Mentoring

Join us for a fun game night and a casual meet-and-greet to connect with fellow workplace psychology practitioners, students, and enthusiasts. It will be hosted at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern. Feel free to bring your favorite board game. We look forward to seeing you there!

[Profs and Pints DC](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Venezuela’s Future—and Ours,”** an analysis of how the Trump administration’s intervention in Venezuela will affect that nation, the U.S., and the rest of the world, with Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Immigration Lab at American University. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/dc-venezuela-future](https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/dc-venezuela-future) .] On January 3rd, after a long military buildup, the United States used special forces to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence in Caracas, Venezuela to stand trial here on criminal charges. The development marked a major turning point in our relationship with Venezuela and the rest of Latin America and raised a host of complex questions, not just for Venezuelans living inside and outside that country but for American citizens and other nations of the world. Coming to the stage to break down what all of this means is Ernesto Castañeda, a scholar of Latin America who has given several excellent Profs and Pints talks on immigration policy and has given dozens of interviews to media outlets around the world in the wake of the U.S. raid. In a talk offering informed perspective on the latest news developments, Professor Castañeda will discuss various theories about why the U.S. conducted the operation to get Maduro out of Venezuela. He’s put our nation’s current plans for Venezuela into context by touching on previous U.S. military interventions in Latin America and beyond. Professor Castañeda will look at the implications of recent events for U.S. politics and U.S. citizens and what such developments tell us about the balance of power in the United States. He’ll examine the distance between decisions made by the White House and public priorities, touching on how it all relates to our immigration policies and our views about peaceful protest and democracy. He’ll consider how the Venezuela raid and our actions since have altered relations between the U.S. and other nations and provide scenarios about what the future might hold. (Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

We are teaming up with Mapillary to host the February GeoDC meetup at the Meta DC office. Whether you’re a local Washingtonian, a seasoned OSM contributor, or a GIS professional. Join us for an evening of lightning talks, networking, and amazing conversations about maps and geospatial technology with a focus on street-level imagery. Since this event is being held at the Meta office you must[ RSVP using this form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe35JmapvZlryI3f-uZbpbA-zNFHUGlWO_-8N1yCyFQs00sNQ/viewform) by Friday February 6th. Space is limited so keep an eye out for the event update. Check out the lineup below for details and let us know if you've used Mapillary and would like to talk about your experience. ### The Lineup 18:00 \| Doors Open: Grab a slice\, a drink\, and catch up with fellow mappers\. 18:45 \| Welcome: Quick intros from the GeoDC crew and Mapillary\. 19:00 \| Lightning Talks: Rapid\-fire presentations on GIS\, cartography\, and the power of open imagery\. * Interested in speaking? Reach out! 19:45 \| The Spatial Social: Open networking and informal demos\.

It's Indie Dev Night! Bring your games that you've made, your game idea, or just your passion for game development! This is an informal event to talk game development with like-minded folks. We'll be hosting this IN PERSON at the MLK Jr. Library in room 401-A Closing Time at the library: 8:30 PM

👉 Enroll at **[www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html](http://www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html)** Our ***Beginner Banter Club*** meets online and is available to all Spanish learners at the A1-B1 levels who want to start speaking and build confidence. Each week, we’ll explore vocabulary and cultural themes like holidays, food, and daily life in the Spanish-speaking world. **​**Location: Zoom Day: Mondays, 5pm - 6pm ET ​Price: $27.50 / session or FREE with monthly credits 🎁 **FREE Trial Event Available!** Use code **FREECLUB** when you sign up. 👉 Enroll at **[https://www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html](https://www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html)**

We are told to "go with the flow," but life is full of grit. **Question 1:** Is suffering an inherent part of the "Earth curriculum," or is it purely a mistake of the human mind’s perspective? **Question 2:** Where is the line between "accepting what is" and being passive/lazy? Can you take radical action to change the world while still being in a state of nondual acceptance? **Question 3:** Think of a current "suffering" in your life. If you removed the story you tell yourself about it, what is actually left? *Thank you guest facilitator, Erin!* \-\-\-\- ***“I am struck with how rare it is to find a few good friends on the path. It is easy to find people who simply want to sit and be entertained by teachers, or who want to sit and entertain by playing the role of teacher. In other words, the quest for affirmation often outweighs the quest for truth.*** ***Yet you may have one or two good friends, and definitely have one or two waiting to be discovered. Find them; be thankful.”*** ***— Shawn Nevins*** 'What will make me happy in life?' ... 'Am I my thoughts?' ... 'What is Enlightenment?' ... We meet every week to ask questions like these in the pursuit of Self-Knowledge and Truth. We are interested in topics like: Zen, stoicism, spirituality, psychology, mindfulness, Nisargadatta, non-violent communication, Socrates, existential philosophy, Alan Watts, taoism, Eckhart Tolle, meditation, Ramana Maharshi, etc. But we are not affiliated with any dogma, philosophy, or religion. Our goal each meeting is to serve as mirrors for one another using question-based inquiry in a safe environment. In a session, every participant takes turns discussing the week's question or topic, and the group asks reflective questions without any agenda besides trying to understand the person's beliefs. A few other guiding principles of our group: * No one is obligated to share * Be honest with yourself and others * Do not try to convince others to believe or think as you do * Keep the focus on the person being questioned We meet at the [Bethesda Library](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GWMozF8zpY1m1PY26) every Monday. The library is a 5 minute walk from the Bethesda Metro on the Red Line, approx 25 minute Metro ride from Metro Center and Gallery Place stations. The library has a a parking lot with metered parking for $1/hour. \*\*\* WE WILL BE IN MEETING ROOM 3 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED ----- THE MEETING ROOM IS IN THE BACK OF THE LIBRARY \*\*\* Please contact us with any questions!

