Intellectual Discussions
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Intellectual Discussions Events Today
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Heartspaces - Soul Fuel
SoulFuel - A Spiritual Open mic is a monthly gathering for poets, storytellers, and songwriters held at Essex Hall as part of the Heartspaces programme. It's an evening of sharing to feed your soul. Each month, we create a space for people to share their creativity, so each Soul Fuel is unique. Bring a poem, song or story to share or just come and enjoy what others have to offer. Featuring guest musicians and gentle spoken work, this event is not to be missed!
Heartspaces at Essex Hall is a vibrant and welcoming Unitarian hub in central London, open to spiritual seekers, existing Unitarians and curious newcomers. The Heartspaces programme is a series of weekly spiritual gatherings led by Unitarian ministers and volunteers across London. From regular pagan ceremonies to the spirituality events every Thursday evening, Heartspaces encourages people to gather, share and discover together. Whether you are a seasoned Unitarian, a spiritual searcher or simply curious, find your space to grow.
CLH Book Group 📚 What is Free Speech by Faramerz Dabhoiwala
June's Book: What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea by Faramerz Dabhoiwala
'Eye-opening, thought-provoking and deeply enjoyable, What is Free Speech? is a work of great profundity and brilliance’ William Dalrymple
A fresh and exciting approach to one of the most controversial subjects of our time
‘Free Speech!’ is a clarion call all over the world, yet what it means today is more contested than ever. Many cultures regard it as dangerous: in China, India, and across the Islamic world, unorthodox views about politics, sex, and religion are repressed and people are often punished for expressing them. Even in the western world, where it is held up as a core value, there is widespread discord and disagreement about what freedom of expression means. Amidst perennial imbalances of power, continually evolving cultural taboos, dramatic new technologies and a fast-changing global media landscape, where free speech comes from – and how we might think about it – are critical questions.
Through the lens of history, What Is Free Speech? shows us that freedom of speech is not an absolute from which societies and regimes have drifted or dissented at different times, but something more complicated and interesting.
Our modern conceptions of press and speech liberty, Dabhoiwala shows, were invented in Britain around 1700. The real history of freedom of expression is a story of countless fascinating men and women whose lives have shaped its principles and practices over the past 300 years – slaves and imperialists, poets and philosophers, plutocrats and revolutionaries. Ranging across Europe, North America and South Asia, and not neglecting other parts of the world, Dabhoiwala rejects celebratory platitudes about the past and present of free expression. Instead, his book explains how to think more deeply about free speech as a global as well as a local question ― by tracing how we got into our current predicaments, showing that history complicates our contemporary presumptions, and suggesting fresh possibilities for the future.
The meeting starts at 7:30. Shortly after 7.30, we will break up into small groups. Those familiar with the CLH Book Group meeting know how this works: in each group we take turns introducing ourselves and giving our 1 minute thoughts on the book. It's important not to go over a minute and not to interrupt other people's minute so that everyone gets a chance to participate. After this first round, each group discusses for another 20 minutes or so.
We then shuffle the groups so as to talk to as many different people as possible and in the new groups repeat our introductions and 1 minute thoughts. We'll do this a couple of times before coming all together at the end in one last big group.
While we are very social and welcoming, the book group's primary focus is on discussing books. Feel free to turn up if you haven't managed to finish this month's book but note that the group works best when we have all read at least half of the book and are prepared to share our opinions.
***
£3 per person to attend. If it's your first time, come and try us out for free!
Pay at the event with cash or card.
We encourage dialogue, debate and sharing of information on our site but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any views expressed here are those of the individual posting them and may not reflect those of CLH.
Raynes Park International Cafe
The café will be open on Thursdays between 23rd April 2026 and 2nd July 2026 - but will not be open on 28th May 2026.
\*\* There will also be a **FREE ENGLISH CLASS** for 40 minutes - from 7pm to 7:40pm. \*\*
The café offers the chance to practise your English in a friendly atmosphere, where you can meet and make friends.
