Mensa

An inspiring, high-energy meeting of public speaking, connection, and personal growth in the heart of Berlin. **Mercury Toastmasters Berlin** invites you to our weekly meeting at our new home at **Das Center, Potsdamer Platz**, in the stunning **Historic Imperial Breakfast Hall**. *Experience the **power of prepared speeches** loaded with bold ideas, participate in our **dynamic Impromptu Session**, and **gain valuable insights** during our feedback segment.* *Leave with practical tools, fresh ideas, and renewed inspiration.* *Whether you want to speak up at work, boost your presence, or just meet inspiring people, you’ll feel at home at Mercury Toastmasters Berlin.* *** **[What to Expect:](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)** ✨ A supportive space to speak, grow, and connect 🎤 Engaging prepared speeches ⚡ Fun, fast-paced impromptu speaking challenges 💬 Feedback session you can actually use 🌍 A friendly, international crowd (around 25–30 people) **Schedule** (times may vary) ⏰ 19:15 - Doors open & networking 🎙️ 19:30 - Prepared Speeches 🏓 20:35 - Impromptu Session (Guest welcome to join) ↩️ 21:00 - Constructive feedback 💬 21:30 - Food, drinks & relaxed socializing **No experience needed.** ***Come curious. Leave energized.*** *** **🤙 [Hear it from our members:](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eRtvR9DRNqU9WZQn7)** *“You can sharpen your public speaking skills and gain tons of confidence, while having fun and making new friends. Mercury is well-structured, fun, and affordable.”* — *Therese Pitt* *“Mercury gave me a safe place to speak, create, and grow. I love the multicultural vibe and supportive community. It’s the best place to learn and have fun.”* — *Krisztina Linka* *** **[Did You Know?](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/about-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)** Toastmasters is where people go to get better at speaking—and grow into confident communicators and leaders. Today [Toastmasters ](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/about-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)has 350,000+ members across 16,000 clubs in 143 countries. And [Mercury](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/) is one of the best places to experience it. So bring your curiosity, your energy—and just be yourself. Whether you’re just starting or ready to level up, there’s a place for you here. *** **[Wondering what you get as a member?](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/membership-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)** Think expert feedback, real-world speaking practice, and a supportive crew that’s got your back. [See you Wednesday night! 🎉](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)

Join the Minotaurs Men's Basketball Team on Wednesday at 8pm at an indoor basketball court in Neukolln. We currently have two teams, one in Bezirkliga and one in FBL. We are looking for new players to add to the teams so come by to play together and meet. Please send a message to the event organizer if you are interested in coming.

Welcome to the PyData Berlin February meetup! We would like to welcome you all starting from 18:00. There will be food and drinks. The talks begin around 18.30 and the doors will close at 18:45. **Make sure to arrive on time!** Please provide your first and last name for the registration because this is required for the venue's entry policy. If you cannot attend, please cancel your spot so others are able to join as the space is limited. **Host**: **GetYourGuide** is excited to welcome you to this month's version of PyData. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* The Lineup for the evening **Talk 1: How Data (Science) is Transforming Professional Sports** **Abstract**: From Moneyball's linear regression revolution to AlphaGo's Move 37, data science has fundamentally reshaped how we understand and play sports. This talk explores three key dimensions of this transformation: first, how analytics revolutionized scouting and training—from the Oakland Athletics' 20-game winning streak to Liverpool FC ending their 30-year championship drought through data-driven player selection. Second, how machine learning and real-time tracking systems have changed gameplay itself, making the mid-range jump shot obsolete in basketball and revealing chess strategies that had eluded grandmasters for thousands of years. Finally, we'll examine the darker consequences, including how ML-powered microbetting has transformed sports gambling into a $149 billion industry that resembles slot machines more than traditional wagering. This talk offers insights spanning baseball, soccer, basketball, chess, and Go - demonstrating how data science doesn't just optimize existing strategies, it fundamentally questions the assumptions entire sports were built upon. **Speaker**: Kaan Isik **Bio**: Kaan Isik is a Data Scientist at GetYourGuide where he works on the Activity Ranking team. As a member of this team, he focuses on developing and optimizing the learn-to-rank deep learning model that powers real-time activity recommendations for millions of travelers worldwide. His work directly impacts how users discover activities across GetYourGuide's platform, making their travel planning more personalized and efficient. **Talk 2: Can Foundation Models outperform classic ML on structured data? Hands-on experience with TabPFN** **Abstract**: LLMs excel at generalising over text data, but cannot reliably predict outcomes from spreadsheets and databases, which drive most critical decisions across medicine, finance, science and virtually all industries. In this talk, we will showcase how TabPFN, Tabular Foundation Model developed by Berlin-based Prior Labs, successfully generalises over structured data problems, beating classic ML with win rates ranging from 100% to 87%. **Speaker**: Diana Kriuchkova **Bio**: Diana is leading Product at Prior Labs. She is a part of the team developing TabPFN, a foundational model for tasks on structured data. TabPFN was published in the 2025 issue of Nature journal, and has shown to beat classic ML methods like XGBoost in >80% of cases. Diana's former background is in machine learning, and she spent last years leading product at developer-focused startups in Berlin. **Lightning talks** There will be slots for 2-3 Lightning Talks (3-5 Minutes for each) between the two main talks. Kindly let us know if you would like to present something :) \*\*\* NumFOCUS **Code of Conduct** THE SHORT VERSION Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down others. Behave professionally. Remember that harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary jokes are not appropriate for NumFOCUS. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. NumFOCUS is dedicated to providing a harassment-free community for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of community members in any form. Thank you for helping make this a welcoming, friendly community for all. If you haven't yet, please read the detailed version here: https://numfocus.org/code-of-conduct \*\*\*

