Learning Our Way to Liberation

Learning our way to liberation is a profound journey of unlearning oppressive normative culture, reimagining what’s possible, and humbly practicing new ways of being together. Through intentional education, critical self-reflection, and collective action, we can move into collective structures of power that fuel the potential for transformational change across a system.

How do adults best learn?

In order to shape change and drive innovation, we must learn continuously and collectively. In many ways, the way we are conditioned to learn in school and work trains us to perpetuate the status quo. True liberatory learning fosters creativity, innovation, collaboration. Here are some things that are true for all adult learners.

  • For adults, learning is most worthwhile when it directly relates to their lives and experiences. Relevant learning connects new information to existing knowledge and practical situations, making it easier to understand and apply. When learning is relevant, adults are more likely to engage, retain information, and implement changes in their behavior and perspectives.

  • Practical learning focuses on the application of knowledge and skills in real-world situations. For adults, it’s crucial that learning experiences provide practical tools and strategies that they can immediately use. This includes hands-on activities, simulations, and practice sessions that allow participants to experiment and refine their skills

  • Inclusivity in learning ensures that all participants feel valued and respected, regardless of their backgrounds or identities. Inclusive learning environments accommodate diverse learning styles and needs, providing equal opportunities for all participants to contribute and benefit.

  • Transformational learning goes beyond acquiring knowledge; it involves a fundamental shift in perspective and behavior. This type of learning encourages adults to critically examine their assumptions, values, and beliefs, leading to profound personal and social change. Techniques such as storytelling, experiential learning, and critical reflection help participants internalize new insights and translate them into meaningful action.

  • Continuous learning recognizes that education is an ongoing process that extends beyond formal settings. For groups, it’s important to foster a mindset of lifelong learning, where they continually seek to expand their knowledge and skills. Facilitators should encourage habits of regular reflection, curiosity, and self-directed learning.

On Liberatory Learning

Designing and facilitating Liberatory Learning experiences requires additional perspectives and methodologies

“There’s no such thing as neutral education. Education either functions as an instrument to bring about conformity or freedom.”
— Paolo Freire

Decolonizing Knowledge

Traditional education systems have long been dominated by Eurocentric perspectives, marginalizing indigenous wisdom and diverse ways of knowing. Collective learning challenges this by valuing all voices and experiences, especially those historically silenced. When we learn together, we draw from a rich tapestry of cultural knowledge, breaking the monopoly of dominant narratives and creating a more inclusive and accurate understanding of the world.

Knowledge is power, and when it is shared, it becomes a tool for collective empowerment. In a collective learning environment, everyone contributes to and benefits from the pool of knowledge. This democratization of information helps dismantle hierarchies and empowers individuals to take action within their communities. It shifts the power dynamics from the hands of a few to the collective, making liberation a collective effort rather than an individual pursuit.

Critical Thinking & Pedagogy

Collective learning environments encourage critical thinking and innovation. When diverse perspectives come together, they challenge each other and spark new ideas. This collaborative creativity is essential for developing innovative solutions to complex social issues. By fostering a culture of critical inquiry and open dialogue, collective learning helps us envision and build more just and equitable futures

Learning in Community

Community building is at the heart of collective learning. Learning environments should prioritize relationship-building and community care. This involves creating opportunities for participants to connect on a personal level, share their stories, and support each other’s learning journeys. A strong community provides a support network that can enhance learning, motivate behavior change, and sustain cultural shifts over time.

Learning through Play

Play is a powerful and often underappreciated component of the learning process. It is not only essential for children but also profoundly beneficial for adults. Play in learning environments encourages creativity, fosters emotional well-being, and enhances cognitive development.

Healing and Transformation

Learning in community is inherently a healing process. It allows us to process trauma, share our stories, and find strength in our collective experiences. This shared journey of healing is transformative, as it helps us break free from internalized oppression and reclaim our agency. Collective learning provides a space for both personal and communal growth, making it a powerful practice for liberation.

