A Hot Topic Workshop is a one-off workshop, done in place of the usual Ongoing Workshop structure, in which a topic is chosen that is controversial and challenging to discuss for that particular group.  

A Hot Topic Workshop is only appropriate once a working group has established a high level of trust. Hot Topic Workshops can be done as a way to stretch and challenge a group that is working well at a deep level. They are a way to vary the format and keep the work exciting by adding experiences that can be processed over time in the ongoing workshops. 

Our hot topic workshop is designed to engage a group of people in a discussion of a contentious issue in a way that is emotionally safe but also profoundly challenging and valuable to participants. Our goal is to have really brave conversations: this means we are trying to express our full beliefs about the topic at hand and equally importantly and most challengingly to listen to the views of others with open hearts and expansive minds.

This workshop is structured to take participants through stages of trust and confidence-building. It includes the practice of safety phrases that act as trip switches in situations where the emotions get overheated. This protocol has been established beforehand and requires everyone to stop and reflect for a moment.  A participant who may have become emotional or forceful will know that they need to search for calmer ways to express the same ideas. The climax of the workshop is a genuinely open dialogue. This is held in a variety of formats designed to allow communication styles from very loud (extroverted) to very quiet (introverted) to find a comfortable space that allows full expression for those participants. We close the workshop with restorative practices that allow participants the opportunity to resolve any outstanding difficulties that may have arisen with other participants during the workshop.  The final stage of any hot topic workshop is an opportunity to relax and have fun together for those who would like to.  There will be games, music, food and refreshments, and other opportunities to be playful.  

The “hot topic” of any workshop will be crafted and tailored for the group in question.  The goal is always that the topic should be both meaningful and contentious for that specific group.  By crafting a topic in this way we achieve our key goals of running/participating in this workshop:  

1. We form human connections through intense but meaningful shared experiences within the workshop.

2. We develop our ability to listen openly to each other, learn from each other, and develop an expansive mindset.

3. We practice explaining our own beliefs in ways that are persuasive to others.

4. We conclude the workshop by relaxing and having fun together.