culture of belonging immersion
seven-week online cohort experience
Join a small group of leaders for a deep dive into the art and science of creating spaces where people feel accepted, valued, and part of something important.
You know that people do their best learning, growing, and working when they feel like they belong. But creating an environment that fosters belonging can feel elusive, especially when the people you lead are coming in stressed, guarded, or checked out.
Maybe you’ve noticed…
The same few voices filling the room while others rarely speak or contribute
A group that never quite gels, or where a few people always seem to be on the outside
Conversations that stay on the surface during meetings or classes, with disagreement happening in side channels instead of in the room
Tasks or questions tend to route through you, because people are connected to you but not to each other
This isn’t a motivation problem. Disengagement is often protection, not apathy. Before people can contribute, collaborate, or take risks, their nervous systems are asking a simpler question: Am I safe here? Do I belong?
Belonging doesn’t happen by accident. It grows from culture: the rituals, agreements, and everyday practices that shape how a group feels to be part of. Culture is what we do. Belonging is how we feel.
This seven-week immersion invites you to explore the conditions that make belonging possible through a nervous system lens, from trust and psychological safety to honoring the different ways people think, communicate, and engage.
You won’t just learn about belonging, you’ll experience it. Our time together is designed as a living example of the practices we explore, so you’ll leave with a felt sense of what this work looks like and concrete ways to bring it into the groups you lead.
When people feel connected to each other and safe to be themselves, they bring their full energy, voice, and strengths to the work you share. This is what humanizing leadership makes possible
youth leadership cohort
Tuesdays 5:00-6:30 pm MST
Jan 5 - feb 17 2027 (SKIP 2/9)
This cohort is for you if you are a classroom teacher, workforce development crew leader or manager, youth facilitator, camp counselor, or otherwise support, lead, or mentor groups of young people (i.e. 21 and younger).
team leadership cohort
Tuesdays 4:00-5:30 pm PST
Mar 16 - APR 27 2027
This cohort is for you if you are a school administrator, executive director, manager or supervisor, trainer, coach, or otherwise support, lead, or mentor teams of adults.
course overview
-
During our first session, we’ll start to build our learning community and explore culture as the container that makes belonging possible.
-
We’ll explore belonging as a nervous system need, the tension between connection and authenticity, and what helps people feel safe enough to be themselves.
-
Week three focuses on how trust grows, both between you and the people you lead and among group members themselves, and the conditions that allow authentic connection to take root.
-
This week we discuss what it takes for people to take interpersonal risks—to ask questions, make mistakes, speak up, and disagree—and the leadership behaviors that foster psychological safety.
-
In week 5, we’ll identify diverse thinking and behavioral preferences as both strengths and needs. We’ll consider how these differences shape communication and how to design group experiences that meet diverse needs.
-
This week, we’ll explore what the research says about engagement through the lens of self-determination theory, and how shifting from “power over” to “power with” creates space for people’s voices and strengths to shape culture.
-
Our final session offers space to reflect on what we’ve learned and experienced together and close our time together with intention. You’ll leave with clear intentions and practices to carry into your own group.
You lead a group or team where people work, learn, or collaborate together over time.
You are interested in connecting with other leaders who are committed to creating human-centered spaces.
You want tangible practices and approaches to support the people you lead to feel safe, seen, and connected.
You’re curious about how culture shapes belonging, and are willing to look honestly at your own role in shaping it.
You seek a relational, “power with” style of leadership and want concrete ways to make room for people’s voices and strengths.
You’re open to experiencing these practices yourself: connecting, reflecting, and being part of a learning community.
You can attend at least five out of the seven live sessions.
This course is for you if…
You primarily lead people one-on-one or in short-term workshops or events.
You’re looking for a toolkit of icebreakers or team-building games rather than a deeper look at culture.
You want strategies focused on managing behavior or getting compliance.
You prefer a top-down, “power over” or authoritative style of leadership.
You’re not open to exploring how power, identity, and your own patterns shape who feels like they belong.
You are overwhelmed by your current commitments and are unsure if you can commit to attending the live sessions.
This course is not for you if…
Early Bird Rate: $333
Youth cohort: through November 30th
Adult cohort: through February 15th
IMMERSION COST: $399
A limited number of scholarships are available. Please use this brief form to apply.
If you are financially able to offer support for others to attend, please consider registering at the SUPPORTER level ($449).
Educators will receive up to 12 PDUs for this course.
Questions? Contact Me!
Seven 90-minute live Zoom sessions
An individual coaching and integration session with Jo
Supplemental materials to access between live sessions, including guided practices, reflections, and additional content and readings
Practical tools and small weekly experiments to implement immediately with your own group or team
A complete PDF toolkit of the practices, tools, and activities from the course
Lifetime access to course materials
what’s included
-
Jo is an educator, facilitator, and founder of Linden Connects, where she supports leaders and teams to create human-centered cultures grounded in nervous system awareness and relational practices.
Since 2011, Jo has been facilitating leadership development and social-emotional learning with youth and adults across educational, nonprofit, and organizational settings. Her work integrates neuroscience, mindfulness, and experiential learning to support people to build self-awareness, strengthen relational skills, and navigate challenges with authenticity and resilience.
Jo holds a Masters of Science in Education and is a certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher. She has studied developmental trauma with Dr. Bruce Perry and Interpersonal Neurobiology with Dr. Dan Siegel. Jo is a seeker of delight, curiosity, and depth, and finds joy in connecting with the natural world, reading nerdy psychology books, and adventuring with her mini Aussie, Rosie.