DiscoverCircle HoldingEmbracing Vulnerability in Circle with Julia and Tessa
Embracing Vulnerability in Circle with Julia and Tessa

Embracing Vulnerability in Circle with Julia and Tessa

Update: 2025-07-30
Share

Description

In this episode, Tessa and Julia talked about facilitating appropriate vulnerability, considering how the fear of vulnerability can be a real barrier to attending a talking circle, but when being vulnerable in a safe space can be incredibly empowering.
In this episode Julia & Tessa discuss:



  • Understanding and overcoming the barriers to attending circle:

  • I am worried I might be judged

  • I am scared I might fall apart

  • What if I cry

  • I don’t want to be upset in front of people I do not know well

  • It is too unknown to me

  • I am too shy to attend

  • Encouraging bravery

  • Managing different comfort levels

  • Creating space for sharing negative experiences

  • Alternatives to speaking in circle

  • Celebration within circle

  • Creating liberating spaces for real conversations

  • What do we mean by “appropriate sharing”

  • Creating private spaces for telling stories and talking openly


Get your free Start Your Circle Guide HERE


You can order our book Circle Holding: A Practical Guide to Facilitating Talking Circles on Amazon ([https://www.amazon.co.uk/Circle-Holding-Practical-Facilitating-Talking/dp/1805013157/]
(https://www.amazon.co.uk/Circle-Holding-Practical-Facilitating-Talking/dp/1805013157/))


Support our podcast. If you love the conversations and would love for us to create a third series you can support our podcast by donating £5, £10 or any other amount:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/spread-stories-of-communities-building-circles-of-hope/


To learn more about facilitating circles you can join one of our trainings:
https://www.circleholding.org


Circle Holding Fundamentals - introductory 3 hour workshop
https://www.circleholding.org/circle-fundamentals


Circle Holding Facilitator Training - 3 month training
https://www.circleholding.org/circle-holders-journey


Yoga Nidra & Circle Holding
https://www.circleholding.org/yoga-nidra-circle-holding


Circle Holding Self Study Programme
https://www.circleholding.org/self-study


Circle Holding Non-Residential Retreat - London
https://www.circleholding.org/weekend-retreat


Circle Holding Residential Retreat
https://www.circleholding.org/autumn-residential


Free Events and mini trainings - meet Julia & Tessa and get a taste of circle holding
https://www.circleholding.org/free-resources


We love to hear from circle facilitators and circle goers so please email us at info@circleholding.org


Music credit: Fabio Venuti

Comments 
In Channel
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Embracing Vulnerability in Circle with Julia and Tessa

Embracing Vulnerability in Circle with Julia and Tessa

Julia Davis and Tessa Venuti Sanderson