Category: General Learning

It’s been fun. Over the last few days I’ve been collecting a few pictures of Circles I’ve hosted, cohosted, participated in over the last few months. It’s been fun contexting these recents into 25 years of Circle. University Leadership. Corporate Leadership Development Program. Church Program for Annuitants. Men’s Circle Before a Wedding. Medical Education Conference. Pastors.

Circle is the form that has most changed and defined me over 25 years. And so many others I’ve worked with. As I say in Gifts of Circle (thru Amazon, or, through my Store bundled with Gifts of Circle Question Cards),

“Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know — the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us — sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other.”

I have a few people that I’ve been in regular monthly calls with over a long chunk of time. They are’t “work” calls, though often we will talk about work stuff. They are friend calls — there is deep and lasting friendship that continues to grow. And wisdom. And insight. And joy.

One of those people for me is my Grandmother’s sister’s daughter. Kate is now in her early 80s. Sharp as a tack. Active as a leaner. Gracious. Kate is not someone that I’ve known or tracked before. I knew I tiny bit of her mother when I was young boy. But she approached me about a year ago after a funeral, offering to tell a few stories about my Dad, with whom she was close cousin growing up in Edmonton in the 1950s.

Kate and I have now had about 12 calls. Last night I found word for what we have been doing. “Clanning.” Or exploring Clan. I share my stories of work and life. She shares her’s — still a practicing psychotherapist. We both have interest and ability to seek patterns. We both are learning about family patterns together. Which feels important to understand.

Our calls aren’t planned, just as they aren’t with others with whom I have such monthly encounter. Rather, they are showing up together and being curious. Thing things I love. With some added oomph of family history and connection.

Yesterday when Kate and I began talking, past the perfunctory “How are you?”, we named what we so often do together, and, what we’ve done in our professional lives — “pay attention to what wakes you up, and take that to work.” The story. The movie. The politic. The weather. The sorrow. The tragedy. The birth. The laughter. The love. The marriage. The reunion. The cake. The dream. The wicked question.

I appreciated that. Showing up curious. Flawed. Enlightened. Weaving things together. Clanned. I suppose most of us carry some hunger to understand who we are in the context of what and who we come from. Patterns. Sure glad for this with my cousin Kate.

My friend Glen is a great question asker. I love this about him. We’ve taught each other a few things about this over our 15 years of facilitating and friending together. He has a way of keeping the heart in questions, but steering it to the context of his leadership field. Really skillfully.

Recently Glen sent me these drafts below. To be used in World Cafe format for a group of emerging professionals. When you can call out passion and purpose at the same time, so much good can happen.

For inspiration, Glen’s questions for his group (three different rounds of table conversation, 4-5 people at each table, 15 minutes ish for each).

What have you done recently that has made you feel purpose-full?
How do you picture your life and career in the future ? 
What powerful questions do you want to ask our leaders?

Human To Human, The Podcast. It’s conversations of learning, connecting. Unperformed. Authentic. Interesting people. A few questions. Human journey.

Marlyn Diaz is my first guest of 2025. I know her through medical educators that my Sweetheart Dana convenes. What a delight. Marlyn has such encouraging approach to health, to wellness, to wholeness. She’s great with the big story. She’s great with the day to day. Emotional health. Physical health. Alchemy. Extraordinary in the ordinary.

The Podcast is here, 28 minutes.

Transcript is here.

About Marlyn: 

BIO:

Marlyn Diaz is a Los Angeles-based functional medicine nutritionist, author, wellness educator and professional speaker, with over 35 years of experience and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Science from Drexel University. Marlyn blends her extensive knowledge with postgraduate clinical nutrition studies and certifications in FirstLine Therapy and Nutrigenomics—specializing in weight management, blood sugar balancing, detoxification, and metabolic rejuvenation. 

Her unique approach is tailored to meet the dynamic needs of executives, entrepreneurs, creative artists and professionals. Her book, BEYOND RADIANT, is designed to be a guiding light for those seeking health and happiness in midlife. Marlyn Diaz is not just a nutritionist; she is a visionary in health and wellness, dedicated to empowering individuals to lead thriving, balanced lives.

www.marlynwellness.com