Life Support Book Group: Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg

Welcome to the Life Support Book Group! A space dedicated to the most important connection you will ever have: the one with yourself.

We will meet in the meeting room at the Corinne and Jack Sweet Branch Library in Salt Lake City. The meeting room is toward the back of the library- it’s difficult to miss!

We’ll explore “Giving From the Heart”. The first chapter of the book “Nonviolent Communication” by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg.

In this chapter, Dr. Rosenberg claims “it is in our nature to enjoy giving and receiving in a compassionate manner”. He describes nonviolent communication as “a specific approach to communicating- both speaking and listening- that leads us to give from the heart, connecting us with ourselves and with each other in a way that allows our natural compassion to flourish.”

Let’s talk about human nature and what may disconnect us from compassion. How do some people stay connected to compassion even in the most grievous circumstances? Let’s examine the NVC process and four components. Let’s also delve into the challenging lyrics of Ruth Bebermeyer’s song “Given To”. But most importantly, let’s learn from each other’s experiences, grow in self-love and understanding, and have fun!

Life Support Group Mission
We believe that true healing and healthy external relationships begin with internal self-understanding. Our goal is to bridge the gap between psychological theory and daily practice. By exploring the depths of psychology together, we aim to cultivate radical self-love and build a supportive community of friends who are all committed to growing alongside one another.

How We Study
To ensure we truly integrate these novel concepts, we will move with intention. Rather than rushing through a book a month, we meet often to discuss a single chapter. This slow-growth approach allows us to:

• Deepen Understanding: Fully digest complex psychological concepts.
• Practice in Real-Time: Apply the principles we learn and report back.
• Build Connection: Develop lasting friendships through consistent, vulnerable, and meaningful dialogue.

What We Read
Our reading list focuses on authoritative texts in:

• Developmental and Behavioral Psychology
• Compassionate Communication
• Attachment Theory and Relationship Dynamics
• Self-Compassion and Mindfulness
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Shadow Work
• Codependency and Recovery

Whether you're looking to heal, understand your patterns, join a peer to peer support group, or simply discuss life in all its absurdity with other psychology nerds, there’s a seat for you at our table. Let’s learn, lean on each other, and grow—one chapter at a time.