Meaningful Conversations

for Hope and Healing

MYFest

2026

Mariah Fairley mariah@aucegypt.edu

Heba Fathelbab heba.f@aucegypt.edu

Welcome & Series Overview

Topics in our series

​

Brave Spaces Guidelines

• Participate from a space of self reflection and desire to grow
• Speak from the heart and your own personal experiences
• Listen deeply with curiosity and without judgment
• Show warmth and appreciation towards contributions of others
• Maintain confidentiality

Arao, B., & Clemens, K. (2023). From safe spaces to brave spaces: A new way to frame dialogue around diversity and social justice. In The art of effective facilitation (pp. 135-150). Routledge.

Co-creating a ‘brave’ space to discuss meaningful topics:

Our Process

(Inspired by: Using talking circles in the classroom by Alaina Winters)

Session 1

Building community through embracing diversity & connecting with the other

Introductions & Check-in

In the chat:

​

Selecting and reading quotes

Conversations in small groups

Building community through embracing diversity & connecting with the other

Guiding questions

1. Would anyone like to share about a quote that resonated with them?
2. When have you felt most included or valued in a group?
3. Can you share experiences where you felt “less than” or saw others being treated as “less than”? How did you feel? What did you do?
4. What is one aspect of your identity that shapes how you connect with others?
5. From your own experience what are some causes of divisiveness or community breakdown? What makes it hard to embrace diversity & connect with ‘the other’?
6. What are small, practical ways we can foster inclusion in everyday interactions?
7. From today’s discussion, what is one takeaway you will be thinking about or trying to apply going forward?

Wrap-up

Meaningful Conversations

for Hope and Healing

MYFest

2026

Mariah Fairley mariah@aucegypt.edu

Heba Fathelbab heba.f@aucegypt.edu

Welcome & Series Overview

Topics in our series

​

Brave Spaces Guidelines

• Participate from a space of self reflection and desire to grow
• Speak from the heart and your own personal experiences
• Listen deeply with curiosity and without judgment
• Show warmth and appreciation towards contributions of others
• Maintain confidentiality

Arao, B., & Clemens, K. (2023). From safe spaces to brave spaces: A new way to frame dialogue around diversity and social justice. In The art of effective facilitation (pp. 135-150). Routledge.

Co-creating a ‘brave’ space to discuss meaningful topics:

Our Process

(Inspired by: Using talking circles in the classroom by Alaina Winters)

Session 2

Centering joy in our lives during trying times

Introductions & Check-in

In the chat:

​

Selecting and reading quotes

Conversations in small groups

Centering joy in our lives during trying times

Guiding questions

1. Would anyone like to share about a quote that resonated with them?
2. From your own experience, what role does joy play in your life?
3. From your own experience, what can make it hard to center joy?
4. How do relationships influence your sense of joy?
5. How can we center joy in our lives during trying times? How can we protect ourselves from forces of negativity?
6. How can we spread joy to others?
7. From today’s discussion, what is one takeaway you will be thinking about or trying to apply going forward?

Wrap-up

Meaningful Conversations

for Hope and Healing

MYFest

2026

Mariah Fairley mariah@aucegypt.edu

Heba Fathelbab heba.f@aucegypt.edu

Welcome & Series Overview

Topics in our series

​

Brave Spaces Guidelines

• Participate from a space of self reflection and desire to grow
• Speak from the heart and your own personal experiences
• Listen deeply with curiosity and without judgment
• Show warmth and appreciation towards contributions of others
• Maintain confidentiality

Arao, B., & Clemens, K. (2023). From safe spaces to brave spaces: A new way to frame dialogue around diversity and social justice. In The art of effective facilitation (pp. 135-150). Routledge.

Co-creating a ‘brave’ space to discuss meaningful topics:

Our Process

(Inspired by: Using talking circles in the classroom by Alaina Winters)

Session 3

Embracing vulnerability for building connection and belonging

Introductions & Check-in

In the chat:

​

Selecting and reading quotes

Conversations in small groups

Embracing vulnerability for building connection and belonging

Guiding questions

1. Would anyone like to share about a quote that resonated with them?
2. How did your upbringing or culture shape your views on vulnerability?
3. What makes it difficult to show vulnerability and emotion? What are some of the stigmas surrounding it?
4. Would anyone like to share a time when you showed vulnerability and what resulted from that?
5. In what ways can vulnerability be an act of courage or leadership?
6. How can we better embrace vulnerability? How can we create space for vulnerability?
7. From today’s discussion, what is one takeaway you will be thinking about or trying to apply going forward?

Wrap-up