“We shall not be overwhelmed.” ~Britt Wray with Unthinkable
Climate Cafés … reimagined!
This is your invitation to join our Climate Café Gatherings! These events offer a warm and supportive space to explore the feelings surrounding climate change, like grief and anxiety. Drawing on training from the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America, we’ll guide inclusive conversations in a nurturing way. We hope you’ll join us! Climate Café Gatherings
Last Monday of the month, 6-7:30 pm Central on Zoom
Hot Times in the Heartland: A New Documentary
Exploring a local response to climate change in Kansas. Read more …
K.C. Area Nature-Connected Events
Embrace Kansas City’s wild side – join our nature-inspired gatherings today and connect with fellow nature enthusiasts. Click for upcoming events.
Four Steps for a Resilient Life
Schedule a private Four Steps for a Resilient Life Workshop for your organization, association, or cause.
Three Important Research Studies
Four Steps for a Resilient Life: Research Results from a Novel 6-Hour Workshop
Mindfulness and Resilience Training for Climate Activists: Pilot Data from a Novel 9-Week Curriculum
Join Us!
- 3rd Tuesdays every month 7:30 pm CT – join in for our JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Book Club!
- KC Area friends, join our upcoming Nature Connected events!
New On the Blog
- Promoting Well-Being and Community Through Action for Happiness by Naomi Latini Wolfe
- Four Steps for a Resilient Life: a simple guide to set intention in your life as an environmental activist by Indigo Gilmore
- Stories of Hope in our Changing Climate, a compilation of our most hopeful and uplifting blog posts
- Climate Activists and Psychological Distress by Sami Aaron
Learn more with our Media Kit
Participate!
We’d love to have you join us at our upcoming events.
Moonlit Mindfulness: A Spooky, Batty Experience
Sunday September 7th
7:30-8:30 PM
Franklin Park at Roe Ave & Somerset Dr, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Meet at the parking lot off of Roe Ave in front of the picnic pavilion (look for The Resilient Activist signs)
Why Nature Connected Events?
In a world filled with constant distractions and uncertainty, our nature connected event offers an opportunity to reconnect with nature and find clarity under the calming glow of the moon. As we gather to observe the bats in their natural habitat, we can slow down, breathe deeply, and ground ourselves in the present moment. This unique experience invites us to embrace the beauty of nature, deepen our connection to the environment, and find collective renewal as we step away from the noise of everyday life. Let’s come together, recharged and inspired, ready to face the challenges ahead. Contact Briana Anderson at briana@theresilientactivist.org with questions. Photo Caption: Briana Anderson prepares to release rehabilitated bats at Lakeside Nature Center, Kansas City. Photo Credit: Briana Anderson Bat Design Credit: Biho Takashi | Wikipedia Commons Register Here 🎫
For our September 16th JEDI Book Club, we will be reading That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning In America by Amanda Jones.
To register, click here to email Anne Melia, JEDI Book Club organizer.
Part memoir, part manifesto, the inspiring story of a Louisiana librarian advocating for inclusivity on the front lines of our vicious culture wars.
One of the things small town librarian Amanda Jones values most about books is how they can affirm a young person’s sense of self. So in 2022, when she caught wind of a local public hearing that would discuss “book content,” she knew what was at stake. Schools and libraries nationwide have been bombarded by demands for books with LGTBQ+ references, discussions of racism, and more to be purged from the shelves.
Volunteer with The Resilient Activist at Pilgrim Center’s Habitat Restoration Nature Connected Event
Date: Saturday, September 27, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Hyde Park, Habitat Restoration Planting Areas
3807 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Join us for a rewarding volunteer opportunity at the Pilgrim Center’s Habitat Restoration project in Hyde Park! We are looking for passionate volunteers to help enhance the diversity and density of our shady planting areas, contributing to a thriving, vibrant garden that benefits local wildlife and the community.
What to Expect:
We’ll kick things off with a tour of the established planting areas, where the Pilgrim Center’s Executive Director, Amelia McDaniels, will guide us through the history, successes, and challenges of the project. You’ll get to see firsthand the impact of this ongoing restoration effort and how vital community participation is in creating lasting change.
