Long before we had screens, we had circles. Around fires, under trees, in kitchens and meeting halls, people gathered to share stories. In Indigenous traditions, stories were how wisdom traveled from one heart to another. During the Civil Rights Movement, Story Circles became a way for communities to speak truth, to witness one another’s lives, and to find power in connection. Across cultures and generations, the circle has been a place where every voice matters and no one sits at the edges.

That’s the tradition I’m inviting you into.

Our Story Circle will begin online, so you can join from wherever you are. We’ll come together—face to face on screen, equal in the round—and take turns sharing our own lived experiences in response to a simple prompt. You won’t be interrupted, analyzed, or “fixed.” You will be heard. When it’s not your turn to speak, you’ll be listening—not the kind of listening where you’re planning what to say next, but the kind where you’re fully present for someone else’s truth. We’ll close with a chance to reflect on what we’ve heard and what has moved within us.

You might join because you feel a little starved for real conversation. You might be longing to be seen in the complexity of your own story. Maybe you’re curious what happens when people from different walks of life drop their guard and speak honestly. Or perhaps you just want a space that feels human in a world that moves too fast.

What people often find is that Story Circles can shift something inside. You may leave feeling lighter, more grounded, or surprisingly connected to people you’ve just met. You may discover clarity in your own life simply by hearing someone else’s journey. You may remember that you are not alone. And you might find yourself carrying the warmth of that connection into the rest of your week.

The beauty of a Story Circle isn’t just in the stories—it’s in the way we hold them together. It’s in the eye contact, the pauses, the laughter, and even the quiet moments when someone’s words sink in. It’s community in its simplest, most human form.

I’m in the process of creating this Story Circle, and I’d love to know if it’s calling to you. If you leave your email in the box below, it will let me know you’re interested. When the details are ready, Cristen Smith Wellness will reach out with your personal invitation to step into the circle—wherever you happen to be logging in from.