Men's Support

**This talk has completely sold out in advance and no additional tickets will be available at the door.** [Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Inside the World Cup,”** a scholarly look at preparation for the upcoming soccer tournament and at the likely impact of major global sports events soon to be staged in the United States, with Matt Winkler, founder of American University’s online master’s program in sports analytics and management and former sports executive. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-world-cup](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-world-cup) .] The FIFA World Cup 2026 will soon take place in several cities throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Come to Profs and Pints to get an industry insider’s perspective on it and other global sports events being hosted by American cities, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Learn about the preparation for these events, about their projected economic and cultural impact, and about remaining uncertainties surrounding them with Matt Winkler, a scholar and teacher of sports management and business with years of experience working with the World Cup, the Olympics, and various professional sports leagues. He’ll discuss issues related to the FIFA World Cup’s governance, site preparation, security, fan management, and tourist visas, and he’ll weigh how the $13 billion dollars in revenue projected to be generated by the tournament compares to the costs of staging 104 games between 48 countries. He’ll delve into how the tournament symbolizes a pivotal moment in the evolution of soccer in America, with global games broadcast all over American television channels and streaming services. You’ll learn how the 1994 World Cup in the United States significantly boosted soccer’s popularity—leading to increased youth participation and the establishment of Major League Soccer—and how the sport has continued to rapidly gain traction here in recent years. We’ll consider how the World Cup marks the beginning of an unprecedented run of major global sports events in the U.S., including not just summer and winter Olympics but, in 2031, the U.S.-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2033 men’s and women’s rugby World Cups. Among the questions Winkler will tackle: How will the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran affect the World Cup? How will tickets sell, and at what price? (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: Soccer being played in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, one of the venues hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, we want YOU to join us! New players are always welcome to come out and play touch rugby with us - all you need is a good attitude and a willingness to learn. Also, bring a water bottle, a mouth guard, and cleats (if you have them - they're not necessary right away). Our experienced coaches will teach you everything you need to know! Bring your energy, your enthusiasm, and most importantly, your love for the game. Let's make this practice a blast!

**Community Tuesdays at Refraction** are a free weekly program designed for job seekers, professionals in transition, and aspiring founders to access resources, connections, and coworking space in the heart of Northern Virginia’s tech corridor. Each Tuesday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, participants gain complimentary access to Refraction’s collaborative workspace, career mentoring, resume and job-search support (including proven AI prompts to navigate applicant tracking systems), and a welcoming community of innovators and peers. Whether you are refining your next career move or exploring entrepreneurship, Community Tuesdays offer the space, guidance, and tools you need to move forward with confidence. For complete details and easy (non-Meetup) registration, please visit: [https://www.refraction.one/ctues](https://www.refraction.one/ctues).

Ruggers! It's that most glorious time of the year! Please save the date for our annual Old Boy / Young Boy extravaganza. Details and logistics to follow.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, we want YOU to join us! New players are always welcome to come out and play touch rugby with us - all you need is a good attitude and a willingness to learn. Also, bring a water bottle, a mouth guard, and cleats (if you have them - they're not necessary right away). Our experienced coaches will teach you everything you need to know! Bring your energy, your enthusiasm, and most importantly, your love for the game. Let's make this practice a blast!

## 🏉 Annual Rugby Club Banquet: Seasons & Social The mud has been washed off and the season is in the books. After we wrap up the **Old Boys vs. Young Boys** match earlier in the day, it’s time to trade the jerseys for cocktail attire and celebrate the year’s accomplishments. We are excited to bring the club together at **Chadwick’s** in Alexandria to recognize our standout players, support our future through the silent auction, and enjoy a night out with partners and teammates. ### 🕒 The Details *** When: **Saturday, June 6th ** *Time: **[Insert Start Time] *** Where: **Chadwick’s, 203 The Strand, Alexandria, VA 22314* *** Dress Code:*** *Cocktail Attire*** *** Price: **$75 per person** (Includes dinner and drinks) **A Note on Attendance:** We want every member of the club to be there regardless of financial circumstances. If the ticket price is a barrier, please reach out to **Connor/BFD**. We have options to help with ticket payments because having the whole team together is our priority. ### ✨ The Evening Program *** Dinner & Drinks:** Your ticket covers your meal and drinks for the evening. ***Awards Ceremony: **Join us as we present the annual club awards, honoring the hard work and dedication shown on and off the pitch this season. *** Silent Auction: **We will have a variety of items and experiences available for bidding. All proceeds go directly toward club operations and upcoming season costs. *** Partners Welcome: **We encourage everyone to bring their partners to enjoy the evening and meet the rest of the club community. ### 🎟️ Tickets & RSVP Please RSVP and secure your tickets by ASAP so we can provide final numbers to the venue. **Payment Method: **Venmo** @westpot** *(Please include "Banquet" and your name in the payment note)* We look forward to seeing everyone there to cap off another great year!

