Unlearning Circles

A collective space to pause, release, and remember who we are—together.

We’re living through a cultural unraveling. The systems and beliefs we’ve inherited—rooted in dominance, extraction, and disconnection—no longer serve us. But what comes next? And who might we become without these scripts?

Unlearning Circles are small, intentional gatherings where we unlearn the patterns that hold us back and practice new ways of being rooted in care, clarity, and shared humanity.

Each circle is part of a larger journey: to reflect, release, and rebuild how we lead, relate, and live. Inspired by recovery frameworks, collective healing traditions, and decades of systems change work, these sessions weave together personal storytelling, group practice, and reflective prompts into a grounded, transformative experience.

You are invited to join us and help shape what unlearning can make possible.

What You'll Experience

The Steps to Unlearning Circles are more than workshops. They are guided, supportive spaces where we pause the hustle, reflect on the patterns we’ve inherited, and choose a different way forward.

Through live sessions, reflection practices, and conversation, you will:

• Notice the cultural scripts that no longer serve you

• Practice new ways of leading, relating, and making decisions rooted in emotional intelligence

• Connect with a community of peers who are also asking: What do we most need to unlearn?

What's Included

• Six live, facilitated sessions over 12 weeks with Amy J. Wilson, Dani Wilson, and Mary Nations

• Curated themes and practices drawn from the Steps to Unlearning Guide and Topic Bank

• Reflection prompts and a lightweight workbook to deepen learning between sessions

• Peer buddy pairings for connection and accountability

• A supportive circle of fellow travelers bringing honesty, courage, and care

• A space to share stories and questions without judgment

• An opportunity to contribute to our evolving storytelling project

Who It’s For

• Purpose-driven professionals, leaders, and seekers of change

• Anyone who feels weighed down by hustle, perfectionism, or outdated definitions of success

• People ready to let go of “what’s always been done” and experiment with something better

Program Details

• Practical unlearning practices you can carry into work and life

• Renewed clarity on your purpose and values

• A stronger foundation of emotional intelligence and resilience

What You’ll Leave With

Circles Schedule

Led by experienced facilitators, a Guided Circle provides structure, practices, and space for reflection in a supportive environment. You’ll be guided through themes, storytelling, and exercises designed to help you notice inherited patterns and practice new ways of being.

Best for:

• Those who want expert guidance and a clear path

• People new to circle work or unlearning practices

• Anyone who values having seasoned facilitators hold the container

This fall, we’re offering a guided Unlearning Circle by Amy J. Wilson and Dani Wilson (no relation). Together, we’ll move through six live sessions across 12 weeks, blending reflection, storytelling, and practice in community.

✨ Guided Circle (October-December 2025)

Session Dates (Wednesdays, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET (find your local time):

• October 1

• October 15

• October 29

• November 12

• November 25 (note: this is a Tuesday)

• December 10

👉 Sessions are held live on Zoom from 12:00–1:30 p.m. ET. Recordings of the guided content will be shared if you can’t attend, but group discussions remain confidential and will not be recorded.

🧭 Roots to Renewal: A Six-Session Journey

Roots to Renewal was chosen as the guiding design for this series, emerging as the strongest and most resonant option from our circle design explorations.

This six-session unlearning journey invites us to recognize the cultural scripts we’ve absorbed and gently release what no longer serves us. Together, we’ll make space for rest, courage, belonging, and new possibilities that sustain us over time.

Session 1: The Core Invitation
Recognizing the cultural waters we swim in

Session 2: Reclaiming Rest
Unlearning productivity & perfectionism

Session 3: Courageous Communication
Unlearning people-pleasing & conflict avoidance

Session 4: From Aloneness to Belonging
Unlearning emotional suppression & isolation

Session 5: Living into Possibility
Unlearning fear and reclaiming agency

Session 6: Sustaining the Journey
Integrating the unlearning journey

Amy J. Wilson

Founder and Circles Co-Lead

Amy is an organizational strategist, author, and founder of Culture Shift Studio. She brings two decades of experience in leadership development, emotional intelligence, and workplace well-being across government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. A former Presidential Innovation Fellow and Aspen Tech Policy Fellow, Amy is the author of Empathy for Change and a sought-after speaker on the future of work and inclusive leadership.

Through the Culture Shift Studio, she partners with mission-driven organizations to build cultures of trust, resilience, and high performance. Amy is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Maryland.

Dani Wilson

Circles Co-Lead & Facilitator

Dani is a social worker and liberation practitioner committed to transformative learning and systemic change. She facilitates workshops with We Are Finding Freedom, collaborates with Reckon With, is a certified practitioner with the Racial Equity Consciousness Institute, and hosts Warm Data Labs with the International Bateson Institute.

Dani’s work brings people together to challenge ingrained perspectives, understand systemic patterns, and advance racial, economic, and gender justice. She also serves as Executive Director of the Cancer and Environment Network, Executive Council member of the Cancer Free Economy, and co-chair of the Environmental Health Workgroup within the Pennsylvania Cancer Coalition.

Mary Nations

Circles Collaborator and Facilitator

Mary supports individuals and groups to surface viable pathways for engagement, action, and innovation amidst complexity. As an Associate with the Human Systems Dynamics Institute, Mary leans into uncertainty and emergent patterns, especially within diverse, interdependent systems. She guides networked groups and organizational systems to make sense of shifting realities, fostering adaptability and resilience.