Liberatory Learning Design: The Process

  • 1. Set Vision & Goals

    We start with a simple question - WHY this learning experience? What is the purpose? What will be different after the experience? In this stage we articulate our Vision (North Star), and understand both desired Program Objectives and Learner Outcomes. Setting up for success also includes understanding operational constraints such as budget, time, space, etc.

  • 2. Understand Learner Needs

    Perhaps the most important factor in a successful learning experience is ensuring relevance to learners and their needs. Using Empathy methods from our Design Thinking toolbox, we can adequately prepare and tailor learning experiences to diverse needs.

  • 3. Creating the Learning Arc

    If the Vision & Goals are our North Star, think of the Learning Arc as the map that will get us there. This is where we establish the overarching narrative that tells the story of the journey learners will embark on together, along with building the scope and sequence. (Scope: The depth at which learners engage in content, Sequence: The order in which learners engage in content).

  • 4. Session Design

    Great Session Design has:

    • The right amount of Content appropriate for cognitive load delivered through memorable frameworks, visuals, storytelling

    • Methods to center practice through reflection, critical analysis, dialogue, design, and play

    • Embedded Culture-Building Strategies to promote belonging, connectednes, and generative conflict

  • 5. Preparing to Facilitate

    This stage is for groups of faIilitatnrs going through training together. In this phase we train-the-trainer and support Facilitators in feeling confident to deliver the sessions. This can include learning foundational skills in the art and science of facilitation, all the way to role playing and practicing delivering complex sessions.

  • 6. Reflection & Assessment

    In this final stage, we review feedback from Learners and collect insights from Facilitators & Program Leaders. This phase informs future continual learning opportunities for the cohort and inform future design of the program.

Activating Collaborative Intelligence

in Groups

The Yin Yang is an Indigenous Chinese philosophy that embraces paradox and change. It is also an ancient symbol representing the natural forces on our planet and in our bodies that we must bring in to balance to experience harmony. It is through the interaction of the two that we experience magic and harmony in groups. All workshop and retreat offerings center this idea in principle and practice.

  • You have a big project to complete or complex problem to solve, have a diverse team working together, and are seeking a process and container to facilitate creative collaboration. Analyze problems and design solutions. Learn new methods, practices, and ways of operating and adopt the ones that work even after our time together is over.

  • Build emotional resilience and share stories of wins and lessons learned. Feel restored and renewed connection to shared purpose. Imagine and transform together. Commit to fostering the conditions for individual and collective wellbeing.

  • Team Stepbacks

    Team Retreats

    Workshop Design & Facilitation

    Manager Training

Learning

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Design

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Strategy

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Play

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Emergence

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Change

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Learning ⋆ Design ⋆ Strategy ⋆ Play ⋆ Emergence ⋆ Change ⋆

Let’s Work Together

  • Strategic Planning

  • Navigating Change

  • Culture & Team Cohesion

  • Leadership Development & Skill-Building

  • Organizational Design

  • Learning & Experience Design

  • Theory of Change

  • Equity-Centered Initiatives

  • Creative & Storytelling

  • Charged hourly at $200. Book in time with me here.

  • I lead off-the-shelf workshops for skill building and leadership development.

    Workshop (<3 Hrs): $350-$1,000

    Half-Day (4 Hrs) $500-$2,000

    Full-Day $2,500-$5,000

    Example Topics Include:

    • Intro to Liberatory Design

    • Power & Politics

    • Indigenous Wisdom

    • Embodied Leadership

    • Art & Science of Facilitation

    • Healing the World of Work

    • Affinity Groups: Women of Color, Queer, Asian American/MESA

  • Custom design and facilitation projects include retreats, co-design sessions, courses, programs, virtual learning tools, etc.

    I support Fellowships, Professional Development, Teams, Collectives and Community Organizations, and more.

    For facilitation requests, I source co-facilitators from Greaterthan, a constellation of facilitators, coaches, network weavers, product builders, experimenters.

Learning our Way to Liberation 💫

Holistic & Trauma-Informed Facilitation to awaken your potential for Creativity, Innovation & Group Cohesion