I participated in Ian’s 2023/2024 Solstice Support Circle group, and it was an absolutely transformative experience. Ian brought together a geographically distributed group of people from across the United States, navigated his leadership role while making space for healthy doses of peer collaborator input, and ultimately created an online space that felt deeply intimate, creative, and supportive. I was particularly impressed by how quickly newcomers were inspired to open up to the group; rather than being alienated or shy in the face of pre-existing connections between other group members, they felt equally seen and supported. Words cannot do justice to what a magical experience it was, and many of us have developed ongoing friendships that continue to this day. Ian’s work is a testament to how creating opportunities for us to lovingly bear witness to one another in all our human messiness creates long-term foundations for healing.

Diana - Writer - Portland, OR

I feel very fortunate to have participated in a Solstice Circle with Ian. I was going through a particularly difficult time and was dreading, among other things, spending time with family during the holidays. In addition to providing meaningful support and solidarity over the course of six weeks, the group helped me to brainstorm practical strategies for getting through that. And then Ian and some of the members went above and beyond and actually texted to check in at various points while I was visiting. As a result I can say that this is the only visit I've had with my family in recent years where I managed to avoid any kind of major conflict and left feeling okay and proud of myself rather than traumatized. In addition to this concrete benefit, I left the circle feeling a better sense of community, a renewed sense of resilience, and just generally more able to face my challenges head-on. And I largely attribute this to Ian's ability to put together a harmonious/compatible group of people, create a safe space for sharing, and run efficient sessions that served everyone. Ian did such a wonderful job of fostering a supportive environment and facilitating conversations that struck a balance between enabling everyone to participate more or less equally and being flexible in terms of providing more time to one or another member if they were particularly in need in a given week. Truly can't say enough good things about Ian or this program.

Jen - Professor - NY, NY

I joined the circle with a fair amount of trepidation, as it was way out of my comfort zone to be open and vulnerable with a group of, mostly, strangers. But Ian’s ability to gently, yet confidently direct and mediate intense group discussions put me at ease. I joined the group with uncertainty as to what exactly I was looking for, or what I would bring to it. What I found unfolded over the course of the weeks together as each person’s shares created a link of reciprocity making it safe to be open and honest about my own story. Simply, a bond was formed with the group through being real, honest, and ugly. It is a space to truly listen, and to be heard and seen.This experience felt so rare and precious. Ian’s gift is to lead by stripping away cultural habits of avoidance around being vulnerable and normalize it, while also heightening the value and importance of this kind of honesty. I highly recommend taking this journey with Ian.

Heidi - Landscape Designer - Portland, ME

Nowadays it seems to be getting harder to find people you can be completely open with and feel heard/understood by. Being vulnerable has actually been studied by a wonderful scientist, Brene Brown, and it happens to be a doorway into creativity, the present and many other positive emotions, as well it can feel very uncomfortable. Which brings me to Ian and the group he led, that I got to be a part of. The uncomfortability of being vulnerable changed for me, I felt supported, heard and then later on wholeness or feeling complete followed. I can still feel scared to be vulnerable but groups like this remind me of the importance and the warmth when space is held and I can do so to. Life has continued to get lighter, more free and that child like experience of being curious I've gotten it back! And I have no hesitation in giving that credit to being vulnerable around people who see it's amazing value so, thank you Ian and the solstice group!

Aaron - Poet - Phoenix, AZ