**Hello every boardgame enjoyer!** We'll continue our weekly boardgame evenings every Wednesday in Drehmoment (Glasgower Str. 29, 13349 Berlin) from 19:00. You are all invited to join us! You can expect a lot of fun light games suitable for the location. We have a small library of games you are free to use (but you are also encouraged to bring your own). The games are fast so feel free to join any time! Gamers of all experience levels are welcome. Drehmoment is a classic Berlin bar, they offer varius drinks and have the best cocktails in Wedding. We have a big room in the back just for us. We are allowed to bring your own food and they have snacks for sale. A couple of ground rules that we take seriously: 1. We are guests at Drehmoment, please treat their staff with respect. 2. There is no entry fee but please support the bar by buying drinks or snacks while you are playing. 3. Be efficient in your seating and kind to other patrons. See you on Wednesday

Join us for a special edition of Today’s Global Leader featuring **Nora Fehlbaum**, chair of the board of directors and former CEO of the legendary design brand Vitra and a third-generation leader of the family-owned company. Leave with a fresh perspective on how meaningful spaces can shape the future of work and society, and take away practical insights on sustainability as a guiding design principle, long-term leadership, and running a family business with purpose. Under Nora Fehlbaum’s leadership, Vitra has explored how design, sustainability, and culture can intersect to create spaces that endure and inspire long-term thinking, responsible choices, and new forms of collaboration. From its newly opened Bowery showroom in New York to cultural moments on the Vitra Campus and the contemplative Doshi Retreat, Vitra’s projects show that design is as much about mindset and meaning as it is about aesthetics. ESMT faculty member **[Nora Grasselli](https://esmt.berlin/person/nora-grasselli)**, a leadership and New Work expert, will set the stage with insights into how evolving work cultures are reshaping the future of leadership. The subsequent Q&A with Nora Fehlbaum, with plenty of time for audience questions, will be moderated by **[Astrid Frohloff](https://astrid-frohloff.de/)**, journalist, TV host, and executive coach. **About the Today’s Global Leader event series** Today’s Global Leader is an ESMT event series in hybrid format. Successful business leaders share their leadership philosophies and position themselves on current political and economic topics in an open discussion. Interaction with a diverse audience, including international students and other young leaders, is guaranteed. Check out our past events with Ola Källenius, Christian Sewing, among others on **[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYBplsEOOPkF1BBD5Y7KNlHKig14RAgN9)**. **About the speakers** **Nora Fehlbaum** is the chair of the board of directors of the Swiss furniture manufacturing company Vitra, leading the family-owned company in the third generation. Fehlbaum joined Vitra in 2010 and was initially responsible for the Vitra Campus, the global launch of Vitra’s online shops, and the expansion of the Vitra Accessories Collection, before taking the helm in 2016 as CEO until the end of 2025. While the first generation laid the company’s commercial foundations, and the second added a cultural dimension through the development of the Vitra Campus and the Vitra Design Museum along with its collection, the third generation represented by Fehlbaum puts the spotlight on sustainable thinking and action. **[Nora Grasselli](https://esmt.berlin/person/nora-grasselli)** is a lecturer in leadership, a member of the ESMT faculty, as well as a program director for executive education programs. Her teaching and research interests are leadership for middle managers, leadership transitions, collaboration across organizational boundaries, teamwork mediated through technology, experiential learning, and innovation in executive education. Her work has been published in journals such as MIT Sloan Management Review, Harvard Business Manager, Organization Studies, and Harvard Business Publishing, as well as popular business media such as European Business Review and Forbes. **About the moderator** **[Astrid Frohloff](https://astrid-frohloff.de/)** is an independent conference moderator, executive coach, and communications consultant specializing in executive media training and high-level moderation. A former national TV presenter, she produced some 250 films and reports, served as spokesperson for Reporters Without Borders for 12 years, and now trains executives in media and presentation skills while advising organizations on event design and delivery. **In cooperation with [Initiative Zukunftsfähige Führung](https://izf.org/)**