Thursdays, 7:30pm - 9:00pm at
Dundonald Church
577 Kingston Road
Raynes Park
SW20 8SA
It is organised by local Christians and during the evening there will be a simple meal and a short talk.
facebook.com/raynespark.int.cafe
IN PERSON EVENT - POETRY EVENING
IN PERSON EVENT - POETRY EVENING
WITH BARNABY TOBIAS AND IAIA CHIESA
**Join us in the bookshop on the third Thursday of every month for the sharing of poems; either yours or another’s you admire. There will be some discussion around the poem and short tea break halfway through.**
**Iaia is a poet and activist, who’s published several volumes of poetry.**
**Barnaby is an actor and playwright, who’s worked for Netflix, RSC and written plays to critical acclaim.**
**Drop in event with no need to book.**
**Cash donations are welcome.**
**More Information:**
**rsh-bookshop@anth.org.uk**
This group is run under the auspices of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain.
Russian Conversation Class
Дорогие друзья!
Я приглашаю вас на встречу для практики русского языка как иностранного 🎉
📍 Где: Southbank Centre
🕖 Когда: каждый четверг в 19:00
💷 Стоимость участия: £5
В отличие от нашей традиционной встречи в пабе, это занятие будет более структурированным:
• вы получите раздаточные материалы (handouts);
• мы будем обсуждать интересные темы, делиться мнениями, дебатировать и играть — всё на русском! 🇷🇺
Эта встреча идеально подойдёт для тех, кто владеет русским языком на среднем уровне и выше, и хочет улучшить разговорные навыки в живом и увлекательном формате.
Приходите — будет весело, полезно и по-русски! 😊
Join Biggest Community | Investors Founders | London | Online
Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link :
**Reserve**
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-london-online-tickets-1984545575238?aff=meetup
**QUESTIONS ?**
Pls Reach out to;
Ridhi - [+971 50 472 4873](http://wa.me/971504724873) ( WhatsApp Only)
The Badminton Collective Stratford Club Night
**Important notice**
This session we shall be trailing a new platform.
Please see the link below to register and book your spot.
[ https://tbc.shuttlestats.app/session](https://tbc.shuttlestats.app/sessions/2026-06-13)
The session is Every Thursday 7PM till 10PM.
This is for all levels, so after the training you will be able to play games and use what you have learnt.
Just like the saying practice makes perfect.
Any queries on what levels you may be or just any questions please don't hesitate to contact us.
PARKING:
Parking is available and Free onsite.
(The postcode is E15 3PA) This at the previous address on New mount Street. Press the buzzer and they will let you in.
IMPORTANT NOTES
We shall be starting at 7PM sharp so if you miss the start you'll have to just catch up I'm afraid
How to get there
If you use the provided postcode it will take you to the front of the school
By all means message me if you are having troubles
There is now a water fountain so please bring a bottle to fill up, this is in the main building while they fix the one near the sports Hall
The Badminton Collective and School 21 are not responsible for any injuries or loss of items
Intellectual Discussions Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Let's Discuss... Penal System
We all want 2 things from justice. We want the guilty caught and held, so the rest of us are safe. We also want to be sure we never crush someone who did nothing wrong. But we can't have both. Lean toward catching every criminal, and innocent people get swept up. Lean toward protecting the innocent, and some dangerous people slip through. Benjamin Franklin landed on one side: better a hundred guilty go free than one innocent suffer. The trouble starts when those hundred are real, and they're out.
What is prison actually for? to punish, to protect us, or to fix people?
When a sentence is short, is that mercy or is that punishment of the victim?
Which mistake can you live with: jailing the innocent, or freeing the guilty?
Can a court really say "innocent until proven guilty" after the public already decided?
*Please do your own research and share resources related to this topic in the comments below.*
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**💛 Support The Examined Life**
Enjoying the discussions? Please consider donating, it keeps us running.
