Loss & Grief Support
Meet other local people interested in Loss & Grief Support: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Loss & Grief Support group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out loss & grief support events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the loss & grief support events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find loss & grief support events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Loss & Grief Support Events Today
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Los Habladores! Conversación en Español en Utrecht
¡Compartamos juntos con el grupo de personas más divertido de la ciudad!... ¡en español!
No necesitas ser un hablante fluido o nativo.... ¡Solo atrévete a compartir!
Te esperamos a las 20hrs.... ¡Entrada gratuita!
¡Nos vemos! ¡Hasta entonces! 😃
Let's share together with the funniest group of people in town!... in Spanish!
You don't need to be a fluent or native speaker.... Just dare to share!
We wait for you at 20hrs ....Free entry!
Nos vemos! Tot dan! 😃
Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/habladores/
Meetup Link:
https://www.meetup.com/nl-NL/los-habladores/
Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/los_habladores_utrecht/
Los Habladores!
Speeddaten 33-47 jaar | Hoger opgeleiden in Utrecht
**Speeddaten Utrecht**
Al twaalf jaar organiseren we speeddates in Utrecht. Ontmoet je graag een groot aantal singles in korte tijd, dan is speeddaten iets voor jou!
Tijdens een speeddate heb je ongeveer 15-20 dates van 4 minuten. Wanneer de bel klinkt, schuift de helft van de singles door naar de volgende tafel.
Op je datekaart geef je aan met wie je verder in contact wilt komen.
**Locatie**
Het speeddaten vindt plaats bij [Anne&Max Domstraat](https://www.annemax.nl/vestigingen/utrechtdomstraat/), een sfeervol en ruim opgezet restaurant. We hebben een apart gedeelte van het restaurant gereserveerd, zodat je alle privacy hebt tijdens het daten.
**Matchmail!**
Binnen een dag na de speeddate ontvang je van ons een e-mail met de voornaam en het e-mailadres van de singles met wie je een match hebt.
Heb je bij alle deelnemers ‘nee’ ingevuld? Dan is je volgende speeddate [gratis](https://aboutlove.nl/geen-klik-volgende-speeddate-gratis/)!
**Kom je ook speeddaten bij About Love?**
Heb je zin in een avond vol ontmoetingen in Utrecht? Schrijf je dan nu in voor deze speeddate! Bij About Love ben je in goede handen; wij zijn een ervaren speeddate-organisatie met uitstekende [recensies](https://aboutlove.nl/is-speeddaten-leuk/) en bieden speeddates aan voor de laagste prijs.
Date je mee? >> [https://aboutlove.nl/event/details/speeddaten-utrecht-33-47-jaar/](https://aboutlove.nl/event/details/speeddaten-utrecht-33-47-jaar/)
J-Spring Conference 2026
Dear JUG members,
We’re happy to share that ApeldoornJUG will once again serve as an official Community Ambassador for **J-Spring 2026 – The Future of Modern Java**.
📍 J-Spring Conference 2026
🗓 June 4, 2026
📌 Kinepolis Utrecht
**This year’s conference will cover:**
• Data, AI, GenAI & prompt engineering
• Platform engineering & architecture
• Security
• People & Culture
• New & exciting topics
Featuring speakers such as **Holly Cummins, Josh Long, Marit van Dijk, Nicolai Parlog, and many more.** Expect inspiring keynotes, hands-on workshops, and labs. Also returning this year: **The Mentorship Hub powered by Bruno Souza**.
**The talk schedule is now live:**
👉 [www.jspring.nl](https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jspring.nl%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ca_de_ruiter%40belastingdienst.nl%7C757f3b88ba6a4ee59d8e08dea6c04f2b%7Cc8fba4776d4d4f00941a6e6150c721f3%7C0%7C0%7C639131542095649438%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cPr6C5RZu19Vm4tM%2FXDakYUCx5qf1sztXzyHIqvUGgY%3D&reserved=0)
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Shut Up & Write! [Amsterdam/ IJburg]
Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at Factor-ij Amsterdam on Thursday mornings.
Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done.
SCHEDULE:
11: 15 AM - Quick introductions
11: 30 AM - Timer starts: write for 1 hour
12: 30 PM - The End: chat, take off, or keep writing
OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 12:30 pm after the writing is wrapped. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing.
BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer.
Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you at Factor-ij!
What Should I Bring?
