Intellectual Discussions

Let's get together in a warm and open atmosphere to talk about ethical non-monogamy and how we actually do it. Ask for advice, give some in return, meet and mingle with your peers. Let's kick back and get to know each other and learn a few things. TOPIC: The classic complaint of partners is that they can't get quite enough of what they need. Whatever it is, they just can't get enough. Is it possible to be compersive for someone when you might be feeling that they're getting something you experience as a lack? The location of our group will rotate between VA and MD. This week, we'll be in VA, at the home of a new hostess, in Falls Church. FOOD: bring food that is spring-y. I want to see a salad! Things that are juicy, crisp, and crunchy. Please consider bringing a vegetarian or vegan option; we do currently have active members who need these options. Cut-up fresh fruit is always great! If you don't feel like schlepping, we also always appreciate a donation. Please note: we share the address on the morning of the meeting, via the messaging/email system here. If you don’t have the details by Friday noon, you will need to message us directly to get them.

**###PLEASE NOTE: Even if you RSVP on Meetup, you will need to grab a ticket here https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-night-at-metrobar-dc-friday-april-10-2026 in order to attend###** This event is cross-posted so Meetup RSVPs won't accurately reflect the actual number of attendees; typically there are around 30-40 people in attendance. **What's It Like?** Do you wish you could have more of the kinds of conversations you have late at night where for some reason, you feel safe talking about the things you actually care about? Bring your friends (or come by yourself- most people do!) and spend your Friday night at an event where you know everyone else is there for the same reason. We'll be offering 'big talk' conversational prompts on them to get you started, and we'll have lots of structure to make sure that you actually talk to people and that it's not awkward. There will be drinks and snacks available for sale! **There is a 1 drink/food item minimum purchase for this event,** so please keep that in mind. **Check-in** for this event will begin around **6:45 pm**. Please do your best to arrive before 7:00 pm so we can begin as close to on time as possible. Skip the Small Talk is dedicated to providing an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone. Check out our safety policy here: tinyurl.com/ststSafety Please see our event [page](https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-night-at-metrobar-dc-friday-april-10-2026) for more accessibility info. **Ready to Skip the Small Talk With Us?** **[Grab a ticket](https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-night-at-metrobar-dc-friday-april-10-2026)** since entry is on a first come first serve basis and we tend to sell out in advance for these-- once we are out of tickets, we will NOT be able to accommodate folks at the door. metrobar has lots of other fun events going on, too. Feel free to check them out **[here](https://metrobardc.com)**! If you want to be the first to hear about our events before we sell out, feel free to join our mailing list at [Skip the Small Talk Mailing List Sign-Up](https://sendfox.com/skipthesmalltalk) **###PLEASE NOTE: Even if you RSVP on Meetup, you will need to grab a ticket here https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/skip-the-small-talk-night-at-metrobar-dc-friday-april-10-2026 in order to attend###** This event is cross-posted so Meetup RSVPs won't accurately reflect the actual number of attendees; typically there are around 30-40 people in attendance.

How can we effectively engage and empower junior youth during a critical stage of development—when young people are forming their identity, expanding their capacity for independent thought, and becoming increasingly aware of the world around them. We’ll discuss practical approaches that help youth strengthen key capabilities such as: * **Critical thinking and moral reasoning** * **Expressing ideas with clarity and confidence** * **Building strong, supportive peer relationships** * **Developing a sense of purpose and contribution to their community** Through guided conversation and shared experiences, participants will examine how to create environments where junior youth feel seen, heard, and challenged to grow. We’ll also explore the role of mentors in fostering both intellectual and spiritual development—helping young people navigate challenges while recognizing their potential to contribute positively to society. This is an interactive discussion designed for parents, educators, mentors, and community builders who are interested in supporting youth not just to succeed individually, but to develop as thoughtful, capable contributors to a more just and unified world. Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the underlying truths that unite us all – on what we can do to empower youth to contribute to a better world. Join us for an open and respectful conversation where participants can share perspectives, experiences, and insights. Whether you come to speak or simply to listen, all thoughtful voices are welcome.