👉 Donate here: [https://examinedlife.uk/donation/](https://examinedlife.uk/donation/)
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**Join our Telegram group chat**
Stay connected between sessions: [https://t.me/+o9T9DL5u6AcwMmRk](https://t.me/+o9T9DL5u6AcwMmRk)
——————————————————————————————
**About the session**
The Examined Life "Let's Discuss…" session is an open, welcoming discussion, no prior reading or expertise required.
Format:
* **13:15** Free-flowing group discussion on the topic
* **14:00 (ish)** We split into smaller groups for deeper conversation on what interests you most
* **16:00** Official end of the meetup. Most attendees stay on and keep chatting until around 18:00
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**Please RSVP accurately**
Please update your RSVP if plans change, it helps us plan and frees up spots for others.
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**Artwork:** Interrogations in Jail 1720 by Alessandro Magnasco.
Practical Philosophy Club Meetup - London 🇬🇧
**🏛️ 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/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS), 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:
* 14:00-14.15 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start.
* 14:15-14:20 - 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.
* 14:20-15:20 - 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.
* 15:20-15:30 - We do a group conclusion of the things we discussed, and then we typically take a photo and go on our way :) If you don't want to be in the group photo, there's no pressure, it's just a way to close out the meeting. We occasionally have an unofficial social so the different groups can mingle afterwards too!
**🧧PRICING?**
Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend, and we operate on donations.
If you'd like to donate to support our running costs, that helps keep our group self-sustaining. Donations are 100% voluntary, but your contribution is appreciated! QR codes to donate will be present.
Tea’s and coffees and are paid by the individual should they wish to have them.
**💛 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 week in the Whatsapp group before the session. 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/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS).
* 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://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS) 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 25+ countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️
\*\*\*
Join our [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS) 👈
Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/?hl=en) 👈
Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club) 👈
Julie Henderson Russell Boyle Badminton Academy
Every week is a badminton academy for improver/intermediate/advanced standard. I also run thirteen teams that play in leagues out of the academy. Unfortunately this class does not cater for beginners! Wanting people who wish to enjoy and improve with games and advice with a coach who has played county and national level badminton, and has also played for England.
Just come along, bring a racket, very friendly atmosphere! Class from 7.30 - 9.30pm weekly, £14.00 per session or £35.00 for three sessions t be paid up front and must be used within six months, payable by cash only. I have coached players from beginner to international standard. Please message me with any questions.
Thanks
SOLD OUT • ST PANCRAS • SEASON FINALE: REGENERATION | TEiP
Join us for open minded discussions and the opportunity to learn from other people's perspectives and life experiences.
The theme for this episode is 'REGENERATION'. We will explore it by way of three original thought experiments (posted in the comments below on the day of the event).
We'll meet at the beautiful Betjeman Arms in St Pancras Station.
Spaces are limited and tickets sell out fast, so get your ticket early if you want to be there!
**THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS** \- posted in the comments below on the day of the event
**[SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/)** \- read more about this community and other related stuff
**[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)** \- see what we look like \(including The People of TEiP project\)
**[WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DapwAXpnOHO5DRYThobpe4)** \- stay in the loop
**The idea:** A chance to meet and talk meaningfully about thought provoking topics.
**How we'll do it** (timings approximate):
* 7:00pm - Arrive at The Betjeman Arms. You can access the pub either from the street (entrance to the right of The St Pancras Hotel entrance) or via St Pancras Station (entrance from the upstairs train platforms). We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us.
* Organise ourselves into small groups (3-4 people per group)
* Have a look at the **thought experiments** (announced on the day of the event)
* 7:15 - First rotation begins - Talk about the first thought experiment, but feel free to veer off topic.
* 7:35 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the second thought experiment.
* 8:00 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the third thought experiment.
* 8:25pm - Wrap up - hear about upcoming events, feedback/requests for future meetups.
* 8:30 Meetup ‘ends’. But feel free to carry on conversations. We have the room until 10pm and usually a lot of us stay until then :-)
**Notes on the general atmosphere**:
* The vibe is to let conversation flow rather than stick strictly to one topic.
