*Note* The cost of the series is $160 for all 8 sessions (i.e. $20 per 2-hour session)

What if compassion, understanding, a sense of possibility, and harmony were a part of your everyday experience? Do you want to experience an environment and relationships that actually care for power/privilege differences?

In this 8 week series, you will learn key skills and concepts to help you navigate your most challenging relationships. We will connect, practice skills, and have meaningful discussions that support us in various parts of our lives, including: our homes, our workplaces, and in our broader communities. We are practicing to build loving relationships and de-escalate conflicts. After each of these 2-hour workshops, you will feel energized and empowered.

We'll be drawing on the practices and framework of nonviolent communication (NVC) and mindfulness for this series. Whether or not you have read about either or just want a supportive environment to improve your relationships, this is a great chance to learn invaluable skills. You will have a chance to practice with others who are building their foundations of NVC with a facilitator deeply invested in global social equity.

Attendees of past workshops have shared their increased confidence, ability, and success in engaging with meaningful and difficult conversations and relationships in their lives.

Class topics:*

1. Acknowledge harm without blaming others - simple tricks for generative conflict
2. Avoid blow-ups to address conflict with compassion - Pause and exit
3. Understand the people who judge you without feeling judged - get clear on discernment, judgments, feelings, and stories
4. How to safely ask for what you want - making helpful requests
5. How to prepare for difficult conversations - Getting clear on what you need
6. Finding a plan that works for everyone - convergent facilitation
7. Acknowledging patterns of power and privilege - exploring the invisible knapsack
8. Hearing what others really mean when they are hurting - empathy skills

* Class topics may change to meet various needs of participants during the series. All of the material & practices are beginner friendly!

Past participants say:

• "NVC is a skill we all need and I know a really engaging presenter that might flip your switch! Would also pitch this to a client as a possible workshop!"
• "The sessions are a great way to practice NVC and bring ideas you've read about into action. The facilitator is experienced, insightful and respectful. The sessions are lively and can teach you how to connect authentically. "
• "The sessions bring NVC to life in a challenging but facilitated way. The bumbling, clumsiness and knowledge gaps that make it hard for people with no or little experience of NVC to 'try this at home' are skillfully navigated in the sessions."
• "[The trainer] is a wonderful, thoughtful communicator [themselves]."
• "There was a situation with [my friend] where I found myself pulling out my NVC toolbox, and after the conversation she kept saying thank you, and expressing how grateful she was for HOW I was able to make her feel heard. That's what inspired her to join the session."
• "NVC is the best!"
• "[The workshops] helped me so much, in discovering and understanding myself, and even help me realize some gaps in some of the things I might need to learn more."
• "If you're really looking to do effective group work, this is the place"
• "I feel revived after the sessions, unlike after many Zoom meetings, which deplete me."
• "[The workshops] will fulfill your needs for authentic connection, support and empathy"
• "[This is a] warm, welcoming space but also a place to discover new aspects of yourself."

Logistics:

• This is an 8-week online course starting Sun, Oct 24th, with the last session Sun Dec 12th
• Sessions will be held Sundays 4-6pm PDT (7-9pm EST)
• If you anticipate needing to miss any sessions, please let the trainer know in advance
• Please update to the latest version of Zoom and let the trainer know if you have any challenges
• Sessions will be recorded for the trainer's learning & assessment by other NVC trainers. Recordings will not be shared with anyone else

About the Trainer:

Hi, my name is Idris Merchant. I have been facilitating, teaching adults, and coaching leaders for over a decade. I have been focused on Nonviolent Communication with a power and privilege lens for the last 3 years, teaching over 50 workshops in more than 3 countries. You can learn more about me and my work at nvcdesi.com .

Important Note:

As a participant, you will be invited to provide feedback on what is working for you and not working for you, and can expect a lot of fluidity based on participants' needs.

If you have any questions or concerns (including about affordability), please email me: nvcdesi [at] gmail [dot] com. We're wishing you well and hope to see you soon!