Opening the Doors to the Folkweaver Learning Community
I’ve been thinking so much about the idea of Cultivating an Untamable Mind, which I wrote about last spring. In these times of ratcheting fascism, reclaiming our minds by carving out dedicated space to read and write, learn and unlearn—in community—is a radical act of resistance. That’s why I’ve decided to launch Folkweaver’s Learning Community.
Starting in October, I’m offering the following new circles for the paid subscriber community:
Weekly Writing Circle (Mondays, 9:30–12 PT, virtual)
Monthly book club (4th Friday, noon PT, virtual)
In addition, paid subscribers also have access to:
Subscriber-only posts + full archive access
20% discount on Folkweaver workshops, art, and zine
To sustain these new circles, paid subscriptions will increase to $10/month in October. Join before October 1 to lock in the current $6/month rate. (Current subscribers—you’re all set and your membership rates stay the same. Thank you!)
If you want to join but don’t feel comfortable paying through Substack, you can sign up for a membership here instead.
As a longtime, forever-decolonizing educator, spaceholder, and facilitator, I’m thrilled to begin these pockets of community learning—spaces that disrupt hierarchy, practice collective care, and help us reclaim our minds in loving company.
Below you’ll find more details on each of these new circles, as well as learn about our upcoming October Book Club book which I cannot wait to talk about with you all.
Folkweaver Writing Circle
Sometimes the hardest part of writing is just sitting down to reclaim enough of our attention to do it. That’s why for the past year, I started organically creating a writing circle for a small group of dear friends: to give us the dedicated space we need to show up and write. It’s been such a supportive space, and I’m excited to open it up so much wider for this community.
Having a dedicated block on our calendars with mutual accountability and body doubling has been a great reminder to reclaim our time for our creative work, and shown me the power of mutually supporting one another along the way.
The format is simple:
We sign in to our virtual zoom space, do a quick check in about what we’re working on, mute ourselves and get to work.
We’re adults and can manage our time: if we’re late all good—just drop your check in in the chat and get to your writing. If we need to leave early, all good: just say goodbye in the chat and let us know you need to bounce. We close at the end with a quick reflection
Want to join the weekly writing circle? become a paid subscriber if you aren’t already, then reply to this email letting me know you want in for the writing circle and I’ll send you a weekly invite!
Folkweaver Book Club
Did you know that there is a 40% decrease in reading for pleasure in the last two decades? The rise of fascism coinciding with this dramatic decrease in reading is not accidental. An illiterate, uneducated populace is easier to control and coerce. This is a fight for our minds, and we get to decide what to do about that.
On the 4th Friday of the month, I’ll hold a virtual book club at noon PT to discuss a book related to that month’s Folkweaver essays.
The inaugural October book club book will be Imagination by Ruha Benjamin. I seriously can’t wait to read and discuss this one with all of you.
Want to join the book club? Become a paid subscriber if you aren’t already, then reply to this email to let me know you want in on the monthly book club and I’ll send you a calendar invite!
Nice things people say
It’s always easier for me to share what others have to say about my space-holding that to tell you myself, so I’m sharing a couple testimonials from folks who’ve participated in some of my circles:
“Sara’s ability to weave her skills of deeply thoughtful community building and holding space to show up in true vulnerability has transformed my life.” — Sara Van Acker, SF Birth Center Co-Founder
“Sara is a natural, heart focused, intuitive leader and the one to beautifully teach us how being in community is done.”— Jen Madanat, Midwife
“Sara is a master at finding the thread weaving through a conversation, keeping ideas and energies flowing. I love the questions she asks, revealing her genuine curiosity, and leading me towards a broader appreciation of the topic at hand.”
—Breann, Community Builder and Doula
So excited to deepen into all of this with you!
In (un)learning,
Sara