slight Change of Plans, previously named “Best Show of the Year” by Apple. She served as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Obama White House where she founded and chaired the Social and Behavioral Sciences Team, which President Obama formalized by Executive Order in 2015. She was also appointed as the first Behavioral Science Advisor to the United Nations. Maya has a B.A. from Yale and a doctorate from Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience at Stanford. **Ticket link HERE**: https://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/news-events-and-ideas/public-events/events-listings/2026/march-2026/mar-31---maya-shankar/

**Note:** This is a paid event. **Tickets here:** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pickering-speed-dating-pickering-age-30-40-tickets-1984649032682?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true Get ready to mingle with fellow singles in Pickering for a night of speed dating fun! You might just find your perfect match! Calling all Pickering singles! Join us for a fun and social evening of speed dating! Other speed dating events may get you 6-7 dates, but at 15 First Dates you'll be meeting up to 15 people! How speed dating works is that you will meet members of the opposite sex for quick dates, and then you will give them a yes or a no. They will then do the same thing for you. If there is a mutual match, contact information will be exchanged the next day. We will give you all needed materials, and explain the process to you once everyone has arrived. You don't need to bring anything, just come dressed for success! **This event is for people aged 30-40.** See you there!

ABCD Reads "**[The Age of Innocence](https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM185033&R=185033)**" by Edith Wharton [[RESULTS](https://opavote.com/results/5169317438291968) of the poll for this event] **:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::** "Winner of the 1921 Pulitzer Prize, The Age of Innocence is Edith Wharton’s masterful portrait of desire and betrayal during the sumptuous Golden Age of Old New York, a time when society people “dreaded scandal more than disease.” This is Newland Archer’s world as he prepares to marry the beautiful but conventional May Welland. But when the mysterious Countess Ellen Olenska returns to New York after a disastrous marriage, Archer falls deeply in love with her. Torn between duty and passion, Archer struggles to make a decision that will either courageously define his life—or mercilessly destroy it." (from [Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53835.The_Age_of_Innocence)) "Set in the 1870s, the novel revolves around Newland Archer, a young lawyer from New York's high society, who is engaged to the beautiful and conventional May Welland. His life takes a turn when he meets May's cousin, the Countess Ellen Olenska, who has returned from Europe after leaving her scandalous husband. Torn between his duty and passion, Archer struggles with the constraints of the society he is a part of. The book offers a vivid portrayal of the struggle between individual desires and societal expectations in the upper-class New York society of the late 19th century." (from [The Greatest Books](https://thegreatestbooks.org/books/146)) **:: ABOUT THE EVENT ::** You are welcome to arrive 30 minutes before the event and stay 30 minutes or longer afterward to connect with other attendees outside the book talk. Please ensure you have read the book before attending (though finishing any book is not a barrier to participating, as long as you don't mind spoilers). First-time attendees can join for free. If the event is full, we maintain an unofficial waitlist. Please send [Michael](https://www.meetup.com/members/55295192/) a direct message for more information, in either case. We request a $3 contribution from regular attendees to help cover our monthly meetup costs. **:: ABOUT OUR NEXT BOOK ::** At the end of each event, we will ask for nominees for our next book. If you have a good one in mind, please ensure it is between 200-400 pages long, available from the Toronto Public Library, and counts as contemporary literary fiction (though these are not hard and fast rules). When enough nominees are collected, Michael will send the members a direct message with a link where you can vote.