Whatever you need to be able to write!
Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block the cafe’s overhead music or the occasional conversation by other patrons.
Please come with your devices pre-charged, since we probably won't be always sitting somewhere with charging possibilities.
Other Important Details:
Travel by public transportation:
1. Take Tram 26 from the central station Amsterdam, and step out by the last stop.
2. Take bus 66 from the Amsterdam Bijlmer station, step out by Pieter Oosterhuisstraat, and further walk in the direction of the bus till the corner.
FREE Wifi.
Compulsory consumption is not required, but please do order a drink to honor our generous host.
🏊Learn how to swim in Diemen!🏊
Are you an **expat** in **Diemen** and do you want to **learn how to swim?**
Look no further!
Dive into **personalized swimming lessons** with **Your Personal Swim Coach**. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an advanced swimmer seeking to refine your technique, our expert coaches offer **tailored sessions** that fit your needs.
The **AGO** pool in Diemen is a small private pool originally utilized for **aqua therapy**. Therefore the water is nicely **warm** which gives ideal teaching conditions.
**Don't wait any longer:** **[Sign up for a Try Out Lesson!](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/product/try-out-adult-swimming-lesson/)**
Want to learn more first? Go to our **[website](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/)** or **[schedule a call!](https://calendly.com/ypsc/new-meeting)**
Café español
Cada primer jueves del mes: café español (! atención ! : nos mudamos a Mariapaviljoen, en frente al shopping Arena) en el centro de Den Bosch, ¡bienvenid@s a tod@s!
\*\*\*
Para todos los amantes del español: cada primer jueves del mes nos juntamos para hablar el idioma de Frida Kahlo, Mercedes Sosa y Penélope Cruz ;). Un encuentro informal para conocer a otros hispanohablantes y compartir risas, experiencias y buenas vibras. ¡Bienvenid@s! (entrada libre y gratuita)
Voor alle liefhebbers van de Spaanse taal: elke eerste donderdag van de maand komen we samen om de taal van Frida Kahlo, Mercedes Sosa en Penélope Cruz te spreken ;) Een informele bijeenkomst om andere Spaanstaligen te leren kennen, samen te lachen en ervaringen uit te wisselen. Wees welkom! (gratis entree)
(Organizadora: evelyne montens > si tienes alguna pregunta, no dudes en contactarme por messenger)
The Human Side of Code & The Silent Failures of AI
We are thrilled to welcome you to our 10th edition of the AI Native Netherlands, hosted at the [Yuma](https://www.weareyuma.com/en) headquarters in Amsterdam.
This edition is capped at 120 attendees. Yuma's office has limited space, so once the 120 seats are filled, registration closes and additional signups move onto the waitlist.
A massive thank you to our host, Yuma, for their generosity in providing the venue, food, and drinks for this evening and for supporting the Dutch AI engineering community.
**We'll cover:**
* What humans still bring to software building when AI is writing the code
* Tackling technical and social complexity inside distributed, fast-moving systems with legacy at the core
* How to evaluate AI agents in production and catch silent regressions in under an hour
* What "AI Native infrastructure" looks like in the wild: prompt changes, harness updates, RAG documentation, model swaps
**Speaker 1: [Nico Krijnen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicokrijnen/) ([Yuma](https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareyuma/))**
An explorer at heart, Nico loves to navigate the ever changing technology landscape and find practical solutions to complex problems. For a big chunk of his career, he disrupted the DAM space by building an innovative file management solution called Elvis, which is being used by media organizations all over the world. Besides leading and supporting teams and giving direction, he likes to roll up his sleeves and experience first-hand how (and whether) the latest technologies work in the real world. He is never shy of making unconventional choices to achieve radical results.
**Talk: The human side of coding**
Now that AI's are writing our code, what is the value that we humans still bring to building software systems?
Our tech stacks are exploding in complexity, systems are more and more distributed and fast-paced development leads to an ecosystem full of fragile legacy systems that provide the backbone of business capabilities. How do we tackle that technical and social complexity? Do we take the usual route and solve it by adding more tech or AI? Or is there another way?
Even in the 80's, people realized that the theory of a system can't be transferred through code and documentation alone. It requires developers to work closely together. We need to encourage human collaboration across disciplines, backgrounds and personalities (including our new AI buddies). Learn how you can use your human power skills to better understand the problems you're facing and build systems that last!
