Stateless Society

**Location:** Crimson Whiskey Bar (Either the downstairs whiskey bar, or main floor bar, TBD) The purpose of Thinkers and Drinkers is to facilitate casual but meaningful and interesting conversations with other people in a face-to-face setting. The topics cover a wide variety of issues and are different for every meeting. While conversations may get heated at times, we ask that all members be respectful of each other and refrain from personal insults. \*\*\* **Topic: The Future of DC** DC is set to undergo a lot of changes over the next 5 years. There are changes to the local political structure, massive real estate projects in the works, and the federal plans to "beautify the city." We want to hear your opinions on these and what direction you would want to DC move toward. **Local Politics** DC will be implementing ranked choice voting in it's upcoming primaries this June for the first time in it's history.[ (Ben from Ben's Chili Bowl Explains this)](https://www.opportunity-dc.org/post/rank-your-vote-dc-launches-first-ads-to-educate-voters-featuring-ben-ali-owner-of-ben-s-chili-bow). This includes elections for mayor, attorney general, and city council, which could have a huge impact on the city's future. **Beautifying the City** Trump issued an executive order in March 2025 titled "Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful," and has since gone much further, announcing plans to spend $2 billion within a three-mile radius of the White House, repaving streets and replacing infrastructure he called emblematic of a ["hellhole.](https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/aug/22/trump-says-hes-asking-congress-billions-beautify-dc-streets/)" His latest budget takes it even further, proposing a $10 billion ["Presidential Capital Stewardship Program](https://rollcall.com/2026/04/06/trumps-budget-proposal-for-interior-seeks-to-make-dc-beautiful-again/)" for construction and beautification projects in and around DC. **New Developments** It would be impossible to talk about the future of DC without talking about how the landscape has and is changing. Neighborhoods that were previously "Places where you only go to get drugs," like NOMA have become prime examples of gentrified neighborhoods with bustling restaurants and bars. With billions of dollars' worth of residential projects popping up all over the city, other neighborhoods are set to experience similar transformations, especially with developments like the new RFK Stadium.

**CHRONICLES:** **REGISTER** your character to aid in promptly and accurately reporting the session. You'll receive your chronicle sheet by email: https://www.rpgchronicles.net/session/b46def78-61d3-416a-98af-df8063c29181/pregame **VENUE NOTE:** Games & Stuff charges **$10 for admission** to the game room. You get this money back as store credit. If this event has five or more player sign-ups, we will investigate reserving the private game room instead. **PLEASE** sign up for the **waitlist** as well; this informs us of interest and allows us to plan for additional tables/GMs. Also, **if you cannot make it**, please drop out as soon as possible to allow others to move up on the list. **SYNOPSIS:** A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 5th- through 6th-level characters, playable in 2-3 hours. With the success of the Chitterwood Talks, the goblin tribes are ready to march on Logas and put a stop to the undead attacks, with support from the Pathfinder Society. As forces approach the city, rumors start to circle of a strange plague only affecting Hellknights, leaving the undead Hellknights covered in bizarre, circular scars and bearing the mark of an unknown order. Within Logas, a Hellknight necromancer has declared herself the head of a new Hellknight order and is using the city as her chance to prove its worth. Can the Pathfinders stand up to The Order of the Open Tomb? Written by Randal Meyer **Scenario tags:** Metaplot (Battle's Spark), Repeatable