❤️♠️❤️ Speak & Spades - A Night of Cards & Conversation ❤️♠️❤️ Welcome to our 1st official Speak & Spades Night! Come out to a new venue in Downtown Silver Spring - Comma's Food Hall inside City Place Mall. ♠️ Spades games will be available from 6pm to 10pm! Play cards, eat, drink, & socialize! Enjoy a variety of reasonably priced restaurant options. ❤️ Optional: Around 7:30pm, take a break from Spades...and take some time to Speak. Engage in an open and casual conversation between men and women. 👨🏾‍🏫 Led by Life Coach, Kool KT, discuss dating, relationships, love, marriage, and more. Speak your mind and learn how the other side thinks. 🌟 Singles and couples are both welcome to Spades and to Speak! Bring questions, share stories, and gain insight. 😀 Play a game of partnership and maybe learn how to find your permanent partner! 🍷 Happy Hour Specials all night! 🎶 A Live DJ will be playing music 🚗 Parking available in Ellsworth Garage (connected to the venue) 📷 See the photo section for details 🌜Join us for a night of cards and conversations! You won't forget it!🌛 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

🍻 **Post-Event Happy Hour — Tech Fluent** 📅 April 10 \| 🕠 5:30 PM 📍 Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza After a full day of building, learning, and experimenting with AI, join us for a **casual happy hour** to unwind, connect, and keep the conversations going. This is open to: * Tech Fluent attendees * DC Legal Tech Meetup members * AI-curious professionals who just want to join for drinks + conversation No agenda — just good people, good pizza, and a chance to meet others exploring AI across legal, business, and beyond. *** 💡 **Why come?** * Meet others who are actually *doing* something with AI * Continue conversations from the workshop in a relaxed setting * Join even if you couldn’t attend the full event *** RSVP appreciated for the happy hour.

Hey Queens, It's time for another Great book discussion. House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson. "The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson is a historical fiction novel set in the 1950s, following two young Black women, Ruby in Philadelphia and Eleanor in Washington, D.C., as their lives intersect through difficult choices about love, motherhood, and ambition. The story explores themes of race, class, and the societal pressures on women, particularly concerning pregnancy and adoption, before Roe v. Wade. It was a New York Times bestseller and a Reese's Book Club pick, praised for its emotional depth and exploration of sacrifice and secrets. " Part 1 discussion Click https://us05web.zoom.us/j/82882610161?pwd=zpDWQwIwjLRd1QCcDMOmDs4TpPqQQK.1 to start or join a scheduled Zoom meeting. Part 2 Discussion Click https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89422397277?pwd=96hpAxokoO4sUaM4OTnmKUEYOP61YK.1 to start or join a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Please join us for our next **Friday gathering** on **April 10, 2026** for an evening of warm fellowship and insightful discussion. We'll start at **7:00 pm** with **refreshments** at the **Alexandria Bahá’í Center**. The discussion will begin at 7:30 p.m. **Education as an Act of Hope - Constructive Response to Suppression.** This is a story about what happens when ordinary people respond to injustice not with despair, but with determination to build something better. Join us for an inspiring evening with **Kamran Farid**, co-founder of the Bahá'í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE), as he shares a powerful story of resilience, courage, and hope. **About the Discussion:** In 1987, when Bahá'í students and professors were expelled from all Iranian universities simply because of their faith, a group of educators made a bold choice: they would create their own university. For nearly four decades, BIHE has operated underground in Iran, offering degree programs to students denied the fundamental right to education. Kamran will explore a compelling question: *How does access to education sustain hope in communities facing systematic oppression—and what happens when that access is denied?* **About Our Speaker:** Kamran Farid holds degrees in electronics and communication engineering. As a BIHE faculty member and administrator, he was arrested in 2011 and imprisoned for five years—his "crime" was teaching. Since his release in 2016, he continues to support BIHE's mission as a consultant, ensuring new generations can pursue their dreams of higher education despite ongoing persecution. **All are welcome.** No background knowledge required—just bring your curiosity and an open heart.

