Discomfort is a blanket term for feelings and reactions that can arise in difficult situations. And difference – in all its varieties – is ripe territory for feelings of unease. This is the first of a two-part series on facilitating across difference. Join us for this initial discussion exploring our own discomfort around difference, its causes, how we handle, struggle or wrestle with it, defend ourselves from it, or, perhaps, embrace it. How might we harness this discomfort and use it to become better facilitators?

Anyone who currently facilitates or wants to facilitate groups of people are welcome to attend. We identify this as the bridge builders, facilitators, and change makers. This list extends to include teachers, educators, coaches, HR professionals, change agents, management consultants, team building experts, leaders and managers, thought leaders, etc. As you can see, this conversation is designed for anyone who wants to elevate their facilitation game and loves the art of facilitation.

About the Facilitators

Lise Brenner facilitates strategic content planning for individuals and organizations, helping clients identify, analyze and bridge communications gaps. Her work draws on her years in corporate and non-profit management, coupled with her international background in performance and writing. Lise has a true creator’s understanding of the intersection between what is presented and what is understood, and the practical teaching and coaching skills required to create situations for people to be able to access and express in ways that are truthful and audience-engaging.

Experience includes over a decade as a product liability paralegal at Pfizer Inc, leading key change management initiatives as Director of Administration at New Leaders for New Schools, 30+ years as a freelance writer and editor and her work internationally as a dancer/choreographer, dramaturg and teacher of technique and composition. Her dances, site-specific events, and co-founding of an organization have been supported by, among many others, Rockefeller Cultural Innovation Fund, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Mondriaan Stichting.

John Scilipote, co-conspirator and co-founder of Culture Shift Agency and co-producer of the Culture Shift Podcast, is a technology/brand director and process facilitator/ inventor. He’s worked with Canon, Sony, Novartis, PinkFund, IBM, to name a few.

An accomplished musician, yogi, poet, and healer, John brings a breadth of talent, passion, and depth to bear in business, facilitation, and whatever else he happens to be plunging into at any given moment. With a 30 year career that spans the music industry to web development to digital marketing John recently joined forces with filmmaker and social activist, Martha Williams, to form Culture Shift Agency, as well as a new social platform pilot, focused on building a global community by weaving common ground by breaking bread together over active and inspired conversation.

John studied Nondual Kabalistic Healing and Nondual Shamanism with Jason Shulman and was a founding member of On The Common Ground, an NYC-based organization focused on men’s soul work. John sees his life commitment as helping people awaken and embrace that which delights and transforms, opening them to be more fully in relationship with others and the world we live.