Mensa

Welcome to our weekly event in the upstairs room of The Sister Café, rue Chair et Pain 3, one block from the Grand Place. Please get there early enough to order your drink at the bar first. Thank you! After introductions we will collect questions from the group participants, choose one by voting then discuss it for an hour. Then most of us stay for drinks and bizarre conversations. Past questions have been wide and not confined to academic philosophy: What is a genuine friend? Is social media turning us into emotional zombies? Do we lose some of the experience of things by defining them? Are we driven by sex? Is loneliness a personal failure? Is morality relative? **Crucially, be kind and respectful and generous** in your disagreements; remember how much you personally enjoy someone else proving you wrong before celebrating your cutting counterexamples.

FOREST PLAY (10h-12h) The Forest Play - sessions are inclusive, nurturing and natural reconnecting events, focussing on restoring or replenishing energy, the sense of joy and personal perspective by interacting (and playing) with nature's healing elements. Combining tension-releasing stretches, easy flow-restoring exercises (using trees, branches, logs, stones, hills...), doing silent or touch meditations and playful authentic relating games, we're able to get in touch with our inner-child and start to feel free, open-hearted, unassuming and adventurous again, bringing back the joy and vitality we all carry deeply within, but often believed to have been lost. Our hearts gradually open and start reconnecting again. The 2h-sessions focus on gradually increasing physical resilience, but include emotional and energetic aspects as well to restore general holistic balance in body, mind and spirit. There is no competitive stake to it, there are no extremes or high-intensity actions involved. But we do play gently with our personal comfort zones, sliding in and out, at times challenging our personal beliefs, convictions and limitations. These edges are where the real learning takes place, so take note. The sessions have powerful therapeutic value. They are developed, customised and guided by specialised trauma therapist Ken Christiaens. All exercises, while feeling light and fun, have a foundation in trauma and tension-releasing therapies, with elements of inner child work, constellations, reiki, NLP, somatic work, role/game play and meditation. Nature's increased healing potential (forest bathing) is fully being harnessed here. For more info on the therapeutic practice of Ken, please visit: www.nieuwegrond.be PRACTICAL The Forest Play-session starts at 10h sharp and ends at 12h. It costs 18e to participate. Meeting and end-point is always Parking Forest Playground Everzwijnbad, Weertsedreef 8-10, Oud-Heverlee (please read location description well, Google Maps can be a bit tricky). You actually might get a bit dirty and sweaty at some point, please prepare for outdoor nature workout: sporty shoes with ribs, sporty clothes, maybe a small towel (feet might get dirty or wet) or anything you feel comfortable with. Regarding the payment: You will be asked to transfer 18e to Ken's account beforehand or bring it on the day itself. Your participation is only confirmed if you have confirmed the payment as well. The event will be cancelled only when the weather really doesn't allow it. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask via personal message. We hope to see and connect with you there!

📚 Book Club Invitation: *Jesus and John Wayne* by Kristin Kobes Du Mez For our next meeting, we’ll be discussing *Jesus and John Wayne*, a thought-provoking book about how religion, culture, masculinity, and politics became deeply intertwined in modern evangelical America. Kristin Kobes Du Mez explores how certain ideals of strength, leadership, and nationalism came to shape a religious movement and what that has meant for faith, society, and public life. If you’re interested in questions about religion, power, identity, and culture, this book offers plenty to reflect on and discuss. 📅 Date: Saturday, 25 April ⏰ Time: 11:30 📍 Venue: Carpe Diem, Avenue de Tervuren 13, 1040 Brussels Expect an open and engaging discussion in a relaxed setting, with good coffee and good company. As always, you’re welcome whether you finished the book or just want to join the conversation. Those who wish can stay for lunch afterwards. 🏡 Book Club Home Rules 1️⃣ You’re welcome even if you didn’t finish the book. 2️⃣ We listen to understand, not to win. 3️⃣ Curiosity, respect, and openness come first. Looking forward to another lively exchange of ideas. 📞 Questions: 0474.60.83.70