AfropolitanDC Presents: The Borderless Black Diaspora Experience \| Thursday April 16th \| World Bank Spring Meetings Editions RSVP Now At: [AfropolitanDC](https://AFPDC2604.eventbrite.com/?aff=MU) Get ready for another amazing night of connections and culture over cocktails Join us for AfropolitanDC: Industry Night—a premier cultural mixer and one of the most anticipated social experiences on the sidelines of the Worldbank Spring Meetings DMV’s largest cultural mixer returns with The Borderless Black Diaspora Experience—a celebration of global Black unity, identity, and culture. From New York to Accra, Kingston to Lagos, and Washington D.C., the Black experience knows no borders—only shared rhythms, roots, and brilliance. This is the spring meetings social social where global leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and policymakers converge to network, celebrate, and reimagine the future of a borderless Black diaspora. Designed to harness the convergence of global and local influence during spring meetings week, this evening fosters collaboration and partnership across the diaspora while showcasing its vibrant culture. What to Expect Power Networking with global leaders, professionals, and innovators Afro-Caribbean Social & Party with top DJs and vibrant diaspora sounds Red Carpet Experience to capture your spring meeting's night in style Cocktails & Culture featuring Afro-Caribbean bites and curated drinks Borderless Connections Mixer with interactive networking and idea-sharing

Join us at **Hashtag** in Herndon on Thursday, **April 16th** at **6pm**. Adventure and roll dice with this week's **Pathfinder** **GM: Jonathan!** **The story:** The Pathfinder Society heard reports of a ship sighted over and over, apparently following the same path before vanishing each week. This unfortunate ship is stuck in time. The crew has tried everything to escape, and gave up hope years of the same week ago. You must find a way to return things to normal and save the crew. **Scenario tags**: Faction (Horizon Hunters) \*\*\*\* **The Characters:** You can use a level 1 pregen iconic character *or* bring your own character if you have a society one in the 1-4 range. We'll have paper copies of the pregens if anyone needs one. \*\*\* **THE GAME:** Pathfinder 2nd edition is a role-playing game similar to Dungeons & Dragons but with more character customization and a 3-action system. In this one-shot, you can jump in as a new player or join if you're more experienced. \*\*\* If you have any questions, feel free to comment or send a message.

Join the Bitcoin District Book Club! We meet every month to explore new and exciting rabbit holes by reading books that are popular with bitcoiners. Join us for a deep dive into End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites, and the Path of Political Disintegration by Peter Turchin. In this thought-provoking session, we’ll explore the structural forces that have historically led to societal instability—and why Turchin believes we are entering such a period today. Drawing on his work in “cliodynamics” (the quantitative study of history), Turchin examines cycles of rising inequality, elite overproduction, and political fragmentation. We’ll discuss how internal competition among elites and growing public discontent have repeatedly destabilized societies—from ancient Rome to modern America—and what this might mean for the decades ahead. For those interested in macro trends, power structures, and long-term societal patterns, this book offers a compelling framework for understanding today’s increasingly chaotic world. Buy the book on [Amazon](https://a.co/d/097mab73) **Event Notes:** * Discussion Starters: We’ll kick things off with a few key questions around elite dynamics and societal cycles, but feel free to bring your own perspectives. * Future Reads: Let us know if you have recommendations for future book club selections! We’ll add them to the list posted on our website. * Afterwards: Feel free to join us at Pubkey after the meeting to hang out, continue the conversation, and grab some food! **Getting There:** * 🔴🟢🟡 Gallery Place/Chinatown + 2 min walk * Parking: Street & garage parking available nearby

Join us at **Hashtag** in Herndon on Thursday, **April 16th** at **6pm**. Adventure and roll dice with this week's **Starfinder** **GM: Maria**. **The story:** Every year, the Starfinder Society learns of thousands of newly discovered planets, moons, and other stellar bodies, many of which sustain life. Each location is closely catalogued, with the most promising marked for future study. The frigid moon of Luvoth is one such location. Known only as Vast-723-Arctic-Moon, or VAM-723 for short, Luvoth is one of four small moons in orbit around an unexplored gas giant in the Vast. Initial scans of the moon indicate there’s no sapient inhabitants, but there are some artificial structures—an intriguing mystery! Believing VAM-723 could be the perfect jumping off point to explore the local system, the Starfinder Society dispatches a team of agents to investigate. **Notes**: Replayable (with a different character) \*\*\*\* **The Characters:** You can use an [level 1 pregenerated character](https://paizo.com/starfinder) *or* bring your own if you have a society character in the 1-2 range. We'll bring paper copies of the pregens if anyone needs one. -Some options for character building are [Starbuilder 2e](https://pathbuilder2e.com/app.html?v=102b) (made by the maker of Pathbuilder!), [Hephaistos](https://sf2e.hephaistos.online/), [Demiplane](https://app.demiplane.com/characters), using the new Starfinder Player Core and pen/[paper](https://downloads.paizo.com/RemasterPlayerCoreCharacterSheet.pdf#), etc. You can use character options from the [Invasion's Edge Player's Guide](https://downloads.paizo.com/OP-Files/SFS+Invasions+Edge+Players+Guide.pdf) as well. \*\*\* **THE GAME:** [Starfinder](https://paizo.com/starfindersociety) 2e is a role-playing game similar to Pathfinder 2e (or Dungeons & Dragons) but in space with magic *and* technology. In this one-shot, you can jump in as a new player or join if you're more experienced. \*\*\* If you have any questions, feel free to comment or send a message.