After the tour, you’ll have the chance to choose from a variety of tasks, including:
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Drilling holes for planting
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Popping plants out of trays and installing them in the soil
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Mulching to help protect new plants
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Watering to give them the best start
Together, we’ll install 100+ plants, making a significant impact in a short time. The saying “many hands make light work” has never been truer, and your participation will help us move closer to a garden filled with diverse plant life and buzzing with pollinators.
Wrap-Up and Reflection:
At the end of the event, we’ll take a peaceful walk through the labyrinth, allowing us to reflect on the day’s work and the positive changes we’re making. The fruits of our labor—colorful blooms, fluttering butterflies, and a healthy ecosystem—will soon become a reality with your help!
Why Volunteer with Us?
Volunteering with The Resilient Activist at this Habitat Restoration event is an opportunity to connect with nature, support environmental restoration, and be part of a community committed to making a positive impact. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a first-time volunteer, this is a great way to contribute to local conservation efforts while gaining hands-on experience in habitat restoration.
We hope you’ll join us for this fun, fulfilling morning of work and reflection. Together, we can create a more sustainable and resilient environment for everyone!
RSVP Today!
Sign up now to secure your spot and help us make Hyde Park’s habitat restoration even more successful!
Overwhelmed by The Overlapping Crises of Our Time?
You’re Not Alone. 🖤
As activists, we come together monthly to share our concerns about the overlapping crises of our time, what keeps us up at night, what we can learn from one another, and how we can step into this next moment as a unified and resilient community.
These gatherings is an opportunity to recharge, reconnect, and reinforce our collective efforts to nurture the planet and each other, ensuring we move forward with intention into the season ahead.
Our Resilient Activist Conversations offer a valuable opportunity to connect with a community that gets you, fill your cup, and gain resilience insights. Our community is full of folks who are experiencing many of the emotions that climate change has brought out in your heart and mind.
Running for about 90 minutes, our Resilient Activist Conversations include an introspective meditation, invitation to the topic of the evening (i.e., burnout, isolation, nature connection, etc.), breakout room conversations, and an ending group discussion.
Register here for our September Resilient Activist Conversation.
There is nothing for you to commit to except to gather your favorite beverage, a journal, find a comfortable spot with your Zoom window open, and just be you.
Each session includes facilitators from The Resilient Activist as well as a Climate-Aware Therapist to guide the conversations in ways that are supportive and nurturing.
Help us nurture a stronger, more connected #ResilientActivist community! Your donation to The Resilient Activist directly supports our free Resilient Activist Conversations and their positive impact on activist communities.
Why do we offer these monthly gatherings?
The Resilient Activist support those experiencing the emotional ramifications of climate change and the other crises of our time by centering wellness as essential to advocacy. Our Resilient Activist Conversations are judgment-free spaces that allow people to share their emotional experiences within the polycrisis — creating a culture of compassion, self-care, and community within activism.
Here are some musings from past participants:
“Each time I attend a [Resilient Activist Conversation], I feel more connected to others, knowing that our communal love for Mother Earth is so strong and enduring. I come away more grounded, knowing that in the midst of so much chaos, there is compassion, care, and action for all living creatures.”
“Community support is vital for dealing with anxiety around environmental issues. I’m so happy TRA has facilitated discussions like tonight’s [Resilient Activist Conversation] and look forward to future conversations.”
“I faced my problem, now I can work on it. This is huge.”
“If you are looking for like minded people who are working in a positive way toward goals for climate advocacy, this is your group!”
Spirit of Activism Retreat ✨
2025 Spirit of Activism Retreat – October 12th
(Rain Date: October 19th)
Join us for the 2025 Spirit of Activism Retreat, a transformative day of connection, reflection, and nature immersion designed for environmental activists and those seeking to deepen their connection to the natural world. Co-hosted by Patti Ragsdale of Botanical Belonging and Sami Aaron with The Resilient Activist, this retreat will take place at a serene forested location and offers a peaceful space to step away from the demands of daily life, slow down, and nurture your spirit.
