RT

How to Grow a Brain and a Soul

Sep 20, 2013

SM
Stage· 379 messages
Sep 20, 2013

Sarah Meyers returns to talk about the brain child she is nurturing right now in North Texas. The CLC (Creative Learning Community) is a volunteer-based learning cooperative that is already outgrowing its first home in a matter of months. Come bathe in the brilliance and simplicity of this vision - and bring your thinking caps and best advice for how to help the organization grow and thrive.

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:00 AM

hello!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:00 AM

Hello and welcome to everyone.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:01 AM

It's so nice to be here! I was nervous - I've been driving across Wyoming all day!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:01 AM

that's really cool.....
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:01 AM

If this is your first time, welcome! Log in to participate.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:01 AM

I wish i'd seen wyoming today!
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:01 AM

Yeah, Wyoming is beautiful!
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:01 AM

Audience members, you can log comments, ask questions and chat amongst yourselves. Be sure to click on the “Who’s Here?” button and click to listen to the other audience members so you can see their comments.
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:02 AM

Comments can be “upvoted” by clicking the thumbs-up sign in the bottom right corner. This will change the comment to “Overheard” status, as signified by the blue OH symbol in the upper left-hand corner.
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:02 AM

The hosts can see your comments only after they’ve been “Overheard.” We’ll try to spotlight these comments to answer your questions and include as many comments as possible. Glad you’re here!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:02 AM

Okay, and with all that said, I'd like to welcome back Sarah Meyers!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:02 AM

Hey, Lady, how are ya?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:02 AM

Thanks!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:03 AM

I'm doing well! I'm going to a bellydance extravaganza this weekend!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:03 AM

so I'm really excited about that : )
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:03 AM

In Louisiana?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:03 AM

yes!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:03 AM

Dang, that sounds fun!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:03 AM

another gorgeous state!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:03 AM

it's going to be great!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:03 AM

how are you, traveler?
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:04 AM

I'm great, and I'm excited to talk to you, and the audience will see why soon.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:04 AM

: )
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:04 AM

So, we're here tonight to talk about the CLC, your brain child that you just...DID!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:04 AM

heck yes I did it!
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:04 AM

Tell us what CLC stands for
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:05 AM

with help : )
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:05 AM

Creative Learning Center
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:05 AM

the place where stuff happens
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:05 AM

What is it?
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Sarah Meyers · 2:05 AM

that's our new catch phrase.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:05 AM

Ooooh, I like!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:05 AM

it's a community center in texoma where people get together and teach each other.
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:06 AM

It's nonprofit, yes?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:06 AM

yup
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Sarah Meyers · 2:06 AM

it's donation-based
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Sarah Meyers · 2:07 AM

or also called a gift-economy
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Sarah Meyers · 2:07 AM

we ask that people give some money for the classes they take, but there is no set fee
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:07 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“I feel like Superman in a phone booth...switching so quickly”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:07 AM

then, we pay our bills and our volunteer teachers get paid with whatever is left over.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:07 AM

You are like Superman, Seth!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“I want to go to the place where stuff happens!”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:08 AM

yes you do Jordan! It's great!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:08 AM

Okay, so tell us how you came up with the idea, what the vision is.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“education for free? wha??”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:08 AM

it has to do with rachel's comment!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:09 AM

it started with my 3 yr old. she wanted to take dance classes
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Sarah Meyers · 2:09 AM

I can't pay 60$ a month for dance classes for a 3yr old
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Sarah Meyers · 2:09 AM

then, my friend Brian switched his fishing business to a gift-economy, which opened my eyes to that theory of business.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:09 AM

then, we went to this AMAZING restraunt in dallas
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:09 AM

No way! BP did that???
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:10 AM

I think it's the cosmic cafe. i forget the name
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Sarah Meyers · 2:10 AM

Brian Prichard, yes : )
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Sarah Meyers · 2:10 AM

so at the restraunt, the whole building was covered in art
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Sarah Meyers · 2:10 AM

paintings are EVERYWHERE
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:10 AM