This will be our second (and possibly last) meeting on *Nature's God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic*, by Matthew Stewart. For this meeting, please try to read chapters 4 and 6. (You can skim chapter 5, which is particularly confusing). **Where did the ideas come from that became the cornerstone of American democracy?** America’s founders intended to liberate us not just from one king but from the ghostly tyranny of supernatural religion. Drawing deeply on the study of European philosophy, Matthew Stewart brilliantly tracks the ancient, pagan, and continental ideas from which America’s revolutionaries drew their inspiration. In the writings of Spinoza, Lucretius, and other great philosophers, Stewart recovers the true meanings of “Nature’s God,” “the pursuit of happiness,” and the radical political theory with which the American experiment in self-government began. [LINK](https://a.co/d/bkTWJNb) This book is not always an easy read. You may want to make use of AI tools such as ChatGPT. You can ask it questions like: "What does Matthew Stewart say about happiness in his book Nature's God?" OR: What does Matthew Stewart say about Spinoza? This may be our last meeting on this book. If you want to have a third meeting later, on the last two chapters, let me know. I hope to see you there! Fred

**\*\*\* NOTE change of library space - We're meeting at Dolley Madison Library in McLean VA for this meeting \*\*\*** *theme:* **Analytical Listening \+ Soul's Discourse \| DIY Classical Psychoanalysis** *Making psychoanalysis accessible to the masses!* Psychoanalysis "unlocks the past, informs the present, and expands the future. video clips: **Psychoanalytic theory in 3 minutes** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucB1b6f750k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucB1b6f750k) **Psychoanalysis A Curiosity about the mind 6min** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcmVjQBF4MQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcmVjQBF4MQ) Psychoanalysis = a theory and practice treating symptoms and personality as **disguised compromises** around unconscious conflicts, using a structured relationship (transference) to make those patterns visible so you can **repeat less blindly** and **choose a bit more freely**. "Until you ***make the unconscious conscious***, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." Carl Jung \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Interpersonal Process Group** **Psychodynamic shared exploration, learning and growth** Interpersonal process groups focus on the interactions and dynamics between group members to facilitate personal growth and learning. These groups provide a courageous space for individuals to explore their interpersonal patterns, receive feedback, and develop more effective social skills. **The core principle is that the group itself becomes a microcosm of a member's real-life relationships, allowing for insights and behavioral changes.** Key aspects of interpersonal process groups: * **Exploration of Interpersonal Dynamics:** Members examine their communication styles, relationship patterns, and how they relate to others within the group. * **Feedback and Self-Awareness:** The group provides a platform for members to receive feedback on their behaviors and develop greater self-awareness. * **Development of Social Skills:** Members practice new ways of relating, communicating, and collaborating within the group, leading to improved social skills. * **Microcosm of Relationships:** The group mirrors real-life relationships, allowing members to observe and analyze their patterns in a safe and controlled setting. * **Personal Growth and Well-being:** Through these processes, individuals can experience significant personal growth and enhanced well-being. Benefits of participating in an interpersonal process group: * **Increased self-awareness:** Understanding one's own behavior and its impact on others. * **Improved communication skills:** Learning to communicate more effectively and assertively. * **Stronger relationships:** Developing more fulfilling and meaningful relationships. * **Reduced anxiety and stress:** Finding support and coping mechanisms for social challenges. * **Enhanced empathy and understanding:** Learning to see situations from others' perspectives. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Join us for an exciting meeting of personal growth as we delve deep into the realm of self-development. This meetup is designed for personal growth addicts like you who are eager to unlock their hidden potential and take charge of their lives. Don't miss this chance to meet fellow personal growth enthusiasts, share experiences, and learn from one another. Step into a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation. Come prepared to engage in provocative conversations, share your opinions, wrestle with challenging ideas, and leave with a renewed sense of deeper meaning and learning. **Tentative Agenda:** 1:00pm Social, Setup & Introductions, guidelines, terminology; 1:15pm Interactive open dialogue conversation & sharing; 2:45pm debrief, summary, debrief 3:00pm finish Light snacks, candy & water provided. Dolley Madison Library is in McLean, VA near I-495 beltway exits 44, 45 or 46. **Conference Room** is 1st door on immediate left after entering\.Repressions vs Narrative Integration \| Classical Psychoanalysis DIY

