TNM Talks: Gretchen Rubin in Conversation with TNM Founder Shari Foos

Join a candid conversation with bestselling author, Gretchen Rubin, whose books include the New York Times #1 blockbuster, The Happiness Project. She also hosts the podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin. After the interview, audience members will be invited to participate in a TNM experience of creative writing to prompts.

About Gretchen Rubin:

Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature. She’s known for her ability to convey complex ideas—from science to literature to stories from her own life—with levity and clarity. She’s the author of many bestselling books, such as The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, and The Four Tendencies, which have sold millions of copies in more than thirty languages. Her most recent book is Life in Five Senses. She’s also host of the popular podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, and founder of award-winning Happier app, which helps people track their happiness-boosting habits. Gretchen Rubin has been interviewed by Oprah, eaten dinner with Nobel Prize-winner Daniel Kahneman, walked arm-in-arm with the Dalai Lama, had her work reported on in a medical journal, been written up in the New Yorker, and been an answer on Jeopardy! After starting her career in law, she realized she wanted to be a writer while she was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Raised in Kansas City, she lives in New York City with her family.

How It Works (1-hour Sessions):

INTRODUCTION & INSPIRATION:

• A TNM facilitator sets up the session, including group agreements and the TNM Core Concept of the week.
• Gretchen Rubin will share in conversation with TNM Founder Shari Foos followed by a creative experience. 

WRITING:

• The facilitator shares a photo and the first prompt. You're invited to use prompts as a starting point and take them anywhere your imagination leads in any style, any voice. The only parameter is to keep it to 1 page or 500 words.
• Next, you'll get a second prompt to weave into your piece and tie it all together.

BREAKOUT GROUPS:

• After the writing, you are randomly assigned to small breakout groups with other participants.
• Everyone takes turns reading their piece without stopping for conversation or feedback. Simple acknowledgments such as "Thank you for sharing." are welcome. While each person shares, focus on witnessing without judgment.
• After everyone has shared, feel free to discuss your process, the TNM Core Concept and prompt or share about something else that's going on with you that may be relevant to the TNM experience. Speak for yourself only and refrain from giving advice or asking probing questions.
• NOTE: If someone in your group shares something deeply personal and may be in distress, please ask them if they are okay in this moment and don't hesitate to send a direct message to the TNM facilitator.

GROUP SHARE:

• In the final minutes, the group comes together to share their thoughts about their experience, answer questions, go deeper and have fun!

Salon Guidelines:

MUTUAL RESPECT

Remain aware and conscientious of your choice of words and tone. Please do not ask personal questions or give advice. Hate speech or hurtful behavior, regardless of the context will not be tolerated and will lead to immediate removal from the session.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Confidentiality is essential. What is said in the group must stay here. We do not record these sessions and will not tolerate any recording, transcribing, repeating others' stories or otherwise infringing on the rights and privacy of others.

CAMERAS ON

To ensure that everyone feels comfortable sharing their stories and their feelings, we require everyone to have their cameras on during sessions, except while writing. If you do not comply you will be removed from the session.

LISTENING

When listening to others' stories, put yourself aside so you can hear others from their perspective without your own assumptions getting in the way. Your job is only to witness each other with appreciation.

Those who join in TNM online sessions should familiarize themselves with our participation disclaimer and agreement at https://www.thenarrativemethod.org/tnm-disclaimer