**Yoga for queer men\* // Intermediate Level** **with Merdan Akbayir or Mischa van Dullemen** for **GBTQ men\*** **[Book a Ticket](https://wearevillage.org/en/calendar/)** **Member: 10 €** **Regular: 15 €** 🔵 Join us for a dynamic yoga session designed specifically for queer men with some prior experience. In this supportive and motivating environment, deepen your practice through challenging flows that enhance strength, flexibility, and mindfulness. Embrace diversity and queerness while connecting with others in a space where you can truly be yourself. Celebrate your uniqueness and foster a sense of community in a session that honors who you are. Come and connect in a space where you can truly be yourself. **General Information** * **Level: Intermediate (some prior Experience with yoga is recommended)** * Wear comfortable clothes. * We’ll speak English and/or German, depending on the needs of the group. * For members, this counts as one of the two free events per month. * **Become a member**: As a member, you not only support our project, but you also get free access to two events every month. More information **[here](https://wearevillage.org/en/produkt-kategorie/memberships-en-2/)**. 🔵 **Queer Yoga für Männer / Fortgeschrittenes Niveau\*** Nimm an einer dynamischen Yoga-Session teil, die speziell für queere Männer mit etwas Erfahrung gedacht ist. In dieser unterstützenden und motivierenden Umgebung kannst du deine Praxis vertiefen, indem du an herausfordernden Flows arbeitest, die Kraft, Flexibilität und Achtsamkeit fördern. Erlebe Vielfalt und Queerness, während du dich mit anderen in einem Raum verbindest, in dem du ganz du selbst sein kannst. Komm und finde Community in einem Raum, in dem du wirklich du selbst sein kannst. **Hinweise** * **Niveau: Mittelstufe (etwas Vorerfahrung mit Yoga wird empfohlen)** * Trage bequeme Kleidungen. * Je nach Bedürfnissen der Gruppe werden wir Deutsch und/oder Englisch sprechen. * Diese Veranstaltung zählt zu den zwei kostenfreien Veranstaltungen pro Monat für Mitglieder. * **Member werden**: Als Mitglied unterstützt du nicht nur unser Projekt, sondern du erhältst gleichzeitig monatlich Zugang zu zwei kostenfreien Veranstaltungen. Mehr Infos **[hier](https://wearevillage.org/produkt-kategorie/mitgliedschaften/)**.

The Minority Report is a weekly stand-up comedy show about identity, culture, and the expat experience. Are you a minority in Europe? Did something weird, awkward, or low-key offensive happen to you this week? This is the space to vent your feelings about it. Every week, comedians Bryan Lee and Moe Singleton take the stage to unpack life as outsiders, offering their unique commentary on topics like race, masculinity, relationships, and life between cultures. Add weekly special guest comedians and “question time” with the audience, and you’ve got Berlin’s most unhinged comedy experience. 🎟️ Want to warm up before the show? Check out our comedy workshop – a beginner-friendly stand-up class with Bryan and Moe, hosted just before the show.

siehe Gruppenbeschreibung.