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“The History of Plastic Surgery,”** with Dr. Wendy Chen, plastic, reconstructive, and hand surgeon and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-plastic-surgery](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-plastic-surgery) .] Most people misunderstand plastic surgery as vain and aesthetic, but the origins of this fascinating specialty are much deeper than that. Come gain a rich understanding of the roots, medical impact, and current wide reach of a life-altering medical specialty with Dr. Wendy Chen, a leading educator on plastic and reconstructive surgery who has won awards for her work in clinical, basic science and education research. She’ll talk about how reconstructive surgery has been around for thousands of years, with evidence of it having been practiced in ancient Egypt and India, and has made advancements in the course of major wars. Those who practice it have been innovators in medicine, playing a major role in breakthroughs and winning the Nobel prize for kidney transplantation. The need for plastic and reconstructive surgery has stemmed largely from how much our appearance influences how we navigate our worlds and how others regard us. There was a time, in fact, when people in American prisons were offered plastic surgery as an intervention against recidivism. Yet reconstructive surgery also has faced opposition, such as religious bans on its practice stemming from the belief that physical differences are a manifestation of spiritual sin. Fast forward to now when plastic surgeons treat patients of every age for every kind of ailment, from congenital differences to trauma to cancer. Yes, some plastic and reconstructive surgery is to help people conform to tabloid- and social media-driven narratives of what defines beauty, but the field involves a lot more than injecting Botox and shaping buttocks. ( Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Reconstructive facial surgery as illustrated by Jean Baptiste Marc Bourgery in the late 1840s (Wellcome Collection / public domain).

Monthly meeting: Second Saturday of the month International House of Pancakes (IHOP) 775 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 7:00 PM – 10 PM. Late arrivals always welcome. Look for the table with someone wearing a red hat. Questions, please call 1-240-644-5230 Agenda: What are more things we can do to wake people up? What can we do to get more people involved? Other things people would like to talk about. This will be a joint meeting with: DC 9/11 Truth [https://dc911truth.org/](https://dc911truth.org/) dc911truth Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/groups/dc911truth/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/dc911truth/) 911 Meetup Group [https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-kyegaoqu/](https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-kyegaoqu/) Central Bank Digital Currencies CBDC Meetup Group [https://www.meetup.com/central-bank-digital-currencies-cbdc/](https://www.meetup.com/central-bank-digital-currencies-cbdc/) Freedom of Speech Meetup Group [https://www.meetup.com/silver-spring-freedom-of-speech-meetup-group/](https://www.meetup.com/silver-spring-freedom-of-speech-meetup-group/) If you think things are bad now, just wait till technology enables them to censor your emails before you hit "send", censor your text messages as you type, and censor your phone calls while you talk. .................................................................... If you follow the ratings of the dinosaur media, you will notice their ratings have been going down for years. Tucker Carlson has ratings that are high (several times higher than CNN). This interview is about an hour long. People often listen to these long interviews while driving. Everything You Need to Know about the Government’s Mass Censorship Campaign [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRYSKaS-XtQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRYSKaS-XtQ) In this interview some things we have been noticing for years are talked about with some explanations given. …………………………………………………………………………… coming to a neighborhood near you The Dangers of Posting on Social Media \| Konstantin Kisin [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIl-HO9Ng3I](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIl-HO9Ng3I) …………………………………………………………………………… Censorship is a hallmark of totalitarianism. …………………………………………………………………………… .