**Speaker 2: [Floris Weers](https://www.linkedin.com/in/floris-weers-61392b160/) ([Biscuit](https://www.linkedin.com/company/biscuit-so/))**
Floris is an ML engineer based in Amsterdam. He was responsible for continued-pretraining (or mid-training) at Apple's Foundation Model team, contributing directly to Apple Intelligence. Before that, he finished his master's degree at the University of Twente while building games on the side.
He is a named author on the Apple Intelligence Foundation Language Models tech report, which describes the \~3 billion parameter on-device model and the large server-based model powering Apple Intelligence features. His research work at Apple also spanned multimodal models, mobile vision transformers, and distillation scaling laws.
**Talk: The silent failures of AI: how to evaluate?**
AI doesn't crash when it fails. It quietly does half the job. We'll go over a systematic way to evaluate agents in real product settings, allowing us to catch regressions and decide within an hour whether to use a newly released model or stick with the previous setup. A side-effect of the evaluation framework is that no engineer is scared of touching system prompts, making deeper harness changes or adding documentation to the RAG systems.
**Agenda:**
18:00 — Arrival, food & drinks
18:30 — Talk \#1 \| Nico Krijnen
19:15 — Talk \#2 \| Floris Weers
20:00 — Networking & more drinks
21:00 — Wrapping up
**What to bring:** Just curiosity and questions. If you've been working through agent evaluation, RAG system updates, or human-AI collaboration in your engineering team.
**Who is this for:** Platform engineers, AI/ML engineers, SREs, architects, and engineering leaders focused on building and validating reliable AI systems in production.
**Where to find us:** Yuma (4th floor), Business Centre Pedro de Medina, Pedro de Medinalaan 1, Amsterdam. 15 minutes from Amsterdam Central using tram 26. Paid parking at Parkbee Sluishuis across the street. [Maps link](https://maps.app.goo.gl/bd353dgCFd4TkDEq8)
Loss & Grief Support Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Trauma Anders Bekeken
Ontdek meer over (ontwikkelings)trauma. Wat is trauma? Hoe kun je anders omgaan met trauma als je het niet probeert 'op te lossen'? Verbind met gelijkgestemden over dit thema en leer bij door een holistische kijk op trauma.
Inschrijven via: https://heleenbecuwe.be/trauma-anders-bekeken-nederland/
Why do we Play?
**When did you last do something just for fun** — with no goal, no productivity, no outcome?
For many of us, play slowly disappears as life becomes more serious. Work, responsibilities, expectations… and somewhere along the way, “play” starts to feel unimportant — even a bit guilty.
But what if play isn’t a luxury?
In *Play*, Stuart Brown argues that play is not childish or trivial — it’s a **core part of being human**, as essential as sleep or rest. It shapes how we think, connect, create, and even how resilient we are in life.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4997659-play?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=fzFXhcGY46&rank=1
***
## **What we’ll explore together**
This will be a lighter, more energising session focused on curiosity and reflection:
* What actually counts as “play” in adult life?
* Why do we stop playing as we grow older?
* What happens when life becomes too serious?
* Different “types” of play (creative, physical, social, imaginative)
* How play influences creativity, relationships, and well-being
* How to reintroduce play without it feeling forced or childish
***
## **What to expect**
* A relaxed, low-pressure conversation
* Light reflection exercises (nothing heavy or personal unless you want to share)
* A chance to reconnect with curiosity, fun, and spontaneity
* A slightly more playful atmosphere than previous sessions 🙂
This is not a lecture or therapy session — just a group of people exploring what it means to feel a bit more alive and engaged.
***
## **Who is this for?**
* Anyone who feels life has become a bit too serious
* Anyone curious about creativity, joy, and balance
* Anyone who wants a lighter, more uplifting discussion
No need to have read the book.
***
## **Tone**
Curious. Light. Relatable
You can participate as much or as little as you like.
***
## **Closing**
> “We don’t stop playing because we grow old — we grow old because we stop playing.”
Girls Night Out: Laugh, Connect & Recharge @The 5th
**This might be the girls night you didn’t know you needed.**
Many women are living in constant “on” mode- always busy, always giving.
And somewhere along the way, we forget how good it feels to simply *be together*.
This is your invitation to a real **girls night, where you can come as you are.**
Every 3 weeks we come together to relax, laugh, connect and support each other — without pressure, without fixing, without performance.
