I am a loving partner (of over 20 years!) and father of two kids. Both of these roles, father and partner, have been transformative. I have worked for 20+ years in the not for profit sector in community development and supportive housing in both direct support and in leadership and program development. I have an MA in History and a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. I have advanced certificate training in Ecotherapy, Non Violent Communication and Restorative Circle Facilitation, Coaching for Transformation, Anti Violence Facilitation with Men, Executive Leadership Development and Mediation, . I have further trained with Francis Weller in Grief Ritual Facilitation, Amy Wright Glenn in Holding Space for Grief and Loss, Bill Plotkin’s Soulcraft and most recently with Stephen Jenkinson at the Orphan Wisdom School.
In my work I provide individual coaching and holding space in support of healing and growth specifically around grief and loss, conflict in relationships, negative self talk or of being stuck in conflict styles or responses (such as anger or withdrawal) that are no longer serving you. I work with men to bring a deeper sense of healing and connection to heart and purpose. Through nature based practices I provide support for life transitions, or big changes such as initiation or rites of passage, where the soul beckons and you may feel a calling towards a sense of deeper purpose. This work centres around a deepened connection between your dreams, your heart’s calling, the earth and more than human world, and the life you live.
I am influenced by the work of Marshall Rosenberg, Stephen Jenkinson, Francis Weller and Bill Plotkin. I have attended the Orphan Wisdom School, and trained with Francis Weller in his model of the Gates of Grief and in facilitating grief rituals and attended Soulcraft training. I am also informed by the work of Holding Space as taught to me by Amy Wright Glenn. I am indebted to their wisdom as well as Robin Wall Kimmerer, James Hillman, James Baldwin, Joanna Macy, Sarah Peyton and bell hooks.
Handwork and Soul
Creativity, beauty and imagination are important elements to a good life. I am drawn to a way of living that incorporates craft, art,creativity and beauty in daily life. It brings a different relationship to the materials we bring into our living space, a closer relationship with nature and inspires a level of self sufficiency. This is articulated by Bill Coperthwaite in A Handmade Life, and in the Slojd tradition of Sweden, as I understand it from Jogge Sundquvist, and my own Mennonite roots. It is based on a way of living with craft, of making the things you need rather than buying them, and that our ‘things’ and tools reinforce our connection and relationships.
JR Woodcraft
I’ve been a practicing woodworker for close to 20 years and carved my first spoon more than 10 years ago and fell in love with the art of spoon carving. I enjoy working with local materials, which connect us to a specific place. Green woodworking is working with wood straight from the log. For most of human history this was how people worked with wood. When it is “green” the wood is still wet which makes it much easier to work with hand tools. Working primarily with hand tools, I can feel closer to the materials and to my natural surroundings.
I am a spoon carver and maker of woodenware such as eating spoons, cooking spoons, bowls, cutting boards, carved boxes, shrink pots and small furniture such as stools, shelves and bookcases. Some ready made items I make are for sale and others can be requested through pre order. I offer one on one and group training in spoon carving and green woodworking. You can visit my shop page for more information.
I acknowledge that I live and work on stolen land of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Mississaugas of the New Credit. I look to the Dish with One Spoon Covenant for guidance and stand in solidarity with Indigenous land claims and the movement for indigenous sovereignty and governance, wisdom and guidance over these lands. I long for a time when we may all live rooted in indigenous ways of interbeing and interdependence. I stand in solidarity with the community in fighting to address the loss of murdered and missing women and girls, transgender and two-spirit peoples and the over representation of indigenous men and women in the criminal justice system.
Please reach out if you’d like to talk!
Joel Regehr 