How can a spiritual perspective help us make sense of the times in which we live? Despite efforts by many well-intentioned people, it seems more true now than ever that the problems humanity is facing sometimes seem to be getting worse not better. Divisions appear to grow deeper day by day, social relationships can feel strained, our institutions often appear unable to meet the needs of the world today, and even the viability of the natural environment around us seems threatened. So in the midst of these turbulent times, where can we turn to for sources of hope? In times of crisis, are there actually new opportunities for a more peaceful, just, and sustainable way of life? How can we help build those new patterns in our communities? Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on how to promote constructive change in these difficult times. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role spirituality can play in our efforts to construct a new, more meaningful path forward in the midst of social turmoil. *“The world of mankind is in the throes of evolutionary activity indicating the passing of the old conditions and advent of the new.”* – Bahá’í Teachings **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

**Looking to** \- Help out neighbors in the DC area? \- Support a secular charity? \- Connect with other atheists and humanists? Join Atheists Helping the Homeless DC at our monthly distribution event! Atheists Helping the Homeless is a 501(c)(3) charity that distributes items like backpacks, socks, gloves, and toiletries to people in need throughout the Washington, DC region. We meet up on the second Saturday of every month outside of a homeless shelter in Silver Spring, MD, called Progress Place, and pass out whatever items we have to whoever is there. Each month we serve between 60 - 100 people. Afterwards, we usually go out for breakfast. Our goal is to provide a way for people to help each other without affiliating with a religion. Our method is to go straight to those in need, and create a welcoming and fun atmosphere to effectively create an environment where secular community can grow and thrive. If this sounds fun, see you there!

In *City Lights*, Chaplin's Little Tramp meets a blind girl selling flowers who mistakes him for a wealthy man. When he learns that an operation may restore her sight, he sets off to earn the money she needs to have the surgery. He also befriends an alcoholic millionaire who only recognizes him when he is drunk. When the blind girl and her grandmother fall behind in the rent and face eviction, he tries working and even enters a boxing competition to raise the money they need. Regarded as Chaplin's masterpiece, *City Lights* has been ranked on more than seventeen "100 greatest movies of all time" lists. Orson Welles cited it as his favorite picture. *City Lights* is available for streaming on Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBOMax, Tubi and PlutoTV. The Columbus Library lists three copies on blu-ray and eight copies on DVD. Watch the movie on your own, then join us upstairs at East Market to discuss the film.

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!

This month's prompt concerns the idea of the “warrior philosopher” (seemed appropriate in these times)--that is someone whose understanding of violence, power, and justice is forged through direct experience of war. We are looking at Major General Smedley D. Butler, a highly decorated U.S. Marine raised in a Quaker (pacifist) tradition who later became a prominent critic of American militarism (there is a wonderful biography of Gen. Butler called "Gangsters of Capitalism") Butler's argument in *War Is a Racket* (1935): that many U.S. interventions were driven less by national defense than by corporate and financial interests, with Butler portraying himself as an enforcer for business and Wall Street. We can consider the moral ambiguity of his insider critique—whether complicity strengthens or undermines credibility and also consider some of the concrete reforms he proposed (e.g., “conscript” capital before soldiers, restrict the military to coastal defense, and have only those who fight decide on war). Butler’s life arc clearly changed from pacifist upbringing to warrior to antiwar crusader—and asks whether true understanding of peace requires firsthand knowledge of war, and what that implies about the cost of suffering. So do we need to suffer to understand suffering? Do we have to experience war to appreciate peace? As one more question: in the movie "A Few Good Men" Jack Nicholson's character says that "you have the luxury of not knowing what I know" so do most of us go through life oblivious to real violence and suffering? See you at Drunken Philosophy!

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

...and speaking of breakthrough roles: who can forget the first time we saw Tom Cruise singing Bob Seeger in his underwear? Often considered an updated 1983 version of The Graduate, the movie sparkles with memorable lines and original music. I only regret that I was never told that "Princeton could use someone like Bob..." See the movie first and join us for some "Cruisin'"

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. We will be hearing from Becca Powell, Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Unchained At Last, an organization whose mission is dedication to ending forced and child marriage in the United States through direct services and systems change. Unchained At Last's mission clearly meshes and addresses several of our Humanist Ten Commitments. Becca will educate us about an issue many of us may not be familiar with--but should be. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Let’s meet, wander the exhibits and open galleries, and enjoy an evening out in the Franklinton Arts District. (Nearby pay parking is available in the garage on McDowell, right around the corner from One Line Coffee, and, past it along the curb as McDowell dead ends.)