Talking Circles

Talking Circles

I facilitate talking circles. Most of the time they are reserved for women and gender-expansive folk. Most of the time they are at my home (near Pulaski & Foster in Chicago’s Far North Side), but sometimes they’re virtual.

What they are


Talking circles are sacred spaces. In circle, we remember who we are and move into deeper integrity with ourselves and deeper relationship with those who gather with us in circle.

Who they’re For


Talking circles are for humans who:

  • Hold the gender identity required for the circle they wish to join

  • Recognize their privilege with humility rather than fragility (nearly all of us carry some privilege)

  • Are open to exploring things like synchronicities, earth-centered practices, and/or “woo” tools (e.g. tarot, Human Design, etc.)

  • Are yearning for more depth in their daily lives and how they approach their problems

Talking circles explore issues such as:

  • Capitalism, colonialism, racism, and other -isms

  • Self-love and self-worth

  • Existential matters

  • Our collective wellbeing

  • Feminism and patriarchy

  • Privilege

  • People-pleasing, boundaries, self-care

  • Pretty much anything that relates to wayfinding

  • Whatever your mind or heart is pulling you to share

How to JOin


View the Events Calendar, which includes circles. Consider requesting what you want if you don’t see it offered.

View the Calendar

What People Say


Some love:

The community of women I found through this circle has helped me feel witnessed and safely held. I have felt my self-esteem grow after each circle. I feel more ME than ever. Kristi is not only a wonderful facilitator, she is a delightful, beautiful and totally badass human.

-Madi R.

Kristi is just herself, and that allows authenticity to permeate the circles she holds. What power and beauty that can come from creating space to BE, to share, to connect! Having space like that, shared with others, allowed real learning and growth for me personally. I am so grateful!

-Julie B.

Gathering with sisters is masterfully facilitated by Kristi. The sacredness of the circle is held with each sister being able to share from her own experience and what is important to her in the present. It’s wonderful to be in a space that is non-judgmental, accepting, and also has boundaries so that everyone feels welcome.

-Goddess Sherry

The sister circles bring me life, grounding, and community. I am able to be my true authentic self and feel seen by my sisters. I always look forward to the circles and never feel like they’re just one more thing on my list that I have to do.

-Olivia

My intuition led me to sign up for a Sacred Sister Circle online with Kristi. It sounded like it would be supportive and so I signed up without a lot of thought. Two weeks later I found myself in some fresh grief and confusion the day before the circle. I couldn’t help but think about how likely the universe had my back when I had signed up two weeks earlier. I went to the circle and felt incredibly supported by Kristi’s gifted facilitation, I was grounded by the slow intentional unfolding of the circle and I left the circle with more connection to my own wisdom, and was really encouraged by the other women in the circle. Attending this circle is my new favorite form of self-care!

-Anna Marie

Kristi, you are truly gifted in what your heart moves you to do. I feel so grateful and fortunate to be in your tribe. 🧡🙏🏻 and loved meeting the women you bring into the fold. I know you will continue to bring together amazing women and their lives would be richly blessed for having met you.

I have experienced something magical and ethereal during the cacao ceremony…where it felt the time stood still and I was completely at one with my sisters and the universe, but when I came out of it, I was met with peace and tranquillity. Love to you and to all the ladies who were there. Blessings.

-Emma Jung-Beeman (RIP, dear sister)

My Qualifications


First, you don’t need any training to facilitate a talking circle! AND there are certain skills and foundational practices that I believe are necessary to prevent circling “mishaps.”

My approach:

  • Equity-centered

  • Emphasis on co-creating circle agreements

  • A simple structure that’s facilitated (not led)

  • Bulk of time spent in collective sharing

Trainings of note:

  • Sacred Circle Workshop, Center for Transformational Coaching (2022)

  • Becoming the Guide, SoulWork (2023)

  • Circle Leader Training, The Wild Woman Project (2023)

Experiences of note:

  • Seven years of participating in and sometimes facilitating 12-Step meetings

  • Earliest sacred circle participation: 1999

  • Circle types I’ve participated in: talking, processing, sacred ceremonial (peace pipe and sweat lodge), sister, community, consensus decision-making, 12-Step, cacao

  • Circle types I’ve facilitated: talking, sister, 12-Step, cacao

View the Calendar