Not everyone gets to tell their life story. 

You do. 

Welcome to the Life Story Circle. 

We have all lived through so many things and been forever shaped and changed by the events in our lives. And yet, there are very few places where we get to tell and hear these stories. Not unless: 

• You’re in an AA meeting. 

• You’re working on your memoir. 

• Or it’s your funeral and someone else has composed a eulogy. 

This is why I have created the Life Story Circle. It’s a safe and sacred place where you get to tell your entire life story, without interruptions or judgments, and experience the ripple effects of telling it. 

THE UNEXPECTED BENEFITS OF LIFE-STORY CIRCLES

I believe in the power of being known and truly knowing another human. And even though it can be hard to put a finger on why these types of circles are so magical, we know that people who tell their story get to know themselves in a new way, walk away with more self esteem and resilience, and rediscover passions that might have been tucked away or kept secret.

And these benefits are not a blip on the radar. They are long lasting. Why?

• Maybe it’s because our society is facing an identity crisis where people don’t know how to show up in the real world. Online we get to like, comment, and spy on each other, and it’s designed to mimic connection and interaction, and since we’re all doing it . . . it feels normal, even though it’s not. They say that 2026 is the year we return to being more analog. I believe this circle is part of that trend. 

• Maybe it’s because a lot of us came from families where we were taught a spoken or unspoken rule, ‘We don’t talk about that.’ So many topics were taboo or frowned upon. Telling those stories in a circle might make you ask, ‘Why did we never talk about this?’ That alone is valuable. 

• Maybe because it’s refreshingly healing to participate in something that has nothing to do with productivity, results, or set outcomes. 

• Maybe it’s because people are hungry for real connection - for handshakes and eye contact. For someone to hold the door for them, or offer them a place to sit next to them. People are lonely and it can be difficult to know where to start to find meaningful connections in your own community. 

• And maybe, just maybe . . . it’s because the Life Story Circles are refreshingly real. We don't follow curated and polished storylines. This is real life - not just the highlights or the low lights. 

I could go on and on about this, but there is no doubt that this type of environment is such a powerful antidote to being at gatherings where every other sentence starts with, ‘According to Chat GPT. . . ‘ or where people ask you the tired old question, ‘So, what do you do?’

And before you run with the thought, ‘But who wants to hear my life story?’ 

. . . let me remind you that we are built for stories. 

We watch strangers on Netflix. We read books about people we will never meet. We light up and feel so rejuvenated after hearing just one good anecdote. Imagine what listening to an entire life story will do for you. Not to mention, what it will feel like telling your own. 

And then there is that joyful discovery that what you think of as ‘not that interesting’ will be exactly what someone else in the circle needs to hear. 

Your story deserves to be heard, at least once. 

Wouldn’t you agree? 

HOW IT WILL ROLL OUT- FACTS AND NUMBERS

The dates are: March 19-April 23 (6 weeks)

Each circle is small. Four participants plus myself. Five in total. 

We will have six sessions together. 

Cost: $149 (about the price of a weekly movie ticket, popcorn and a drink) - If this feels prohibitive, please reach out to us at info@thewellmentalandspiritualcare.org and we will work to make it affordable.

During the first gathering I will share my life story, just so you all can ease into the circle and start thinking about how you want to tell yours. Let your ideas percolate. Before we leave, we will know who’s up next. No surprises! 

For the next four gatherings we’ll listen to one of your life stories. There is only one story per gathering.

Our last gathering will be dedicated to reflections and sharing.  

Each session is 2 hours long, including a quick bathroom break. 

We will sit on sofas and chairs. 

HOW IT WILL ROLL OUT- THE STORYTELLING ASPECT

As the storyteller: 

You get to tell your story in a way that feels most natural to you. 

You can start in the middle and jump around. 

You might only remember snippets of your childhood, that’s totally fine too. 

You might want to skip over some difficult parts, which no one will blame you for. No one will be forced to air their dirty laundry. 

Perhaps you want to dwell longer with one episode or person, up to you. 

If you want to bring notes or read it word for word, go for it. 

If you want to bring props, great! 

If you want to come unprepared and just speak from the heart, the floor is yours. 

The bottom line is, you get to tell your life story your way. 

As the listener:

You get to listen without thinking about how to reply or inventing clever comments. 

You get to quiet the part of your mind that wants to jump in and ask questions. 

You get to give someone your undivided attention. 

You get to hear some really amazing stories, without sitting in front of a screen. 

Here listening is almost like a meditation. 

A gift. 

This isn't participation when you have the stage and then disappear. Witnessing the storyteller is a powerful role you will play and part of your full experience.

Also. . .

You’ll be happy to know that there will be no fixing. 

No crosstalk.

What happens in the Life Story Circle stays in the Life Story Circle. 

I will facilitate and set the tone.