We'll be discussing Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu. We meet in person at a member's home -- the address will be sent to those attending a week before the event. Find the book on [Bookshop](https://bookshop.org/p/books/someone-like-us-a-novel-dinaw-mengestu/35526750b2ab6c64?ean=9780345805676&next=t), [Montgomery County Libraries](https://mcpl.aspendiscovery.org/Union/Search?view=list&showCovers=on&lookfor=Someone+Like+Us+by+Dinaw+Mengestu&searchIndex=Keyword&searchSource=local), and [PG County Libraries](https://libbyapp.com/search/pgcmls/search/query-Someone%20Like%20Us%20by%20Dinaw%20Mengestu/page-1). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **A *NEW YORK TIMES* NOTABLE BOOK • The son of Ethiopian immigrants seeks to understand a hidden family history and uncovers a past colored by unexpected loss, addiction, and the enduring emotional pull toward home.** After abandoning his once-promising career as a journalist in search of a new life in Paris, Mamush meets Hannah—a photographer whose way of seeing the world shows him the possibility of finding not only love but family. Now, five years later, with his marriage to Hannah on the verge of collapse, he returns to the close-knit immigrant Ethiopian community of Washington, DC, that defined his childhood. At its center is Mamush’s stoic, implacable mother, and Samuel, the larger-than-life father figure whose ceaseless charm and humor have always served as a cover for a harder, more troubling truth. But on the same day that Mamush arrives home in Washington, Samuel is found dead in his garage. With Hannah and their two-year-old son back in Paris, Mamush sets out on an unexpected journey across America in search of answers to questions he'd been told never to ask. As he does so, he begins to understand that perhaps the only chance he has of saving his family and making it back home is to confront not only the unresolved mystery around Samuel’s life and death, but his own troubled memories, and the years spent masking them. Breathtaking, commanding, unforgettable work from one of America’s most prodigiously gifted novelists.

**MoCo Psychedelic Society — Monthly Gathering** 📅 Date/Time Sunday April 19th \| 1:00 – 3:00 PM 📍 Charles E\. McGee Public Library\, Downtown Silver Spring — Small Room *** Come join us for our monthly gathering — a space for fellowship, learning, advocacy, and community connection. Whether you're a familiar face or joining us for the first time, you are welcome here. *** **✨ This Month: Psychedelic Primer, Part 1 of 2** Are you new to psychedelics, or simply curious to learn more? This is the meeting for you. We're kicking off a two-part educational series with a friendly, accessible overview of psychedelic medicines — what they are, how they work, and why so many people and researchers are paying close attention to them right now. We'll take an in-depth look at five substances: * 🍄 **Psilocybin Mushrooms** * 💊 **MDMA** * 💉 **Ketamine** * 🌿 **Ayahuasca** * 🔬 **LSD** No prior knowledge is required — just curiosity and an open mind. *** **A Few Important Notes** The MoCo Psychedelic Society is a community space for education, connection, and advocacy — not a venue for sourcing or sales. All information shared at this event is for **educational purposes only** and does not constitute medical advice or encourage the use of any illegal substance. A note on legality: Most psychedelic substances are currently classified as **Schedule I** controlled substances by the DEA. Their use outside of clinical trial settings or states where they are becoming legal remains illegal in the United States. **Ketamine** is an exception — it is legal when administered by a licensed medical professional. *** We hope to see you there. Come as you are. 🌱

