Write Your Life Story
Meet other local people interested in Write Your Life Story: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Write Your Life Story group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out write your life story events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the write your life story events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find write your life story events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Write Your Life Story Events Today
Join in-person Write Your Life Story events happening right now
Storytelling Open Mic at Cleveland Park Library DC
Storytelling Open Mic at Library.
Sign up list goes out at 10:30 a.m. (**in the morning**, Do not show up 10:30 at night)
Each performer will get 6 minutes to tell their story via Microphone. A true story.
If you don't want to tell a story this time around, feel free to come enjoy the storytellers and relax.
If you need to cancel, please change your status to "will not attend."
Street parking is abundant. Train is one block away.
In Person Writing
is is an In-Person Writing Event at Three This is an In-Person Writing Event at Kaldi's Social House in Clarendon! Please join us.
This is not a critique session or discussion event. If you're interested in attending one of our regular meetings to discuss the art and craft of writing or to review another's work, please join us for a regular meeting on Wednesdays from 7p-9p.
A Poetry Workshop
Hey Poetry Lovers!
This group is on a roll. Here’s the gist:
We meet at the **Capital One Café in Chinatown** from **12pm - 2pm** every other week.
For enrichment, we start by reading and reflecting on a **“published poem”**, suggested by someone in the group. No advance preparation is necessary. But feel free to check out some of the poems we’ve read [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSyE_wCLQCPHRrKmN5F9tOIeeRQUZESxjRXGVBoCF2uU8Gm0_d0uECiCBCQXEy6ksxfsBOhtRIOpW3T/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true&widget=true&headers=false%22%3E%3C/iframe%3E). Or submit suggestions for future meetings [here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexGc2Z2Kp6bZW0D3_hfJ7NUUkfNHf7TXX-43FglCeBd9EF2Q/viewform?usp=send_form).
Next, we **share our work and offer feedback**. Depending on attendance, everyone gets \~10 minutes to use as they like. (No need to share, though; you’re welcome to come even if you prefer just to listen.)
We maintain a **Discord server** to help share our work and communicate outside our bi-weekly meet-ups. If you haven’t used Discord before, take a moment to download it and create an account before arriving. When we meet you on Saturday, we will add you to our server, the “DC Poetry Workshop”, and can help you navigate the app if you have questions.
Finally, if you plan on sharing a poem, consider how you will do so. Some options include:
* Print 5-10 copies to distribute in person
* Take and share screenshots in the Discord chat.
* Copy the poem into a google doc, change sharing settings to “anyone with link”, and copy the google doc link into the Discord chat.
Most importantly, we’re excited to meet you!
Catch you on Saturday,
Diego / Ian / Cayden / Nate / Otasha / Lia / An
Shut Up & Write! at Ridgetop Coffee and Tea
**Looking for a group you can write with *whilst sipping your fave coffee*?** ☕✍️
Then come join **Shut Up & Write!** on **Saturday, May 23rd from 1:30pm to 4:00pm** at **Ridgetop Coffee & Tea**!
Whether you're cranking out a novel, journaling, looking for new friends, or just trying to get that stubborn paragraph right—we’ve got a cozy seat and a supportive group waiting for you! **No critiques, no peer review, no pressure—just a chill space to get words on the page.**
📝 **What to expect:**
1:30–2:00pm – Grab your coffee or tea, find your seat, and meet your fellow writers.
2:00pm–3:30pm – Silent, focused writing time
3:30–4:00pm – Debrief, celebrate any writing wins, commiserate on any obstacles, and head out feeling accomplished.
**RSVP Info:** The room seats only 8 people comfortably! RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot!! If you are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation **ASAP** so those on the wait list are able to RSVP and attend!!!
**Meeting Room:** Enter the coffee shop, walk straight towards the play area and on your left you will see a meeting room just past the bathrooms. The room has a TV, white board, and walls are painted green.
**What to Bring:** Whatever helps you focus, and be productive. There is a wall outlet at each end of the room, so you're able to bring your laptop to write. You're welcome to bring headphones if you enjoy listening to music while working.
