About CircleTalk - CircleTalk

The CircleTalk™ Philosophy

Fighting the loneliness epidemic.

CircleTalk™ is a program designed to disrupt loneliness and isolation in the lives of older adults. We train people to lead the CircleTalk ™ program and engage participants in discussion that offer an experience of connection and belonging.

This is an engagement tool that is easy to integrate into existing programming that can happen virtually or face-to-face.

CircleTalk™ adds depth to life enrichment programs in any setting where older adults gather.

What Do You Get as a Participant of CircleTalk™?

Belonging! Be part of a regular conversation group.
Connected with other people. Form lasting relationships.
Compelling and meaningful conversations.
Accessibility to others for a social experience, no matter where you are or what your challenges may be as you age (hearing, vision or cognitive).

What Do You Get as a CircleTalk™ Leader?

All the skills and materials to start a program immediately after completion of the CircleTalk™ Leader Course.
Professional development in powerful group facilitation skills.
Access to CircleTalk™ Master Leaders anytime you need them!
Feel more connected to people with whom you work.
A successful way to welcome new residents and support their transitions.
Ease family concerns about whether their family member will feel included and recognized as a unique individual.

Our Program

Why is CircleTalk™ Important?

The CircleTalk™ program is based on the principle that human connections are essential to the well-being of all individuals.

The research shows that social isolation is devastating to older adults. Research presents an undeniable case for pursuing formal, programmed approaches that connects older adults to others.

Key to meaningful connections is to engage in purposeful conversations. This is what CircleTalk™ does.

Look at the Compendium of Research on Social Isolation, a review of studies and research that is happening all over the world about social isolation.

CircleTalk™ is proud to announce that we are once again partnering with NextFifty Initiative. Thank you NextFifty for supporting our work to help our Virtual Training Courses flourish.

How Does CircleTalk™ Work?

In regularly scheduled, virtual or face-to-face meetings, participants engage in structured conversations and activities designed to promote self-reflection and interpersonal connection. Sessions are guided by trained leaders. These one-hour circles are fun, interactive and easy to lead!

A leader follows an evocative curriculum encouraging participation from everyone. Circle members experience the same six steps every time they meet.

Guided “settling” exercise. A short, guided, sensory meditation that focuses the energy of the group.
Warm-up. A quick, lighthearted question for fun, spontaneous engagement.
Review of previous week. Our way to acknowledge everyone’s week-to-week participation.
Main theme. A more in-depth discussion that varies each week
Summarizing and validating. A leader recap of all contributions.
Closing the circle. A way to connect and end the hour.

What is the CircleTalk™ Curriculum?

The CircleTalk™ Curriculum is a field-tested, evocative weekly guide for the leaders to facilitate groups that create belonging in virtual and face-to-face environments. Each week a new, adventurous topic is introduced. It supports group safety at every step of the CircleTalk™ hour so that all participants feel comfortable being a part of the discussion.

The curriculum introduces new discussion themes through carefully selected poems, short stories, use of symbolic objects, images, music and touch. By providing a variety of creative modalities in a comfortable format, CircleTalk™ participants easily share memories and other important life stories.

Success Stories

“…human connections are essential to the well-being of all individuals.”

Why Is It Important to Become a CircleTalk™ Leader?

You will develop valuable skills as a professional or a volunteer.

The CircleTalk™ Leader Course is designed for all of us who are interested in providing valuable engagement opportunities with older adults who reside in communities or who gather virtually by phone or video conference or physically any setting including residences, community centers, adult day programs, churches, libraries, etc.

The CircleTalk™ Leader Training is designed for those who desire to build a new set of professional skills in group leadership and bring new energy into life enrichment programs.

When you participate in the Leader Course, you will receive the field-tested curriculum and the materials “kit.” We provide you with everything you need to effectively lead CircleTalk™ conversations.

Training Details

Upcoming Trainings

Please contact us about our 2020 schedule for live training opportunities. Or, proceed to the CircleTalk™ Trainings page and consider our virtual course!

“Really fluid training – I loved the design of the CircleTalk™ method. Great day!”

Our Story

The CircleTalk™ program was the inspiration of Vanna Weyman, a vivacious elder and mother of five grown children. When her husband of 60 years was hospitalized after a stroke, Vanna decided to sell the family home and move into a senior community. She moved forward without regret for the past and in anticipation of making new friends, but what she actually found was that it was difficult to really get to know her neighbors beyond small talk. She felt there was no natural way to have meaningful conversations about the things that mattered to her most… life experiences, family, relationships, shared interests and more. How could she make new connections and friends? When her daughter learned of a successful program for school-aged youth, a discussion-based, interactive program created to cultivate deep conversations and a sense of community in school classrooms, Vanna, 85, had her Eureka moment: “That’s what we need in my community!”