That blew the back of my head right off!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:10 AM

and it's fantastic. and I thought "I could do that."
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Sarah Meyers · 2:11 AM

My town, Sherman, if full of empty buildings.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:11 AM

I wanted to take over all of them and paint them.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:11 AM

and then in the car, on the way home, while my kids were asleep (cuz that's the only time it's quiet) I came up with this idea for the CLC
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Sarah Meyers · 2:11 AM

it wasn't named that yet.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:11 AM

the name took a while.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:11 AM

I love it.
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“exactly what our world needs more of! especially as we say goodbye to our monetary economy! :)”

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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“what is that -pay what you can? it worked for Radiohead! And Louis CK!”

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Sarah Meyers · 2:12 AM

I love it too.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:12 AM

Jordan, DID it work for Radiohead? Elaborate on that a little later, okay?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“That's cool that they've these class in small towns...I would think this would be in a big city”

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Sarah Meyers · 2:12 AM

yeah, seth, that's the thing
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:12 AM

SARAH DID THAT! SARAH IS WHY!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:12 AM

little towns have no "culture" and we NEED it!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:13 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“I'll give you two chickens and a peach for an MBA!”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:13 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“So how do we grow our brains...let's cut to the chase?”

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Sarah Meyers · 2:13 AM

you grow your brains by coming to classes!
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:13 AM

Jordan - we'll do tutoring for that. Not sure about the piece of paper.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:13 AM

lol
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Sarah Meyers · 2:14 AM

our area is really low income
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Sarah Meyers · 2:14 AM

and all the arts are costly. I wanted somewhere people could go to do stuff together and learn from each other
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Sarah Meyers · 2:14 AM

I guess really becky, it kinda started with you, way way back.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:14 AM

the crunchy bunch gave us the people to start the CLC!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:15 AM

the crunchy bunch is a group of peeps in the texoma area that wanted a more.... natural life, and we got together for activities and a few classes
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:15 AM

I am trying desperately to find a way to swipe that compliment away. :P
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:15 AM

you rock and you know it : )
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:16 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“@JB i got 1 chicken,a pregnant hamster and some belly button fluffy....”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:16 AM

Secret: It was Rebecca's Riisness's idea, I just actually did it. ;)
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:16 AM

have you seen the art made from the belly lint?
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:16 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“The Crunchy Bunch?! Why is that not a televison show RIGHT NOW?!”

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Sarah Meyers · 2:16 AM

google it.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:16 AM

We're a FB forum. Close enough?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:16 AM

well, then props to rissness too!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:16 AM

I mean riisness
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Sarah Meyers · 2:16 AM

geez, her name
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:17 AM

So, we started a FB forum thing, and it grew and is still growing and there are so many diverse skill sets.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:17 AM

so I decided to use those skill sets!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:17 AM

And so Sarah gets this idea to try to start a learning collective. How difficult was that?
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Sarah Meyers · 2:17 AM

we're an incredibly talented group of people and we need to share our stuff!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:17 AM

it was really difficult.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:17 AM

This all started in march
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Sarah Meyers · 2:18 AM

we didn't get a building until July.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:18 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“I think it's a safe bet that the emotional payoff to providing pay-what-you-can arts education is far greater than what money could ever provide (assuming you're above the poverty level).”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:18 AM

well, i figure it can help get people above the pverty level.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:19 AM

if they come and learn skills, they can then take them back to life and start something new
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Sarah Meyers · 2:19 AM

that's why i wanted classes about farming
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Sarah Meyers · 2:19 AM

and parenting
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Sarah Meyers · 2:19 AM

and nutrition and arts and dance and music! and healing and essential oils!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:19 AM