**Mark your calendar for every third Friday of the month!** Come hang out with fellow freedom-lovers, get the inside scoop on the Liberty Movement in Northern Virginia, and hear what’s brewing with local festivals and upcoming election support. Whether you’ve been part of the cause for years or are just curious about Libertarian ideas, you’re welcome to drop by for food, fun, and lively conversations that keep the spirit of liberty alive!

**Welcome New / Beginning Players**: No need to bring anything but a good attitude. **This is an adventure in the ongoing Invasion’s Edge metaplot.** **This adventure is for LEVEL 3-4 characters. [Download the Pregens here](http://paizo.com/starfindersociety).** **You can also create your own LEVEL 3 character. [The rules are here.](https://lorespire.paizo.com/tiki-index.php?page=sfs2guide._.Character-Creation-Guidelines)** No previous game Chronicles needed. If the event is full, **please join the waitlist**. It will help us to know if we need to recruit more GMs. As the danger posed by the Wreck of the Returned increases and the enemies arrayed against the Starfinder Society grow bolder, First Seeker Sarmak dispatches a team to the Akitonian city of Maro to find Nima, a former member of a mercenary company called the Rust Wraiths who were among the first to explore the Wreck of the Returned. Nima has gone into hiding, as she’s being hunted by numerous foes allied with the Wreck, including nodocites, converted, and agents of the Functionary. If the PCs can find and protect Nima from their shared enemies, Nima can give the PCs valuable information on the Wreck of the Returned, including insight into the motives of the mysterious being at its heart: Elovai. Written by Rigby Bendele. [DMV Paizo Org Play on Discord](https://discord.gg/jYQv8FnFnW) [Pathfinder Starfinder Society of Maryland on Warhorn.net](https://warhorn.net/events/pathfinder-starfinder-society-of-maryland)

The Astronomical Society of Greenbelt will hold a star party at the Greenbelt Observatory near Northway Fields on Saturday, April 18 from 9:00 to 11:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public. Visitors can come in to the observatory dome to watch the telescope operators or bring their own telescopes. The event will be cancelled if it’s clouded over or raining. All are welcome. Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Philosophers, religionists, thinkers and psychologists have long debated whether we are born good, evil or full of sin – or whether we’re all blank slates just waiting to be filled in but with no inherent potential one way or the other. But what if we are actually created to be noble? How might that change the way we look at ourselves? What about others? At children? And the world? The world around us often seems to be telling us that we are unworthy of love or of excellence, that we as human beings are somehow inherently bad – or at least selfish in our motivations – and that this needs to be controlled. But what if we viewed ourselves and others as being born with inherent nobility just waiting to be realized? Is it possible that much of the negativity we see in the world today isn’t because people are inherently bad but that our inherent “goodness” and nobility is not being recognized and nurtured? What role does spirituality potentially play in this? How can a more spiritual perspective enable us to find reasons for hope and inspire us to act, to channel our unique strengths towards creating a world that reflects and nurtures our best selves? Can seeing the nobility in ourselves cause us to recognize and uplift the nobility in others, help us overcome challenges and forge a path towards a brighter future? Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the underlying truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspectives offered by the Bahá’í Teachings to deepen our understanding of human nature and the nobility within each of us. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role each of us can play in transforming our communities, in building a spiritually dignified world where each of us can thrive. *“...Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created.”* – Bahá’í Teachings **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

