April 2026

Staying Grounded & Keeping Perspective

We just wrapped up a learning series helping a team build their skill and confidence in facilitating adult learning. As we prepared for the series, we came up with a framework for designers and facilitators for making content “stick” with learners. One element of that framework was altitude.

We invited team members to ask themselves, What’s the best altitude for the content given what you know about the audience, what your learning objectives are and how much time you have? Sometimes your context calls for getting deep in the details, and sometimes it calls for zooming out for a balcony view.

Finding the right altitude also applies to how you move through life, especially in challenging and unsteady times. What are you zooming in on right now that keeps you grounded? What helps you to hold the big picture when you need perspective?

On any given day, you can study the gorgeous shell of a snail on the sidewalk and look up with wonder at a pink sunset sky. Both of these perspectives have something to offer us.

And we always have the agency to shift our altitude.

Virtual and In-Person Sessions to Help you Navigate

April Collective Conversation: Three Word Mantra

Engage in a powerful practice to bring intentionality to your leadership by creating your three word mantra. Our Three Word Mantra Session invites reflection on both particular moments and the big picture of your strengths and values.  You’ll leave with a tool to help you stay centered.

We’ll be meeting on Friday, April 24th at 12 PM ET and we hope to see you there.

Come to the Waters Retreat with Miwa & Allison

Saturday, May 23rd, 10 AM – 6 PM EST

In person retreat in Stanardsville, VA

Join Miwa and Allison El Koubi, founder of Idyllwood Mountain Retreat, for a day of reflection, creativity and connection at the edge of Shenandoah National Park. We’ll explore the ways water restores and reminds us to flow with ease, to soften what feels rigid and to nourish what is ready to grow. Learn more here.

Leverage the Enneagram* for Deeper Understanding of Self & Others with Marion & Cat

Sunday, July 12th, 2 PM – 5 PM EST

In person workshop in Wyndmoor, PA

In collaboration with Cat McLaughlin of Rosemary Collaborative, join us for a workshop to learn the nine interconnected personality types of the Enneagram. You’ll explore your type and learn how this “modern synthesis of ancient wisdom” can help you deepen your self-awareness for growth and personal development in all areas of your life

* Curious about what the Enneagram is and why Marion & Miwa keep talking about so much? First of all, we’d love to chat about it! Second, see the podcast in our resources section below for a great overview of what it is.

From the Field

Right now, many of our leaders and teams are moving through major transitions. They’re asking for space to reconnect to why they do the work, build critical skills needed for this moment and reflect with a trusted thought partner. Here’s how we’ve met those needs with clients recently:

• Helped senior nonprofit leaders to reconnect to why they lead and what their values are, so they could move forward with clarity and renewed energy for what’s ahead

• Supported a group of education policy experts to build facilitation skills so they could connect learning to action with confidence

• Partnered with senior leaders on Leadership Circle 360 Assessments and Enneagram reflection so they could lead with greater presence and self awareness 

Sound like something you or your team needs? We’d love to connect. Reach out to see if we can help.

Partner Spotlight

Allison El Koubi

Creating space for reflection, connection, and renewal is at the heart of Allison’s work. With more than 20 years of experience in public education as a teacher and principal in Louisiana and Virginia, Allison has dedicated her career to helping individuals and communities thrive through intentional leadership, belonging and care. 

Allison is the founder of Home From Away LLC and the steward of Idyllwood, a nature-based retreat space designed to offer rest, renewal and reconnection. Through thoughtfully curated retreats and gatherings, she creates opportunities for people to step away from the demands of everyday life and return to themselves, to one another and to the grounding presence of the natural world.

Miwa is grateful to partner with Allison in hosting the upcoming Idyllwood women’s retreat Come to the Waters, where participants will be invited to slow down, reflect deeply and experience renewal through community, nature and the restorative presence of water. 

You can learn more about Allison’s retreat offerings at idyllwoodmountainretreat.com/retreat.

Marion & Miwa Recommend

Merlin Bird ID App from The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Take a pause and celebrate spring with this free app, which listens to the bird songs around you and identifies birds instantly.

Gratitude

Bright green leaves show up every spring without fail. And our clients and colleagues keep showing up and blooming even in harsh seasons. We’re thankful for the important and hopeful work that keeps getting done because of all of you. 

Keep shining,

Marion and Miwa