**When women gather in a safe and supportive space, something powerful happens.** We uplift each other through shared laughter, honest conversations, and non-judgement presence. Being around other women who get it can make everything feel a little lighter and brighter.
It helps us feel less alone, more supported, emotionally stronger - sometimes simply by being in the same room together.
Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we listen, Sometimes we laugh - and even sing - until our bellies hurt.
You’re free to share what’s on your mind, or simply enjoy the energy of being around other women who get it.
There’s no agenda. No judgement.
Just genuine connection, joy, and friendships that feel *easy and real.*
And often, there’s that quiet thought:
*“oh wow, I didn’t know I needed this.”*
All I ask is that you come exactly as you are — tired, joyful, quiet, loud, curious, or unsure. Everything is welcome.
We meet every 3 weeks - in Utrecht, Amsterdam or Leiden - because connection grows when we keep showing up for each other — not perfectly, just honestly.
✨ Come as you are.
✨ Leave feeling lighter, more connected, and a little more yourself.
IN-PERSON Book Club Meeting - 'HOMEGOING' by Yaa Gyasi
'HOMEGOING' by Yaa Gyasi
'Two sisters with two very different destinies. One sold into slavery; one a slave trader's wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow. Taking us from the Gold Coast of Africa to the cotton-picking plantations of Mississippi; from the missionary schools of Ghana to the dive bars of Harlem, spanning three continents and seven generations, Yaa Gyasi has written a miraculous novel - the intimate, gripping story of a brilliantly vivid cast of characters and through their lives the very story of America itself. Epic in its canvas and intimate in its portraits, Homegoing is a searing and profound debut from a masterly new writer.'
***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.***
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**PLEASE NOTE:**
This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate.
Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then!
Best regards,
Sandra
Hike in the Loenense Bos (Start in Loenen) (16 km)
* We **start at 11:10** in front of Hotel Restaurant de Loenermark:
Eerbeekseweg 4, Loenen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4W6e27ij3aqjQnFg6
* Length: \~16 km (4 - 5 hr hiking)
* What to bring: lunch, water, snack.
* For whom: As always, sporty folks that like to combine social event with being active in nature.
**Getting there by bus:**
* Bus stop: Loenen, Bruisbeek
https://maps.app.goo.gl/863vGKfe8nqBvZfw7
**Getting there by Car:**
* Free parking opposite of Groenendaalseweg 15, Loenen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6213M7LwEQv8PMg6
or
Free parking in the streets, close to:
Eerbeekseweg 4, Loenen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/awWbkpVZJVzxmX859
**Note:**
* Please **pay a small fee (3 euro)** to help us cover the (increased) yearly Meetup contribution of 240 euro. We'll ask you to pay before the start of the hike (can be on the day itself). No refunds, but in the unlikely event that hike would be cancelled and you already paid, you don't need to pay for your next hike. Thank you so much! Use the **safe link** here: https://betaalverzoek.rabobank.nl/betaalverzoek/?id=eSkpxZf7TymaoFsvJkBCKQ
* Keep in mind that the hike can be canceled when the weather is very bad (**always check the event before you go**).
* If you RSVP 'yes' we expect you to show-up. Please do not cancel less than 24 hours before the hike. **No-shows** will lead to your removal from the group. Thanks for the understanding.
* By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organizers from any responsibility and liability in all claims. As the participation is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves.
[TURNHOUT] Freedom friday bitcoin meetup
Iedereen is welkom op onze open Freedom Friday Bitcoin Turnhout Meetup @ het super gezellige café Sint Pieter - Grote Markt 60, 2300 Turnhout
Geen presentaties. Geen workshops. Gewoon 1 onderwerp: bitcoin.
**Connect with Like-Minded Minds** Engage with the Bitcoin community and mingle with fellow enthusiasts. This meetup is your chance to discuss the future, share ideas, and network with pioneers in the decentralized money world.
🏢 **Central Location**: café Sint Pieter ligt perfect centraal, een ruim cafe op de grote markt van Turnhout.
Mark your calendars and spread the word!
Loss & Grief Support Events Near You
Connect with your local Loss & Grief Support community
Free In-Person Events: How to Let Go of the Past and Move Forward
The emotional pain from past bad experiences easily lingers in the present, making it hard to enjoy life and create your future. Even when you think you've moved on, the negative emotions can be triggered, sending you back into the pain of that experience.
