We believe now is the time for us to be honest.
Honest about the ways our mindsets and practices have been shaped. About the systems that benefit from our division. About how easy it is to get pulled into fear, into protecting only what’s ours, into thinking in binaries: us vs. them, right vs. wrong, good vs. bad.
It’s not just ideology—it’s in our nervous systems. It’s in our timelines, our algorithms, our histories. And it hurts. It disconnects us. It convinces us to distrust each other and to justify harm in the name of protection.
But we seek a different way. And we know many of you do too.
We believe in nuance. In the hard, clear-eyed honesty it takes to name that our systems were built to benefit the few. Misinformation and fear don’t have to win. We can learn to see each other fully. Even across difference. Especially across difference.
Here’s the truth: most of us were never taught how to do conflict well. We weren’t given the tools. And when things get hard, our bodies respond before our minds even catch up, jumping to fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.
But what if we could learn another way?
What if we could practice conflict, not just avoid it, fear it, or explode in it? What if we had spaces to slow down, to notice what’s happening in our bodies, and to respond with skill and care?
We have designed a full-day, in-person workshop to do just that. It’s called Working with Conflict: Practicing Skills to Engage in Difference.
It’s rooted in embodiment, relational tools, and real-world practice. We believe it could shift how we navigate conflict - not only in our workplace or community, but in your closest relationships and even how you talk to yourself.
We’re offering this in June at a low cost, because we believe deeply in what it can unlock:
For you.
For your teams and organizations.
For your circles of care.
And for the country we’re all shaping, together.
We’ve been asked if we’ll offer it online—and for now, we believe the in-person experience is essential. Something happens when we share physical space, stay in the room, and practice with others who are willing to be honest, too.
This workshop is one small part of a much bigger vision—a world where we handle conflict differently, relate across difference more fully, and build systems that liberate instead of separate.
Thanks for all the ways you’re already part of creating spaces of liberation and justice. We see you.
You are invited to join our Working with Conflict: Practicing Skills to Engage in Difference workshop on 10 June 2025 in Grand Rapids, MI.
We’ll be working to: Build skills to engage with differences through structured learning and practice.
We welcome: All people willing to engage, intentionally recruiting across the political/ideological spectrum applicable to personal and professional contexts.
Our approach will be: Hands-on learning through guided exercises, discussions, and reflections.
If you’re curious, we’d love to share more and co-create an experience for your team, organization, grantees, or faith community. Please reach out to us; we’d love to connect.
We hope to see you there!
Dee and Kirk
Kirk Eklund is the founder and lead facilitator at Inkfish who has been working at the intersection of Innovation and Human Development since 2014. He approaches the work with a unique blend of Design Thinking, Integral Facilitation, and former Camp Counselor vibes. He brings fresh perspectives, energy, and tools to help teams and organizations tackle their stickiest problems. Leveraging a world-class network of collaborators and co-designers, Kirk works hard to make sure your team gets the best experience to meet your specific challenge. Interested in what it’s like to practice bonsai or fishkeeping without skill or time? Just ask.
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