Circle Holding

Do you run a group or a circle?
Join us for insights into circle facilitation. We speak to people who have created spaces where people can speak without interruption and listen without judgement. You will learn from people who have successfully facilitated groups in schools, universities, local communities, within government and in corporate environments. You will discover how these circles were created, funded and learn how you can create and build your own communities and circles. Listen to shorter episodes with Julia and Tessa for explorations into concepts about circle holding and practical tips:
* What is a talking circle?
* What is circle holding as a role?
* How do you manage big personalities and big feelings ?
* How do you support deep listening?
* Should it be free, by donation or a charge?
* Are talking circles just a bit woo woo?
* And favourite memories and challenging moments in circle time

Listen to longer interviews with diverse circle holders for fantastic insights into holding space:
Series 1
* Imposter syndrome and group dynamics with Kate Codrington
* Radical empathy with Narrative 4’s Lee Keylock
* Co-facilitation with Red School's Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlizter
* Circle as a container for breathwork with Benedict Beaumont
* Working with children and talking about sensitive topics with Jane Bennett
* Creating space for health masculinity with Lee Stegels
* Funding what your community needs with Becoming Mum’s Liz Allum
* Including diverse voices through Participatory Democracy with Andy Pierce
Series 2
* Diversity and Inclusion in Circle with Mike Irwin of Mankind Project (part 1)
* Embodied Listening: Focusing as a Technique in Circle with Marta Fabregat
* Running A Circle at Home (and Plant Medicine) with Nicky Yazbeck
* The Nuts and Bolts of Circle Facilitation with Mike Irwin (part 2)
* Listening as Compassionate Leadership with Jenny Burrell
* Peace Circles in Schools with Roy Leighton
* Sex Education with Dr Sophie King Hill
* Sensual Circles with Henika Patel
You can help this podcast continue to broadcast by donating:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/spread-stories-of-communities-building-circles-of-hope/

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Latest episodes

Highlights and Reflections on Series 2: Our Favourite Bits! with Julia and Tessa

19. March 2025 ‧ 12m 36s

In this episode, Tessa and Julia shared their highlights of the past 14 episodes including:
- the power of circles with children and young people (Roy Leighton, Sophie King-Hill and Nellie Harden)
- the importance of embodiment in talking circles for the participants and as a circle facilitator (Henika Patel and Marta Fabregat)
- the spectrum of circles from in your living room to an international, decades-old organisation (Nicky Yazbeck and Mike Irwin)
- the gift of being authentic as a group facilitator rather than being 100% perfect or professional!

Working with Families: Meeting Children's Needs So They Can Thrive with Nellie Harden

07. March 2025 ‧ 43m 34s

In this episode, Tessa and Nellie talk about:

• Circles show up in all sorts of places like music groups and choirs

• Growth happens in relationship, not isolation, which makes circles perfect for change

• Modern life with devices and social media makes it hard for families to do active listening with each other

• Get clarity about your child’s learning language so your message gets through e.g. pictures, words, movement

• Playing loud music really helped to prepare the 12-18 year olds for listening later – think of your attendees’ needs

• A clarity board enables you to...

Online vs In Person Circle: Which One Do I Choose?

05. March 2025 ‧ 24m 29s

In this episode, Julia and Tessa covered:
- The benefits of both online and in person circles
- The challenges of online and additional guidelines you might put into place
- The additional work that an in person circle might involve in setting up the physical space
- Examples of how both online and in person circles have worked with different demographics.

Sharing Sensuality in Circle with Henika Patel

28. February 2025 ‧ 41m 24s

In this episode, Julia and Henika talked about:
- How she transformed from a lawyer into a facilitator of sensual arts after reasling she was disconnected from her body
- Circle time was a catalyst for the journey: it created a space to talk about taboo topics without shame
- Her ‘Shakti Circle’ focuses on the cultivation of power in the body (any body)
- Safety in a circle is objective and subjective so it’s important to clearly specify who the circle is for (including in the marketing) and she spends an hour of a 2-hour circle on practices for...

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