Overview
In a time of deep division, this one-day Circle of Trust® retreat invites participants into a transformative experience rooted in the principles, practices, and touchstones of the Center for Courage & Renewal, along with the skills of Real Dialogue, this retreat offers a reflective and structured space for learning how to speak and listen with integrity, courage, and compassion. Through personal reflection, dyads, small group work, journaling, embodiment practices, and large group dialogue, participants will explore how conflict is one reality of being human and ways to cultivate connection during these moments that keeps both people held in.
This retreat is ideal for educators, community leaders, therapists, organizers, activists, and all who are longing for more skillful ways to show up in the presence of difference.
Retreat Objectives
- Introduce the principles, practices, and Touchstones of Courage & Renewal approach
- Introduce the Skills of Real Dialogue and Core Principles
- Deepen self-awareness and emotional regulation during moments of interpersonal or ideological conflict
- Practice responsible speaking and listening that avoids dehumanization, stereotyping, or avoidance
- Learn to navigate differences without the drive to win or dominate
- Reflect on personal experiences of conflict through a lens of curiosity, integrity, and shared humanity
- Build trust and connection with others through structured practices of dialogue and presence
Guiding Frameworks
Courage & Renewal Touchstones: Participants will be invited to co-create a safe and brave container by following the established Courage & Renewal touchstones, including:
- Extending and receiving welcome
- Asking honest, open questions
- Speaking from personal experience (“I” statements)
- No fixing, saving, advising, or correcting one another
- Learning to trust silence and allow inner wisdom to emerge
- Commitment to confidentiality and deep listening
Real Dialogue™ Core Principles:
- Know Thyself: Cultivate self-awareness as a human superpower; recognize that perception is subjective
- Commit to Responsible Speaking and Listening: Speak modestly, listen deeply, and avoid righteousness
- End Dehumanization: Reject narratives that reduce others to enemies or objects
- Learn from Defeat and Failure: Embrace conflict as an opportunity to learn and grow from difference
Joining as Co-Facilitator with Courage & Renewal facilitator Peggy Dippen is Mike Berger, a a Real Dialogue specialist and hypnotherapist, with a BA in Sociology and graduate work in Motivational Psychology under the creator of Personal Causation at Washington University. Co-founder of Psychedelic STL, a 501(c)(3) focused on harm reduction and education in the psychedelic space, Mike also provides business coaching and consulting. As co-host of the podcast, “Waking Up Is Not Enough,” he brings deep insight into ego development and integration, fostering renewal, trust, and authentic growth.
The Center for Courage & Renewal and its facilitators do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