🎤 **Interner Wettbewerb – Bewertungsreden & Stegreifreden** An diesem besonderen Clubabend treten unsere Mitglieder in den Kategorien **Stegreifreden** und **Bewertungsreden** gegeneinander an. Spontan sprechen, klar strukturieren, konstruktiv feedbacken – hier zeigen wir, wie wirkungsvoll Kommunikation unter Zeitdruck sein kann. **Was erwartet dich als Gast?** Du erlebst hautnah, wie Redner ohne Vorbereitung überzeugend antworten und wie professionelles, wertschätzendes Feedback entsteht. Der Abend folgt einem klaren Wettbewerbsablauf mit Jury, Zeitmessung und Auszeichnungen – spannend, lehrreich und inspirierend zugleich. **Warum solltest du dabei sein?** Wenn du im Alltag oder Beruf sicherer auftreten, spontan reagieren oder besser Feedback geben möchtest, bekommst du hier praxisnahe Impulse und echte Aha-Momente. Zuschauen lohnt sich – und Mitmachen vielleicht schon beim nächsten Mal 😉 Neugierig? Komm vorbei und erlebe Rhetorik in Bestform! 📍 **Wo und wann?** Im Clubraum in der Trinitatis Gemeinde (1. OG Hinterhaus – durch den Hof). Unsere Treffen folgen einem klaren, motivierenden Ablauf, der dir Sicherheit und Raum zum Ausprobieren gibt. 📌 **Neugierig geworden?** Dann schau vorbei – wir freuen uns auf dich! Mehr Infos findest du in unserem Linktree (https://linktr.ee/meisterredner)

Fermentation and Pickling as Culinary and Cultural Practice: Exploring Koryo Saram Cuisine and Intangible Heritage with Tobias Stefan (HU Berlin) Join us for a Fermenta Collective workshop that delves into fermentation not only as a culinary technique, but also as a form of intangible cultural heritage. This session places a special focus on Koryo Saram cuisine - the food traditions of the Korean diaspora community in Central Asia, formed largely through the forced deportations of Koreans within the Soviet Union in 1937. Koryo Saram foodways have evolved in unique ways, distinct from contemporary Korean cuisine on the peninsula. Through generations, communities adapted their culinary practices to Central Asian tastes, ingredients, and environments. Today, their dishes have become an integral part of the broader Central Asian culinary landscape. In this workshop, we will explore these traditions through practice and conversation: • Learn about the history and everyday cultural significance of Koryo Saram cuisine, with insights from Tobias’ doctoral research in social and cultural anthropology focusing on Koryo Saram heritage in Uzbekistan • Prepare morkovcha, the iconic Koryo Saram carrot salad - often referred to as Koryo Saram carrot kimchi • Make our own chimchi, a Koryo Saram version of kimchi to take home • Enjoy our dishes alongside staples of Central Asian cuisine As someone with family roots in Central Asia, Tobias is looking forward to sharing not only techniques and recipes, but also the personal and historical stories that make Koryo Saram food a rich expression of intangible cultural heritage.

