On Grief, Belonging & Intimacy
A Community Gathering with David Whyte and Gayle Karen Young
In this intimate conversation with poet and philosopher David Whyte and his wife, cultural architect Gayle Karen Young, we will explore the tender territories of grief, belonging and rest.
Drawing from David’s new book Consolations II, this unique dialogue offers a glimpse into how two lives intertwine in both understanding and living these essential human experiences and how loss and heartbreak can become doorways to deeper belonging.
The conversation will weave together poetry, contemplative wisdom, and the authentic experience of two people who have walked the path of partnership through its many thresholds. It offers both practical insight and spiritual nourishment for anyone seeking to understand how we grow through love’s many faces—from its first tender beginnings to its most profound depths of kinship.
We contemplate together:
- Our relationship with time
- The delicate thresholds between longing and belonging
- How individual and collective heartbreaks are interwoven
- How to stand in “the frontier of our understanding”
- Transformation and “undoing”
Bring your questions!
Presenters
David Whyte
David Whyte, raised between his Irish mother’s imaginative influence and his father’s Yorkshire landscapes, now calls the Pacific Northwest home. He is the author of twelve books of poetry and five books of prose, holding a degree in Marine Zoology and bringing rich experience from his years as a naturalist guide in the Galapagos Islands and leader of expeditions in the Andes, Amazon, and Himalaya.
Whyte’s work uniquely bridges three distinct worlds: the literary realm of poetry, philosophical inquiry, and organizational leadership. His perspective on creativity has made him a sought-after voice in organizational development, where he works with international companies to foster courage and adaptability through what he terms “Conversational Leadership.”
His poetry collections include The Seven Streams: An Irish Cycle (2024) and Still Possible (2022), while his prose works feature Consolations II (2024) and the influential The Heart Aroused: Poetry & the Preservation of the Soul in Corporate America. He has received honorary degrees from Neumann College and Royal Roads University, and since 2020 has hosted Three Sundays, a live online series exploring poetry and the human experience.
Gayle Karen Young
Gayle Karen Young is a cultural architect and catalyst for human and organizational development who believes the world needs leaders who are “able for” what lies ahead. With over two decades in leadership development, she focuses on both the visible, practical aspects of leadership and the invisible work of creating spaces where others can thrive.
A former executive turned consultant, Gayle was on the path to becoming a Zen monk when she pivoted to become Chief Culture and Talent Officer at the Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia). She now works with Cultivating Leadership, bringing expertise in leadership development, change management, strategic communications, and organizational transformation to both corporate and nonprofit clients.
Holding a Masters in Organizational Psychology, Gayle specializes in developing people to work with their full potential while navigating complex organizational systems. She is passionate about global women’s issues and supporting women in leadership. A self-proclaimed geek who loves Comic-Con and science fiction, she is deeply interested in the intersection of technology and human rights. She divides her time between San Francisco, California, and Whidbey Island, Washington.