Being a part of the Presencing Institute community since it's very beginning, and have used TheoryU in the design of many gatherings that I have hosted and facilitated. I joined the first of five global gatherings yesterday. They hosted a 90-minute session with over 700 participants weaving together stories, music, breakout conversations, and collective reflection to explore the living connections between regenerative agriculture, human health, and new economic possibilities. I'm sharing a few of the images and phrases that stuck with me: Planting new seeds for new ways From extraction to regeneration Agriculture is culture Native bees are almost extinct Fall in love with the problem Both special guests were touched by a calling and curiosity to do something different with their lives. Despite their fear they allowed themselves to feel into it, to take risks because they had a strong belief in the importance of their ideas, and the impact they could have on people and the planet. They decided to experiment with what they were curious about and each took small steps with purpose, being brave enough to take the next step without having the answers. Christa was activated by soil, farming and community. Zuzanna by creating caring farmer communities. Christa went on to say that she surrendered to the process. Special Guests: Christa Barfield, Zuzanna Zielińska

When medieval society told women they had only two choices—marry or become a nun—thousands refused both and created a secret third option that lasted 700 years. Imagine living in a world where your entire future has been decided before you were born. As a woman in 1200s Europe, society offered you exactly two paths: Marry—surrender all legal rights, bear children, obey your husband completely, own nothing in your own name. Or become a nun—take permanent vows, live behind convent walls forever, require a dowry most families couldn't afford. Both demanded the same price: your freedom. Both required lifelong obedience to male authority. But some women looked at these two rigid paths and simply said: "No. We choose neither." They called themselves the Beguines, and they built something revolutionary. Starting in the late 1100s across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany, women began forming independent communities that fit neither official category. They weren't married. They weren't nuns. They were something entirely new. They built beguinages—small houses arranged around shared courtyards and gardens, like self-contained villages designed by and for women. They prayed together daily, following spiritual practices they created. They worked in skilled trades—weaving intricate cloth, creating lace that wealthy clients paid premium prices for, brewing beer commercially, nursing the sick, teaching children to read. They supported themselves through their own labor. In many regions, they could legally own property and control their own money—something married women absolutely could not do under medieval law. And here's what made them truly revolutionary: they could leave whenever they wanted. No permanent vows. No lifetime commitment. If a Beguine decided to marry, she could leave and marry. If she wanted to return home, she could. Her participation was completely voluntary—a radical concept in medieval Europe where women's choices were almost never voluntary.

Daniel Pink first came to my attention many years ago with his book "A Whole New Mind - Why Right Brain-ers Will Rule the Future". He's written seven bestselling nonfiction books on a range of topics, from human motivation to the science of timing to a graphic novel career guide. This 3min video he posted earlier this week on multiple platforms and I shared it on LinkedIn and here with you. Our invitation is to get more curious about it in our THINKING Skill Builder next Tuesday February 24th at 12.30 and we hope you'll be able to join. You can find the link to the call in the calendar. If you aren't able to join us, do let us know your thoughts in the comments 🤓 https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU6EL56jB2b/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Hello! We’re stepping into March with energy, ideas, and action! Here’s what’s coming up next week in our community: 🏗️ Tuesday, March 3 — 30minute Weekly Skill Builder: Discernment What we’ll do: - Reflect on decision-making and what drives clarity - Practice moving from insight to action - Share perspectives across our global community Time: 08:30–09:00 CET | 16:30–17:00 KST | 17:30–18:00 AEST | 18:30–19:00 AEDT We’ve chosen a time that enables participation from Asia, Australia, and Europe, so everyone can join the conversation. 🥁 Thursday, March 5 — Facilitation & Design Incubator (Premium Members) Time: 13:00 CET Theme: Designing the High-Performance Shift In this session, Nadene will run through a real client design proposal: moving a team from conflict to high performance to deliver a high-stakes global event. You’ll gain: - A step-by-step walkthrough of the facilitation process, from scoping to delivery - Insights on why each phase matters for credibility, impact, and design quality - A facilitator capability checklist and a personal assessment tool This is a hands-on opportunity to see facilitation as strategic leadership in action. ⚡ Highlights from THIS Week’s Skill Builder We explored Daniel Pink’s three practices of great thinkers: 1. Applying ideas — turning learning into action 2. Connecting the unrelated — spotting patterns and systems 3. Recognizing opportunity cost — knowing what not to do We reflected on which idea had most changed our behavior in the past year, moving from theory to lived practice. Five Collective Insights: - Applied learning changes behavior — reflection makes it visible - Sustainable action requires head, heart, and gut alignment - Community accountability is systemic — our participation shapes others - Visibility is a leadership practice when grounded in values - Meaningful relationships grow from reciprocity, not utility 💡 A standout observation: when individuals withdraw responsibility, it can trigger a reverse “tragedy of the commons”, lowering engagement across the group.

Hey everyone! I'm thinking of making a mini course that will help you discover or clarify what your highest values are. I'm curious, what are you values? Try to say them in one word. I'll go first!