Meet in the Middle is a heart-opening, life-altering
3-month group program to transform communication and relationship between women & men.
Pioneering a new harmony between genders.
It's true, women and men sometimes feel worlds apart.
Men might ask "What are women really thinking?"
Women want to know if they will ever be truly seen and heard by fathers, partners, brothers, colleagues . . men!
In these and a myriad other ways, we trip over each other's needs and feelings. All too often we miss the mark, stereotyping the “other” and failing to communicate authentically or effectively. Myths and misunderstandings abound.
It happens at work, at home, in our friendships and intimiate relationships, and every time there's a price we pay.
But we're here to tell you It doesn't have to be that way.
When we shine a light on where these myths come from and learn how to avoid misunderstanding we can meet in the middle and find a way to bridge these gender divides.
Exciting as this is, the middle is only the first step to the real prize, a previously unimagined new depth and richness of connection, expression and love becomes possible.
Come join us for seven curated group conversations that get to the heart of this oft-ignored problem, and move us into uncharted territory, where understanding and love is at the heart of it all.
We can’t wait to see you there.
Christina Vo
is a leader with healthy, compassionate and loving skills of connectivity and guidance . . . a voice of compassion, guidance and a cheerleader.
- Kristin
Jon Symes
I wanted to thank you personally for experiencing your leadership, guidance, openness, integrity, vulnerability and humanness . . . you are the kind of man I try be in the world.
- Bruce
Sand Symes
Sand is loving and authentic to the core! I have dived deeply because of you. You are a Goddess of leading, teaching and healing
- Jill
includes these essential elements
+ A unique forum combining co-ed and same sex meetings, all online
+ A curated series of 7 conversations to explore our own world and listen deeply to others
+ Insights and teaching about the origin of the myths and misunderstanding that separate us
+ A safe container where we can listen deeply, share from the heart, peer into our blindspots and try on new perspectives
+ A Facebook group to explore your most pressing questions about communication and relationship between the genders
will teach you how to
+ Communicate clearly and authentically to reduce misunderstandings in your own life
+ Undo the patterns and conditioning that keep you "othering others"
+ Begin to see others clearly for who they are
+ Let go of unhealthy stories that your mind has created to keep you separated
+ See that we're all interconnected, with common human desires for connection and understanding
+ Use an effective framework for navigating conversations with colleagues, friends and loved ones
+ Put your truth at the heart of your words
+ Begin to unravel old stories and live life with a sense of safety, connection and love in your interactions
PLUS: you will meet with like-minded peers with whom to continue your journey of learning and growth
Striking at the tap root of patriarchy
Seven curated conversations that transform
The Roots of Separation
In this conversation, we’ll delve deeper in the societal conditioning and the way in which all of us have been impacted by the patriarchal system that we have been raised in. The system challenges both men and women in different ways, and our understanding of this will enable us to move forward with more understanding and compassion.
Understanding Me
We’ll explore the misunderstandings we have about ourselves and our gender, and we’ll discuss how that affects our behavior. This conversation will go deep into the patterns that run us and the norms we've adopted. It all begins deep in our societal conditioning but also how we’ve been brought up in our families.
Understanding the Other
We’ll explore the misunderstandings we have about the other gender, and the underlying process of 'othering'. This conversation will go deep into the many stereotypes and labels that we might inadvertently place on the opposite sex. This goes deep into our societal conditioning but also how we’ve been brought up in our families.
Demystifying Communication
Very often men and women communicate differently. In this discussion, we’ll look at the roots of that and why we so often feel misunderstood in our dialogue and interactions with the opposite sex. We’ll explore the ways we’ve been a victim to societal conditioning in how we show up and at some of the remedies.
Relating Authentically
At this point, we'll discuss the various challenges in our relationships with the opposite sex and we’ll seen how this is driven by our societal conditioning. Understanding our own, previously unconscious behaviors and seeing the other with compassion help us start down the path to deeper understanding.
