Workshops are interactive events where I meet with a small to mid-sized group of people to explore the principles and practices of revolutionary empowerment. During the first portion of the workshop, I walk participants through the basics of the material. During the second portion, we engage in an interactive group process that may involve answering a few simple questions and discussing your answers with fellow participants. Finally, I conclude with an open-ended question and answer session.

This format is, of course, open to adjustment based on the nature of your needs. However, I've found that it works well as a basic structure from which a more personalized event can evolve organically.

Workshop Types

Workshops can be customized to meet your needs. Most of these workshops can be classified into two categories according to the length and depth of the event.

• Workshop. This is an hour workshop followed by an open-ended question and answer period. During the first forty minutes, I discuss the basics of the material. Then, for the remaining twenty minutes, I lead participants through a group exercise to explore their own relationship to the material and what they may share in common with other participants.
• Training. This is a three to five hour workshop followed by an open-ended discussion. During the first hour, I give a detailed overview of the material. Then, I ask for participant feedback on which of the main points they would like to learn more about. Based on this feedback, I explore one or more of these themes with the group in greater detail. After this deepening exploration, I lead participants through two or more group exercises related to the material. Finally, I offer a question and answer period and open up the floor to facilitated discussion among participants for the remainder of the workshop.

In addition to these two formats, I am also available to help organize or lead more advanced events such as weekend retreats. However, the details of these more advanced events are created on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me for more information.

Workshop Topics

Most of my workshops center around my work in the Revolution series. This series includes material covered in both Revolution of One and the new Earth Conscious Revolution. However, I am also available to speak or lead workshops on other topics, including but not limited to:

• Ecological Living. I have a decade of experience in ecological advocacy. My pursuit of earth-centered living and design has brought me many new experiences and lessons, from my summer in Idaho doing forest defense work to my time in Vermont studying at the Institute for Social Ecology. This August, I will also be receiving permaculture certification through the Earth Activist Training program. If you're looking for one-on-one personal inspiration, then I can share stories and strategies with workshop participants, stressing the fact that they too can make a difference for Planet Earth. If you're looking to make your group or business more "green," then I have plenty of tips and strategies to get you started.
• Diet, Health, and Healing. For the past several years, I've studied multiple holistic healing modalities, including diet, exercise, meditation, visualization, and energy work. I can offer an overview of the principles and practice of holistic health, offering participants the basic information that they need to get started on the road to better health.
• Spirituality. For almost a decade, I've been involved in various courses of interfaith and earth-centered spiritual study. If you have a spiritual topic in mind, contact me for more information.

These are just a few examples of the types of workshops that I am ready and willing to offer. For more information, contact me about setting up an event in your area.

Workshop Costs

The cost of each workshop is based on three factors: length of the event, financial situation of the sponsor(s), and travel expenses.

• Workshop = $100 plus travel expenses. This includes customization based on your input and a handout for each participant.
• Training = $250 plus travel expenses. This includes customization based on your input and a training packet for each participant with detailed information about the material.

My main goal in my work is to spread as much information and communication as I can. Therefore, workshops for low-income individuals and organizations are offered on a sliding scale and/or payment plan.

Here are a few ideas about how to raise funds for one of my workshops:

• Reduce my expenses. If you can get me a free ride to your town and/or a free place to stay while I'm there, then I won't charge you anything for expenses, and I'll offer you a discount rate on workshop fees.
• Pre-registration. If you can get a dozen people to register in advance for the workshop at $10 per person, then that should at least cover my travel expenses. If you get 20 people, that will raise enough for the whole cost, while still leaving a few open spaces for low-income people in your area to attend for cheap or free.
• Barter. Do you know someone who owns a bookstore? Someone who draws or paints professionally? Someone who is trained in therapeutic massage? Someone who can teach me how to play guitar? As long as someone pays my travel expenses, I'm open to bartering for the rest.

These are just a few ideas to help you find a way to raise the funds for one of my workshops -- or any other event you may want to bring to town! If you've done this all before, then this will be no news to you. But if you're new to bringing outside speakers to your town, then this will be the start of a long and steady stream of events that you organize for the betterment of your community.

Why do I ask to be paid?

If I'm so eager to share information and communication, then why do I ask to be paid for leading workshops? Simply put, I need to pay the bills, just like everyone else in this society. For every hour that I spend leading a workshop, I also spend several hours on preparation, several hours travelling, several hours writing, and several hours reflecting on what I've written and experienced. When you attend one of my workshops, you will discover a quality experience, shared with other members of your community, that is designed to inform, inspire, and empower all people present. In the end, the results of this group process can be priceless.

Most workshop leaders and other public speakers that I've encountered would charge several times what I do for the same amount of labor. I don't want to charge as much as they do, but I also want to charge enough so that I can earn a living wage for the work that I do. Therefore, I've come up with the costs described above in order to strike a balance between your needs as a workshop participant and my needs as a workshop leader. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me for more information.

Note: If you live in or near Carbondale, contact me for information on discount rates and special availability.