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

Join a diverse, inclusive group for a supportive, encouraging meeting to develop your speaking and leadership skills based on your personal goals. We meet on the 2nd floor of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services (BCC) Building (on the corner of Old Georgetown Rd. and Edgemoor Ln.). It is the building with flags out front and across from the bus bay for the Bethesda metro station (Red line).

**🐍 🛢️ How To Sell Snake Oil (& Your Best Ideas)** Persuasive Speech Patterns with Dr. Ed Tori ***‼️In person at room 401-D at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St NW, Washington, DC*** **How do you get your ideas to land?** Have you ever heard phrases like “there’s no buy-in,” “they’re resistant,” or “this group will not move.” But what if resistance is not the problem? What if the issue is the way we communicate? In this lively, participatory workshop, **Dr. Ed Tori** will introduce you to a set of practical and surprisingly playful **persuasive speech patterns** drawn from his work in influence, hypnosis, storytelling, and behavior change. You will learn how people naturally shift into more persuasive communication when pressure is removed and creativity is sparked. At the center of the experience is a hilarious improvisational game inspired by the card game Snake Oil. Participants take on imaginative roles like zombies, pirates, or kindergarteners. Others must invent and pitch made-up products on the spot. The role-play creates immediate psychological safety and unlocks natural persuasive instincts you may not realize you have. Ed uses these moments to teach simple, powerful patterns you can apply to real conversations. **What you will explore** * Why people communicate more confidently and creatively when the stakes feel low * How persuasive speech patterns can transform conversations in facilitation, coaching, leadership, and team settings * Why resistance is often a signal of mismatched framing rather than unwillingness * How to speak to the human behind the role, label, or stereotype * How playful practice builds shared language, humor, and camaraderie among intact teams * How these patterns apply across contexts: healthcare, corporate environments, education, and family systems **What you will experience** * A fast-paced, interactive group exercise that helps you practice persuasive communication through play * Step-by-step teaching of speech patterns you can start using immediately * Opportunities to experiment, reflect, and compare approaches * Practical tools you can adapt for your own clients, teams, or classrooms **Who this is for** * Anyone who works with groups and wants their ideas to be heard. * Ideal for facilitators, coaches, consultants, organizational development practitioners, educators, designers, and leaders at any level. This session is especially helpful for people who work in environments where “resistance,” “lack of buy-in,” and “difficult stakeholders” are common refrains. **About the presenter** * Dr. Ed Tori is a physician, educator, and expert in influence and communication whose work blends behavioral science, improvisation, and hypnotic language patterns. He teaches leaders, clinicians, and teams how to help others think, feel, and act differently through ethical persuasion and intentional communication. His sessions are energetic, funny, experiential, and unforgettable. * NOVA Scribes has entered into a partnership with the IFVP: the International Forum of Visual Practitioners! This workshop is an IFVP Learning Lab. All IFVP members have access to Learning Labs at https://ifvpforum.circle.so/c/learning-hub/ This workshop will be recorded and posted on YouTube for anyone who cannot attend. You can find the YouTube link in the Comments section of this NOVA Scribes Meetup event once the workshop video has been uploaded to YouTube. You can find previously recorded videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJfInZHmS8prj2_DUaJ35CYY8n7SzoPMJ We’re not charging for this workshop, but we will be asking for donations! Donations cover the costs of hosting events on Meetup, to honorariums for new graphic recorders, and scholarships. Please be sure you are registered on Meetup! If your Zoom name doesn’t match your name on Meetup, you will not be admitted. (We’ve had Zoom bombers.)

