One-off Workshops
A series of workshops that stand alone. Workshops that were created in response to a singular, specific need.
Communication Skills
Say something (I’m giving up on you)
This session is designed to help even the most nervous public speaker communicate effectively, putting what might have otherwise been a useless amount of time and money spent on a University-level-theatre-education to good use. I learned two things studying theatre. #1. I did not want to act, and #2. a whole lot about humans and the power of presence and nuance.
Throughout the course of this session we’ll discuss what makes a person compelling (versus a bore or a blowhard). We’ll practice ways to reassure our bodies that we’re okay and in control when we find ourselves in situations where our mind is doing its very best to convince us we’re not. We’ll take some time to learn about the other ways in which people approach the world, allowing us to more effectively meet people where they are, while still remaining authentic to ourselves.
Please note: this session features an image of Jeff Goldblum topless. If you want to know why you’ll just have to attend the workshop (but also, why do you need a reason…?).
Gaslighting
You’re Not Crazy
This session focuses on the manipulative technique known as gaslighting in relationships and in the workplace. Gaslighting plants seeds of doubt in one’s mind, causing the target to question their memory, experiences, perception and—in extreme instances—their own sanity.
(If you’re not sure what Gaslighting is, it’s what the current President of the United States does 9/10 times he opens his gaping maw.)
This session provides guidelines and tools that will enable participants to recognize the signs of gaslighting in all areas of their lives and effectively arm themselves against it. We’ll also clarify the important distinction between gaslighting (malicious manipulation) and behaviours that are shitty, but not ill-intentioned, and discuss the ways in which to contend with both varieties.
Please note: if you suspect that you might be in an abusive relationship- or know someone who is- and are fearful of immediate threat, I encourage you to peruse this resource . It contains a list of Provincial/Territorial resources, as well as public legal education translated into numerous languages. You are not alone.
Conflict: No One Can Hear You Scream In…ternally
With intention and self-awareness, conflict can become a place where connection deepens and character is forged, not a place where it’s lost or called into question.
Conflict is not only a necessary part of all healthy dynamics, it’s also important and inevitable. Unfortunately, the ability to engage in conflict that is productive and collaborative is a skill the majority of us lack. Go ahead and blame your parents*. What is often normalized for us is avoidance, leading to an aversion to conflict, or aggression, which leads to conflict that escalates to fighting that is personal, hurtful, and ineffective.
Whether your tendency is to shut down (only to come up with the perfect rebuttal about twenty minutes after the fight is over) or blow up (and immediately regret the things you said, did, or broke when you were angry), this session will provide you the tools you need to navigate any and all conflict with intention and integrity.
*Just kidding, Mum and Dad! I’ve seen Mad Men, I know how you two were raised and I get it.
Limiting Beliefs: F*ck This Sh*t: 1st Edition
“If that’s a veiled criticism about me I won’t hear it and I won’t respond to it.” -Lucille Bluth
A limiting belief is something you believe to be true about yourself, about others, or about the world that limits you in some way. These beliefs may hold you back from taking chances, keep you blind to opportunities in your path, prevent you from accepting or embracing joy, or simply keep you stuck focusing on the negative aspects of your circumstances.
This workshop provides you the tools to begin identifying the limiting beliefs that are holding you back and enabling you to play it small. So if you have a tendency to accept blame and fault, have a high threshold for unseemly behaviour, are risk averse to the point of stagnation, are underpaid and/or tend to self-sabotage, let’s talk.
Spiritual Bypassing: Namastaymad
“Happiness is a choice. Forgiveness is a necessary part of healing. Everything happens for a reason. Look on the bright side.” Nope.
A spiritual bypass or spiritual bypassing is a "tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep or avoid facing unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and/or unfinished developmental tasks.”
It’s a defence mechanism that can be used to repress, diminish or deny our own feelings or the feelings of others. The feelings we’d rather not acknowledge or accept. The ones we’ve labelled “bad.”
Mindfulness practices like yoga, meditation, prayer…juice…cleanses (I’m based in Vancouver) can be wonderful (minus the juice cleanses, those are bullsh*t), but if they’re being used in an effort to negate or deny the fact that sometimes life isn’t fair, and that sometimes it’s hard, and that sometimes it really, really sucks, a “love and light” mindset can diminish the grit, courage and tenacity it takes to experience life wholeheartedly.
This session provides guidelines and tools that will enable participants to recognize and resist spiritual bypassing whenever and wherever it comes into play.