* While we'd like to talk about 'meaningful things', we also see the value in lighter topics, so don't worry about not being 'deep' enough!
* Feel free to suggest ideas for future Thought Experiments in Pubs meetup groups, both in terms of structure and topics to discuss.
**Where we'll meet**:
This group will be at The Betjeman Arms. The nearest Tube station is King's Cross St. Pancras. You can access the pub either from the street (entrance to the right of The St Pancras Hotel entrance) or via St Pancras Station (entrance from the upstairs train platforms). We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us.
**Who should come**:
Everyone! We believe that the more perspectives, the richer the conversation. This group is not about being experts in Philosophy, it is about *doing* philosophy. That is, bringing our various life experiences and lenses on the world to group discussions about the human experience, the nature of reality... etc....
I'm so looking forward to meeting & talking with you in this beautiful location :-)
If you would like to further support these meetups, please [subscribe to the newsletter](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) and [follow us on instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs) :-)
Thank you!
Deeper Conversations - 1 to 1 🗣️💬
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)
Intellectual Discussions Events Near You
Connect with your local Intellectual Discussions community
Drunken Philosophy: Where Is Everybody? The Fermi Paradox and the Great Filter
Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle.
**Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?**
In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox.
One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread.
Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for.
**Questions to wrestle with:**
* Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving?
* Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why?
* If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming?
* Two principles pull opposite ways here. The principle of mediocrity (the Copernican principle, Sagan's "no privileged place in the universe") says we are ordinary, so what happened on Earth probably happened everywhere, which makes the silence scream louder. The anthropic principle says of course we find ourselves somewhere life was possible, since we could not observe anything else, so our being here may say almost nothing about how common life is. Which lens do you trust, and does the silence still demand an answer once you account for observer selection?
* And if we did confirm life out there and had to accept we are not special, what would that do to belief in a higher power, and would shedding (or keeping) that belief help or hurt our odds of pulling together as one species?
* Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now?
As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.
Neurodivergent Women Navigating Midlife Changes - Sleep, Rest, and Connection
Sleep, Rest & Connection:
Building Our Community Together
Join us for the next gathering of The Pause Collective — a supportive meetup for neurodivergent women navigating perimenopause, menopause, burnout, overwhelm, and life transitions.
Since many of us haven't yet had the opportunity to meet, we'll begin by getting to know one another and sharing what brought us to this community.
We'll also explore one of the most common challenges many women experience during this season of life: sleep.
Whether you're navigating insomnia, waking up in the middle of the night, racing thoughts, night sweats, exhaustion, burnout, or simply not feeling rested, you're not alone.
This will be a relaxed, low-pressure coffee shop meetup focused on connection and conversation.
No need to prepare anything.
No pressure to share.
Come as you are.
Together we'll:
• Introduce ourselves and get to know one another
• Share what brought us to The Pause Collective
• Discuss sleep, rest, and energy during perimenopause and menopause
• Exchange ideas, experiences, and support
• Explore what topics we'd like to discuss in future gatherings
• Continue building the kind of community we'd like to create together
This space is neurodivergent-affirming, self-diagnosis-friendly, and supportive of different communication styles and energy levels.
Quiet participation is welcome. Listening is participating.
Whether you're looking for support, learning, friendship, or simply a place where you don't have to explain yourself, you are welcome here.
I look forward to meeting you.
— Dawn
Walk & Talk About Life's Big Questions
[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).
Columbus Museum of Art, Free Admission Sundays
Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.
Sunday Afternoon Coffee at Grandview Grind
Who else is ready to sit outside?
Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Grandview Grind! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!
Sunday Brunch
Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!
Libera Animae - Freeing the Soul
Main Library, Meeting Room 2B
Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen).
Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection.
All backgrounds are welcome.






