**Parking & Accessibility:** there is a large parking lot out front and it is free! There are no stair cases when entering the coffee shop or when inside. This coffee shop is incredibly spacious with many seating options. If you have any questions, please message me through MeetUp. I'm happy to help.
**Dietary Information:** many GF, Vegan, and SF options. Just ask your barista when ordering for specifics!
Can’t wait to see you there! 🎉
Disclaimer: Shut Up & Write! is not affiliated with the Loudoun County Libraries, City of Sterling or any other external entity or business.
Rousing Gospel Documentary Will Cure a Rainy Day - Must Register
One of the most acclaimed music documentaries of all time, *Say Amen, Somebody* is a joyous, funny, and deeply emotional celebration of Gospel music, featuring a line-up of earth-shaking performers by Thomas A. Dorsey, Willie Mae Ford Smith, The Barrett Sisters, and The O'Neal Twins, among others. Restored by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2020, the film features archival footage, photographs, and moving on-screen memories. (George Nierenberg, 1982, DCP, 100 minutes)
**And it's on the great National Gallery of Art screen! You must register - go to [this link](https://www.nga.gov/calendar/treasures-american-cinema-national-film-registry-2025-selections/say-amen-somebody?evd=202605231800)**.
It starts at 2 pm but I wrote 1:30 because it's usually pretty crowded.
From a review:
“Say Amen, Somebody” is the most joyful movie I’ve seen in a very long time. It is also one of the best musicals and one of the most interesting documentaries. And it’s also a terrific good time.
The movie is about gospel music, and it’s filled with gospel music. It’s sung by some of the pioneers of modern gospel, who are now in their 70s and 80s, and it’s sung by some of the rising younger stars, and it’s sung by choirs of kids. It’s sung in churches and around the dining room table; with orchestras and a capella; by an old man named Thomas A. Dorsey in front of thousands of people, and by Dorsey standing all by himself in his own backyard. The music in “Say Amen, Somebody” is as exciting and uplifting as any music I’ve ever heard on film.
Freud's Five Fantasy Structures & Lacanian Structures | DIY Psychoanalysis
**\*\*\* NOTE change of library space - We're meeting at Tysons Pimmit Library in Falls Church VA for this meeting \*\*\***
*theme:* **Freud's Five Fantasy Structures & Lacanian Structures \| DIY Classical Psychoanalysis**
This is a lesser known but I think can be highly practical, especially with codependents who tend towards fantasy.
The 5 Fantasies:
* **Castration in the Real** Why are we different?
* **Primal Scene** Where did I come from?
* **Beating Fantasy** Where does guilt come from?
* **Seduction Fantasy** Where does desire come from?
* **Symbolic Murder** Where does the law come from?
*Making psychoanalysis accessible to the masses!*
Psychoanalysis "unlocks the past, informs the present, and expands the future.
video clips:
**Psychoanalytic theory in 3 minutes**
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucB1b6f750k](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucB1b6f750k)
**Psychoanalysis A Curiosity about the mind 6min**
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcmVjQBF4MQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcmVjQBF4MQ)
Psychoanalysis = a theory and practice treating symptoms and personality as **disguised compromises** around unconscious conflicts, using a structured relationship (transference) to make those patterns visible so you can **repeat less blindly** and **choose a bit more freely**.
"Until you ***make the unconscious conscious***, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." Carl Jung
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
**Interpersonal Process Group**
**Psychodynamic shared exploration, learning and growth**
Interpersonal process groups focus on the interactions and dynamics between group members to facilitate personal growth and learning. These groups provide a courageous space for individuals to explore their interpersonal patterns, receive feedback, and develop more effective social skills.
**The core principle is that the group itself becomes a microcosm of a member's real-life relationships, allowing for insights and behavioral changes.**
Key aspects of interpersonal process groups:
* **Exploration of Interpersonal Dynamics:**
Members examine their communication styles, relationship patterns, and how they relate to others within the group.
* **Feedback and Self-Awareness:**
The group provides a platform for members to receive feedback on their behaviors and develop greater self-awareness.
* **Development of Social Skills:**
Members practice new ways of relating, communicating, and collaborating within the group, leading to improved social skills.
