Stories matter.
Stories are the DNA we get to choose. We pass on stories that make great aunts into giants and our biggest embarrassments into epics. Stories are our greatest inheritance, and the stories we center as a people become the history we learn in textbooks. Some stories don’t get told often enough. Let’s gather to learn how our identities inform who we are—and who we can become.
Workshops & trainings.
Build skills & share truths in good company. My background is process group facilitation, DEI training, and curriculum development for wide-ranging audiences, from the Fifth Third Bank Corporate Office to the Kankakee Health Department. I utilize warmth and humor to make difficult, uncomfortable topics accessible. I enjoy designing learning experiences in 1-hr, half-day, and full-day formats that are suited to beginners and seasoned folks alike. I’ve presented on a variety of topics like burnout, self-care, trauma-informed workplaces, LGBTQ+ issues, racial identity, and related DEI subject matter. I also consult with organizations and leadership to optimize team performance.
Retreats.
Take your story on the road! Whether you’re suffering from burnout or looking for a little adventure, retreats can be a great way to connect and slow down. Relax, rejuvenate, reconnect…all with the backdrop of a beautiful setting. We’ll connect over campfires, guided hikes, mentoring sessions, and activities aimed at helping you engage your creativity. Zoom retreats are available for groups of 6+
Recent events.
MAPS Retreat.
Bespoke Healing recently partnered with The Midwives to produce and facilitate a virtual artist retreat. The schedule featured workshops, makers spaces, community building, adventures, and skill-building sessions while allowing enough breathing room to spend time making work and dropping into real relaxation.
Custom Zine. Each participant received a custom-made zine (homemade magazine) with a welcome letter, reflection prompts, and programming guide that made folks feel included in a close-knit community from the start.
Compass Groups. Participants were placed in small groups with other folks around the country inspired by the cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west. Compass groups connected before, during, and after the retreat to provide support and community with other artists.
About this partnership. The Midwives is a collective of artists supporting artists. The mission of The Midwives is to nurture the public creative spirit. They bring forth new work and new voices by seeing the artist in everyone. We are so pleased to be part of their work! You can learn more about their offerings here.
The Grief Party.
The Grief Party is an annual event dedicated to celebrating the full spectrum of grief, from the zany to the profound. Guests are invited to bring an artifact from their year—maybe it’s the shirt from their twink years that doesn’t fit anymore, maybe it’s the quilt off of their recently-deceased mother’s bed—and share about it quaker-style around the campfire. As the host, Fern Pinkston dons her best grief drag to really set the mood. Past years have featured live music, readings, and funereal finger foods.
