Workshops
The Daring Way™
Developed by Dr. Brené Brown, The Daring Way™ is a highly experiential method of therapy that helps women, men, and teens show up, be seen, and live braver lives.
The Daring Way™ process digs deep into what it feels like to be human. The method is approachable, heartfelt, and straightforward, leading to many “a-ha” moments. The process, whether in groups or individual sessions, explores vulnerability, courage, identity, values, shame, and worthiness in our lives.
We uncover and examine the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are holding us back and from there we identify the new choices and practices that will move us towards living a more authentic and wholehearted life. In short, we uncover authenticity and, by doing so, increase connection and belonging.
Rising Strong™
Developed by Dr. Brené Brown, the Rising Strong™ curriculum explores what it takes to get back up after we have fallen. In Rising Strong™, we explore the stories we tell ourselves, the ways we offload hurt, and how and when we set boundaries. We rumble with shame, vulnerability, anxiety, grief, forgiveness and trust. We discover what is takes to dare, fall, feel our way through tough emotions, and get back up to try again. When we live authentically we will meet struggle and failure and this can be our greatest call to courage that, in turn, will lead us back to wholehearted living.
Mindful Self-Compassion™
Are you a lot kinder to others than you are to yourself? Do you struggle with accepting and supporting yourself? Do you beat yourself up with negative self-talk? Could you use more self-compassion? If so, this workshop is for you. In this workshop, you will learn empirically supported exercises and formal and informal practices to aid in cultivating compassion and self-compassion. MSC is a mindfulness-based self-compassion training developed by researcher Dr. Kristin Neff and Clinical Psychologist Chris Germer. It is a hybrid of mindfulness and compassion, with an emphasis on self-compassion.
When you learn self-compassion you will respond to yourself in the same supportive and understanding way that you would with a good friend when they are struggling. When you have a difficult time, fall, fail, or notice something you don’t like about yourself you will respond with kindness, tender words, and support.
In the workshop you will learn practices such as a Self-Compassion Break, Soft Landings, Savoring, and meditations including Soften Soothe Allow and Compassionate Breathing. You will learn to ask yourself, “Can I bring some kindness to myself in this moment?” or “What do I really need right now?” The seeds of self-compassion already lie within in you—this workshop will help you uncover them, allowing you to transform your life.
About Brené Brown
Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, where she holds the Huffington Foundation Endowed Chair at the Graduate College of Social Work. She also holds the position of visiting professor in management at the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business.
Brené has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She is the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers and is the host of two award-winning podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. Brené’s books have been translated into more than 30 languages, and her titles include Atlas of the Heart, Dare to Lead, Braving the Wilderness, Rising Strong, Daring Greatly, and The Gifts of Imperfection. With Tarana Burke, she co-edited the bestselling anthology You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience.
Brené’s TED talk on the Power of Vulnerability is one of the top five most-viewed TED talks in the world, with over 60 million views. Brené is the first researcher to have a filmed lecture on Netflix, and in March 2022, she launched a new show on HBO Max that focuses on her latest book, Atlas of the Heart.
Brené spends most of her time working in organizations around the world, helping develop braver leaders and more courageous cultures. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband, Steve. They have two children, Ellen and Charlie, and a weird Bichon named Lucy.
About Chris Germer
Christopher Germer, PhD is a clinical psychologist and a part-time lecturer on psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is a co-developer of the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program, author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, co-author of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, and Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program and co-editor of Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, and Wisdom and Compassion in Psychotherapy. Dr. Germer teaches and leads workshops internationally on mindfulness and compassion.
About Kristin Neff
Kristin Neff received her doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley, studying moral development. She did two years of postdoctoral study at the University of Denver studying self-concept development. She is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Kristin is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, creating a scale to measure the construct over fifteen years ago. In addition to writing numerous academic articles and book chapters on the topic, she is author of the book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. In conjunction with Dr. Chris Germer, she has developed an empirically supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion. They co-authored The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook as well as Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals. She is co-founder and board president of the nonprofit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
Testimonials
I highly recommend the Daring Way workshop with Joni! It has been a valuable part of my self-work. The workshop digs deep into the content from Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly in a fun and powerful way and the group setting really enhances the journey. Joni is well versed in Brené’s, and a lot of other relevant work, she leads with integrity, and fosters a really beautiful and safe space to dig deep, grow, and flex that vulnerability! Go for it!
– Lev
Before participating in the Daring Way, I would have defined wholehearted living as giving my whole heart to others and a constant drive to be better in all aspects of my life. I never felt I was enough. Through the Daring Way, I learned how to let down my armor and value myself as I value others. Learning self-compassion, practicing vulnerability, and living authentically have allowed me to open my heart so that I am not giving myself away but sharing myself through genuine connection. Joni’s blend of the spirit, mind, and body and the shared experiences of the other brave participants in the workshop have been integral in my personal journey to live a wholehearted, more joyful life. Truly a life changing experience.
– Tami
– Shawn