Throughout the day, you’ll be guided through mindful practices that help you reconnect with yourself and the earth. 🌏The retreat will include a mix of activities such as guided walks through the woods, opportunities for solitude and contemplation, and engaging group discussions. These practices will support your journey toward emotional resilience, helping you process grief, stress, and eco-anxiety while gaining clarity and strength for continued action in the fight for
environmental justice.
Participants are invited to bring a sack lunch, designed with zero waste principles in mind. There will be plenty of time for personal reflection and sharing. 🍜
Participants will be invited to explore nature through both structured activities and solo time, where to journal, meditate, or simply sit in stillness, connecting with the land and allowing the wisdom of nature to be a guide. ✨
Whether you’re looking for a space to recharge, seek clarity, or simply deepen your relationship with nature, this retreat offers the tools and community to help you find balance and resilience. As we navigate challenging times, the Spirit of Activism Retreat is a powerful opportunity to step into a space of healing, renewal, and community with like-hearted individuals who share your passion for the earth. 🌞
Details:
- 📅 Date: October 12th, 2025 (Rain Date: October 19th)
- ⌚ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Bring a sack lunch)
- 📍 Location: Tonganoxie, Kansas [Exact address to be provided upon registration]
Registration Information:
- Bountiful Heart – Pay-It-Forward: $100
- Rooted & Rising – General Registration: $70
- Nurturing Spirit – Students/Seniors 65+: $30
- Sprouting Seed – Pay What You Can
This retreat is limited to 25 participants to ensure an intimate and supportive experience, so be sure to register early. Whether you are an experienced activist or new to the journey of connecting with nature, this day will help you reconnect with your personal power and the deep wisdom of the earth.
We look forward to sharing this special day with you! 🌱
What We Do
We offer uplifting and nurturing community-building activities, articles, stories, and programs to reduce the immense overwhelm and burnout many experience in these unprecedented times.
For our presentations, workshops, and community gatherings, view our list of Services.
Grief and Extinction: A Conversation on the Sadness of Loss and the Power to Act 🦣
Date: October 15th
Time: 6-7 PM CT
Location: Zoom
Join The Resilient Activist board member Briana Anderson for a heartfelt discussion on the grief we experience when species disappear. Drawing from The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert and Being with Dying by Joan Halifax, Briana will explore the deep sorrow that accompanies biodiversity loss and the emotional weight of human impact on the natural world.
With a background in biology, experience as an animal shelter veterinary technician, and years working with environmental organizations, Briana brings a unique perspective on how our choices are shaping the future of life on Earth. She will guide participants in understanding these feelings of grief—not as a reason to despair, but as a source of motivation to act.
This interactive conversation will take place over Zoom, giving people from all over the opportunity to engage. We hope to continue the discussion in person this spring, creating space to connect, reflect, and find ways to channel our sadness into meaningful action for the planet.
Briana’s talk will leave you holding both the weight of loss and the spark of hope, reminding us that even in the face of extinction, our collective efforts can make a difference.
Contact Briana Anderson at briana@theresilientactivist.org with any questions.
Our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Book Club continues its mission to explore transformative literature. For our October 21st JEDI Book Club, we will be reading Toni Morrison’s powerful short story Recitatif.
To register, click here to email Anne Melia, JEDI Book Club organizer (anne@theresilientactivist.org).
Here is the Summary from Goodreads:
A beautiful, arresting short story by Toni Morrison—the only one she ever wrote—about race and the relationships that shape us through life, with an introduction by Zadie Smith.
Twyla and Roberta have known each other since they were eight years old and spent four months together as roommates in the St. Bonaventure shelter. Inseparable at the time, they lose touch as they grow older, only to find each other later at a diner, then at a grocery store, and again at a protest. Seemingly at opposite ends of every problem, and in disagreement each time they meet, the two women still cannot deny the deep bond their shared experience has forged between them.
Mushroom Log Workshop 🪵
Friday Oct 25th, 2025 | ⏰ 9 AM-12PM
Price: $35 a log
📍Luke Welsh’s Home | Exact address will be sent to you in confirmation email
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop: A Fun, Fungi-Filled Day for All Ages!
Join local gardening enthusiast and The Resilient Activist board member Sarah Mayerhofer, along with our guest expert Luke Welsh, for a hands-on workshop that will teach you the art of mushroom log inoculation. Luke, who previously worked with us for the Roots & Remedies event, is back to share his knowledge and expertise in this fun and educational activity.