Beautiful, isn't it? But a lot of the classes focus on DIY skills - which is outside the economy, which is also a plus.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:19 AM

yes, it is.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:20 AM

Okay, so...the building was a challenge. Why?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:20 AM

you don't need money to dance, or play drums in the sand, or learn about fermenting foods!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:20 AM

the building was a challenge b/c we were not going to put any personal money in to it.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:20 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“it's working in Africa -that's not a joke, by the way.”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:20 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rich Hagberg

“Self reliance is a great gift for anyone”

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Sarah Meyers · 2:20 AM

so we needed a landlord who wouldn't mind if this tanked : 0
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:21 AM

Yeah - I mean, basically you started with a bunch of moms. Nobody has money! But moms get things done. :)
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:21 AM

yup!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:21 AM

we had a building in sherman that was GORGEOUS! and the landlords were totally into our idea, but it needed too much renovation work
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:21 AM

so we waited.....
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Sarah Meyers · 2:21 AM

*tear*
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Sarah Meyers · 2:22 AM

also, i was moving, so i felt that it had to get done NOW!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:22 AM

it's hard to have patience.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:22 AM

then Robin found a woman who was willing to sublet her space for free!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:22 AM

once we got into a building, it all came together.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:22 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rich Hagberg

“power to the moms!”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:23 AM

So, you got the building - how is that arrangement?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:23 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid! (Free sublet reference.)”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:23 AM

Because you don't own it.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:23 AM

nice Jordan!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:23 AM

it's hard.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:24 AM

We've had some communication issues, b/c I don't live in town. but we're working on that and trying to be respectful, b/c this woman was so awesome and had so much faith in us.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:24 AM

Do you pay her rent?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:24 AM

we can only use it on her days off though, so we're moving to a new building in october
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:24 AM

no, we don't pay her rent.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:24 AM

we will in the new building though.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:24 AM

WOW!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:24 AM

we needed more days.
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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:24 AM

That's a cool break, to find someone to let you use the space!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:25 AM

we only have monday day and friday evenings right now
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:25 AM

What does she do?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:25 AM

and so many people were saying "i want to come, but i work!"
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Sarah Meyers · 2:25 AM

so we found a place that let's us use weekends and every day time!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:25 AM

the current building is a massage studio and the new one is a dance studio.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:25 AM

ALREADY? YOU FOUND A NEW BUILDING ALREADY?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:25 AM

yeah : )
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:25 AM

we had to.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:26 AM

we needed more days, more classes, more fun!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:26 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“I feel like alot of the time with these non-profit projects people feel it will be getting people's help that is the difficult part but I think alot of humanity is what people end up seeing give people the chance to give back and I think many will :)”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:26 AM

So...you have been going since July, and already it got too big for the space/time you had. Um, THAT IS AWESOME!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:26 AM

yeah, i just had to keep talking to people, to find help. if this group can't, you move on and try another group.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:26 AM

yeah, it's been fast, but i knew it would be.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:27 AM

So, tell us about how you organize it and what's been offered so far.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:27 AM

this thing is more than an idea. it's huge, bigger than me and robin and it's going to go nuts. we just need a building!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:27 AM

well, I'm in charge of mondays and the money, robin is in charge or fridays and finding local people to help out.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:28 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“how do you decide what courses to offer? Based on tacher volunteers, community requests, what's cool?”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:28 AM

I think I saw that Monday there was tie-dye, crochet, making a camping scavenger hunt, and something else.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:28 AM

we've done yoga, mom/baby yoga, infant massage, sewing classes, tie-dye, make it and take it home remedies, smoothings, food dehydration, crochet, bellydance.......
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:28 AM

I think that's it so far....
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Sarah Meyers · 2:28 AM

oh, the busy bags!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:28 AM

and.......more stuff!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:29 AM

Oh, and a doula is coming to talk.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:29 AM

And didn't they do babywearing and/or cloth diapering?
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Sarah Meyers · 2:29 AM

doulas and midwives!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:29 AM

https://www.facebook.com/clctexoma/events here's the events page
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:29 AM

yup, babywearing group is meeting again on monday
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:29 AM

