Beyond Small Talk

Small, simple spaces for men to slow down, talk honestly, and listen without judgment

“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable.” – David Augsburger

In my last post (Un-Pause with a Pivot), I shared the bigger picture of where I’m heading with my writing, one-on-one conversations, and small groups for men.

In this post, I want to get more specific.
Below is a simple structure I’ve been developing—designed to help men move beyond small talk and into more honest, real conversation without the pressure to perform or change anything.

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The Heart of It

• It’s not therapy, though it may be therapeutic

• It’s not a class, though we might learn something together

• It’s not life or health coaching, though greater well-being may occur

• It’s not even a support group, though you’ll likely feel supported

These are spaces where men can show up as we are—no performing, no fixing.
A place to speak from the heart and listen without judgment.

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A Simple Structure

Each gathering lasts 60–90 minutes tops and follows a simple flow:

1. Choose a Theme – something that matters to real life, e.g. Being Seen and Heard, Vulnerability as Strength, Real Connection, etc.

2. Share a Quote – a few words from thoughtful men across time, to spark reflection.

3. Reflect on a Question – one or two prompts to help us go deeper.

4. Share & Listen – each man speaks from his own experience while others simply listen. No interruptions or advice unless asked for. We’ll keep it simple, on purpose.
The power is in what unfolds when we slow down, show up, and listen.

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Ways to Connect

1. One-on-One Conversations

• Just you and me — by phone, Zoom, or in person

• One-time, about an hour

• No agenda, just an honest check-in and space to explore what’s real

2. Mini Groups (3–5 Men)

• Small enough for everyone to be heard

• Two options:

  • Ongoing Rhythm: Once-a-month or once-a-quarter

  • Short Series: A total of four (4) gatherings across 1-2 months

• In person (if local) or online

• Each session: 60 minutes using the simple structure above

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Ready to Try It?

If any of this speaks to you, I’d love to hear from you! Just let me know which option you’d like to try first, and whether you prefer in person or online.

This is all offered freely — no strings, no pressure. Just a space for real conversation in whatever way works best for you.

Ultimately, these are spaces where performing, posturing, or fixing aren’t needed. They are male-focused but human-centered, rooted in real presence rather than agenda or outcomes.

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*Thanks as always for reading and/or listening. To read from the beginning go to Why I'm Writing.