audience is limited to 50 seats
presented by:
THE LISTENING ROOM :
Common Ground
Friday May 1
May 1, 2026
Mahone Bay Centre | Abriel Room
Doors open 5:00 pm
Wine and light fare
Stories 5:30–7:00 pm
There is power in speaking.
There is greater power in being heard.
The Listening Room is an evening devoted to presence.
❋ Intentional Structure
Ten remarkable Humans
Ten lived moments.
Ten reflections on resilience, generosity, reinvention, humour, leadership, and the quieter forms of courage that rarely ask for attention.
❋ Collaborative Energy
This is not a panel.
Not a lecture.
Not a debate.
❋ Expert Facilitation
Each storyteller will share one personal story , a defining moment that shaped the arc of their life.
A decision.
A turning point.
A moment of clarity.
❋ A Supportive Space
No scripts.
No performance.
Just truth, offered plainly.
Human beings have always gathered in rooms to tell stories.
Long before microphones and screens, people sat together and shared what they had lived.
Stories helped communities understand themselves. They helped people recognize one another.
Somewhere along the way, we lost that practice.
We replaced listening with reacting.
Presence with distraction.
Stories with noise.
The Listening Room was created to bring that practice back.
It is a simple idea.
A small room.
A handful of people.
Stories told honestly.
No debate.
No performance.
Just lived experience shared with care.
When people listen to one another without interruption, something shifts.
And every community becomes stronger when those stories are shared.
Photo courtesy of Betty Merideth
Less noise.
More presence.
Photo courtesy of Betty Merideth
Interested in Sharing a Story?
The Listening Room is not about polish. It is about truth.
If there is a moment in your life that reshaped you , quietly or dramatically , and you feel called to speak it aloud, we invite you to reach out.
We are curating ten women who are willing to stand in clarity, not performance.
One story.
One moment.
Ten minutes.
That is all.
Send us a short note about who you are and the story you feel ready to tell.
We are listening.
Big Ideas,
Real Impact.
Drop us a line and a short synopsis of your proposed talk and the topic that best suits your story.
Presentation Topics 7-10 minutes
Seven Reflection Points for Storytellers
Storytellers are invited to choose one of the following reflections as the starting point for their story.
Your story should be personal, honest, and rooted in lived experience.
There is no need for a polished speech.
A moment is enough.
1. A Moment That Changed Me
Tell us about a moment in your life that shifted how you see the world or yourself.
2. Something I Had to Learn the Hard Way
Share a lesson that life taught you through challenge, failure, or difficulty.
3. A Person Who Altered My Path
Tell us about someone who influenced your life in a lasting way.
4. The Day I Found My Courage
A moment when you chose to speak up, step forward, or do something that frightened you.
5. A Time I Had to Begin Again
A story about starting over after loss, change, or uncertainty.
6. What I Wish I Had Known Earlier
A reflection on wisdom you gained later in life.
7. A Small Moment That Meant Everything
Sometimes the smallest moments shape us the most. Share one that stayed with you.
In a world full of noise, this is a space for presence.
MAY 1 TBD times and presenters TBDArrive & Meet
As everyone arrives, we take time to settle in, get comfortable, and begin connecting with those around us. The journey starts here.
Check-In5 pm