a “ buddy ” with whom they share details about their project ’ s progress and get ideas and support to continue the momentum .
To date , more than 400 women from all over the Berkshires have participated in 75 Walking Our Talk circles , and many have returned to join subsequent circles . During the pandemic , the organization expanded to include women from beyond the Berkshires who could now join the circle meetings on Zoom . Walking Our Talk has offered 145 scholarships to women who wish to participate , and its policy is to never deny participation due to financial limitations . In 2019 , it achieved nonprofit status and set up its own board of directors responsible for elevating the organization and managing its finances , and Deborah DeMarche Carusone was hired in 2020 as the first executive director .
The impact of Walking Our Talk on the community has been significant and wide-ranging .
Carmen Baker , a member of Latinas413 , decided to write a book during one Walking Our Talk circle experience . She had pursued a Master ’ s Degree in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and realized during the pandemic that many people were living isolated and lonely lives . She wanted to help others learn concrete steps to feel better in hard times , and so she drafted a book titled A Practical Guide to Happiness in Adversity and is now doing final revisions . She said one of her Walking Our Talk buddies encouraged her to set timelines to complete the book — an idea that was so simple , yet so supportive at the same time . Baker adds , “ I love the circle format . We all share , but no one can interrupt and say , ‘ You should do this or that .’ It makes me feel I can speak freely about what I feel , and the others acknowledge me by listening deeply .”
Eve Schatz , the founder of the Berkshire Center for Justice , joined one of Campbell ’ s early groups . She was still a law student at the time , having completed her first year . She realized that many people in the Berkshires could not afford legal assistance . With the encouragement of the Walking Our Talk circle , Schatz developed a program to offer free legal clinics bridging individuals to community and social services , and she wrote a grant to partially fund them . Schatz didn ’ t get that grant , but the Walking Our Talk sisters helped her test
JULIA KAPLAN
Walking Our Talk board members Jackie Leventhal , Robbie Bogard , Annie McCormack , and Mary Campbell .
out the idea and assisted with marketing , which ultimately led to her decision to move the idea forward . Eighteen years on , the Berkshire Center for Justice has developed into a robust organization serving over 3,000 people in the community . “ I ’ m glad I had the support of Walking Our Talk members ,” Schatz says .
Jill Fleming has been part of Walking Our Talk from the beginning . In the mid-2000s , newly divorced and not earning enough to support her family as a teacher and new head of household , she needed to generate more income . As a movement educator , she was organizing circus camps during the summertime . It wasn ’ t getting the kind of traction she wanted , but she didn ’ t know how to write a business plan , design a website , or do marketing . She attended a Walking Our Talk circle and asked for help . “ The circle helped me get focused . I wrote a solid business plan outline and came up with a goal to register 25 kids in my circus program . I ended up getting 24 !” And Berkcirque , an aerial yoga and circus center was born . Fleming built a website , and another woman showed her how to put ads in the Shoppers Guide . “ It was the support of the women and their confidence in me , believing in me , cheering me on that led to my circus program blossoming .”
Katie Luscomb is a recent transplant to the Berkshires , having moved from New Orleans during the pandemic . She found Walking Our Talk as she was looking for friends and community and attended her first circle in the fall of 2023 . For Luscomb , the key ingredient of the experience is in the circle culture . “ The structure and culture allow for intimacy ,” she explains . “ The Agreements and Values contained in the participant handbook encourage us to step outside the daily grind of our lives and pause . They really help us think about being intentional in the way we communicate with one another , and how we can be supportive and respectful of each other . The sharing we do during circle encourages us to go beyond small talk , which jumpstarts deeper and more meaningful conversations that don ’ t necessarily happen early on in friendships .”
Initially , Luscomb ’ s project was to create an Etsy shop for her pottery business , but a bout of Covid during the circle slowed her down . She pivoted to prepare for a booth to sell her wares at the Berkshires Potters Collective ’ s first annual pottery sale . “ It was very helpful to be part of the circle then because the women were so supportive , especially with me getting Covid ,” she says . “ I was feeling discouraged about being ready on time . Each time I met with my buddy , I felt genuine curiosity and care about my pottery project , and what I was doing to prepare . Even though we hadn ’ t known each other for that long , they really cared about my making progress and being ready .”
In a world longing for community , Walking Our Talk lights a hopeful path and empowers women through the simple practice of gathering in circle . A new cycle of Walking Our Talk circles begins in March . To learn more , go to walkingourtalk . org . n
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