**\*\* NOTE--We are meeting 1 hour earlier than usual because of room availability. We will start at noon instead of 1 pm. \*\*** **Life** Charles Louis de Secondat, baron de Montesquieu, was born in 1689 near Bordeaux, France to a noble and wealthy family. He trained as a lawyer at the University of Bordeaux. Through marriage and inheritance of a position in the Parlement of Bordeaux, he was financially secure before 30 and had time to read and write, in addition to his duties at Parlement. His first successful book was *Persian Letters*, an epistolary novel published anonymously in 1721 that satirizes French society from the point of view of two wealthy Persians. He then sought to turn his literary success into social success at court, salons, and the French Academy. In 1728, he took the grand tour; over the course of several years, he visited Vienna, Hungary, Venice, Florence, Rome, and England, where he became a fellow of the Royal Society. His next major work, published in 1734, was *Considerations on the Causes of Romans’ Greatness and Decline*. In 1748, he published his most famous work, one that he claims took him twenty years and that was to greatly influence the American Founders: the *Spirit of the Laws*. He died in 1755. **Themes** The influence of the *Spirit of the Laws* on the Founding generation that crafted the U.S. Constitution has secured for Montesquieu enduring relevance for those who want to understand the Founding Era and the Constitution. In this sprawling work, Montesquieu divides the types of government into republics, monarchies, and despotisms, each of which has its animating principle (virtue, honor, and fear). This contrasts with Aristotle’s categorization of polity, aristocracy, and monarchy, each of which has a corrupted form, democracy, oligarchy, and tyranny, respectively. Montesquieu argued that liberty can be best protected by the separation of the legislative, executive, and judicial powers, which finds expression in the three branches of the U.S. government. Among many other notable ideas in this work, he argued that laws should be crafted to accord with a people’s religion, climate, habits, wealth, and other social and economic factors. Against earlier natural law theorists, such as Grotius and Pufendorf, he argued that war did not justify slavery. In the prior century, Pascal had made a name for himself in taking on the Jesuits in his *Provincial Letters*. Several decades later in *Persian Letters*, Montesquieu used a similar rhetorical setup to satirize Parisan and French life, including religion, social practices, and the monarchy of Louis XIV from the perspective of two Persian travelers, Uzbek and Rica. The Letters show Montesquieu’s willingness to at least somewhat relativize European practices, if only to make points consistent with his own social and political class. In the *Considerations*, Montesquieu takes up a theme that would later make Edward Gibbon famous. One of his arguments in this work is that the maxims that made Rome an empire out of a republic were inadequate to keep the empire. He also argued that chance doesn’t rule events; there are underlying causes that can be discovered. **Reading** Our reading for this month is *[Montesquieu: Selected Political Writings](https://www.amazon.com/Montesquieu-Selected-Political-Writings-Classics/dp/0872200906/)*, about 242 pages. The book includes short selections from the *Letters* (the stories of the Troglodytes and Uzbek’s management of his seraglio) and *Considerations* and substantial selections from the *Spirit of the Laws* touching on principles of the three governments, political liberty, the relationship between laws and climate, slavery, and other topics. Please also read the introduction. **Optional** * [Baron de Montesquieu, Charles-Louis de Secondat](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/montesquieu/) in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy * [Montesquieu](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Montesquieu), Britannica * [Montesquieu and the Separation of Powers](https://oll.libertyfund.org/pages/montesquieu-and-the-separation-of-powers), the Online Library of Liberty

13. The Free Play of the Mind /452 end p. 511. 59 pages.

# Ride the AI Influencer Wave Forget fleeting fame. Virtual influencers are the future, a digital goldmine ripe for the taking. Seriously. **Want in?** Craft a unique AI persona, master photorealistic content, and build a loyal following across Instagram and TikTok. We'll show you how to monetize it all with sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and your own digital products. **Skip the RSVP, grab your spot:** [🚀 REGISTER NOW 🚀](https://remoteready.io/product/AiInfluencer?city=Columbus&groupurlname=circle-of-professionals-mastering-ai-income&startgmtdatetime=2026-04-17T22:00:00Z) --- ## This is for you if... * You're even slightly curious about virtual influencers. * You have interest in AI image/video generation (big plus). * You're at ground zero with no social media experience – perfect! * You're a marketer itching to tap new revenue channels. ## Unlocking the Blueprint: You'll discover: * The art of designing authentic AI personalities with magnetic backstories. * How to scale from a single influencer to a thriving portfolio. * Content calendar mastery and post automation for maximum reach. * Real-world examples: AI earners making $3K–$30K monthly. ## Level up your creator game! *"I didn't believe in virtual influencers at first. Now my AI gets 50K followers."* – Verified Creator Monetize imagination. 💰 Let's build a non-stop earnings engine. ✨