CircleTalk™ was launched in 2011, introducing a fun, interactive conversation-based program for older adults. Since then, CircleTalk™ has opened the doors for many adults seeking new ways to connect with others and form new relationships.

CircleTalk™ is based on the seminal work of Rachael Kessler and the PassageWorks Institute in Boulder, Colorado.

Staff

Deborah Skovron, CircleTalk™ Director and Creative Director

Deborah has extensive experience in group dynamics and project management. For the last 30 years, Deborah has served as Executive Director of the Society for Creative Aging as well as in numerous management consultant roles for non-profit organizations serving at risk populations. Deborah’s work focuses upon building capacity in people and pioneering new concepts that have powerful social impact.

Cammie Cloman, CircleTalk™ Master Trainer and Coach

Cammie has worked in the non-profit sector for 25 years in many capacities including director of programming, marketing director, trainer and organizational consultant. She has trained nationally and internationally on leadership, management, customer service and job development for persons with disabilities. Cammie is an enthusiastic champion and always brings passion and energy to her work.

Fawnda Hathaway, CircleTalk™ Marketing and Administrative Manager

Fawnda brings years of Marketing, Sales, Management, and Program experience to CircleTalk™. She started and built a Natural Foods Brokerage company that represented major brands throughout a 5-state territory. Over the past 15 years, she has worked for a variety of non-profit organizations as well as volunteered her time to help in school and community programs. She enjoys connecting with people and has a passion to bring community together in ways that will benefit everyone.

CircleTalk™ Advisory Board

The CircleTalk™ Advisory Board believes that everyone needs and should have opportunities for deep and meaningful human connections and embraces the importance of the social entrepreneurial models that support the emotional well-being of older adults.

Jenny Weyman Chartoff, Founder of CircleTalk™. Jenny initiated the the translation of the Passageworks program to a senior setting. She is Chair of the Robert Chartoff Charitable Foundation and Vice President of the Buddha Educational Trust.

Ruth Hendersen, tax consultant and board member of Social Venture Partners, Boulder County. Ruth believes strongly in community, conversation, and caring.

Mark Wilding, Executive Director of PassageWorks Institute, a non-profit that supports K-12 educators and families to create inclusive and transformative learning communities that empower young people to realize their unique potential. He is the co-author of The 5 Dimensions of Engaged Teaching, a book for K-12 teachers. Mark is currently a member of the Naropa University’s Board of Trustees, and a member of the National Advisory Board of Education Reimagined.

Alaine Lerner, principal at A.J. Lerner Market Research. With more than 25 years of market research experience as a consultant/research manager, Alaine designs and implements research studies to support new product development and other important business outcomes, inspiring creative, intuitive, and actionable strategies.

Roberta Levin, has a Master’s Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and now uses her skills as a volunteer in interesting locations around the world. She has been involved in various capacities supporting the growth and development of numerous non profits in the Boulder area including Community Food Share, Jewish Colorado and, most recently, the new JCC in Boulder. Roberta is blessed with a 97 year-old father who would be perfect in CircleTalk™ and she hopes to one day see it offered in senior communities around the country.

Harry R. Moody, retired vice president for Academic Affairs, AARP. Author of THE FIVE STAGES OF THE SOUL: Charting the Spiritual Passages that Shape Our Lives (Doubleday, 1997), now translated into seven languages worldwide, Harry is a visiting professor from the Creative Longevity and Wisdom Program, Fielding Graduate University.

Michelle Osterman, a founding, enthusiastic CircleTalk™ advisor. With a professional background in educational and therapeutic engagement with the special needs community, Michelle is a volunteer and key funder for many social impact initiatives including Community Food Share, Allied Jewish Federation, and Perry Mansfield School for the Arts.

Ellen Taxman, MA, Gerontology and Long Term Care Management. Having been involved in the field of aging services for 20 years, Ellen is an aging supportive services practitioner and policy maker. She currently serves as a volunteer long-term-care ombudsman, and chairs the Aging Advisory Council for Boulder County.

Jack Williamson, Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) in Marriage and Family Counseling from Georgetown University. As a speaker and trainer for personal and organizational change, Jack is a certified training and business consultant for Interchange International, Inc. He has served as executive director for The National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF) and The Endorsers Conference (ECVAC), associations that bring together official representatives of all the major faith communities in the United States, for 16 years.

Deborah Skovron
Director / Creative Director

Let's Talk!

Interested in learning more about CircleTalk™ or getting involved? We would love to hear from you. In building a better future for aging adults, we value all the ideas and feedback that you provide. Even if you just want to say hi, please reach out!