* **Microcosm of Relationships:**
The group mirrors real-life relationships, allowing members to observe and analyze their patterns in a safe and controlled setting.
* **Personal Growth and Well-being:**
Through these processes, individuals can experience significant personal growth and enhanced well-being.
Benefits of participating in an interpersonal process group:
* **Increased self-awareness:** Understanding one's own behavior and its impact on others.
* **Improved communication skills:** Learning to communicate more effectively and assertively.
* **Stronger relationships:** Developing more fulfilling and meaningful relationships.
* **Reduced anxiety and stress:** Finding support and coping mechanisms for social challenges.
* **Enhanced empathy and understanding:** Learning to see situations from others' perspectives.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
Join us for an exciting meeting of personal growth as we delve deep into the realm of self-development. This meetup is designed for personal growth addicts like you who are eager to unlock their hidden potential and take charge of their lives.
Don't miss this chance to meet fellow personal growth enthusiasts, share experiences, and learn from one another. Step into a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation. Come prepared to engage in provocative conversations, share your opinions, wrestle with challenging ideas, and leave with a renewed sense of deeper meaning and learning.
**Tentative Agenda:**
1:00pm Social, Setup & Introductions, guidelines, terminology;
1:15pm Interactive open dialogue conversation & sharing;
2:45pm debrief, summary, debrief
3:00pm finish
Light snacks, water & hot tea provided.
Tysons-Pimmit Library is on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) in Falls Church, VA off I-495 beltway exit 47.
**Conference room** is down 1st left hallway, on right side right after the bathrooms.
Write Your Life Story Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Shut up & Write Arlington/Alexandria
This is the sign you've been waiting for. Come write with us Sunday at 7:30 am at Kaldi's Social House in Arlington. Kaldi's opens at 7.
Grab a coffee and join the group! We generally have 10 to 14 writers attend each week, and new folks are welcome to drop in anytime.
Intros start at 7:30 am. We will write for one hour. After writing, feel free to debrief, share thoughts or get advice. Our meetups are a safe space for writers to work on their craft. No one will read or critique your writing.
Kaldi's Social House website:
https://www.kaldissocialhouse.net/
\* Resource \* Many thanks to Justin for putting together a shared file of resource discussed at the meetings. Feel free to add to it!
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13LONNjZvsO5hEXM7NsBnWCgy3GgPgjAbQxE0lPxp7hc/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13LONNjZvsO5hEXM7NsBnWCgy3GgPgjAbQxE0lPxp7hc/edit?usp=sharing)
May Writers' Meetup
Join our monthly writer meetup to share ideas, socialize, kick off your creativity, and write something!
To find us, either take the stairs or elevator to the fourth floor, following the signs for the conference center. We'll be in room 401-F.
All writer levels are welcome; we're all about building community and confidence. If you have any questions, please email us! (writingheptagon@gmail.com)
Evening Meditation Hike along the Archibald Trail in DC
Join us for an evening meditation hike. This is part of a series of unique walking programs focused on methods to tap into your own quiet space. Learn to unwind from your day and listen to the sounds of nature, silence, and your inner wisdom as we take a peaceful walk through the park. Learn a simple yet powerful way to meditate and commune with nature to invigorate your mind, body, and spirit.
Each session consists of:
* A Pre-walk "Intro to Meditation" to prepare you for the walk with suggested mediation techniques to use (from 6:30-6:45PM)
* Walking in silence along the paths (approximately two miles from 6:45 – 8:15PM, with a brief break)
* A Post-walk reflection to journal and time for sharing (from 8:15 – 8:30PM)
Cost is $10
This is a rain or shine event.
I'll See YOU on the Trail!
Marcia Fairweather
301-352-5272
7 Days to live everyday as a Wellness Day (http://www.renewandrecharge.com/7daystowellness/signupforteleconference.html)
Visit us online at www.frescoadventure.com (http://www.frescoadventure.com/)
Live Life as an adventure!
Details for Hiking Adventures
Please review the information below and call if you have any additional questions. If you need to make changes in your attendance, please call before 3PM on the program date. Always leave a number for me to contact you so that I may call you back if needed.
***
WHAT TO WEAR:
* Comfortable, well-broken-in, sturdy walking shoes or ankle-high boots.