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

This is an in-person meeting. At this meeting you will get answers to depression and anxiety. Find out the source of them and how to get rid of them. Did you know that unwanted emotions like anxiety, depression, unhappiness, loneliness, hopelessness, anger, fear, or feelings of irritation don’t just fall on you for no reason. They are not random occurrences that simply happen to people's minds. They are definitely not due to a chemical imbalance in your brain from some nebulous chemical reaction "by chance". Your negative emotions are the symptoms of the painful experiences that you have which are not healed, and which are still affecting you. The effects of these painful experiences are exacerbated by the pressures or difficulties of the other problems in your life. Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Central Ohio and Church of Scientology of Central Ohio.

This month's prompt concerns the idea of the “warrior philosopher” (seemed appropriate in these times)--that is someone whose understanding of violence, power, and justice is forged through direct experience of war. We are looking at Major General Smedley D. Butler, a highly decorated U.S. Marine raised in a Quaker (pacifist) tradition who later became a prominent critic of American militarism (there is a wonderful biography of Gen. Butler called "Gangsters of Capitalism") Butler's argument in *War Is a Racket* (1935): that many U.S. interventions were driven less by national defense than by corporate and financial interests, with Butler portraying himself as an enforcer for business and Wall Street. We can consider the moral ambiguity of his insider critique—whether complicity strengthens or undermines credibility and also consider some of the concrete reforms he proposed (e.g., “conscript” capital before soldiers, restrict the military to coastal defense, and have only those who fight decide on war). Butler’s life arc clearly changed from pacifist upbringing to warrior to antiwar crusader—and asks whether true understanding of peace requires firsthand knowledge of war, and what that implies about the cost of suffering. So do we need to suffer to understand suffering? Do we have to experience war to appreciate peace? As one more question: in the movie "A Few Good Men" Jack Nicholson's character says that "you have the luxury of not knowing what I know" so do most of us go through life oblivious to real violence and suffering? See you at Drunken Philosophy!

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

## Unlock the Power of Prediction: Polymarket Masterclass Ever felt like you could foresee the future? Now, put those insights to work. Join us for a deep dive into Polymarket, the prediction market platform, and learn how to turn your knowledge of current events into real opportunities. It's more than just guessing; it's about strategic analysis, risk management, and capitalizing on market inefficiencies. ### Is this workshop for you? This session is tailored for: * Those brand new to prediction markets and ready to learn the ropes. * Sharp minds that enjoy analyzing data and making calculated decisions. * Individuals with a passion for news and current affairs, looking to leverage their insights. * Anyone seeking alternative income streams powered by event analysis. ### What's on the agenda? During our time together, we'll cover: * Demystifying Polymarket: From initial setup to executing your first prediction. * Essential risk management techniques to protect your investments. * Decoding market signals and understanding liquidity dynamics. * Tactics for identifying and exploiting market mispricings. * Constructing a robust portfolio for consistent gains. * Inspiring examples of successful Polymarket strategies put in motion. _"The instruction was clear, the advice was practical, and the techniques were actionable. I've already made back my registration fee!"_ - Recent participant ### Secure Your Spot – Full Registration Required! Spaces are limited, so don't miss out. RSVPing "yes" on Meetup **does not** confirm your spot. You **must** complete the official registration using the link below: ### [✅ Claim Your Seat! ✅](https://remoteready.io/product/Polymarket?city=Columbus&groupurlname=circle-of-professionals-mastering-ai-income&startgmtdatetime=2026-04-17T22:00:00Z) Let's transform your knack for predictions into a powerful income stream! Register now.

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