Some things don’t resolve just by thinking about them.

And yet… we keep trying.

A Listening Circle: A space for meaningful experiences—shared or simply held. For experiences that don’t easily fit into everyday conversation.

A small, guided gathering where nothing needs to be figured out—and what’s been quietly staying with you can begin to loosen.

Only 6 seats available. Registration closes when full.

Next Circle: Sunday, May 3 • 1:00–4:00 PM
Cochrane Area

Reserve Your Seat

What Happens in a Space Like This

It’s not about sharing the right story.
Or finding the right words.

And it’s not about working through anything.

—

It’s something simpler than that.

You step into a space where:

  • nothing is being analyzed
  • nothing is being solved
  • nothing is expected of you

And in that kind of space… something begins to change.

—

The mind doesn’t need to stop.
It just isn’t being pushed anymore.

And what’s been quietly looping in the background
begins to soften on its own.

—

Some people share.
Some people don’t.

Both are part of the circle.

—

What most people notice is this:

They arrive carrying more than they realized.
And leave feeling different—
not because anything was fixed,
but because something finally had room to settle.

A Different Kind of Space

This is a space for meaningful lived experiences—
the kinds of moments that sit at the edge of explanation and mystery.

The Listening Circle is a small, guided gathering designed to offer something increasingly rare:

A space where you don’t need to explain yourself.
A space where nothing is being analyzed or fixed.
A space where you can simply arrive as you are.

This isn’t a workshop.
It’s not therapy.
It’s not a place for advice or debate.

It’s a quiet, intentional circle where:

  • You may share unusual, yet meaningful lived experiences
  • Or simply listen
  • Without pressure, interpretation, or expectation

Something shifts in a space like this.

Not because anything is being done to you—
but because something finally has room to settle.

Why This Works

If you’ve ever tried to quiet your mind by thinking your way through it… you already know how that goes.

Most people try to quiet the mind by doing more.

More thinking.
More analyzing.
More trying to resolve what feels unfinished.

And it rarely works for long.

Because the noise isn’t coming from a lack of answers—
it’s coming from never stepping out of the thinking process itself.

This experience works differently.

It gently shifts you out of constant mental activity
and back into something more natural:

  • Awareness through your senses
  • Presence in a quiet, contained space
  • Listening without pressure to respond or explain

When that shift happens, something subtle begins to change.

The mind begins to slow—without being forced.
The body settles.
And what felt tangled or unfinished begins to soften on its own.

There’s no pressure to share.
No need to have the right words.
No expectation to make sense of anything.

Many people find that something begins to settle—often in ways they didn’t expect.

When Now Becomes the Right Time

There’s often a moment when you realize thinking about it isn’t changing anything.

You’ve turned it over.
Given it time.
Tried to let it settle on its own.

And yet… something is still there.

Not urgent.
Not overwhelming.
Just quietly present.

—

That’s usually when a space like this begins to make sense.

Not because you’re trying to fix anything.

But because you’re ready to step out of carrying it alone.

—

You don’t need to have anything prepared.
You don’t need to know what you’ll say.

You only need to recognize that
something in you would benefit from a different kind of space.

—

Most people don’t come because they’re certain.

They come because something in them says,
“this might help.”

And that’s enough.

Only 6 seats are available.

If this is the kind of space you’ve been needing,
you’re welcome here.

👉 Reserve your seat while space is still available.

Reserve Your Seat

What People Are Saying

"You provided a professional, yet...

at the same time, a comfortable feel to each session. I felt cared for and worthy. I recognized that you were walking your talk, this is important to me.

- Gabriela O., Calgary, AB

—

“I left feeling more settled than I expected...

The Listening Circle is a place where we pay attention to self and others. It’s okay to be open to the experience.”

- Anonymous

What to Expect

You do not need to be a storyteller to attend. Curiosity and a willingness to listen are enough.

  • A small group (maximum 6 participants)
  • A quiet, guided opening to settle into the space
  • An opportunity to share meaningful lived experiences (or simply listen)
  • A respectful, confidential environment
  • A gentle closing to complete the circle

Listening is just as valued as speaking.

This Circle is Thoughtfully Held By:

Close-up of a Sherri wearing sunglasses and a toque, with her cheek on a horse's cheek.

Your host, Sherri Phibbs

Founder of The Gentle Wild

A steady, grounded presence in complex and meaningful human experiences.

Sherri is an experiential learning facilitator, bestselling author, and nature-based practitioner.

Her work brings together nature-based experiential learning, creative expression, and thoughtful conversation.

With a background in end-of-life services and grief-informed practice, she brings a calm, steady presence to spaces where depth and meaning naturally arise.

Her studies include eco-psychology, expressive arts, animal-assisted work, and equine-assisted learning—informing her attentive awareness of group dynamics and the subtle ways people make meaning of what they encounter.

She is particularly drawn to experiences that arise at the threshold between explanation and mystery, and holds space for them with clarity, respect, and quiet curiosity.

Her role is not to lead what is shared, but to hold the conditions in which meaningful experiences can emerge.

With a Warm Welcome to Our Guest Co-Host:

Tonia Anderson

A calm, grounded presence rooted in curiosity, openness, and respect for each person’s story.

Raised on a ranch in Northern British Columbia, Tonia developed a deep connection to nature and animals—shaping a lifelong orientation toward listening, observation, and presence.

In addition to her work as a Registered Psychologist, she brings a deep understanding of the complexity of human experience, as well as stories of her own.

Her role in the Circle is not to analyze or direct what is shared, but to help hold a space where people can feel at ease, be received as they are, and gently explore what feels meaningful to them.

The Setting

Held in the yurt at Sign of the Pines Retreats,
this is a private, contained space designed to support calm, presence, and ease.

Surrounded by nature, the environment itself becomes part of the experience.

Feather lying on grass

Is This For You?

This may be a good fit if:

  • Your mind feels full or continuously active
  • You’re carrying thoughts or experiences that haven’t had space to settle
  • You’re drawn to meaningful conversation—but not surface-level talk
  • You value quiet, respectful, thoughtfully held spaces
  • You don’t want advice… just space

You don’t need to have anything prepared.
You don’t need to know what you’ll say.
You only need to arrive.

Details

Location: Sign of the Pines Retreats (Cochrane area)
Duration: 3 hours
Group Size: Maximum 6 participants
Investment: $55

This is a private, closed gathering.

Once all 6 seats are filled, registration closes.

A Note On The Space

This is a facilitated listening circle.

It is not therapy, counseling, or a clinical service.
Each participant is responsible for their own well-being and personal boundaries.