Functional Movement & Yoga at Merci Studio on Place Dillens (please register in advance at [www.popupyogaconcepts.be/schedule](http://www.popupyogaconcepts.be/schedule)) A practise linking functional movement with functional movement & breathwork. This practise emphasises posture correction, spine health & breathing properly even when challenged in key poses and during movement. This class is held in a close community giving the chance for people to meet others in a context of calm and wellbeing. We also go for a chai/coffee in the area after class, however this is not mandatory. The location is hosted at Merci Studio in St Gilles (near the parvis) . Everyone is welcome as long as you have a kind and open hearted spirit :-) Address Merci Studio (4th floor) Julien Dillensplein 1 1060 St Gilles Drop in Rate 20 euros

Common Ground Book Club
An in-person reading group exploring critical theory, from the Frankfurt School to contemporary thinkers. We’ll read books and essays, and our discussions will focus on society, power, and modern phenomena: from politics to media and social trends. 
Fifth Meeting
We will discuss “The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere” by J. Habermas: https://allen-webb-wmu.github.io/website/habermas.pdf
 Who is it for?
No prior philosophy or theory background is required, just curiosity and a willingness to engage. I (the organiser) am not an expert; I just seek other kind souls who want to exchange thoughts ✨ 
Format
• Readings may be short essays, selected chapters, or full books.
• Each meeting begins with a short recap/introduction of the text.
• Open, informal discussion.
• Everyone is encouraged to bring a passage or question they found interesting, confusing, or provocative.
• Language of discussion: English.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out on Meet-up :)

Making new friends in a new city doesn’t need to be a struggle at all.

Hey Brussels Sprouts!! **Our Language Exchange Event is coming up!! 🌍** We will have five language tables: **French, Dutch, English, Spanish, and Italian.** Each table will host around **3–5 participants**, **Participants rotate every 15–30 minutes** and you are welcome to move freely between tables to practice different languages. Native speakers are especially encouraged to join and share their language and culture! **Contribution to Our Events** Starting this year, we kindly ask participants to contribute in one of the following ways: **€5** per event, or **€40** annual membership fee If you feel like supporting us beyond this, to help people who can’t afford it, you are very welcome to do so 💛 If the contribution is a concern for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly 😉 **These contributions will help us:** * Cover the annual Meetup platform fee * Encourage everyone to respect RSVPs * We will donate 10% collected fees to support Queer oriented organisations in the end of the year. Bank details: Yifei Yang BE12363234512492 Communication: your name+ event/membership **To make sure your spot is reserved, please complete your registration once you sign up.** We will prioritize those who have completed the registration process. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation. **Cheers!** 🥂 Brussels Sprouts 🇧🇪🥬💚

**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.

If you are interested in selecting investment choices for your 401(k) or other workplace savings plan, minimizing your income tax liability, or identifying the most effective investments for your brokerage account, we are the group for you. We are a local chapter of Bogleheads, whose investment strategy can be found here: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy Or you can peruse the Boglehead forum here: https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php I look forward to seeing you there. Mark Vonder Haar

Mental Health, how do you understand it? How can you improve it? How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp. This group is hosted by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

It’s time to take control of your mental health. How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp.

