Hey, I'm Chase, I offer/host Authentic Relating (AR) & Circling to 2 "different" crowds.1. For People Who Stutter (PWS), a monthly Authentic Relating event held online.
2. For All People, a bi-weekly Authentic Relating event held in-person, in Halifax, NS.To find the dates & times, info on wtf is Authentic Relating & Circling, and to sign up for an event, click on a tab below that best describes why you are here.

• AR for PWS
• AR in Halifax

Hello, if you are a person who stutters and are thinking about joining a online (on Zoom) Authentic Relating event, you're in the right place.In the video below I explain:
1. What Authentic Relating 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.
*Very Important - In the video I talk about a "support gathering" after the Authentic Relating. That's not happening in this first event. This first event is just to see how Authentic Relating lands with this community.

(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 (not for this event but possibly to come) 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.

Schedule:
7:00am PST - Welcome, centering meditation, brief explanation of Authentic Relating
7:20 - Authentic Relating Games
8:20 - Closing
8:30 - EndTo 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. You can also "sign up" to be apart of the email list where you will get info about next events as well.

Hey!If you're looking to join an Authentic Relating & Circling event in Halifax, NS, you're in the right place.You can click the register button below to sign up and for the time, date, location and details regarding AR & Circling (details of AR & Circling is below on this page as well).

Authentic Relating and CirclingAuthentic Relating (AR) and Circling are relational practices designed to help foster a deeper, more whole, connection to self and others.This is very different than a “social” or even events like “speed friendings”. While both of those have the intention to serve as a bridge for connection, AR and Circling are completely different beasts.What you can expect at these AR and Circling events are facilitated “games” you “play” in pairs, trios, or groups that bring you into your direct, in this moment, felt experience and sharing what it’s like to be you, while with us. This can feel extremely edgy for people (like myself) who are used to adapting their shares to try to manage the other person's emotional response. People who often sacrifice authenticity for pseudo belonging.Impact on meThe impact AR and Circling have had on me and why I am sharing this: This practice has given me the felt understanding, for the first time ever, that maybe who I am, with all my relational numbness, anxiety, self centeredness etc… maybe with all the parts of me I’ve exiled, I’m enough. Additionally this practice has been a place to test out bringing my “unacceptable/exiled parts” into relation with others and being able to stay with the impact of that. This practice has been the most awakening and integrative tool I have encountered. And that's not even mentioning the incredible deep and rich connection that can come from being able to truly be yourself with another.Some DisclaimersThis is not therapy nor a place where we try to change or fix another or even ourselves. This is a space to honor exactly who and how we are in this current moment and being with that, while with others.If that sounds a little scary, it can be. Being uncomfortable, triggered, or/and activated while here is welcome and expected. It’s often said this practice isn't designed to be a “safe place” but rather a “brave space”. The essence of that is this space isn't tailored to be polite, and agreeable. But it's to get past the social niceties and truly share what is alive for you. This may be curiosities, judgements, attractions, aversions, sensations, feelings, etc.At the beginning of the event we will go through agreements of how to share and behave in a way that honors yourself but also the others in the group.I share all of this, not to try to scare you (these spaces are actually the places I feel safest by FAR due to the transparency) but to really filter IN the people who wish to discover more of themselves and are willing to face activation along the way.DetailsParticipants are maxed at 10 people due to the intimateness of this and the size of the space. This will be held in my home.This is a PWYC event, would love to have you even if all you can/wish to continue financially is $1. Seriously.We start on time at 6:30pm, you can arrive up to 20 minutes before at 6:10 as there will be tea provided if you wish to have one and or just to get yourself settled in.Leading up to the beginning of the event, will be a silent container. Meaning there won't be talking to others while arriving. This is to create a space to connect with self and also to remove the BS small talk used to follow some societal norm. I will greet you at the door when you arrive, show you the bathroom, where to get tea, and where we are sitting. If you have any questions you wish to ask me for your own comfort, you can do that as well, but besides that there will be introspective silence between other participants.The Structure6:30pm: Group meditation Intro The Rules7:00pm: AR Games8:00pm: The Circle9:00pm: Debrief9:30pm: EndAbsolutely no experience needed. Just a willingness to be open, be seen, and get uncomfortable

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.