**When:** Tuesdays, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Winter/Spring 2026 **Where:** 792 Glencairn Ave., Toronto, ON **Attend online via Zoom:** https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89671983431?pwd=hoYVrQG1EF4ibvIieyTnavmXxWcy5h.1 **Main Text:** [Deity, Cosmos and Man](https://www.theosophy.world/sites/default/files/ebooks/DeityCosmosAndMan_GFarthing.pdf) by Geoffrey Farthing If the above link is broken, paste this into bar for free PDF: https://www.theosophy.world/sites/default/files/ebooks/DeityCosmosAndMan_GFarthing.pdf This third part of our **Intro to Theosophy** series turns to *Deity, Cosmos and Man* by Geoffrey Farthing, a clear and reliable guide to the foundational teachings of Theosophy as originally presented by **Helena Petrovna Blavatsky** and her Adept teachers. This study explores a living, intelligent universe governed by unity, law, and vast evolutionary cycles, and examines how the human being reflects these same cosmic principles within their own inner constitution. Emphasis is placed on Theosophy not as a belief system, but as a coherent body of knowledge—offering insight into consciousness, post-death states, hierarchies of beings, and the deeper purpose of human evolution. Alongside discussion and reflection, the group will explore guided experiential exercises designed to support awareness, perception, and integration. The intention is to: * Develop a clear understanding of core Theosophical principles * Explore the relationship between cosmos, consciousness, and the human constitution * Encourage experiential insight alongside study and dialogue * Support inner balance, discernment, and conscious self-development This class is suitable for: * Students continuing from Parts 1 and 2 of the Intro to Theosophy series * Those interested in Theosophy, cosmology, and human evolution * Participants seeking a grounded, psychologically oriented approach to spiritual study * Anyone curious about consciousness, meditation, and the deeper structure of reality No prior experience with Theosophy, yoga, or meditation is required—only curiosity, openness, and a willingness to explore thoughtfully.

*** **🧠 Trivia Night at Second City Toronto** **Tuesday\, March 31 \| Starts 7:30 PM** Put on your thinking caps and join us for a fun and friendly trivia night at **Second City Toronto**! 🎤✨ It’s almost time for a fast-paced, hilarious trivia showdown hosted by **Jason Agnew**. Bring your random knowledge, your competitive spirit, and maybe a few know-it-all friends as we compete for trivia glory and, of course, bragging rights. **🕢 Timing** * Trivia starts promptly at **7:30 PM** * **Nick will arrive earlier** to set up our table, so feel free to come a bit ahead of time to grab a good seat and socialize * Early birds that arrive before 7PM can get special Happy Hour pricing on select food and drink items **💸 Cost** * **Free to play** * Please plan on purchasing a **drink and/or food item** to support Second City — they’re generously hosting us! **📍 Location** Second City Toronto (inside One York Street – downtown) **♿ Accessibility** The venue is **fully accessible**, with **elevators** and **wheelchair-accessible washrooms** available. **⚠️ RSVP Policy** Please **only RSVP if you are 100% sure you can attend**. Space and seating matter, and we want to be fair to everyone who wants to join. Whether you’re a trivia master or just in it for laughs and good company, this is going to be a great Tuesday night out. See you there! 🥳🧠🍻 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t)

We are a group of men that meet weekly. Regular attendees do not always RSVP but we usually have 12 men present. Expect a frank and confidential space where you can speak personally, engage in interesting conversations or get support for your personal goals. **We start our meeting at 7:15 sharp. You can rsvp via meetup or email Saul (sauljoy@gmail.com) for this week’s address.** Guests are welcome but it's pretty casual so make sure you are expected in case we move outdoors to the park. Our group is part of Mentor Discover Inspire (MDI) The MDI Mission: To cause greatness by mentoring men to live with excellence and, as mature masculine leaders, create successful families, careers and communities. From MDI website: https://goo.gl/3DQ6aY From Toronto Star: [https://goo.gl/oDH3uX](https://goo.gl/oDH3uX)