**A Transformative Half-Day Event** Welcome to Confidence Lab, the ultimate experience designed to help you step into your most confident self. This half-day event is packed with actionable strategies, inspiring sessions, and opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who are ready to invest in their personal and professional growth. Whether you’re looking to advance in your career, deepen your self-belief, or simply embrace new challenges, Confidence Lab is your starting point. **What You’ll Experience** **Your Confidence Lab ticket includes:** * **Engaging Speaker Sessions**: Learn from experts about harnessing confidence in your career, relationships, and everyday life. * **Interactive Experiences:** Participate in dynamic activities designed to help you step into your most confident self. * **In-Depth Audience Q&A:** Get direct insights from speakers as they answer your most pressing questions about building confidence and stepping into leadership. * **Networking Opportunities**: Connect with a supportive community of professionals and confidence enthusiasts. **2026 Speaker Sessions:** * **Seeing Clearly** Understand how you show up - and what’s been getting in the way. * **Confidence in Relationship** Communicate, navigate conflict, and build trust more effectively. * **Sustainable Agency** Learn how to lead without burning out. Your energy is part of the strategy. * **Confidence in Service** Align how you show up with the impact you actually want to have. **This Is For You If…** * You’re ready to take up more space in your work or life * You want to communicate with clarity and confidence * You’re stepping into (or preparing for) leadership * You’re done second-guessing yourself **Our Speakers** **Lachandra Baker** Founder of LBB Edutainment and the kind of person who makes you realize you’ve been confusing confidence with performance your whole life. Lachandra blends psychology, research, and radical humanity to help individuals and teams stop code-switching their way through the day and start showing up as someone they actually recognize. Expect to be challenged, affirmed, and genuinely seen - sometimes all in the same breath. **Annette Santiago Reyes** Annette has a rare talent: she makes the way you communicate feel like a discovery, not a critique. A connection catalyst and culture strategist, she helps people understand why they show up the way they do, and how to bridge the gap between intention and impact. Whether you're navigating change, life’s challenges, or simply trying to better understand yourself and others. Annette gives you the language and the lens to get there. **Elizabeth Wangugi** Creator of The Nap Concert and the RESTOR™ framework, Elizabeth is here to tell you that rest is not a reward - it’s a strategy. Rooted in neuroscience and restorative practice, her work helps high-achievers stop running on fumes and start leading from a place of actual capacity. If your calendar is full and your tank is empty, Elizabeth might be the most important person you hear from at Confidence Lab. **Stephanie Andrews** Founder of Social Black Butterfly Training & Consulting, Stephanie knows what it takes to lead through complexity because she’s done it across social services, healthcare, and operations. She specializes in succession strategy and leadership development, equipping leaders to build trust, navigate the hard moments, and leave something worth inheriting. Stephanie doesn’t just develop leaders. She develops the kind of leaders people actually want to follow. **Lillian Morales-Laster** SVP Human Resources Director at United Midwest Savings Bank and Executive Director of the Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy (ELLA). Lillian has spent her career combining her passion for equity and inclusion with her experience in human resources to lead teams and organizations in the development of supportive work environments. She leads with a vision of ensuring Latinas' voices are included in crucial decision-making processes, because for Lillian, ELLA is more than just a program. It's a vibrant community of hermanas supporting and uplifting each other as they navigate their paths to leadership. A Columbus Business First Community Champion and Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan, her commitment to empowering others shows up everywhere she goes. **Rachyl Kershaw** Founder of Greater Columbus Consulting and the architect behind the Confidence Lab Annual Summit, Rachyl has a gift for cutting through the noise, helping high-achievers stop performing success and start living it. She asks the questions most people are afraid to, creates space for honest reckoning, and somehow makes the hard work feel energizing. If you’ve ever wondered why doing everything right still feels like something’s missing, you’re in exactly the right room. **Why Confidence Lab?** Confidence is the foundation for success in every area of life. Whether you’re navigating a career change, launching a business, or striving for personal growth, building your confidence is the key to unlocking your higher purpose. This is your chance to invest in yourself and start living boldly. **Join Us on May 4** Confidence Lab is more than just an event - it’s a movement. Step into your power, embrace your potential, and make this the year you thrive. Secure your spot today and take the first step toward a more confident YOU. Cost should never be a barrier to growth. If you'd like to request a complimentary community ticket, reach out to us at [hello@confidencelab.org](hello@confidencelab.org), no explanation needed. Read more and see additional ticketing options at [https://confidencelab.org/](https://confidencelab.org/)

**Welcome to the Women’s Columbus Bogleheads® Sub-Group** This sub-group is for **women who want to learn and discuss finances in a safe, supportive space**. For those interested in moving towards financial independence and retirement by learning investment basics, choosing your 401(k) investments, minimizing taxes, and more. We’re a local chapter of **Bogleheads®**, following a long-term, practical investment philosophy: [Investment Philosophy](https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy): https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy [Bogleheads Forum](https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php): https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php No question is too small, and no experience is too simple. Share, ask, and learn — at your own pace, without judgment, in a group of like-minded women. Let’s build confidence and knowledge **together**!