So, it's sort of like a hack space.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:29 AM

Jordan, we offer courses based on the teachers
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Sarah Meyers · 2:29 AM

whomever can volunteer
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:30 AM

Except people offer classes instead of coming in to build things.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:30 AM

and wants to participate
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Sarah Meyers · 2:30 AM

yup
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:30 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“could these course be used to help out someone who is training in a profession i.e yoga,baking....”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:30 AM

I don't know what a hack space is, but i'm following the context clues : )
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:30 AM

yes Lucy!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:30 AM

I guess that would depend on the level of the instructor, Lucy.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:30 AM

it's good practice to teach, and beginners can come learn!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:31 AM

A hack space is my husband's dream. It's a big shop where creative people come to work on project development. It's also free and volunteer-based and collaborative.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:31 AM

ooo, i'd work there!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:31 AM

you know i would!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“I love that more and more people are going more natural DIY... big corps may not like it but that's what they get for bleeding our wallets dry plus I think it is just good sense to learn how to do all these things ourselves”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“way to go, Sara, and Robin, and Rebecca. this stuff inspires me so much!”

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Sarah Meyers · 2:31 AM

us too, obviously! it's so great
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Sarah Meyers · 2:32 AM

my grandparents were in the area since the 40s
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Sarah Meyers · 2:32 AM

I feel like this is my legacy to them, to continue their work.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:32 AM

they were on the city council and stuff, making these places better and I just wanted to continue their work.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:32 AM

I should introduce Robin, who isn;t here, but is amazing. She's the other half of this, plus she has five kids and is a master of harvesting wild edibles.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:33 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“So you come from a long line of decency?”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:33 AM

lol, yeah she is! she's always pointing out new plants to me!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:33 AM

hahah! I guess so Jordan : )
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:33 AM

civically minded people : )
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:33 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Here's the name of a new class for her to teach: EDIBLES GONE WILD! (you're welcome)”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:34 AM

Robin, when you read this, take note of your new class title!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:34 AM

Okay, so what do you see for the future?
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:34 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“That's amazing Sarah! :)”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:34 AM

oh man!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:34 AM

the future is wonderful
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Sarah Meyers · 2:34 AM

I want a huge building, so we can offer multiple classes at a time.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:34 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“does this kinda of work help keep kids off the streets and out of trouble?”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:34 AM

Good question, Lucy!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:34 AM

I hope so lucy!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:35 AM

Sarah is a high school teacher, so she's majorly into the youth staying out of trouble and out of pregnant.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:35 AM

I want classrooms, art rooms (who cares if theres paint on the floor? put more! paint the walls!!!)
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:35 AM

I wnat a garden
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Sarah Meyers · 2:35 AM

a music stage
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Sarah Meyers · 2:35 AM

weekend events
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:35 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“I agree Lucy I see at as being very similar..”

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Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:35 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“you know JB,this tawkers is kinda like this. you guys,and others,"teach" others in a variety of topics”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:36 AM

out of pregnannt, lol
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:36 AM

Lucy, that brings us to why I wanted to bring the CLC to Tawkers:
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:36 AM

People need to replicate this!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:36 AM

I want all ages and religions and social classes taking classes here togther!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:36 AM

yes, please do replicate it!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:36 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“How does one guy about starting up one of these courses?”

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Sarah Meyers · 2:37 AM

seth, the biggest part is finding teachers
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:37 AM

So, here's an announcement:
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Sarah Meyers · 2:37 AM

You need to make sure you can offer a variety of classes, to reach more people.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:37 AM

My husband and I are hoping to start the first splinter of the CLC when we land in Georgia in a few weeks.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:37 AM

I'm so excited for you Becky!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:38 AM

take note: find teachers!
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Sarah Meyers · 2:38 AM

since you're awesome and already have a building!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:38 AM

