ReThink is a new event series from the New Narrative focused on facilitated discussions about topics that don’t often get openly addressed; everything from sex, money, religion, to community-building, personal identity, and self-worth. The goal is to create an affirming space for discussion so all of us can operate with more knowledge, language, and solidarity as we tackle the difficult aspects of our lives.
ReThink follows a model similar to a “World Cafe.” Each event will feature a set of discussion tables with designated facilitators. The facilitators will guide the table through different discussion questions pertaining to the main topic. Attendees will split up and rotate around, spending approximately 20 minutes at each table, before rotating to the next one.
The hope is that by moving around and sharing ideas, a richer level of conversation and new connections will emerge. We’ll leave time at the end of the session to share thoughts, insights and potential next steps with the larger group too.
The event is open to the public but advance registration is greatly appreciated. Some of the discussions will be on sensitive topics and might not be appropriate for everybody. We ask that you exercise maturity and open-mindedness should you attend a ReThink event.
A typical hallmark of a functioning society is a set of trusted institutions that can filter and share important information about public safety and social norms. To many of us, it probably feels like these institutions of trust are withering away right now. How do institutions gain trust? How do they keep it? Is trust in American institutions truly eroding, or is this a reckoning long overdue?
The times we live in call for many of us to stand up to traditional power structures. For some people, this is a level of tension they are all too familiar with in their lives. For others, leaning into conflict can be new and scary, and but feels necessary right now to live up to their values. What do we think about leaning into the conflicts of our society? How can we best support each other in the conflicts we face to create the world we want to live in?
ReThink is an event series from the New Narrative focused on facilitated discussions about topics that don’t often get openly addressed. United/Divided would explore the broader disunity our society is feeling right now; what accords we all might owe towards being more "united," if any at all; and how each of us could act accordingly in these situations.
ReThink is an event series from the New Narrative focused on facilitated discussions about topics that don’t often get openly addressed. This month we’re going to discuss (Not) Following the Rules. How do we parse our relationships with rules and laws? How do we judge which laws we think are just vs unjust? What level of civil disobedience do we think is merited against an unjust law? What are we willing to do?
ReThink is an event series from the New Narrative focused on facilitated discussions about topics that don’t often get openly addressed. This month we’re going to discuss Confronting Privilege. How do we confront privilege in our world and create a conversation around the effects it has? How do we address our own privilege (or lack thereof) in how we show up in the world? What do we stand to gain or lose by having this conversation?
ReThink is an event series from the New Narrative focused on facilitated discussions about topics that don’t often get openly addressed. This month we’re going to discuss Creating Diverse Movements. What does it take to bring large groups of diverse people under one tent to create a movement? What are the challenges? What are the goals and compromises that we need to be conscientious of if we want to get big things done?
ReThink is an event series from the New Narrative focused on facilitated discussions about topics that don’t often get openly addressed. This month we’re going to discuss Work-Life Balance. Work seems to have an indelible pull on us and can take priority over other aspects of our lives if we’re not careful. How can we better manage work-life balance? Is the imbalance behavioral, or are there institutional forces at play?
ReThink is an event series from the New Narrative focused on facilitated discussions about topics that don’t often get openly addressed. This month we’re going to discuss Creating Change. Creating change isn’t easy, whether we’re talking about societal change or even just our own personal habits. Yet now more than ever we’re becoming aware of the important need for change on every level. What does it take to create change in our world and in ourselves?
ReThink is a new event series from the New Narrative focused on facilitated discussions about topics that don’t often get openly addressed. This month we’re going to discuss Being a Good Person. It seems like being a good person would be easy enough. Be friendly, show compassion, and don’t be a blatant jerk, right? Yet more and more we’re realizing how interconnected our whole world is. A seemingly innocuous purchase—like a cup of coffee—could come to us after whole host of negative elements downstream. What does it take to be a good person in our world? What sacrifices are we willing to make? How far do we need to go?
ReThink is a new event series from the New Narrative focused on facilitated discussions about topics that don’t often get openly addressed. This month we’re going to discuss What's Up With Men? What are the biggest social challenges men are creating, for themselves and others? What kind of dialogue can we create around these issues? What can, should, and needs to be done to create a happier and more equitable world for everyone?
Be a Rethink Facilitator
We’re always looking for facilitators and topic ideas for upcoming events.