What people are saying...

“The recent experience and interaction with Kern Beare and his workshop was instructive, inspiring and timely! Through a collaborative effort by the Redding Chamber of Commerce, The McConnell Foundation and the Euphrates Institute, we were able to bring together a rich and diverse group of Shasta County public officials, influencers, and emerging leaders. The program was rich and stirring. We want to do this again, and soon!”
— Mike Dahl, Mayor Emeritus, City of Redding, California
“Thank you for the opportunity to attend such a valuable and insightful session. The presentation of material was first order and the opportunity to interact with my tablemates was of paramount importance.”

— David Kehoe, Chairman, Shasta County Board of Supervisors
“One of the most impactful and useful workshops I have been to since coming to Redding 10 years ago.”
— Kevin O'Rorke, Ph.D. CEO – North State Together Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services Shasta -Tehama-Trinity Joint Community College District
“This workshop is what the whole country needs right now. It was amazing to see city leaders and the citizens they serve come together from all sides of the political spectrum — and across religious and socio-economic backgrounds — to learn how to work together for the good of our community. It was the kind of healing event you wish could happen everywhere. Kern is a steady, compassionate guide and an expert facilitator. We’re already planning to have him come back, due to critical acclaim in the community.”
— Janessa Gans Wilder, Founder and CEO, Euphrates Institute
“Thank you so much for yesterday. It was brilliant on many levels, which mostly has to do with your way of being and way with people.”
— Pam Nichols, Conscious Elders Network
“Thanks for pulling together this incredible event! I really resonated with the vision and substance of Kern’s content and believe it is critical for our country and the world to internalize at this point in time.”
— Matt Plummer, CEO, Zarvana
“We came as a diverse group of leaders in government, business, nonprofit, and religious sectors. Even with our diversity, the workshop managed to speak directly to each individual and created a common language we can use when working together. This event was timely, deeply meaningful, immediately applicable, and we’re already hearing requests for more conversations. We all need this.”
— Jesica Rhone, Director of International Programs, The McConnell Foundation.
“This workshop tackles one of the most important challenges we face as humanity: how to truly understand each other, and in doing so find ways to work together towards the world that we all want—and need—to create. By examining the narratives through which we see the world and each other, Difficult Conversations helps us find the courage to show up in those ‘rare ways’ that are an optimistic glimpse of humanity and the world to come.”
— Eric Glustrom, CEO and Founder, Watson University.
“Thank you for this workshop. Your words, videos, and exercises provided growth, connection, and hope.”
— Harry, workshop participant.
“Since the election, I’ve been stewing on some kind of group conversation idea that would bring people of diverse backgrounds together to simply share their experiences without heated debate. I was never really sure how to bring the right people to the table, or how to facilitate it in such a way that would bring meaning to the experience. But, you did it beautifully! I hope this workshop spreads like wildfire.”
— Amy, workshop participant