Mit dem Titel "Philosophie 2.0" wird nicht zu viel versprochen. Nicht alles was mit 'Philosophie' bezeichnet wird, hat damit auch zu tun. Das gilt allgemein. Wörter werden zu oft nicht präzise gebraucht, aber wenn man alles mit beliebigen Wörtern bezeichnen würde, könnte man nichts mehr genau verstehen, könnte nichts mehr genau begreifen. Also blieben die Irrtümer bestehen. Das hätte mit Philosophie aber definitiv nichts mehr zu tun. Was also ist das Gegenteil belanglos-vieldeutigen Wörterverdehens mit hochassoziativen Sprüngen bei denen allerlei übersehen wird und ergo das Wesentliche nicht mehr als solches klar erkannt werden kann? Maximal exakte Begriffsklärung. Und das geht! Das geht über einen systematischen Aufbau aller Kategorien - gestützt über einen Algorithmus, welcher Kategorienfehler automatisch vermeidet und mithilft, das Ganze im Blick zu behalten. Dass dies für uns Personen gar nicht so einfach ist, sieht man daran, dass jede Person (auch Du) irgendwann irgendwelchen Irrtümern aufgesessen ist. Jede Person, die sich also für irgendetwas ernsthaft (nicht wegen blanglosem Amüsement, oder wegen ideologischer Rechthaberei) interessiert und ergo dafür offen ist seine Auffassungen weiterzuentwickeln, ist bei dieser Veranstaltung goldrichtig. Ablauf: Bei unserer Diskussion geht es dabei nicht um irgendein festes Thema, sondern jeder schreibt ein Wort in seinem Interessengebiet auf einen Zettel und wir ziehen diese paarweise für je eine Runde. Die beiden Wörter haben gemeinsame Kategorien, aber es gibt auch Unterschiede. Wer diese nicht alle kennt, kann nicht behaupten, dass er tatsächlich begriffen hat, wovon er meint, dass es ihn interessiere; dass er definitiv wüsste wovon er spricht. Dieses Problem hatte schon Sokrates erkannt. Nur haben wir jetzt einen Algorithmus, welcher zu absoluter Genauigkeit verhilft um diese Irrtümer loszuwerden. Daher 'Philosophie 2.0'. Siehe dem Bild oben werfen wir die Bedeutung (die Menge aller Kategorien einer Begrifflichkeit) per Beamer an die Wand. Wir sind nicht in der Schule, d.h. es gibt keinen Zeitdruck, keine Noten, keinen Wettbewerb und keine Profilierungsmotive, sondern jeder hat alle Zeit der Welt um über die schematisch dargestellte Bedeutung nachzudenken - und diese zu hinterfragen. Die grafisch dargestellten Bedeutungen des Algorithmus sind nicht perfekt. Es geht nicht darum irgendetwas zu akzeptieren, sondern andersherum: die Bedeutung anzugreifen und zu verbessern. Jeder kann sie ändern! Die Diskussion ist also eröffnet. Jeder muss Gründe angeben. "Kann ein Walfisch ein Wellensittich sein?" \~> Natürlich nicht, denn Säugetiere sind keine Vögel. "Kann ein Fenster ein Getränk sein?" \~> Jeder weis, das ist unmöglich, denn Festkörper sind keine Flüssigkeiten. "Kann eine Demokratie eine Republik sein?" "Kann eine Vermutung eine Meinung sein?" "Ist etwas zu begreifen das Selbe wie etwas zu verstehen?" Nichts regt dermaßen zum nachdenken an wie die Bedeutung der Begrifflichkeiten algorithmisch stabilisiert zu systematisieren. Und wenn wir uns nicht einig werden? Die Diskussion läuft auch nach der Veranstaltung weiter. Jeder kann online von zuhause die Diskussion fortführen - mit dem selben mitdenkenden Algorithmus. Man könnte sagen, es sei ein neues Gesellschaftsspiel - ohne Wettkampf, sondern in kollektiver Bereicherung an Klarheit, von der alle gigantisch profitieren, obschon jeder nur einen sehr kleinen Teil beiträgt. Das "Spiel" funktioniert auch mehrsprachig, denn der platonische Raum der Begrifflichkeiten ist der eindeutige Raum, auf den das Vokabular einer Sprache nur referiert. Man kann auch von Zuhause aus online mitmachen. Den Zugang können wir dann über die Kommentare hier organisieren. Bring deinen Laptop mit, dann wird es einfacher... Dieses Spiel macht klug: Schach trainiert zwar das Konzentrationsvermögen, hat aber mit der Wirklichkeit nichts zu tun. Dieses Spiel hingegen schon, denn genau mitdenken zu können setzt voraus genau zu unterscheiden. Wer die Bedeutung der Wörter sauber ausdifferenziert wird immer klüger. Mach mit!

On Sunday, February 15, we’re inviting you to a facilitated session of our MBTI MeetUp! Using the 16 Personalities Test, you’ll get to know yourself on a deeper level. You’ll meet like-minded people from your color family, explore what you truly share — and then experience in a mixed small group how very different personality types can come together to form a fantastic team. This time, we’ll meet at betahaus Berlin Kreuzberg, Lobeckstraße 30, right at Moritzplatz. Please try to arrive on time! To enter the coworking space, just give our co-host Michael Metzger a quick call — we’ll post the number in the comments on the day of the event. Coffee, tea, and cold drinks will be provided on a donation basis. Feel free to bring a snack to contribute to our shared buffet. ⸻ Agenda 15:00 Arrival & Check-In 15:30 Introduction: 16 Personalities 16:00 Round 1: Finding Common Ground 16:30 Round 2: Mixed Small Groups 17:00 Insights & Wrap-Up 17:30 Social Hangout & Networking ⸻ We can’t wait to see you there!

