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 designed to help us unlearn the patterns that hold us back and practice new ways of being rooted in care, clarity, and shared humanity.

What are Unlearning Circles?

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

Circles are part of a multi-step journey that invites us 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 blend personal storytelling, group practice, and reflective prompts into a grounded, transformative experience.

We’re currently launching a pilot program, and you’re invited to help us shape it.

Option A: Guided Series

Best for people who want a fully supported journey.

What to Expect:

• Six 90-minute sessions, weekly or bi-weekly (based on group preference)

• Entire journey is guided by two experienced facilitators

• Sessions designed around topics and practices from the Steps to Unlearning, the Seven Core Issues, and the Unlearning Topic Bank

• Grounding activities, group reflections, and honest conversation

• Consistent structure for a sense of safety and continuity

How It Works:

• Opening Circle (1 session): Connect, share intentions, and name what you’d like to unlearn

• Themed Sessions (4 sessions): Guided exploration of specific unlearning topics, with questions and practices

• Closing Circle (1 session): Reflect on learnings, weave insights, and envision future steps

Participation Expectations:

• Commit to attending all sessions

• Showing up honestly however you are, contributing to the authentic space, and a spirit of shared learning

• Check in with a buddy for support between sessions

• Use the reflection workbook to go deeper between meetings

Option B: Peer-Led Exploration

Best for people who want to help shape the journey together.

What to Expect:

• Six 90-minute sessions, weekly or bi-weekly (based on group preference)

• Opening and closing circles guided by facilitators

• Participant-led discussion topics with facilitator support

• Choose themes from our Unlearning Topic Bank

• Opportunity to share personal stories or practices

• Grounding activities, group reflections, and honest conversation

• Consistent structure for a sense of safety and continuity

How It Works:

• Opening Circles (1–2 sessions): Connect, share intentions, and name what you’d like to unlearn

• Participant-Led Sessions (3–4 sessions): Participants are encouraged to host a session by choosing a theme, guiding discussion, and/or sharing practices with help from facilitators.

• Closing Circle (1 session): Reflect on learnings, weave insights, and envision future steps

Participation Expectations:

In addition to Option A's expectations Option B, participants also help shape the journey by:

• Hosting a session on a theme or personal story (alone or with a buddy)

• Guiding a practice or meditation

• Leading a reflective discussion on an unlearning topic

Choose Your Path

We’re offering two circle formats—each grounded in the same shared values, but with different rhythms and roles:

What You'll Receive

• Access to our Steps to Unlearning Guide and Unlearning Topic Bank with curated themes

• Invitations to reflect on personal and cultural patterns

• A lightweight reflection workbook

• Peer buddy pairings for connection between sessions

• A space to share stories and questions without judgment

An opportunity to contribute to our evolving storytelling project (a digital exhibit, zine, or toolkit)

Timeline

• Now–August 31, 2025 — Recruiting participants for the pilot

• Early September 2025 — Circles begin

• Fall 2025 — Participants contribute to our evolving storytelling project

• Winter 2025–Early 2026 — Launch of a shared artifact (zine, digital exhibit, or toolkit) grounded in the stories and insights from this first cohort

Who We Are

Unlearning Circles are co-held with a small, thoughtful team of collaborators.

This project is rooted in community — emerging from the Wasan Network Huddles and shaped by everyone who has asked:

How could things shift if we paused pushing and chose to let go?

Together, we’re committed to creating spaces of reflection, care, and collective practice to unlearn the patterns that hold us back.

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.

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.

Bhavesh (Bhav) Patel

Circles Collaborator and Facilitator

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.

Josaine Smith

Circles 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.

Pricing

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.

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

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.

Payment plans are available.

After finishing the survey, you’ll have a chance to book a friendly, no-pressure call with us. We’ll talk about the Circles, answer any questions you have, and help you decide if this is a good fit.

Step #2: Book Your Intro Chat

Ready to Explore the Steps to Unlearning?

We’d love to get to know you!

Before joining a Circle, please take a moment to fill out our short survey. This helps us understand your hopes, interests, and where you might be in your unlearning journey.

After that, you can schedule a short intro chat with Amy to talk about next steps and get on the waitlist.

This short, 5-minute survey helps us shape the Circles to match your needs, interests, and availability. All responses are confidential and will guide us in designing the best possible experience for you.

Step #1: Complete the Survey

🌟 Spots are limited, so please complete the survey and schedule your intro chat soon to reserve your place! 🌟

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Circle?

A Circle is a small group of people coming together to learn, reflect, and grow. Each Circle meets regularly over a set period, exploring themes of unlearning together in a supportive environment.

What are the key roles in a circle?

• Facilitator: Holds space, guides the flow of conversation, and supports psychological safety.

• Host: Chooses the session topic and co-creates discussion questions with the leadership team.

• Participant: Joins the Circle to learn, share, and grow alongside others.

• Buddy: Everyone is paired with a buddy to support each other between sessions.

What are the key elements of a Circle?

• Check-in / Check-out: A brief moment at the start and end to center the group.

• Agreements: Shared norms for creating a respectful, open space.

• Weaving: Gathering insights, ideas, or learnings from the discussion.

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 who is curious about unlearning harmful patterns and exploring a more compassionate, liberatory way of being. No prior experience is required.

What does it cost?

We use a sliding scale to keep this accessible: $90 (supported), $240 (sustaining), or $360 (solidarity) for the full 6-session series. Payment plans are available, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information about pricing, visit our pricing page.

How do I sign up?

To sign up, please share your interest in the form here.

Afterwards, you can schedule a 15-minute conversation with Amy to talk more about your interest.

What if I can't attend every session?

We encourage participants to commit to as many sessions as possible to build trust and community. If you must miss a session, you can coordinate with your buddy to 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 voluntary. You are invited to engage at your own pace and comfort level.

Can I join more than one Circle?

Yes! If there is space, you can participate in multiple Circles or return for another cycle to deepen your practice.

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.