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Hey, I'm Chase, I offer/host Authentic Relating (AR) events. I Host AR to 2 "different" crowds.1. For People Who Stutter (PWS), a monthly Authentic Relating + Support Gathering event held online.
2. For All People, a monthly Authentic Relating event held in-person, in Halifax, NS.These gatherings are offered in the spirit of service and love. They’re pay-what-you-can, but truly open to everyone, whether you donate or not. There’s no expectation or pressure; your presence itself is the real gift. If you ever feel moved to give, you’ll find the donation button at the top of this page, but please know you’re welcome here either way.To find the dates & times, info on wtf is Authentic Relating, and to sign up for an event, click on a tab below that best describes why you are here.
Hello, if you are a person who stutters and are thinking about joining a online (on Zoom) Authentic Relating + Support Gathering event, you're in the right place.In the video below I explain:
1. What Authentic Relating & a Support Gathering is/looks like.
2. Why I am offering this to people who stutter & why I believe it would be extremely helpful for pws.
3. Small glimpse into me (Chase) and my background with stuttering.
4. The schedule of the events & how to join.
(this video has imperfect background noise, but I felt very real in it so I'm keeping it. Thank you for putting up with some car noise.)
I posted my video above ^ into Chatgpt and asked it to summarize it for the people who don't want to watch the video (it's a great summary). Here you go:I’ve stuttered my whole life, but over the years I’ve come to see it differently than most people. The pain of stuttering isn’t in the stutter itself — it’s in holding back, shape-shifting, and saying only what feels safe instead of what’s true. Sensitive people, like many of us who stutter, often build false versions of ourselves to avoid judgment. The cost is that we don’t feel seen or loved because we’re not showing who we really are.What changed everything for me was authentic relating. In everyday situations, I used to default to “safe mode” — staying quiet, avoiding certain words, or competing for space in group settings. Authentic relating creates the opposite: an intentional space where you can slow down, take your time, and share what’s actually true whilst pushing your edge. Through games and practices in pairs or small groups, I’ve discovered the exhilaration of letting more authentic parts of myself come out. That experience has shown me that stuttering can be a signal — pointing to whether we feel safe to express ourselves or whether we’re filtering and holding back.That’s why I’ve started hosting these events. The first half of each event is focused on authentic relating exercises and games, designed to help us connect more deeply and practice expressing our real selves. The second half is a support circle built around a theme — like slowing down, boundaries, or getting out of your head for example. I’ll share some stories or quotes, and then open the floor for others to share what’s true for them. It’s a bit like sitting around a campfire: we respect silence, we don’t interrupt, and we create space for each person’s voice to be heard.When you sign up, you’ll also get access to a 30-minute video I made that lays out my view on the roots of stuttering and what the healing path can look like. If the gatherings resonate with you, you can choose to donate — but there’s no obligation. This is something I feel deeply called to share out of love, blending my passion for authentic relating with my journey as someone who stutters. I hope to see you there.
| Date | Time | Theme | Support Gathering Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 7th, 2025 | 8-10am PST | AR & Support Gathering | Boundaries |
| October 5th, 2025 | 8-10am PST | AR & Support Gathering | TBA |
| TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
To attend the next event, just throw down your name and email and you will be sent the zoom link, with a reminder of date and time.
Still working on this one. It's to come.
Welcome, very nice to have you joining us.Below is a button to press that will bring you to the events WhatsApp group where I will drop the exact pin location the day of event & where you can connect with others before and after event. There are 3 guidelines to the WhatsApp group to make it as much as a safe place as possible without controlling too much. To join this WhatsApp group you are agreeing to (also posted in description of whatsapp group):1. No private messages unless you met in person first.
Don’t DM someone from this group unless they’ve clearly opened that door. This group isn't Tinder, although probably the best place to meet intimate partners. If you met in person (not just looked at profile picture), and are interested in connecting more, then by all means send a message, but "no's" are honored fully here and always.2. What happens in this group stays in this group.
No screenshots or sharing with your friends, we want this to be a private container.3. Keep it relevant.
This is a space for authentic connection, not memes, self-promotion, or endless side chats. Share intentionally.All in all, just be real, respect boundaries, and honor self and other, and you'll be good.To join the WhatsApp group click the button below and I'll see you in there. Peace.Chase Gillis.