I'm swinging through to talk to Sarah and see the CLC and try to get a more solid idea of what to do.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:38 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“yay! that's so amazing Rebecca! :)”

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Sarah Meyers · 2:38 AM

yes it is!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:38 AM

And we would like to ask the Tawkers community what they think about fundraising and promotion ideas for this kind of nonprofit.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:39 AM

and I want you all to tell everyone you know and see if anyone else starts splinter cells : )
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:39 AM

I know there's experience out there, and Sarah and I want to hear it RIGHT NOW! :D
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:39 AM

lol
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Sarah Meyers · 2:39 AM

we command you to share ideas!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:39 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“teachers might be easier to find if you reach out to teaching assistants or those who are in training for that position.. you can sell them on the fact that they will get so much experience for free! :)”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:39 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“"A spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission." - Rush”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:39 AM

Oooh, good idea!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:39 AM

great idea rachel!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:40 AM

And, we'll write them letters. :)
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:40 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“same with artists looking to be seen, visual and musical”

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Sarah Meyers · 2:40 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“You should see if you can get some money from the govt...they love anything having to do with education”

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Sarah Meyers · 2:40 AM

I don't really want the government in this, to be honest.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:40 AM

I've seen their version of free education.
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Sarah Meyers · 2:40 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“find a Jack Black type to teach rock music to kids.”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:41 AM

Seth the only things with that are 1.) Grant writing sucks and 2.) Government $ has string attached. Boo! But, yes, we want to look at that...
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:41 AM

lol, YES!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:41 AM

but each splinter group is absolutly free to do it how ever they want!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:41 AM

Oooh, good to hear! I was going to talk about that. Seth (my husband) has an idea...
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:41 AM

if someone finds help somewhere, i'm not going to say anything, as long as these happen out there in the wide world of boredom.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:42 AM

He wants to teach the classes based on a crowdsourcing model.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:42 AM

he wants to post each class and take donations for the class until theminimum is reached and then have the class.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:42 AM

tell us more becky
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:42 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“yeah first reach out to those looking for exposure and experience public speaking, and then look for those in the community who seem to care about the community go to community meetings etc and connect with them they will want to see it succeed”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:43 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“Your husband has a cool name Rebecca”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:43 AM

LOL, Seth.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:43 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rich Hagberg

“Seth's on to something... there are musicians recording music in this manner like Jon Gomm, Meytal Cohen”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:43 AM

I remember him talking about that. so people are motivated to add more money, if they really want that class to happen. Or bring more friends!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:44 AM

Exactly!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:44 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“craft sales are a good place to find people who can help teach the crafty classes.. a lot of them are older or woman who would probably love to do that! (is that discriminatory? lol)”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:44 AM

Sarah, you're always at the craft fair, anyway!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:44 AM

(I think she's calling you old :P)
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:44 AM

I am, it's true. but I'm too busy doing henna tattoos to talk to people : )
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:44 AM

I'm a majorly old soul, so it counts!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:45 AM

It's true.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:45 AM

I just can't even express how it fulfills me to see people i don't know come to these classes!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:46 AM

It's community building, plain and simple. :)
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:46 AM

It's fantastic to see people outside of my network get involved and make stuff and learn stuff!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:46 AM

It's so fun when new people come.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:46 AM

yes, and we need that. people are so isolated now
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:46 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“you know they banned playing with conkers over here?”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:46 AM

mom's (you know this) are so alone if they choose to stay home.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:47 AM

What is a conker?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:47 AM

and single people have no way to meet new single people!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:47 AM

Oh, lordy, they ARE! It's crazy, And people aren't actually supposed to raise children in isolation. So this is awesome.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:47 AM

and older retiree's don't get to mingle with younger generations any more
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:47 AM

True!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:47 AM

I tried to have a block party one time, and no one came.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:48 AM

I couldn't believe it!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:48 AM

Sarah! You are breaking down social barriers!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:48 AM

not a single person, even teh church how gave us the space for it!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:48 AM

and that really kicked it for me, that our society is too isolated, too alone.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:48 AM

