In this engaging conversation, Parker J. Palmer, an influential activist and educator, shares insights from over 30 years of facilitating transformative experiences. He emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces that allow for reflection and dialogue while respecting diverse perspectives. Palmer critiques traditional education, encouraging a compassionate approach that embraces uncertainty. With anecdotes from history, he illustrates the power of patience and vulnerability in catalyzing social change, inspiring listeners to approach facilitation with fresh curiosity and authenticity.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Unsafe Circles at Berkeley
Parker Palmer experienced invasive and unsafe circle work at Berkeley in the 60s, where people were criticized instead of supported.
This negative experience led him to seek a model of facilitation that protected people from invasion and criticism.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Protect Safe Spaces in Facilitation
Facilitation should create safe spaces protecting people from invasion and evasion.
This allows participants to deepen their conversation with their inner voices authentically and safely.
insights INSIGHT
Truth as Ongoing Conversation
Truth is an ongoing, passionate, and disciplined conversation, not a fixed absolute.
Disciplines evolve as new voices enter, so teaching is about preparing students to engage in inquiry, not memorize facts.
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In 'The Courage to Teach,' Parker J. Palmer argues that good teaching cannot be reduced to technique but is rooted in the identity and integrity of the teacher. The book emphasizes the need for teachers to be authentically present in the classroom, connected with their students and the subject matter. Palmer discusses the flaws of objectivism, the importance of community-centered learning, and the necessity of addressing the inner life of teachers in educational reform. He advocates for a relational understanding of knowledge and highlights the importance of vulnerability and connectedness in teaching and learning.
Hailing from Quaker circles and Berkeley’s grassroots community movements in the 1960s, is the sagacious Parker J. Palmer – activist, facilitator, teacher and author. His unconventional entry into facilitation was piqued by a fascination with circle-work, which inspired a 30+ year career spent holding space for the mutable truth to emerge.
This is a wise, thoughtful conversation grounded in a lifetime of Parker’s lived experiences. From authoring your own life, to questioning the truth with kindness, being aware of hubris and approaching facilitation with fresh curiosity every day.
There’s an incredible amount to learn from Parker in our conversation alone, and I hope you’re as inspired as I was!
Find out about:
The confluence of facilitation, writing and teaching
Why safe spaces are an on-going practice, requiring facilitator’s to protect individuals from judgement and criticism
Understanding the concept of ‘truth’ amongst a group of different perspectives
The importance of allowing groups to sit in reflection, before rushing to problem-solve
Why every group workshop must be approached with fresh eyes
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