The Brave and Beautiful Community is a compassionate, brave, and growth-minded gathering of midlife (ish) women from different corners of the world. Members build a deeper friendship and trust with their True Self, an understanding of how to honour their wiring and wants/needs in every season, and they build resilience and confidence in their capacity to face challenges, take risks, and choose joy amid the messiness of a full, beautiful life.
Life is better in community: healthy community is a key part of resilience, wellbeing, and life satisfaction (even for the highly sensitive human and strong introvert). We don’t all find ‘our people’ in our local communities and even if we do have fabulous friends, it doesn’t mean we share all the same interests or are at the same place on our journey to freedom, health, and joy.
Join the waitlist for the Winter Session. Registration opens December 4th!
I have been a member of Krista’s Brave and Beautiful community for over two years, and it has become one of the anchor points in my life. Regardless of how busy/stressful life is, it is a community I know I can return to pressure-free, to connect with women at all stages of life (…) For people who like to learn, there is nothing better. Krista’s work and exercises are an amazing combination of science-based research and her extensive reading and education into personal growth. In a word, I would describe the B and B community as a place of richness—of endless opportunities to grow and explore, and in connections with like-minded women.
Valerie
3 primary gifts of the brave + beautiful membership community according to members
The B+B is a comfortable, warm, non-judgmental place to grow and learn. You feel a sense of solidarity with the other women and learn from each other. It keeps you thriving and anchored on the path you want to be on.
The content is a lovely mix of evidence-base, inspiration, and practical application. Whenever you need it, you will find hope and inspiration here. You learn new truths and practices, and get the modeling and support you need, to change your relationship with yourself and the way you show up to your life.
You feel seen and heard and feel permission to be completely yourself. Introverts and highly sensitive humans are understood here. There is no pressure to speak or ‘perform’ and no guilt when you’re in a busy season and can’t join in as much as you’d like.
Below is a quick glimpse of the content map for Autumn 2023-Summer 2024 session.
I found myself depressed and with anxiety I had never experienced before. I was completely unmoored, like a leaf in the wind, without agency, trapped and without a sense of what I even liked and I could not make the simplest decisions. I was truly worried for my sanity (…) I thank God, my therapist, Krista’s work, and a very good friend for helping me find my way back from a true dark night of the soul which actually lasted many months. I sincerely thank you all for being part of the progress.
K.M.
What’s included when you invest in this inspirational community?
Each of our four yearly sessions build upon each other and guide you in building skill, becoming more resourced and empowered, and deepening wisdom and self-trust. While we revisit certain foundational practices and ideas as we cycle through the year, no two sessions are alike. We generally have calls 9/13 weeks or per session. This leaves breathing room for rest, holidays, and the unexpected.
Book a free zoom chat to make sure the B+B is a right-fit for you.
CONTENT PLAN: Our theme is “Filled Up and Overflowing.'” See the image above for an overview of the year. In the autumn session you will learn skills, practices, and truths that will help you move toward wholeness and embrace your whole messy and beautiful self. You will build a kinder and more respectful relationship with your True Self and let go of old stories and beliefs about who you are and who you ‘should’ be.
Each seasonal session of the BB includes:
- BRAVE COMMUNITY: A welcoming, private group off of social media. You won’t be lost in a crowd of hundreds or thousands like with many programs. As a highly sensitive human, I know that this makes a world of difference. You also have the opportunity to form meaningful connection + long-lasting relationships.
- EDUCATION: An educational module (x4/year) with evidence-based and/or life-giving exercises/practices. You’ll receive a weekly email with a link to the latest (private) podcast episode and other essentials so if you’re busy and on the go you have everything you need at your fingertips!
- CONNECTION + COACHING: gather for regular 90-min Mentoring + Connection calls focused on the current topic to guide you through the work and explore it’s practical application. You can join live, enjoy the video replays, or listen on-the-go through a private podcast.
- SEASONAL RHYTHMS + PRACTICES: I weave a seasonal framework throughout my work and life. At each seasonal transition we’ll have a 2-hour Seasonal Transition Call focused on how to harness the wisdom of each new season and apply it to your work and life in practical ways. Also, you are invited to join the (optional/extra) “Seasonal Projects Circle” where you will receive gentle accountability around taking consistent imperfect action toward your goals at our live new moon calls and full moon check-ins.
- REST: Rest weeks are woven throughout the year to encourage integration, to practice the importance of rest, play, and pleasure, and breathing room to attend to all the other parts of your full life.
- INSPIRATIONAL EXTRAS: Free access to all new workshops and challenges (join live or enjoy the replay when it works for you) along with access to the full resource library; there’s always something new to learn when you want it!