**Systemisch Lachen – mehr Freude und Leichtigkeit im Alltag** Der Mini-Workshop zeigt Dir, wie Du mit einfachen Übungen das Lachen systemisch bewusst in Dein Leben integrieren und als Ressource nutzen kannst, um neue Lösungswege für Probleme zu entdecken. Durch spielerische Methoden wird Lachen als kraftvolles Werkzeug erlebbar – sei es für die Selbstfürsorge, in Beziehungen oder Freundschaften, oder in der Arbeit mit Kolleg\*innen und Klient\*innen. ### **Workshopinhalte:** Im Workshop lernst Du Lachen als **soziale Interaktion** kennen. Du erfährst, wie sehr es unsere Verbindung zu anderen Menschen stärken kann. Du setzt Dich mit dem **Embodiment des Lachens** auseinander und erlebst, wie Körper und Emotionen dabei in Resonanz treten. Ein besonderer Fokus liegt dabei auf der Bedeutung der **inneren Freude** sowie auf der Stärkung Deiner individuellen **Lachkompetenz**. Spielerische Übungen helfen Dir, mehr Leichtigkeit und Gelassenheit in Dein Leben einzuladen. Darüber hinaus wirst Du erfahren, wie **Lachen als Mikropraxis im Alltag** genutzt werden kann – sei es in kurzen Pausen, in Gesprächssituationen oder als bewusste Ressource bei Stress. Der Workshop verbindet Lachmomente, Tiefenentspannung und Achtsamkeit miteinander, sodass Du einen nachhaltigen Nutzen für Dein persönliches Wohlbefinden mitnimmst. ### **Methodik:** Der Workshop bietet einen geschützten Raum, in dem die positiven Wirkungen des Lachens körperlich und praktisch erfahren werden. Du lernst unterschiedliche Übungen des Systemischen Lachens kennen, entdeckst Dein individuelles Lachen und erforschst gemeinsam die Sprache des Lachens. ### **Zielgruppe:** Der Workshop richtet sich an alle, die mehr Freude und Lachen in ihren Alltag bringen möchten, sowie an Fachkräfte in sozialen Berufen, die die Methoden des Systemischen Lachens professionell anwenden wollen. Nähere Informationen findet ihr auch auf der [Website](http://www.juliavonrandow.com/) der Dozentinnen. ### Kursinformation Anmeldung: https://lette-akademie.de/kurse/systemisch-lachen/ Termin: Sa., 14. Feb. 26, 10:00 – 13:45 Gebühr: 70 € / 5 Unterrichtsstunden Veranstaltungsort: Lette-Verein Berlin Viktoria-Luise-Platz 6 10777 Berlin Fragen zum Kurs? [info@lette-akademie.de](mailto:info@lette-akademie.de?subject=Frage%20zum%20Kurs:%20Lachen%20%E2%80%93%20eine%20ernste%20Sache%20*Mini-Workshop%20ALLG%202.24.2)

The Language Café is primarily aimed at people who are struggling with their mental health which can make it hard to go to regular courses. We want to create a safe space for everyone to learn and practise without pressure. Everyone is welcome! Please try to be on time so we can all get started together :) We mainly practise on a beginner/lower intermediate level and adapt to everyone's prior level of German. The Language Café will focus on teaching you the most important words and phrases and basic grammar in German. The content of the course is adapted to real life. (everyday life in Germany, dealing with authorities, etc.) We will cover different topics every week and you can join us anytime, since the topics do not necessarily build on each other. The Sprachcafé is for free. \*If you cannot make it please cancel your participation so someone else from the waiting list can join, thank you!\* \| \| \| \|