DUPONT SPEAKS is a culturally and professionally diverse lunchtime club in the heart of Washington, DC. We meet from noon–1 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month, as well as the occasional 5th Wednesday. Our guiding principle is that we all have fun as we travel the road to better public speaking. That's why all of our meetings are filled with laughter and applause, as well as thoughtful speeches, evaluations and support. We hope to see — and hear — you soon! To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/dupontspeaks . http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/f/4/6/600_457832582.jpeg

## Details Zoom Link : **[https://jesushousedc-org.zoom.us/j/3167877043](https://jesushousedc-org.zoom.us/j/3167877043)** Register for our guest list/book: [Forms for Invite](https://forms.gle/Qowi1t4aDbQaJhvG8) Come join your neighbors in developing your leadership and public speaking skills. We are a group of students, professionals and ambitious individuals interested in personal development. Daniel Leadership provides a fun environment for both working with groups, leading, and speaking in front of an audience. We meet every 2nd and 3rd Monday of the month, in downtown Silver Spring, convenient to the metro. Come join us to develop your professional skills, practice public speaking in front of a supportive group, or to just make friends. We hope to see you there! Come join your neighbors in developing your leadership and public speaking skills. We are a group of students, professionals and ambitious individuals interested in personal development. Daniel Leadership provides a fun environment for both working with groups, leading, and speaking in front of an audience. We meet every 2nd and 3rd Monday of the month, in downtown Silver Spring, convenient to the metro. Come join us to develop your professional skills, practice public speaking in front of a supportive group, or to just make friends. We hope to see you there! What to expect: • Come by and meet the members from 7:00-7:15 • Be wowed by 3-4 speakers practicing their craft • Practice your own public speaking with table topics • Learn about evaluating speeches to understand critical thinking • Make great friends with others interested in personal development Transportation/Parking: • We are 1/2 mile from Silver Spring metro • Located on the F4 bus line & 1 block from 4, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20 bus lines • Convenient street parking • 2 blocks from Fenton Village Garage 4 Parking Lot (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fenton+Street+Village+(Garage+4)/@38.9896363,-77.0262983,17z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1sSilver+Spring+parking!3m4!1s0x0:0xc69eb61284ac2daa!8m2!3d38.9909589!4d-77.025231)

Is your exit plan about leaving, or about building a business that gives you choices? Exit planning isn't just for retirement it's about building value now. If you feel tied to daily operations and want freedom today, not just "someday," this training is for you. Join us for Exit Ready Every Day with Harry Moore of Plus Moore Business Mentoring. What you will learn: \- How to build a business that offers choices\, not obligations\. \- The principles of creating transferable value\. \- Strategies to reduce owner dependency so the business runs without you\. Stop waiting. Start building freedom. [Click Here to Register](https://bnicentralmaryland.com/en-US/eventdetails?eventId=TzCJ7PxJXcHc9jm%2F74A92A%3D%3D)

This group was originally started by Chad Keith who created and hosts a podcast by the same name in Charlotte, NC. I am hoping to continue his legacy here in NoVa as I recently moved to this area. This group is all about finding community around self-improvement and exchanging ideas on how to be your best self and get the most out of life. This group is for anyone who is interested in overcoming average in all areas - career, ambitions, relationships, hobbies, health, everything. I am so excited to meet driven individuals in the NoVa area so please reach out if you have any questions at all. EVERYONE is welcome so please sign up for an upcoming meetup!

Evolve exists to connect women entrepreneurs connect with one another, serve one another, and help one another overcome challenges in marketing, sales, networking, and professional development. [Add to Calendar](evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com) What to Expect: \~ Welcome team to greet you, introduce you to others, and make sure you feel a part of the group from your very first meeting \~ Welcome & Introductions: 15 second introductions \~ 15 Minute Speaker Spotlight: Member speaker who shares a bit of her story, how she got to doing what she does, and a tangible tip she uses to gain success in her business. No hard selling...no expectations. Simply giving the group an opportunity to get to know her and her journey. \~ 20 Minute Break Out Sessions: Small groups is where we connect best. Extroverted and Introverted alike get the opportunity to share on a deeper level and learn from one another. \~ Take Aways: Hear what the other groups talked about and share resources to grow yourself and your business \~ Grow Time!: Do you need a specific connection to a person, company, or industry? Share it with us! We love to open our networks to one another and grow together! Guests are always welcome. Please contact Mentor Director Donna Schomer at Donna@EvolveWomensNetwork.com for more information. We'd love to meet you!

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

At Evolve Synergy Sessions, you'll be part of a supportive mastermind where we share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and inspire one another to take bold steps in our businesses. Grow your network, gain fresh perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with like-minded women who are committed to success. Whether you’re looking to move the needle in your business or simply need a space to connect and recharge, this is the perfect place to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. [Add Event to Calendar](https://evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com/) \*\* Please note, we will be arriving around 8:15a for open networking! Get there early and get connected! Contact Alexis Morley at [alexis.morley@edwardjones.com](mailto:alexis.morley@edwardjones.com) or Terri Lawson at [terri.lawson@e-merge.com](mailto:terri.lawson@e-merge.com) for more information.

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.

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.

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!