I wanted to let you know I’ve found your work hugely, positively, impactful; it’s clear to me many others feel the same way. Your eloquent articulation of internal states combined with your ability to translate in to practical steps is honestly second to none in my experience.
Carol Y
imagine living vibrant AND joyful in every season: join the Brave + beautiful membership community (winter registration opens in december!)
NOTE: Prices are increasing as of January 2024. You can lock in current rates when you choose the full-year option or full-year plus coaching!
For best results I recommend a one-year commitment; the work we do together in the BB is not about “quick fixes” but about deep, powerful, and sustainable growth or change. Many members choose to stay longer than one year.
Having said that, you are welcome to join for one session/3 months (paid in full or monthly payments with a min 3 month commitment), join for a full-year, or join for a full-year plus private 1:1 coaching. Members who pay-in-full for a full year receive 2 months free and are “grand-mothered” in at that price so that your membership rate never increases.
Workshops ($45 each) and Seasonal Transition Calls ($90 each) are FREE for Brave + Beautiful Community members!
*Your payment and registration indicates acceptance of the disclaimer & terms of use (including the refund policy). There are no sliding scale spaces open at this time. Prices are increasing January 2024.
FAQs: The Brave + Beautiful Community
Who is the B+B best suited for?
So far, women between the ages of 31 to 73 have loved their B+B experience! My work focuses on the needs and experiences of women 40+. You can self-select if this community feels like a great-fit or book a free chat with me to discuss.
The content is a mix of evidence-base, inspiration, and practical application. If you’re a growth-minded and/or curious human, or a questioner, you’ll probably love it here.
As member Valerie writes, “for people who like to learn, there is nothing better. Krista’s work and exercises are an amazing combination of science-based research and her extensive reading and education into personal growth.”
I’m a strong introvert, a Highly Sensitive Person and stubborn questioner with rebel leanings, ISFJ (often mistaken for an IN), an integrated Enneagram 1/hopeful reformer, living open to joyful possibility. Freedom, integrity, and curiosity are my top three values.
Brave + Beautiful Community members come from different corners of the world and include therapists, physicians, pastors, coaches, researchers, business owners, SAHMs homeschooling and doing their own creative or entrepreneurial work on the side, women on leave from work due to chronic illness, and (far) more.
Many members (not all) are highly sensitive or non-hustlers (or have paid the cost of hustle-culture) seeking an intentional, sustainable, or soul-honouring life.
Is the B+B an inclusive space?
I want to help create a kinder, safer world that does a far better job of honouring the beauty of diversity in its varied shapes and forms instead of trying to squish us all into a joy-crushing and sometimes life-threatening box. I believe in the incredible beauty of and need for diversity. My space won't meet the needs of everyone which is why I do my best to clarify who it will best serve.
My work focuses on the needs and experiences of women throughout the years of about 40-early 70s.
If you are hearing impaired, English is not your first language, or this helps with focus, closed captioning is available on our Zoom calls. Modules and worksheets/handouts are printable.
Many members are highly sensitive or otherwise neurodivergent. I encourage you to learn to honour your wiring in practical ways and show up to our work at a soul-honouring pace and in ways that work best for you.
My husband is West-African, an immigrant to Canada, English is his third language, our children biracial, and I come from a multi-cultural family. I am committed to anti-racism and culturally responsive work. As part of my ongoing learning, I'm a member of the Institute for Equity Centered Coaching: a professional association for coaches and leaders committed to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
Two of my kids are/were bisexual (I share this with permission). Several other members also have kids who belong to the LGBTQIA+ community or otherwise don't fit and neat and tidy into the tiny prescribed boxes of our culture. This isn't a group about parenting, but we get to bring our full selves, experience, and values to the table.
Spirituality or faith is important to many B+B members. Others are disentangling themselves from cultural and religious conditioning to walk in greater freedom, health and joy. If you feel comfortable being with and respecting varied experiences then you are welcome.
The BB is a weight-neutral space but I do not have formal training in this area. We don't believe that freedom, wholeness, or joy comes from squishing ourselves into a one-sized-fits-all (soul-crushing) box. Some members have a history of eating disorder and I have a past of disordered eating and body shame though no longer live here. Because we talk about cultural conditioning and learning to feel safe, at home, and joyful in our bodies and lives, at times the conversation may include mention of building a safe and trusting friendship with our Self (including our body) and members may mention their personal experience or struggle. I will keep learning how to hold these conversations with great sensitivity but if your mind-body health will be compromised by any of this, please know that the BB may not be a safe space for you.
I'm navigating grief/ trauma/ struggle. Can I join?
That depends.
