What is a Circle? with Julia and Tessa

Show notes

In this podcast, we bring you insights into circle holding, whether you are an (aspiring) circle facilitator or attendee, through interviews with experienced circle holders and conversations between Julia and Tessa, the founders of Circle Holding.

Our book Circle Holding: A Practical Guide to Facilitating Talking Circles is available at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Circle-Holding-Practical-Facilitating-Talking/dp/1805013157/

Find details of the next free mini training and Q&A at https://www.circleholding.org and all our upcoming trainings.

In this episode, Julia and Tessa talk about what is a talking circle:

A circle is a tool that can be used in a whole variety of contexts, some of which you will hear about in other episodes.

In its purest form it is: In person, a group of people sitting in a circle who can all see and hear each other each having the opportunity to listen and talk. Online it is a group of people who can do the same however the people tend to be in boxes rather than an actual circle.

There is a structure to circle holding and usually guidelines. We have created a whole episode about respectful listening. The basics are that you are creating a space where all participants have the opportunity to speak and be listened to respectfully.

There is usually at least one person who is taking responsibility for the group of people who have gathered. When that happens that is when it becomes a talking circle.

You can have spontaneous talking around a fire or at a picnic. Although the benefits of those circles can be great, what is different about a talking circle is that the space has been created with intention.

If you are new to circle circle holding it can be a fantastic experience and very valuable in and of itself. Putting simple guidelines in place for a talking circle can make a huge difference.

Music for the podcast was created by Fabio Venuti.