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy,”** on findings, debates and trends in the use of psychedelic substances to treat trauma and other conditions, with Whitney Marris, instructor at the University of Buffalo’s School of Social Work, certified psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator, and consultant to clinical trials. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy) .] Psychedelics are rapidly moving from the margins into the mainstream, and questions abound as the sociocultural and legal landscapes surrounding them shift. President Trump’s recent executive order expanding access to psychedelic drugs for certain conditions and accelerating research on them has both heightened interest and added to confusion. Learn more about the so-called “Psychedelic Renaissance,” and get help separating the hope from the hype surrounding it, with Whitney Marris, a leading trainer and facilitator of psychedelic therapy who has used it to treat trauma survivors, military veterans, and people with cancer. She’ll present foundational information on what we know about how psychedelics work. You’ll learn how psychedelic-assisted therapy differs from “trip sitting” and about what we know about the effects of “microdosing” versus “macrodosing.” We’ll examine what has been demonstrated to be helpful versus harmful before, during, and after a dosing session intended to support significant, sustainable change. Marris also will discuss the historical and cultural context of the use of psychedelic medicines for healing, and she’ll describe the ethical challenges that arise as such practices move from counterculture to clinic. We’ll look at emerging and evolving findings in the field, as well as at the roles being played by various financial interests and ideologies in determining the direction of psychedelic-assisted therapy and research on its outcomes. Attendees will gain an awareness of the need for new professional standards and regulatory guardrails related to such work, and they’ll leave knowing key questions to ask potential providers of psychedelic-assisted therapy. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Understanding Honor Violence,”** on recognizing and responding to harmful traditional practices that exert control over others, with Sasha K. Taylor, visiting lecturer at Ohio State University’s Global Fellowship Program and advisor and trainer in honor violence prevention. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-honor-violence](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/dc-honor-violence) .] People claiming to enforce traditional honor codes are responsible for a significant share of murders and other violent or abusive acts within immigrant and refugee communities. Honor-based violence and abuse often play a role in human trafficking, forced marriage, child marriage, visa-based coercion, and in the abandonment of families across international borders. Yet too often it is underreported, misunderstood, or overlooked by people and institutions with the power to help its victims. Learn how to spot and deal with honor-based violence with Sasha K. Taylor, a former FBI Intelligence official who provides training to law enforcement, non-profit organizations, and private companies and also is extensively involved with regional organizations that combat human trafficking. She’ll start by discussing how honor codes that have governed community life since the dawn of human civilization gave rise to the use of honor-related abuse, oppression, shame, and violence to exert control and perpetuate inequality. Although boys and men can be victims of honor-based violence, the perpetrators of it are predominantly male and the survivors predominantly female, lending support to the idea that honor violence is a form of gender-based violence. The forms that such violence can take include genital mutilation and honor killings. She’ll discuss state and federal data related to the prevalence of various forms of honor violence and describe how complex forms of abuse are often underreported, misunderstood, or overlooked. You’ll learn about cultural and systemic barriers to disclosure, warning signs and risk factors, the intersection of immigration vulnerabilities and abuse, and the challenges that survivors face when seeking protection and services. We’ll also look at policy responses to honor violence and how gaps within current federal immigration frameworks may unintentionally contribute to vulnerability and exploitation. Her talk will be especially helpful for first responders, victim advocates, educators, healthcare professionals, social workers, and law enforcement personnel who are often the first point of contact during a crisis. She’ll emphasize trauma-informed engagement, emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and empathetic response strategies that treat survivors with dignity and sensitivity. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: The main illustration for “Rasminah The Last Victim,” a series on child marriage on the Indonesian podcast station KBR (Creative Commons).

**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. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **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.

Join us every other Wednesday during the summer at 5:30pm at Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground. Starts Wednesday June 17th. **Agenda** 5:30-6:15 Kids Play & Dad's Meet 6:15-6:45 Snacks & Father/Son Men's Group Circle \- Simple intro Round \- What are Dad & Son working on? \- Various Topics for Fathers and Sons\(What does it mean to be a man? Etc\.\) 6:45-7 Close. Go get food or keep playing. Mario will lead this group and hold the space. Generally, it is a laid-back, open group that can be modified to accommodate those who show up. If people want to go get dinner after, we can :) It's all about making friends and building a positive community. Mario has led men's groups for several years, sponsored by Speak Your Mind, an Ohio Non-Profit organization with a focus on men's mental well-being. Click here to learn more about SYM: https://linktr.ee/taketimespeakyourmind). All events are non-denominational and donation-based. No one will be turned away for their beliefs or financial position. Suggested donation is $5 per family per meeting (Covers the cost of meetup). **Donation link**: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/angels-for-angels/speak-your-mind **Liability Waiver** to fill out before your first event (Required). This covers the non-profit in the event of any accidents. https://form.jotform.com/242207035182144 Contact Mario with any questions: 808-855-8831 Address: 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road Columbus, OH 43081 Follow signs to the back of the park (Inclusive Playground)

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

Interested? Contact Preston Moore k.preston.moore@gmail.com 614-300-5989 ———————————— Engaging in men’s work is the new way to forge friendships while being open-minded to personal growth. Many men experience healthier relationships, personally and professionally, by engaging in this work. Open Men’s Group is a container for men to share vulnerably without receiving judgment or feedback. We believe that emotionally mature, powerful, compassionate, and purpose-driven men will help heal some of society’s deepest wounds. We support the powerful brilliance of men and we are willing to look at, and take full responsibility for, the pain we are also capable of creating – and suffering. We care deeply about men, our families, communities, and the planet. Visit ManKind Project USA to discover more. https://mkpusa.org/