And we are talking about pain; emotions such as grief, depression, anxiety, fear (or terror), boiling anger, simmering resentment, feelings of shame, blaming and regret can leave you incapacitated to a greater or lesser degree.
In this local event we will be discussing the reasons why these past bad experiences have the power to affect you long after they occurred. We'll go over why the emotional pain can be so strong. We'll also discuss some simple solutions to overcome your emotional pain and be free to fully enjoy your life again.
Examples of painful experiences include:
* A broken relationship or divorce.
* Death or loss of a loved one.
* Death of a pet.
* A sudden shock or bad news.
* A betrayal.
* Being part of an abusive relationship.
* A bad injustice.
* Loss of a job, position or business.
* A grave illness or injury.
The negative emotions from these experiences don't just go away on their own. But the good news is there is a way to clear them out of your way.
Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there.
This group is sponsored the Dianetics & Scientology Self-Improvement Center.
Losing Weight in Columbus - Saturday morning Metro Park at Scioto Audubon Park
Join the weight loss in Columbus group at the Scioto Audubon Park for an in person meeting. We'll meet to chat casually, talk about goals and enjoy one of Columbus's wonderful parks.
We'll meet at one of the outdoor shelters, which is covered in case of rain, is close to some walking trails, and there's also a climbing gym that people can try out (my favorite past time) if people are interested.
Let's meet and see where we can take things!
Recruiting Virtual Mental Health Group Leaders!
We are recruiting new group leaders for virtual men's groups! Our primary groups are outdoor movement groups, but we are launching virtual groups for the state of Ohio and beyond and the groups will move outside in the spring, creating room for men's groups, women's groups and coed groups all over the country.
Read below to learn about our groups and click the links at the bottom to apply.
### **What is an Outdoor Empowerment Group?**
Our Outdoor Movement & Community Empowerment Groups are simple, guided experiences designed to help people reconnect with nature, themselves, and others. We combine some form of movement (hike, walk, run, bike, yoga, workout) and meaningful conversation within a simple community circle to create a space where individuals can support each other while prioritizing mental and physical well-being.
Whether you’re seeking stress relief, personal growth, or community, our groups offer everyone a unique and welcoming environment.
## **Why Join?**
* **Improve Mental & Physical Well-Being** – Movement, nature, and supportive conversations reduce stress and promote balance.
* **Feel Less Alone** – Build genuine connections with like-minded people in a safe, welcoming space.
* **Gain Clarity & Perspective** – Step outside daily routines and into a space designed for personal growth and reflection.
## **The Ideal Group Leader**
The ideal group leader
* Has a born-in passion for mental health, movement, connecting with nature and building community.
* Has 5 extra hours per week to dedicate to a meaningful cause for at least one year. Yes, you can leave any organization at any time and we can also ask you to leave, but we are building with legacy in mind and we need people who can commit and be ALL IN on this mission to build with us.
* Is independently financially stable with the ability to volunteer with no expectation of pay. This is a deeply beautiful journey of service that all participants commit to at Speak Your Mind.
* An ability to manage groups with high emotional intelligence and desire for human connection.
* An ability to self-motivate and market/promote their group on Facebook and other social platforms.
* Nature informed therapy or clinical therapists/psychologists a plus.
## **Our Impact**

Since launching, we have helped thousands find support, connection, and healing through our Outdoor Movement Groups. 100% of participants surveyed have reported:
* A noticeable improvement in mental clarity and emotional well-being.
* An increase in social connection and a sense of belonging.
* Said they would return again.
We believe mental health should be accessible, community-driven, and rooted in nature. Join us and take the first step toward a more connected, grounded, and supported version of yourself.
### **Why Our Groups are Donation-Based**
Our Outdoor Movement Groups are made possible through a donation-based model. This approach allows us to keep our events accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, while also ensuring that we can continue expanding our reach. It’s a great way to pay it forward and support the growth of this beautiful mission!
Every contribution helps us:
* **Cover Essential Costs** – Donations allow us to pay essential legal, marketing, insurance, and admin costs as well as nourish the important people who run the organization.
* **Grow Our Mission** – With your support, we can bring these healing experiences to thousands more people in the future and execute our long term plan to expand across the USA, affecting up to 500,000 people per year.
By choosing to contribute, you’re not just leading an event—you’re helping build a mental health movement that supports long-term well-being and connection for all during a severe mental health epidemic.