Small Group | Women-Only Event ※日本語の案内は下にあります 【Fee】 $10 (Only $5 if you bring snacks for share) 【Payment】：Cash or E-Transfer only ⚠️ Credit/debit cards are not accepted. • We’ll provide a cup of green tea. If you have a favorite drink, feel free to bring it with you! (Cups, plates, wet wipes and snacks will also be available.) Meeting Point: The central stage on the first floor of the library (If you are late, please come to Study Room 1 and 2 on the first floor or Study-room on the second floor). • A relaxed tea-time hangout with casual chatting in both English and Japanese, plus card games 🌸🍵 (There’s no structured “language exchange time,” so don’t worry if you’re not confident—just take it at your own pace! 🙋‍♀️) 【Important Request】 If you can’t make it, please mark yourself as “Not Attending” so someone on the waitlist can join. If you fail to show up twice without marking “Not Attending,” you may be removed from the group. 【Eligibility Notice】 This event is exclusively for individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB). While we deeply respect all gender identities, this particular gathering is intended to provide a safe and comfortable space for AFAB women to connect. We kindly ask trans women, non-binary, and other gender-diverse individuals to refrain from attending this time. Additionally, if your name or profile photo does not clearly reflect your gender (e.g. male-identifying names, random numbers, spam-like characters), you may be removed from the event. Thank you for your understanding. 少人数｜女性限定 The English guide is below 【参加費】 $10 （シェアできるお菓子を持参で半額の$5） 【支払い】：現金 or E-Transfer のみ ⚠️ カードの取り扱いはありません ・緑茶1杯ご用意します。好きなドリンクがある方はお持ち込み大歓迎です。 （他：コップ、お皿、手拭き、スナックあります） 【集合場所】 図書館の一階中央ステージ （遅刻した場合はStudy Room 1 or 2または2階のStudy roomに来てください） ・英語と日本語を自由にミックスしておしゃべり、カードゲームなどゆるっとお茶会スタイル 【こんな方におすすめ】 女の子の友達が欲しい！ Meetupに参加してみたいけど、不安がある。 【お願い】 参加できない場合は「不参加」にしてください。 「不参加」なしで2回現れなかった場合、退会となります。 【参加対象についてのご案内】 本イベントは「出生時に女性として割り当てられた方（AFAB）」に限らせていただいております。 あらゆるジェンダーアイデンティティを尊重しておりますが、今回はAFABの女性が安心して交流できる場を意図しております。 トランス女性・ノンバイナリー等の方々におかれましては、誠に恐れ入りますが、今回のイベントへのご参加はご遠慮ください。 また、名前やプロフィール写真から性別が判断できない場合（明らかに男性である、数字の羅列、スパムのような文字の羅列など）イベントから退会してもらう可能性があることをご承知ください。

**Note:** This is a ticketed event. Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/easter-sunday-family-magic-with-wonderphil-tickets-1984929631962?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true Join us on Easter Sunday for a afternoon of face painting, meeting the Easter Bunny, and an incredible magic show with WonderPhil! Looking for something fun to do for the whole family on Easter Sunday? We got you covered! Join us at the Rec Room Square One for a fun afternoon of magic, with a special appearance from the Easter Bunny! Not only that, we will have **FREE facepainting** for children from noon to 1:30pm. WonderPhil is one of Canada's top family entertainers, and has received countless awards and 5 star reviews. This event is fun for the whole family. See you there! **Schedule of events:** Noon: Doors open for facepainting and pictures with the Easter Bunny 1:30pm: Facepainting ends, Easter Bunny departs. Magic show begins 2:30pm: Show ends