What’s Involved?
Log inoculation begins with logs cut 1-2 months earlier, providing the perfect base for growing your own mushrooms. With the help of a special drill, you’ll make precise holes around the log every few inches, allowing the mycelium to take root. The next step involves filling the holes with high-quality mushroom spawn and sealing them with wax, protecting them from infections and keeping the plugs intact. Afterward, you can place your logs in a shady spot in your yard (or even indoors), where they’ll continue to produce mushrooms for 5+ years!
Whether you’re new to gardening or have some experience under your belt, this event will equip you with the skills to grow mushrooms at home. Plus, kids are more than welcome—this event is perfect for the whole family to get involved and learn together.
Event Details:
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Bring your own water bottle, a jacket, and a camping chair if you have one.
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The workshop will be held outdoors, so be prepared for the weather and a little dirt!
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Location: Luke’s House in Westport/Midtown – exact address will be provided in confirmation email
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Time: 9AM-12PM
Why Nature Connected Events?
In a world filled with distractions and uncertainty, The Resilient Activist’s nature-connected events offer a chance to reconnect with the natural world and find balance. By learning the process of mushroom log inoculation, you’re not just gaining a skill—you’re fostering a deeper connection to the environment. These experiences encourage us to slow down, breathe deeply, and become more aware of the earth’s gifts. As we gather together, we support each other in our journey towards sustainability and resilience, finding grounding and clarity amidst life’s noise.
REGISTER HERE!
Contact Sarah Mayerhofer at saamayerhofer@theresilientactivist.org with any questions or for more information.
Our Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Book Club continues its mission to explore transformative literature. For our November 18th JEDI Book Club, we will be reading Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity by Michelle Norris.
To register, click here to email Anne Melia, JEDI Book Club organizer (anne@theresilientactivist.org).
Here is the Summary from Goodreads:
Peabody Award–winning journalist Michele Norris offers a transformative dialogue on race and identity in America. She unearthed this through her decade-long work at The Race Card Project.
The prompt seemed simple: Race. Your Story. Six Words. Please Send.
However, the answers have been challenging and complicated. In the twelve years since award-winning journalist Michele Norris first posed that question, over half a million people have submitted their stories. These stories flow into The Race Card Project inbox daily.
The Power of Six Words
The stories are shocking in their depth and candor. They span the full spectrum of race, ethnicity, identity, and class. Even at just six words, the micro-essays can pack quite a punch. Furthermore, they reveal fear, pain, triumph, and sometimes humor. Sample responses include:
- “You’re Pretty for a Black girl.”
- “White privilege, enjoy it, earned it.”
- “Lady, I don’t want your purse.”
- “My ancestors massacred Indians near here.”
- “Urban living has made me racist.”
- “I’m only Asian when it’s convenient.”
Many participants go even further than just six words. They submit backstories and photos. Additionally, they create a collection much like a scrapbook of American candor. This candor is something you rarely get to see.
Our Hidden Conversations is a unique compilation of stories, richly reported essays, and photographs providing a window into America during a tumultuous era. This powerful book offers an honest, if sometimes uncomfortable, conversation about race and identity, permitting us to eavesdrop on deep-seated thoughts, private discussions, and long-submerged memories.
The breadth of this work came as a surprise to Norris. For most of the twelve years she has collected these stories, many were submitted by white respondents. This unexpected panorama provides a rare 360-degree view of how Americans see themselves and one another. Our Hidden Conversations reminds us that even during times of great division, honesty, grace, and a willing ear can provide a bridge toward empathy and maybe even understanding.
Speakers Bureau Presentations
The Resilient Activist’s Speakers Bureau offers educational and inspiring presentations and workshops designed to help audiences better understand how they can be a part of creating a healthier planet in ways that also support our well-being. Check out our Speakers Bureau Presentations page for a detailed list of topics.
Thich Nhat Hanh, The Sun, My HeartThe best way to take care of the environment is to take care of the environmentalist.
“Activism is the art of taking action to support, nurture, and protect what we hold dear.” ~The Resilient Activist