You told me about that attempted block party. That was like that saddest story I've ever heard. Except about the orphans.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:48 AM

lol
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:48 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“well word of mouth will help too, when people are satisfied and have fun in the classes they will tell people they know so don't forget to stress to those who come at first to spread it around that this is fun and free! And you learn cool things!”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:48 AM

Aria and i sat in the feild for a while....
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:48 AM

Awwww!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:49 AM

so i decided to make a place where people could come and do something, b/c that's less awkward than sitting in a field with strangers i guess : )
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:49 AM

Ha!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:49 AM

yes Rachel! and facebook : ) we're posting events EVERYWHERE! we spam it like crazy : )
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:50 AM

NO EXCUSES!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:50 AM

:D
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:50 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“oh I agree we need to become a "community" again.. people are too closed off from others. Emphasis that it is a great way to get the kids together too! do you have a place for the kids to do things?”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:50 AM

yes
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:50 AM

Everything is family friendly, yeah?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:51 AM

during events, we offer a short class/craft for the kids, or if it's age appropriate, they can get involved.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:51 AM

my 4yr old helped us tie-dye on monday!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:51 AM

we want the kids there
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:51 AM

Otherwise the moms can't come!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:51 AM

It's vitally important that they see their parents learning new things
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:51 AM

Oooh, that, too. You are so smart!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:51 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rich Hagberg

“takes a whole village to raise a child ;-)”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:51 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“that's great ... and a great way to get the kids to interact outside of the public school system - right Rebecca? ;)”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:51 AM

and failing and suceeding. they need to be less afriad of new stuff and jsut get out there
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:52 AM

Again with the social barriers!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:52 AM

Do you guys see this??? THIS IS HUGE!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:52 AM

I want them to come here and do stuff instead of going home and sitting in their rooms alone.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:52 AM

True words.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:52 AM

with the littles,
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:52 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rich Hagberg

“@ Sarah - Exactly! Our children learn from what we do!”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:52 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“love that Sarah! so important to teach our children that it is ok even awesome to create and with creation comes a lot of failure sometimes doesn't mean you stop trying :)”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:52 AM

we make sure to say "mommy can't hold you right now, she's learning something new! come look at it!" and
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:53 AM

it's cool to see them watch!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:53 AM

Oh, I love that! Can't wait to get out there next week!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:53 AM

Will you be teaching Monday?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:53 AM

yup!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:53 AM

Oh - and what did you think about Seth's idea?
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:53 AM

oh wait, not on the 23rd, i'll still be in Louisiana
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:53 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“You could do what a lot of adult education centers do, let someone promote their services in turn for teaching at a greatly reduced rate. Our high school always has photography, yoga, etc. classes like that”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:53 AM

but the 30th i'll be there.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:54 AM

(I'm not even sure I'll be back in Texas by the 23rd, anyway!)
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:54 AM

yes, we're doing that with beginner level stuff Seth, and then people can go to the actual business when they want to go to a higher level of learning.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:54 AM

which seth?>
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:54 AM

Oh, that's good, too. It gets more of the community invested in the project!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:55 AM

Hochman.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:55 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rich Hagberg

“I brought my children to classes with me, sure they'd get 'bored', but they are still learning then too!”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:55 AM

Right on, Rich!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:55 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“Rachel as Edison said he didn't fail 10,000 times to make the light bulb, he learned 10,000 ways not to make it”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:55 AM

yeah, like Heather is going to come teach beginner level bellydance for donations, and then when they get hooked, they get to join the troupe and pay the troupe.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:55 AM

And that's a good quote.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:55 AM

it's great! we have a zumba class working that way too.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:56 AM

So many great ideas and tie-ins!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:56 AM

I don't think they'd be bored, there's too much to do : )
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:56 AM