* Protective clothing should include:
* Long comfortable loose fitting pants
* A cotton blend shirt provides for better perspiration and comfort
* Dress in layers for warmth and comfort
***
WHAT TO BRING:
* Water canteen or bottle filled with water (at least 1 quart, bring what you feel you can carry or need to drink)
* A journal or pad of paper to record your thoughts
***
WHERE TO MEET:
McDonalds at 4130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC
You may arrive by metro (Red line) on the Tenely exit and walk a few blocks down the street on Wisconsin Avenue. We will end closer to the Van Ness metro stop, so if you drive and park near the meeting location, you will need to walk a few blocks to return.
Be onsite by 6:15PM to sign-in. We will begin the program promptly at 6:30PM, so please be on time.
IMPORTANT:
Your registration and RSVP to his program assumes the following Acknowledgement of Risks, Responsibility, and Release of Liability
Fresco Adventures, a program of Fresco Enterprises, LLC is the sponsor of arrangements for this activity and is not responsible for any damage, loss, injury, or accident due to any act by the participants.
Note: There are elements of risk in any activity associated with the outdoors and the use of any related equipment. Although precautions are taken to provide proper organization and suitable equipment so that you have a safe and enjoyable experience, there can be no guarantee of absolute safety against injury and accident.
Acknowledgement of Risks, Responsibility and Release: I recognize the apparent risks of this activity which I and any minor children for which I am responsible, will engage in and confirm that I am mentally and physically capable of participating in the activity. I participate willingly and voluntarily, and I assume full responsibility for any personal injury. I hereby release Fresco Enterprises, LLC, its principals, agents, or volunteers from all liability and waive any claim for damage arising from any cause whatsoever.
Delicious Chinese Dinner on Sunday at Chang Chang in Dupont Circle
Hey Chapter Twoers, come join us this Sunday during Memorial Day weekend for Sichuanese and regional Chinese Cuisine by Peter *Chang* with modern cocktails and dessert. If you haven't been there, it's one of the best Chinese restaurants in DC.
Walk, Breathe, Rise: A DC Black Pride Morning in Nature
**NOTE: AN RSVP ON MEETUP DOES NOT SERVE AS A BOOKED SPOT. YOU MUST BOOK VIA LINK BELOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.**
**You must book your spot through our website: [[Booking Link Here](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/walk-breathe-rise)]**
DC Black Pride weekend is a lot of things. Loud, beautiful, full, unforgettable. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, your body, mind, and spirit deserve a moment to exhale.
Lesbifriends Travel is linking up with [We BE Walkin'](https://webewalkin.com/) for Walk, Breathe, Rise for a Sunday morning nature gathering designed to slow the weekend down in the best way possible. Think fresh air, a scenic walk through the U.S. National Arboretum, a grounding yoga flow with Devyn of [Surrender + Flow](https://bio.site/surrenderandflow), light snacks, and meaningful connection with your community. This is how we close out Black Pride. Soft, intentional, and together.
**Event Details**
📅 Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
📍 Location: The U.S. National Arboretum, Northeast DC (specific meeting location shared with confirmed guests)
💸 **Early Early Bird: $15** \(through May 8\) \| **Early Bird: $25** \(through May 21\) \| **Regular: $35** (Booking Deadline: May 23)
🎁 **Gifted Tickets Available:** **$15** to send a community member
**What to Expect**
* A guided 2.8 mile beginner-friendly walk through the Arboretum
* A grounding yoga flow with Devyn (gentle asana, breathwork, and her signature handpan)
* Healthy snacks, water, and time to connect after
* Pet friendly and welcoming to all paces and energy levels
* A reset before heading back into the week
Tickets are tiered and limited. **The earlier you grab yours, the less you pay.** Sliding scale is intentional. Show up however you can.
**Who This Event Is For:**
Black queer women and non-binary people who want to close out DC Black Pride feeling grounded instead of depleted, who love being outside and moving their body, or who simply want to spend a Sunday morning the right way.
✨ Lesbifriends Travel and We BE Walkin' invite you to walk, breathe, and rise with your community. **Claim your spot here: [Walk, Breathe, Rise](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/walk-breathe-rise)**!