The New Me
Now we’ve seen how our unconscious, conditioned behavior has impacted our communications and our relationships with the 'other'. In this discussion, we’ll look newly at ourselves. We'll find the deeper authentic self and understand the deep yearnings and possibilities previously obscured by our conditioning.
A New Harmony
In our final group meeting, we will review all that we’ve learned and complete our sharing with the 'other'. Together we will find the broader lessons of how each of us can create more harmony in our individual relationships. We’ll provide a broader framework and understanding of how YOU can play a role in balancing the dynamics of your relationships and hence healing for the world. Together, we will create an actionable plan for all of us in moving forward for greater understanding between genders.
Please note: in this program we will be exploring the communication between men and women and for some of our conversations we will separate into two groups, female-identified and male-identified. We recognize that gender is not a binary construct and hope that everyone willing to participate can find a way to do so. The terms "co-ed", "opposite sex" and "same sex" are used because of their familiarity.
Women and men aren't as different as you might think: a review of dozens of studies found that men and women are basically alike when it comes to personality, thinking ability and leadership. The differences that do exist reflect social expectations, not biology.
American Psychological Society
This group program is for YOU if . . .
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You’re seeking more understanding and connection with those of the opposite sex, whether that’s in your romantic relationships and even with colleagues.
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You are tired of feeling misunderstood in your relationships.
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For men, you might feel your good intentions are not ‘seen’ because you don’t feel as skilled in communicating your feelings.
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For women, you want to feel heard and understood, and yet you might have a problem expressing yourself and speaking your truth.
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You want to stop being in your head when you have something to say, and/or avoiding conversations because of fear, including disappointing other people.
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You desire to be a clear, authentic communicator who is fully aligned with your truth.
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Ultimately, you desire to feel heard, to not hesitate in communicating with others. You want to create balance, understanding and harmony between genders -- and to help others see that we are not each other’s enemies.
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You seek a space to heal your relationship of being the ‘other’ with another.
. . . if you want to build
relationships and bridges between US!
When is it happening?
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm, Pacific
Dates: February 10 & 24, March 10 & 24, April 2 & 21, May 5
Location: Zoom
What's unique about
We've put together a unique structure, co-ed and single sex conversations woven together. Then we'll delve deeply into a structure of conversations designed to expose our own deep programming and allow us to hear, as if for the very first time, the needs of the other. Contrast this with the silos that we often meet in, or consider how many women’s groups have you been invited to? and how often men are on the fringe of these discussions, perhaps not finding a safe space to explore these important conversations.
When we can be together in these difficult discussions, we heal. When others see us and acknowledge our wounds, we heal.
Joining Meet in the Middle will be a transformative journey for you to understand how to bridge the gaps between us.
Creating a Safe Space
Through this safe and sacred work, we will create an environment in which you feel comfortable and secure in expressing your full self. We will not tolerate harmful speech or labels. This group is not created with the intention of hashing out grievances about the opposite sex but rather as place of safe exploration, mutual respect and learning.
We recognize the fluidity of gender, and acknowledge that for many gender is not a binary construct, but rather a fluid experience. We also understand that we can all be unconscious of the biases we hold and their sometimes resilient nature. So we will be holding this container with sensitivity and compassion and using any misunderstandings that arise to further the learning for everyone.
We will ask that the same appraoch be reflected in your participation with the community Facebook group.
A Few of the Common Questions
Is this just for couples?
Does it work for everyone?
I've tried lots of programs, what's different about this?
Is there a money back guarantee?
What if I can't make every session?
I'm uncomfortable with the women/men binary in the course
Are you READY?
There are two options for you to join this program: a Solo ticket or a Twin.
To help balance the numbers in this group program, we are offering a discount to those booking two tickets together, the Twin option.
And just to be really clear, if you’re signing up on the Twin ticket, you do not have to be a couple (and it's also ok if you are). You might be friends, colleagues or family members. You just have to have one participate with the men's group and the other with the woman's.
