This is Contagious Vulnerability
What is Contagious Vulnerability?
The origin story. Contagious Vulnerability was born in the Fall of 2016 during a CTI coaches training workshop on Values and Purpose. Our instructors led us through a visioning exercise with the prompt: “You’re on a stage. What is the impact you want to have on your audience? What are you being or doing to have that impact?'“
What came to me in that moment was: “I want to inspire greater self-love through curious self-discovery and an embracing of our perfect imperfections.” My next thought was: “No one ever sees my imperfections or thinks I have any. Maybe I’ll have to be naked on stage.” Which was quickly followed by: “But my sister will kill me!” Plus the vagina monologues had been done. And it wasn’t about me. I wanted it to be about we.
What emerged was the following vision: I was on stage with one other person. I would tell them a vulnerable story from my journey. They would witness me and deeply listen. Then I would get up and invite an audience member onto the stage to be the next listener and the first would become the teller, sharing her own vulnerable story. And so on and so on until the experience catalyzed a ripple effect of Contagious Vulnerability throughout the audience.
Contagious Vulnerability 1.0. I launched Contagious Vulnerability 1.0 in 2017 as a series of transformational group experiences at the Compound of Joy. The mission: to gather people in a space of courageous and contagious vulnerability to foster deeper and more authentic connections with self, with others and with nature to heal the diseases of disconnection in our world. Diseases of disconnection like loneliness, anxiety, depression, unconscious consumption, self-harm, planetary-harm, and sadly, so many others.
The first pivot. In the fall of 2018, I pivoted and launched The Contagious Vulnerability Project on Medium (now cross-posted here for those without Medium subscriptions), giving voice to my authentic experience of transformation live as it’s unfolding in a weekly series. My intention: to start a conversation with the world about the power of personal transformation, sharing the wisdom gained through my experience in hopes of being of service to others and a catalyst for their own journeys of self-healing. I hope to give people the courage to do their inner work, journeying through their darkness to find the light, joy and wisdom within.
Contagious Vulnerability 2020. What a long strange trip the year that was 2020 was—a long strange trip that continues in the liminal year that is 2021! Tumultuous, transformational times that are making personal journeys of transformation universal and universal, collective transformations deeply personal. It’s been a year of curious exploration and I’ve found and continue to find beauty in our individual and collective breakdowns. Beyond deepening my self-awareness, self acceptance, and self-love, I’ve come to more deeply understand and appreciate the thing I am bringing to life in the world, Contagious Vulnerability—the startup of me—which I’ve come to think of as a Mindfulness Practice for Mental Wellness. I’ve also added a new “I am” statement to the mix, that of the Vulnerability Doula. I am proud to say that I am the Vulnerability Doula, your trusted guide for navigating vulnerability, finding your voice, deepening your relationships, and birthing your authentic self. I’d love to have a curious conversation with you to explore what the Vulnerability Doula can do for you. :)
Experience the Magic of Contagious Vulnerability Live on Clubhouse. The best way to understand the power of Contagious Vulnerability is to experience my heartful hosting and facilitation live. I host weekly rooms on Clubhouse, the social audio platform, where I invite people to come share what’s on their hearts, to witness and be witnessed, and guide the courageous conversations that invitation inspires. Join us for Contagious Vulnerability: Share What’s On Your Heart!
The next but likely not the final frontier. 🖖🏻Contagious Vulnerability was always intended as a dialogue, a wisdom exchange between fellow travelers exploring the magic within and without. To that end, I keep my calendar open to anyone who’d like to join me in curious conversation—to swap stories of our adventures and see what magic emerges. I believe that when two or more people have the courage to meet one another in a space of authenticity, vulnerability, humility, and curiosity, alchemy happens. All are transformed, leaving with gifts and insights they would not have otherwise discovered. I hope you’ll book a curious conversation with me to explore what the Vulnerability Doula can do for you.
About the photo above:
We gathered in Fort Mason in June of 2019 for The Overnight Walk. We walked together for 12 hours straight through the streets and hills of San Francisco for nearly 20 miles from dusk to dawn through the darkness to find the light. We walked wearing beads honoring those we love who struggle and those who lost the battle to suicide. My sister Heather and I walked to honor our mother, Wendy, who took her life on Mother’s Day in 2008 after a 20+ year battle with depression as well as far too many other friends and family members who struggle with mental illness. Contagious Vulnerability was inspired by her journey.
What People Are Saying
“A remarkable, energetic force for good!
In the many years I have known and worked with Kate, I have seen her alchemy at work. She speaks in the language of the world and is remarkable at the co-creation of what is possible for others because she herself has created new possibilities for herself. Through her presence and commitment to evolution for all, her spirit encourages us to be curious and courageous as we seek to find our own inspiration in the world today.”
“I think of Kate as a vulnerability doula
She has a gift for emotional connection, which she uses to invite and welcome shared experiences of vulnerability. Being in conversation with Kate is the opposite of talk therapy, in the best possible sense — it’s the emotional equivalent of a warm hug, which you can’t help but return. In a time when we are so accustomed to feeling unsafe across many spectrums of experience, that kind of emotional embrace isn’t just welcome, it’s essential to our spiritual well-being.
”Working with Kate has changed the way I ride life’s waves
I assure you if you sit with Kate… for JUST ONE "curious conversation" she will greet you will an unconditional LOVE that is like no other and leave you with the capacity to consider life from that same loving kindness…most notably for yourself!!! Working with Kate has forever changed the way I ‘ride life’s waves’”.
Talking is easy. Listening? Not so much.
“Kate’s ability to be fully present and fully engaged is beyond measure. She asks and listens. Then asks and listens again. As a guide, her Socratic approach pushes dialogue forward in a way that has been such a gift in my journey of understanding the role of vulnerability in my life.”
Fearless Vulnerability
Smart, witty and eloquent, Kate bravely leans on vulnerability as the strength that it is. She’s fueled by helping others be more compassionately curious about themselves… so if you’re looking for a partner in tapping your own fearless vulnerability, she’s the real deal."
— JEN RICE
"If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive."
Audre Lorde
Let’s talk!
Contagious Vulnerability takes 2. More if you prefer a small group setting.
Book a curious conversation with me so we can get to know each other.
Let’s see what magic we discover.