So, basically, you could make this work in a million ways, and just let it grow organically. :)
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:56 AM

especially in my dream building! art walls, gardens, music room, how could you be bored?
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:56 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“Those work out very well at our schools Rebecca, and every small business owner like to promote services”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:56 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“why is it that the same people with a desire to continually learn throughout their entire lives also happen to be politically progressive about 100% of the time?”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:57 AM

It's because they're BUSY people!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:57 AM

Busy people don't get stuck for long!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:57 AM

I mean busy like not in the treadmill way - I mean all over busy people who DO things.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:57 AM

Seth, we have a man in texoma who has a media business who does that
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:58 AM

he gathers high school kids, teaches them skills, and then hires them later!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:58 AM

Smart guy!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:58 AM

yup
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:58 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“Bachmann, Palin, Perry, etc. no brains growing there”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:58 AM

true statement sir!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:58 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“@Jordan because we want the freedom to continue to grow and learn without a lifetime of debt? just a thought ;) that's why free education is so amazing! :)”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:59 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“everyday is free education”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:59 AM

it should be lucy, you're right.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:59 AM

and we're just highlighting the best parts : )
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:59 AM

We don't talk about Rick Perry. *sigh.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:59 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“Yes, you've Rick Perry as your Governor...good luck”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:59 AM

some people need to be encouraged to get out of their houses and find that free education!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 2:59 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“plus progressive also implies continual knowledge.. and yes I think every person has something to teach others just like we all have something to learn which is why community is so important”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 2:59 AM

yes rachel!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:00 AM

Exactly! I think that's the heart of what Sarah is promoting. Equality - the best kind of equality and sharing.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:00 AM

So - if you guys have any more ideas, you know how to find us! We're very interested in your input, and we'll probably update some months down the road.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“@Lucy yes that is the way to live and things like what Sarah does here makes more people notice that learning from others vs. staying in your same old position does nothing for a person”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“i am always learning stuff from people. even from those who are much younger than me.”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“What's also amazing is you can learn just about any high school or college course for free on Youtube for $0, taught by a professional teacher”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:01 AM

I heart youtube : )
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:01 AM

Youtube makes experts of us all. ;)
SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:01 AM

yes, please check out the facebook page, pass it on, get people interested, start one of your own!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:01 AM

let us know if you have any more ideas!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:02 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rich Hagberg

“education has become more important and more expensive because many employers no longer are willing to teach (not all though)....”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:02 AM

yeah, what happened to apprenticships?
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:02 AM

THANK YOU so much for being here and for the input and encouragement. This is a very exciting thing - I feel like the future of education is a more organic model.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:02 AM

geez!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:02 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“MIT offers free classes and information to the public @Jordan - why are we in the formal education system again? :p”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:03 AM

good night everyone, thank you for coming!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:03 AM

Sarah, I think the industrial model happened. That's what happened to education and healthcare, too.
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:03 AM

Archaic disassociative model. Needs to go!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:03 AM

let me know if you have any other questions about starting something like this, we've learned a lot from our growing pains : )
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:03 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rich Hagberg

“Thank you Sarah, and good luck!!!”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:03 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“good luck to both of you on the CLCs! You have to keep us up-to-date on your progress!”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:03 AM

stupid industrialization : )
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:03 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

“night thanks Rebecca and Sarah keep doing what you are doing! :)”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:03 AM

thanks Rich!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:03 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“great tawk you too!! thanks :-)”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

“Best of luck ladies”

SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:04 AM

thank you all!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:04 AM

I love your positive energy, it helps us see why we are doing this!
SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:04 AM

bye!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:04 AM

Thanks, all - and we'll see Sarah back in October to Tawk some more about reclaiming birth for women instead of selling it to doctors.
SM

Sarah Meyers · 3:04 AM

yeah!
RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:05 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

“all hail belly button lint!!!”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:05 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rich Hagberg

“Best of luck Rebecca & Seth!”

RT

Rebecca Westbrook Toker · 3:05 AM

Thank you all again and good night!