If you see yourself somewhere in steps 2/3-7 of this growth map, the B+B is likely a good fit. If you see yourself in step 1, and often step 2, one-on-one support is a better option.
I encourage all members to build a healthy support system - we need social support and social connection for wellbeing.
If you're in crisis or in the first year of a traumatic loss, I encourage you to prioritize professional care that is specific to your experience/needs. For example, this might include trauma therapy, a grief circle or grief coaching, and medical care.
Many members are learning to honour their wiring and capacity as they live with chronic mental or physical health challenges or care for family members who struggle with their mental and/or physical health. Many have a history of trauma or loss including suicide loss; my son died by suicide in 2019. I offer grief and trauma-informed mentoring and education. However, this is not a space for delving into individual experiences of trauma and grief.
How much time is required?
We will generally have calls 8 or9 weeks (out of 13) in each seasonal session. This leaves breathing room for rest, holidays, and other unexpected life needs. And rest weeks can also be used to enjoy the Resource Library.
For best results, commit to about 7.5 hours per month or 22 hours per 3-month session, spread out according to your lifestyle and capacity. If you have greater capacity you can easily do more.
You can absolutely make space for this in your full life though you'll need to prioritize your wellbeing and intentionally make and guard the space on your calendar.
It's normal to have ebb and flow of energy and time available and I'll encourage you regularly that more and faster isn't better. One new idea practiced consistently can lead to powerful results and will trickle over into every area of life.
When are the calls and what if I can't join live?
Joining live is not essential. Calls are recorded.
You can listen to replays through our private podcast or watch the video replays inside our online community. Some people love joining live calls while others prefer to listen/watch to the replays at their own pace.
I alternate Mentoring + Connection Calls between 11 am MT (1 pm ET // 6 pm in the UK) and 5:30 pm MT (7:30 pm ET // Thursday morning in the southern hemisphere) so most people can make at least some of the calls live, if they want to.
Extras like peer-led calls, the Seasonal Projects Circle, and workshops vary in day and time.
Daylights savings time begins on March 12, 2023 and ends November 5, 2023. This might impact the time of the calls in your time zone.
You have access to a Google Calendar for the B+B Community as well as a printable list of dates/times.
Do I get access to you? Will I get 1:1 support?
Joining the B+B Community offers you the gift of group mentoring and building relationship with other like-minded people.
You will receive support and encouragement in our live calls (you're welcome to submit questions in advance if you can't join a call live). You can also ask questions, ask for support, and share how you're practicing, what you're proud of, or any struggles in the group home feed.
This is different from coaching, though. If what you most want or need is 1:1 support, or support for personal needs and growth work that isn't appropriate to share with the group or that requires more in-depth tending, you can talk with me about coaching. Many members sign up for both coaching and the B+B Community and I offer a special price for this that includes four months free inside the BB Community.
A soul-honouring and sustainable life is important to me. Having lost a child, and navigating wildfire evacuations, a serious car accident, etc., has taught me that I need to allow for extra support at times.
As such, while I host most mentoring + connection calls, if I need time off, whether planned or for unexpected reasons, or I want the group to benefit from the wisdom and expertise of a guest teacher, another coach I trust will offer support in my absence.
What if I get overwhelmed or fall behind?
You can't really get 'behind' because you're encouraged to work with your honest capacity but I get what you mean.
You can pick and choose which of the exercises in each module feel most important to you, or if you want to prioritize community or content in this season. Also, I weave Rest + Reflection Weeks throughout our sessions. Life is messy and we may as well 'plan for the unexpected.' So you'll have time and space to catch up on work, if you want or need it.
Flexibility is a key of resilience and emotional regulation. Practicing loosening our grip on our plans and specific outcomes, and tilting or flexing (instead of breaking or giving up) is just as important a part of our work as the content itself.
I care about every member. If I see that you haven't been active in a few weeks, I'll send a quick email to check-in. I offer ongoing encouragement and practical support to stay the course but ultimately, it's up to you to choose to reach out and stay connected, or withdraw.
What's your refund and upgrade policy?
I do not offer refunds so it's important to be mindful about your choice to join.
I keep my community small so that I know everyone by name - you are not just a number here. For felt-sense of safety for all members, I don't offer month-to-month membership. As such, when you join, you do so with a minimum three-month commitment/one season.
If you aren’t sure about joining, you can schedule a free zoom chat with me or take a workshop to get to know my voice and personality, read more of my writing, read about my path, and check out my core values (higher up on the sales page). I also encourage you to read some of the testimonials of other members (see the bottom of this page).