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

As you may or may not know--I didn't until late last year--Aristotle wrote extensively on "friendship" in the Nicomachean Ethics. After 69 years the concept of friendship still creates questions and uncertainty. I had close friends in high school and for a few years after high school but our interests diverged and people moved all over the country so it was hard to maintain connections. * So if I/you haven't talked with a friend for several years, are you still friends? Are we friends who meet at Drunken Philosophy or Omnipresent Atheists? * Can you be friends with someone with whom you have virulently divergent political views? Sartre and Camus could not. * Aristotle regarded friendship as essential to a good life, not merely an added "bonus." Do you agree? * In the Nicomachean Ethics (Books VIII and IX), he claims that wealth and power are meaningless without friends. Trump has wealth and power but seems to have no real friends, but wealth and power seem meaningful to him in perverted ways. Can you have meaning in your life without friends? * Do men and women view and maintain friendships in different ways? * Aristotle categorizes friendship into three types, based on what forms the bond: * **Utility**: Based on mutual benefit, but this type is fragile and ends when the usefulness ceases. * **Pleasure**: Based on shared enjoyment (e.g., humor, hobbies). Common among youth but fades as interests change. * **Virtue (The "Complete" Friendship)**: Based on mutual respect for each other's character and goodness. You wish good for the other for their sake, not yours. * **Key Principles of "True" (Virtuous) Friendship:** * **Permanence**: Virtuous friendships last a lifetime whereas those based on utility and pleasure are fleeting. * **Reciprocity**: Requires mutual goodwill; secret or unreciprocated affection does not qualify. * **The "Second Self"**: A true friend is "another self"—their virtue helps you understand and improve yourself. * **Time and Intimacy**: Deep ("complete") friendships are few, built on time and shared experiences. * **Self-Love and Friendship:** * Good friendship starts with being a friend to yourself. * They distinguish shallow egoism (chasing honors) from real self-love (pursuing virtue). * A virtuous person’s pleasant self-company allows them to be a stable, good friend to others. * Aristotle argues that one's social circle ultimately reflects one's character—a view with striking relevance today. Well--the Drunken Philosophy social circle certainly reflects good character!

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/

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.

Let's check out a Popular Astronomy and Science Based Film at COSI Science Center on their HUGE 360 Degree 4K Spherical Dome Screen Theater, in which is touring the nation and has already sold over 10,000 tickets! COSI is one of the leading Science Centers in America. Alan Watts was one of the Most Influential Amateur Astronomers of the 20th Century and held fascinating views of the Galaxy. Tickets are only $33 plus a small fee and taxes and can be purchased here: [Trust the Universe: Immersive Dome Show](https://www.sphericalpictures.com/tickets) PLEASE purchase tickets for the 8:15 PM Feature on Friday, February 13. There seem to be at least 10 tickets left, possibly more. We should be able to sit together in the same row or at least in the general section. This is an exciting chance to view actual footage of the Solar System on a Large 4k Resolution Screen plus added in Cosmological and Astronomical Related Philosophy! We will plan on meeting at about 7:50 PM by the Atomic Cafe on the first Floor of COSI, where the Movie Theater is located, in order to give us time before the show starts to purchase refreshments. Parking is available at the COSI Garage and in the area on side streets and adjacent garages. We can also walk somewhere in the area and get food afterwards, if anyone wants to do so. Thanks and hope to see you come out!

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.

**People Analytics 101: Making Sense of Compensation Data** Compensation data is one of the most widely used and widely misunderstood forms of people analytics. The session will cover where compensation data comes from, including market pricing data, internal payroll data, and benchmarking sources, and how companies think about structuring and analyzing that information. We will explore how compensation data is leveraged to set salary ranges, manage internal equity, support hiring and retention, and align pay with business strategy. A portion of the session will address common data challenges and limitations, such as market noise, inconsistent job matching, and incomplete datasets, while keeping the primary focus on practical use rather than technical depth. The session will also look ahead at where the space is going, including the growing impact of pay transparency laws, expanding pay equity requirements, and emerging regulations in the US and Europe that require organizations to report on gender and pay gaps. The goal is to give attendees a clear mental model for how compensation analytics works today and why getting it right is becoming increasingly critical. (note: we are back at Rev1 this month!) **About Our Speaker** [Alex Moore](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexscottmoore/) is the founder of [Moore Cooperative](https://moorecooperative.com/), where he advises organizations on compensation strategy, pay equity, and people analytics. His work focuses on helping organizations like the Ohio Supreme Court design, analyze, and communicate compensation systems that are data-informed, defensible, and aligned with organizational goals. Alex lives in Granville, Ohio and has three little kiddos. More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)