Drawing on Human Systems Dynamics, complexity thinking, and an ever‑expanding toolkit, her work feels less like prescribing answers and more like enabling generative conversations. You might call her a facilitator, coach, strategist—or simply a systems dancer. She loves that her work remains beautifully undefinable.

Meet Your Guides

Bhavesh (Bhav) Patel

Collaborator and Advisor

Bhav spends most of his time supporting individuals and groups as they navigate their messy, complex realities, seeking direction and making decisions. Often working with networked, global groups where power and resources are unevenly distributed, Bhav helps people who are trying to make a difference -- in their own lives, in others’ lives, and on the planet.

Drawing from complexity thinking, coaching, spirituality, and a wide range of other sources, he shows up as a facilitator, trainer, coach, host, or conversational gardener. Bhav resists tidy titles and categories, and embraces the freedom of not being easily defined.

Josaine Smith

Collaborator and ADVISOR

Josiane spends her days co-creating spaces where people lean into complexity, grapple with uncertainty, and spark emergent change. As Director of Learning Networks at Koreo, she collaborates with global, civic, and philanthropic systems working toward just and inclusive futures . With over a decade in social innovation and systems change, she guides networked groups—often uneven in power and resources—to notice patterns, connect across silos, and shape generative action.

Drawing from systems thinking, facilitation, and co-design, you might call her a facilitator, host, coach, or network gardener. Josiane embraces the beauty of resisting neat labels and loves that her work remains open-ended.

Our Collaborators & Advisors

Pricing & Registration

We believe in making this experience accessible while valuing the time, care, and skill that goes into holding these circles. That’s why we use a sliding scale. You choose the amount that fits your circumstances — no proof or explanation needed.

Your Registration Includes:

• Access to all live sessions

• Reflection materials & practices

• Circle community access

Supported Rate

$90 total ($15/session)

For folks with financial need, students, or those who are underemployed.

Sustaining Rate

$240 total ($40/session)

Solidarity Rate

$360 total ($60/session)

Covers the true cost of facilitation, materials, and program operations.

For those with more financial resources, helping fund scholarships for others.

✨ No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If these rates are still a barrier, please reach out.

Payment plans are available.

Register Now!

Spots in each circle are limited. Reserve your place today.

We use a sliding scale to make this experience accessible while honoring the time, care, and skill that goes into holding these circles. Choose the rate that fits your circumstances — no proof or explanation needed.

✨ No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Thanks to Solidarity contributors, a small number of scholarships are available. Payment plans are also available.

Refund Policy:

Full refunds are available up to 7 days before the first session. Registrations are non-refundable once the circle begins, but transfers are welcome. If unexpected hardship arises, please reach out — we’ll do our best to support you. Read more.

Having trouble? Open the registration form in a new tab.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Circle?

A Circle is a small, intentional group that meets regularly to reflect, share, and unlearn together. Each session blends guided practices, reflection prompts, and storytelling in a supportive, confidential space.

How long is the program?

Each Circle typically meets for 6 sessions, with each session lasting 90 minutes. Depending on the frequency of the sessions (weekly or bi-weekly), it will be a commitment of either 6 weeks or three months.

Who can join?

Anyone curious about unlearning old scripts and practicing new ways of being. No prior experience is required.

What does it cost?

We use a sliding scale to keep the circles accessible:

• Supported Rate — $90 total ($15/session)

• Sustaining Rate — $240 total ($40/session)

• Solidarity Rate — $360 total ($60/session)

✨ No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Thanks to Solidarity contributions, a small number of scholarships are available. Payment plans are also offered.

What if I can't attend every session?

We encourage you to attend as many as possible to build continuity and trust. If you miss a session, you’ll still have access to the guided content through recordings, and your peer buddy can help you stay connected.

What happens in a typical session?

Each session includes a welcome/check-in, guided discussion or reflection, and a closing prompt. Some sessions may include activities, storytelling, or co-facilitation by participants.

Do I have to talk or share personal stories?

Sharing is always optional. You are welcome to participate in whatever way feels comfortable to you. Listening deeply is just as valuable as speaking.

What if I decide not to attend after registering?

You may request a full refund up to 7 days before the first session. After the circle begins, registrations are non-refundable, but you may transfer your spot to another person. If unexpected hardship arises, please reach out — we’ll do our best to support you.

How do I become a facilitator or host?

After participating in a Circle, you may have the opportunity to train as a host or facilitator for future cohorts.

Is there homework?

Some light reflection or journaling prompts may be suggested between sessions, but these are optional and designed to support your journey.

How do I register?

Click Register Now to complete a short 2–3 minute form. Once submitted, you’ll be redirected to a payment page where you can choose your rate and confirm your spot.

Will sessions be recorded?

Yes and no. The guided content and practices will be recorded and shared with participants. The group discussions will never be recorded to preserve confidentiality and psychological safety.

Refund Policy

We know that life happens, and sometimes circumstances change. Our goal is to make participation as accessible and flexible as possible while also honoring the time, preparation, and care that goes into holding these circles.

• Full Refunds: If you need to cancel, you may request a full refund up to 7 days before the first session.

• Partial Refunds: After the circle has begun, refunds are not available. However, if you experience unexpected hardship, please reach out — we may be able to offer a credit toward a future circle.

• Scholarship Registrations: No refunds are applicable for scholarship-based spots, but your place can be transferred to someone else if you cannot attend.

• Transfers: If you realize you cannot participate, you may transfer your registration to another person up until the day before the first session begins.

Our circles are rooted in trust and care. If you have a unique situation, please contact us directly — we’ll do our best to work with you.