**Note:** By attending this event, you agree to being photographed. However, if communicated, we will try our best not to capture you in photos and post you publicly. That request must be communicated ahead of time/at the beginning of the event to photographer and host.
The Power of Our Thoughts: Creating Calm, Clarity & Change
**The Power of Our Thoughts: Creating Calm, Clarity & Change**
Our thoughts shape the way we feel, respond, and experience life. In this workshop, we will explore how to become more aware of our inner dialogue, shift limiting thought patterns, and create a calmer, clearer, and more empowered state of mind. Through reflection, practical tools, and guided mindfulness, we will explore how to use the power of thought to bring positive change from the inside out.
**(In person at the Meditation Museum in Silver Spring, MD)**
Sat., May 23rd, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm. Held at Meditation Museum, 9525 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Free Event – Register at: [https://shorturl.at/zIcv6](https://shorturl.at/zIcv6)
Write Your Life Story Events Near You
Connect with your local Write Your Life Story community
Shut Up & Write!® East Side Columbus
Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild.
Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done.
**SCHEDULE:**
6:45ish - Quick introductions
7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour
8:00 - The End
**OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing.
**BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer.
Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild!
**WHAT SHOULD I BRING?**
Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you!
**OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:**
* **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space!
* **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels.
* **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay!
* **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.
Shut Up & Write! Kingsdale Shopping Center
Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington.
The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo.
Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine.
We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you.
The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly.
Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome.
The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit.
Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times.
Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have.
Happy writing!
Shut Up & Write!™ Easton Town Center
We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator.
Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking!
• What we'll do
Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings.
Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done.
SCHEDULE:
10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros.
10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour.
11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing.
OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing.
BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer.
Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you!
• What to bring
Whatever you need to be able to write!
Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible.
See you at The Café on Saturday!
Shut Up & Write!™ Easton Town Center
We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator.
Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking!
• What we'll do
Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings.
Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done.
SCHEDULE:
10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros.
10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour.
11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing.
OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing.
BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer.
Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you!
• What to bring
Whatever you need to be able to write!
Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible.
See you at The Café on Saturday!
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat
[Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3351321)
Location: The Goat River South
219 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Street parking is free on Sundays
[Menu](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/686d3ed16745133042482c5f/t/68ff654dbb03b96875430bde/1761568077220/all_brunch-20250311.pdf)
Book summary:
On a hot day in Bethlehem, a twelve-year-old Palestinian-American girl is yelled at by a group of men outside the Church of the Nativity. She has exposed her legs in a biblical city, an act they deem forbidden, and their judgement will echo on through her adolescence. When our narrator finally admits to her mother that she is queer, her mother's response only intensifies a sense of shame: 'You exist too much,' she tells her daughter. Told in vignettes that flash between the U.S. and the Middle East--from New York to Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine--Zaina Arafat's debut novel traces her protagonist's progress from blushing teen to sought-after DJ and aspiring writer.
Walk & Talk About Life's Big Questions
[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations.
If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!).
**HOW IT WORKS**
**Step 1: Bring a topic**
Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event.
**Step 2: Circle up & share**
We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds.
**Step 3: Walk, talk & float**
We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!"
**Step 4: Feel more alive**
Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times.
*For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)*
**HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC**
A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about.
Recent topics include:
* "What are you passionate about right now?"
* "What makes a good friend?"
* "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?"
* "How do you want to be remembered?"
* "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?"
Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter.
**WHAT TO EXPECT**
This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.*
But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here.
**FAQ**
* Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk!
* We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space.
* We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space.
* Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know.
* Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic!
**LOGISTICS**
* If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event.
* This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs.
* There's a restroom along the route at [Tuttle Park Community Center](https://maps.app.goo.gl/KTZJgLE1CrrbRNmJ7), which is about two‑thirds of the way from [Clinton-Como Park](https://maps.app.goo.gl/z8Cx8evwLiWundMe8) to our [turnback point](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZXk7qUVszLQ8EJxHA).
* Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details.
* If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋
**IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...**
[The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up.
* This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).




