I offer a three-week upgrade runway. This means that you can join for one session if that feels most comfortable to you, participate for a while to make sure you love it, and then in the first three weeks upgrade to a longer-term commitment. This lets you take advantage of the cost-savings and other benefits of a full-year commitment without urgency.
Do you offer scholarships?
I over-gave and this means all sliding scale spaces are filled through 2023.
10%+ of the spaces in the B+B are offered through partial scholarships (min $45/mos). I value my work and wisdom and do not offer it for free.
Priority is for Black + Indigenous women+, and/or those who hold an identity that has been marginalized and obstructed your access to financial security.
Sliding scale spaces are NOT available every session since members often stay longer than one session. If space is open this will be indicated in the pricing and registration area.
Sliding scale spaces are NOT available for people choosing not to exercise their earning power, living off of savings, in university or studying, launching a new therapy or coaching practice, retired with a pension or investments, those who own their home, have money for travel, etc.
What are the tech requirements for joining? Do you use social media?
You need an internet connection, email address, a device (preferably an iPad, laptop, or desktop), and a notebook, pen, and binder to collect handouts.
We use Zoom for calls and workshops. There's an app for our community, for iOS and android.
I send you a link to the private podcast and you can listen on your favourite podcast player (optional). I also include links in the Monday email.
The B+B is hosted off of social media, on a platform called Circle. Social media is not used as apart of the BB Community.
You will receive a welcome PDF that outlines how to use our community and answers common questions. In the first couple of weeks, I (or someone else) will offer extra time to show new members around the community, answer questions, and help you get settled. However, I cannot offer 'tech education.'
I have a different question. Can I talk to you?
Absolutely. Reach out here and we'll set up a time to talk.
The materials and guidance you’ve provided in the B&B have helped me gain valuable insights into my personality. Your program is far superior to a lot of offerings out there. They are kindergarten and you are graduate school.
Amy D
Being part of the B+B community has had a significant impact on my life in a positive way. I love the ability to be as involved as I want to be and feeling supported along the way. The content Krista creates is thought provoking and helps me to think differently about situations. I learn from each module and understand how to apply it to my life. Since starting, I feel more calm, more self aware, and happier, even though what is going on around me is challenging. Thank you Krista for providing amazing support to so many!
Barb SJ
I have stayed mostly quiet in the group, but I have benefited greatly from doing the work offline and it has truly made a huge difference in this time of transition and rebirth for me. I look forward to reviewing the materials again on my own – I know I will discover many things I missed the first time through. Thank you for being willing to share with and guide people in all seasons of life.
Christine H
I so appreciate you, your posts, thought processes, interviews, your way at problem-solving, the content you create, and your support. Joining this group is the very thing that helped me to begin to take steps forward from probably the worst season I’ve ever been through since childhood. I was so stuck and discouraged. Now I am making headway in leaps and bounds!! Brave and Beautiful has been so inspiring and so life-giving for me, and I just wanted you to know and thank you again. Who you are and what you carry is truly immeasurable in my life.
Joyanne F
I want to thank Krista for literally opening up my world. I joined the B&B Community at a time when my anxiety and chronic health issues were my entire life, and my “real life” was going to start after I was “fixed”. Well after being in this group for over a year, my health issues and anxiety are still a part of my life but no longer my whole world. Krista’s wisdom has changed the way I move in the world. Using imperfect action, and knowing that I’m not broken, and that healing takes place in community, has made this last year my most joyous and grounded year that I’ve had in over a decade.
Rabiah F
Joining the Brave and Beautiful Community feels like coming home. This is a place where we can be vulnerable without shame (…) Woven through all of this is Krista’s guidance and resources. Her work is rooted in a combination of science-based practices and intuitive wisdom. For me, the weekly discussions and exercises spark unconscious truths within myself that have been hidden under years of cultural conditioning. Through all of this Krista is walking and practicing alongside us, living her values and modeling a beautiful, messy, imperfect life. I am so grateful for having found this community, and through it have become calmer, more aware, and more delighted with my life in all its challenges and joys.
Jennie S
After retiring last June, I started paying more attention to topics I found interesting, one of which was the B+B community and the idea of seasonal living. I rather impulsively (for me!) decided to join and then paid for a whole year! I am enjoying the modules and articles and exercises very much. I am actually doing the work, spending the time to think through my life and experiences that have made me who I am. I like attending the Zoom calls and hearing feedback from other strong women who are coming into their own, working through difficult situations and discovering their strengths. I am very happy to have found you and this community you have started.
Kathy R
join the B+B waitlist
People on the waitlist get first opportunity to join us when space opens up!
I’m an educator and coach. The support I offer is not intended to diagnose, treat, heal, cure, or prescribe for any medical condition and it is not a replacement for therapy or medical advice.