## **Come Join Us!**
We’d love to have you be part of this growing community of people prioritizing their mental health, movement, and connection.
🔹 **Visit Our Website to Learn More:** https://speakyourmind.men/joinusoutside
🔹 **Apply Here to Lead Your Own Group!** – https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application
🔹 **Support the mission**: If you resonate with the mission and want to support, feel free to join a group before applying or donate to help us reach our goals to help more people! You can donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/angels-for-angels/speak-your-mind
Please text Mario with any questions: (808) 855-8831
Drunken Philosophy: Are you really who you think you are? What is the "self"?
I have been studying the question of "self" online with Prof. Ellie Anderson and so I thought a prompt on the "self" might be interesting. Full confession: I had Claude create this prompt and I like it, so here goes:
Imagine a thought experiment that merges two classic puzzles:
> You undergo a procedure, performed neuron by neuron, in which every biological component of your brain is replaced with a functionally identical synthetic substitute. At each step, your behavior, memories, and personality remain unchanged. When the last neuron is swapped, is the consciousness experiencing the world still you? And — more pressingly — was there ever a continuous "you" to begin with?
### Questions to Wrestle With
* If consciousness is purely physical, does the *gradual* nature of the replacement matter, or is it equivalent to being destroyed and rebuilt?
* Could there be a "self" without continuity of experience — even moment to moment, while you sleep?
On a more practical level, consider the simpler case first: **hemispherectomy** patients — people who have had an entire cerebral hemisphere surgically removed — often retain a strong sense of personal identity and continuity. This suggests "you" are not rigidly tied to specific physical material. But does that vindicate the synthetic neuron case, or merely show that identity is more *flexible* than we thought — not that it can survive *complete* substrate replacement?
I used Claude so I could get this out today and let everyone have some time to consider it. Hope to see you at the Oracle. Sorry about the location change two weeks ago. That's what I get for trusting local weather predictions!
Men's Group meetup
**The idea for this group is to build a community where men can gather together and build connections & learn and grow from each other.**
How we start each meeting is by each of us checking in with our "roses and thorns" aka what are the good things and the bad things going on in your life recently?
Then we will go into a topic discussion.
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**COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS**
\*\*THERE WILL BE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY FOR NO-SHOWS. IF YOU RSVP TO A MEETING AND FAIL TO SHOW UP WITHOUT NOTICE, YOU'LL BE REMOVED FROM THE GROUP. THIS IS TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE GROUP\*\*
1. Confidentiality - EVERYTHING that is shared NEVER leaves this space so that this space remains safe and sacred. There is a zero tolerance policy for this. If a man is in violation of this, they will be permanently removed from the group.
2. Non-Judgement - we respect and honor every man’s truth so that we may receive the same from others. While we may not agree on everything, we commit to respecting every man’s perspectives and engaging in honorable discussion with one another.
3. Be committed - honor your commitment to this group and to yourself. If you attend a meeting, please commit yourself fully to the meeting. Also be committed to your own journey. When we fail, we own it & clean it up.
4. Speak from the heart - this is NOT a space to “look good”, have the “right” answers, and have it all together. Relax and know you are not alone. Be exactly who you are within the safety of this space.
5. Be supportive - This means always willing to provide encouragement to your fellow men, encourage action and momentum in each other’s lives.. Be willing to challenge each other. Be willing to hold each other accountable.
6. Participation - what you receive from this community will be a reflection of what you put into it. Period. We ask that you share your perspectives, reflect on others, and give/receive support when and where it’s needed.
Brain Tumor Support Group
**Welcome to the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky’s Support Group.**
*\*\*This meeting has been moved to the 4th Monday of each month.*
This group is a safe space for **survivors of traumatic and acquired brain injuries**, as well as their **families and caregivers**, to find support, share experiences, and connect with others who understand the journey.
Whether you're newly injured, a longtime survivor, or supporting a loved one, you’ll find comfort, information, and encouragement here. Our professionally facilitated groups offer a confidential, compassionate setting for healing, learning, and growing together.
Join us to discover the power of community—because no one should walk this road alone.
*All survivors of ABI/TBI and those who care for them are welcome.*
\* This meeting is for persons with brain tumors and their guests.
\*\* This is a hybrid meeting. For those meeting in-person dinner is served at 5:45pm. Online begins at 6:30pm.
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).



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