### Bhagavad Gita Study Group **Planned Start Date:** Wednesday, March 11, 2026 **Wednesdays\, 7:00 PM \- 9:00 PM \| Ongoing** **Where:** Toronto Theosophical Society, 792 Glencairn Ave, Toronto, ON **Format:** In-person (Zoom considered for special circumstances) **Main Text (free PDF):** *[Bhagavad-Gītā As It Is](https://www.prabhupada-books.de/pdf/Bhagavad-gita-As-It-Is.pdf)* by **H.D.G. Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada** Physical books are available in exchange for donation. This weekly study group offers an opportunity to explore the **Bhagavad Gita**, one of the foundational texts of **Vedic philosophy**, through sustained reading, reflection, and thoughtful dialogue. The Bhagavad Gita addresses fundamental questions of **consciousness, duty, freedom**, and **the nature of reality**. Presented as a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and Sri Krishna, it offers insight into paths of **knowledge, devotion**, and **action**—and examines how these integrate within human life and spiritual development. The approach will be: * Textual study combined with open discussion and inquiry * Exploration of Vedic philosophy, cosmology, and psychology * Question-and-answer format to support understanding * A complete picture of the cultural and spiritual context This group is suitable for: * Those new to the Bhagavad Gita or Vedic philosophy * Students continuing their study of Eastern spiritual traditions * Anyone interested in consciousness, ethics, and the structure of reality * Participants seeking grounded philosophical inquiry alongside spiritual exploration **No prior background is required**—only openness, curiosity, and a willingness to engage thoughtfully with the material. *** **About the Teacher** **Radhikatma Prabhu** is a disciple in the **Brahma Sampradaya**, one of four authorized Vedic lineages. He received second-level initiation from his spiritual master, **Tamal Krishna Goswami**, who was a direct disciple of **H.D.G.A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada**, the scholar and teacher who brought Vedic knowledge to the Western world and founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Radhikatma Prabhu spent many years studying and practicing in **Israel, Europe and India**, where he received training in Vedic rituals and holds the traditional status of **Brahmin**. During his formation, he worked closely with Tamal Krishna Goswami, who in addition to his spiritual leadership was an accomplished academic, holding a **B.A. in Religious Studies** and a **Ph.D. from Cambridge University**, where he authored nine volumes of scholarly work. This period of close service deepened Radhikatma Prabhu's understanding of both the **devotional and philosophical dimensions** of the tradition. He brings to this study group both the authenticity of traditional lineage transmission and the ability to make these teachings **accessible and relevant** to contemporary students seeking to understand Vedic philosophy and apply it.

**🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:00-19:15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start. * 19:15-19:25 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:25-20:45 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 20:45-21:00 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:00 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! 💛 **WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** 🗣 “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * ​What will we talk about? What's the topic? ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0). * Do I need to study or read anything to attend? No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what YOU think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it, but it's not required. * Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on? The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * Is it mostly men that attend? Surprisingly, no! Although philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * Can I come alone? Of course you can, we encourage it :) * Can I be late? Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * Where do you meet? The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY - Making Philosophy Available To All.** ✨ Practical Philosophy hosts weekly, in-person meetups in over 25 countries and 50+ chapters, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ \*\*\* Join our [Whatsapp group](https://tally.so/r/ZjaPO0) 👈 Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub) 👈 Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈

Come to our church on Sunday! We’re a welcoming bunch. Our website is nlife.ca

Please note: this is not a physical event but an invitation to experience private 1:1 feminine embodiment coaching. To book a session or for more information please contact Amanda Clarke at lusciousfeminine@gmail.com. Feminine Embodiment Coaching with Amanda Clarke https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/4/2/8/600_461233352.jpeg There is a cosmic shift happening on the planet and women are tired of playing second fiddle in this game of life. Playing small not only keeps you from manifesting what you truly want, but it also holds you back from living out your divine purpose. I’ve been there, stuck, held back, and yearning to break free and frankly being in that place plain 'ol sucks! What if you could step up and make a difference; a meaningful contribution in this world by just being you? How might the landscape of your life look? Over for the past six years, I’ve worked with women who are looking to break out of the spell of smallness. It pangs me to see women depressed, depleted, disconnected and downright insecure. One of the reasons many of my clients rave about the work we do together is because I provide immediate results. What I teach is inherent within you but there are layers of gunk bogging you down from access this wisdom yourself. Spinning your wheels, and living a life of lack is no way to live, beautiful. You are so much more! What can you expect from our sessions together: • A solid understanding of what feminine energy is, and how to use it to have your way with the world • Develop a physical and energetic presence that attracts what you want: personally and professionally. • Feel more comfortable with your sensuality, and with receiving positive attention. • Experience more passion in your life - particularly your love life. • Be more at ease setting clear boundaries with others. • Learn to be in flow rather than always pushing and striving to make things happen. • Look and feel more sexy, confident and radiant • Gain clarity about your life purpose and the greatest gifts you have to offer the world • Establish or strengthen your intuitive guidance Book a FREE 30-minute discovery call to learn how I can help support you on your journey to coming home to yourself as a woman. This means MORE self-love, MORE self-confidence, MORE clarity, MORE empowerment and saying YES to living out your divine mission. For more information on my coaching packages please visit http://www.lusciousfeminine.com or to book a FREE 30-minute complimentary Discovery Call, email Amanda at lusciousfeminine@gmail.com “Before working with Amanda, I was the dried-out, work-obsessed intellectual. I lived in my head and felt completely severed from the neck-down. I over-intellectualized emotionally-charged situations to avoid being present…I am [now] able to ease my ‘mind-babble’, step into my power as a woman knowing that I am safe and secure within my own space, and practice expressing my needs and desires from a more authentic place… Amanda helped me to be trust in the power of vulnerability, surrender, and acceptance. It has been a pleasurable journey! ~ Stefanie T. Amanda Clarke The Luscious Feminine www.lusciousfeminine.com http://www.facebook.com/thelusciousfeminine lusciousfeminine@gmail.com

**NO PHILOSOPHY EXPERTISE REQUIRED!** **🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:30-19:45 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:45-19:55 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:55-21:15 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 21:15-21:30 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:30 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend! We just ask that if we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Some chapters rent a space for us to meet, and they may ask for donations to help contribute to the cost of rent. Donations will always be 100% voluntary though! **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **​What will we talk about? What's the topic?** ​The topic for the week is shared every Sunday in the Whatsapp group. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE). * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 50+ chapters in over 25 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our Toronto [Whatsapp Group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KRy6VgwgGRm3hSGeYlAzDE) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

No person who seeks *true* justice can do so for long without recognizing the necessity of regular, close looks in the mirror. It has been said that the sins we hate most strongly in others are often ones with which we ourselves struggle. If one is not careful, our zeal to see wrongs righted can cause blind spots in our own lives. David knew this intimately. While literally on the run for his life from his enemies, he did not hesitate to call out the sins and wrongdoings of those evildoers, asking God to vindicate him, and to judge the wicked; and yet on multiple occasions, most famously in the adultery against and murder of one of his own friends, David had to reckon with the fact that he, himself, was the one who did evil, sinning against God and man. The only hope for David and the only hope for every human is the perfect justice, mercy, and grace that are found in the Lord, the One, as David later would write, "Who forgives your sins, Who heals your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit..." \~Psalm 103. We will continue our study in Psalms, looking at [chapters 5](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%205&version=NIV) and [6](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%206&version=NIV), **6:30 pm,** **Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at True Food Kitchen, Easton Town Center**. We would love to have you join us! Get your tickets on [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbus-a-study-in-psalms-psalm-5-and-6-tickets-1983924798478)! Connect with us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/events/1198570342056669)!

The Fellowship of the Star Schema: Transforming OLTP Data for Power BI One does not simply build reports on OLTP data. Join us on an epic journey from the depths of raw, normalized tables to the shining halls of a well-modeled star schema fit for Power BI greatness. We will demystify the differences between OLTP and OLAP, walk through star schema vs snowflake (and why Power BI has a clear favorite), and show you the compression differences between normalized and columnar storage that will make you never look at an OLTP model the same way again. We will cover the different types of dimensions, when to use them, and how to handle Slowly Changing Dimensions without losing your mind. You will leave knowing exactly how to identify a bad model, how to convert OLTP data into a clean star schema, and how to forge relationships that rule them all. Whether you are a data wizard, a curious hobbit, or somewhere in between, your models will never be the same.

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**