Next Step Forward
Feeling overwhelm and despair about what's happening in the u.S. and the world? You’re not alone. ANd you're not powerless.
Tuesday, May 13, 7:00-8:30 pm ET
With an invitation to join us for all of Summer 2025
A monthly space for spiritual white women to root into clarity, courage, and collective care—without burning out.
There’s a particular kind of heartbreak that comes with witnessing the political landscape in the U.S. right now—especially for white women who care deeply, but aren’t sure where to begin.
Their hearts are breaking open — or shutting down — with grief, fear, shock, anger, and despair at the actions the new administration is taking.
They want to show up — for themselves and for people who are at even greater risk than they are — their brown and black sisters and siblings, who've carried so much more than their fair share of the load for so long.
And the trans and gender-non-conforming humans who are being targeted even more than usual right now.
But between work, family, personal healing, and the pace of daily life, the weight of it all can feel paralyzing.
It’s a lot to hold alone. It can feel easier to escape into meditation and just trust that God/dess/the Universe will work it all out, or to tune out with Netflix, than to keep engaging.
I get it. It's normal. And you're not alone.
That’s why this space exists.
Next Step Forward is a monthly gathering where multi-privileged white women can navigate through the rough waters of justice, identity, and overwhelm in community.
It's a space for being witnessed, held and guided as you feel the big feelings, find connection to your deeper wisdom, and experience peace amidst the chaos.
Each month I'll share empowering information, practices and skills on a topic where I see challenges arising for women in this moment.
And you can ask the questions that you might be afraid to ask elsewhere.
It’s not a lecture, or a debate. It’s a nourishing, grounded place to process, regroup, and get clear.
So you can take your next step to create a different kind of world.
And then the next one.
And the next one.
Not ALL the steps, just yours.
On zoom, Tuesday, May 13, 7:00-8:30 pm ET
Want to join a circle of big-hearted spiritual humans who aren't giving up?
$25
NOTE: During Check-out, You'll also have the opportunity to register for all of Summer 2025!
$25
Deb shine Valentine
Hi I'm Deb Shine Valentine, Ph.D, Racial Justice from the Heart Facilitator, Qoya Teacher, Liberatory Life Coach, white, cis-gender, able-bodied, heterosexual, HSP, Enneagram 4, and spiritual contemplative with a tendency to find life heavy and overwhelming as well as beautiful and magical.
I've spent decades learning how to increase my capacity to feel big feelings without getting overwhelmed by them, so I can take action for equity and justice with joy and courage. I help other big-hearted, empathetic humans do the same.
In each session I will:
Create a risk-worthy space where you can feel the big feelings, so you don't have to shut down, tune out, or explode.
Teach you a tool that you can use to calm your anxiety, so you can find calm when you need it most.
Share information about the monthly theme in ways that engage your imagination and your heart as well as your mind, so you can apply your learning to your life in a deep and sustainable way.
Support you to clarify next steps that fit your values, your capacity and your current life circumstances, so you can do what is yours to do.
This special circle is held with Great care and intention.
We are not here to perform. We are here to be real.
We are not here to hustle. We are here to root down.
We are not here to prove. We are here to practice presence.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You don’t have to be the “perfect” activist.
You just need to be willing to show up—with your heart, your questions, and your humanity.
Here's what others are saying
“I've been feeling a lack of community, but also afraid to ‘put myself out there’ in these contentious times. I'm SO glad I attended Next Step Forward! What a healing balm it was to gather with like-minded women.”
Kara Bolanda
“I didn’t know how much I needed this. It was beautiful and nourishing to be in community with like-minded souls.”
Kellie COLE
Focus for May 13:
Navigating Hard Conversations
Grieving, Loving, and Setting Boundaries When Crossing Emotional and Political Divides
So many women in these spaces find themselves walking a tightrope—longing to stay connected with loved ones while feeling the deep rupture of political or moral divergence.
Some grieve the loss of closeness with family or friends.
Others find themselves staying silent, resentful, or reactive, unsure how to bridge the divide without betraying their values or abandoning themselves.
Or possibly tearing someone's head off - it's all so infuriating!
In this session, you'll increase your capacity to:
- Acknowledge and process the grief that comes with disconnection and lack of understanding
- Stay rooted in compassion while honoring your clarity, truth, and anger
- Discern when to lean in—and when to lovingly step back
- Practice heart-centered boundary setting
Through shared reflection, guided practices, and community witnessing, we’ll practice being both tender and fierce as we navigate the hard edges of conversation.
You don’t have to choose between love and integrity.
You can stand in both.
This is not too much for us.
Summer 2025 Gatherings
Sunday, June 8: 3:30-5:00 pm ET
Releasing Perfectionism in Justice Work
Moving past the fear of "saying the wrong thing" and taking meaningful action.
Tuesday, July 1: 7:00-8:30 pm ET
The Power of Beloved Community
Creating circles of interdependence that are stronger than the powers that destroy and divide us.
Sunday, July 27: 3:30-5:00 pm ET
Understanding Privilege Without Defensiveness
How to increase your awareness and use what you've got to make change with joy.
Benefits of Participating:
Connect with a group of like-minded humans, so you feel less alone.
Find support and solidarity as you process grief, anger and fear, so you don't stay stuck in hopelessness.
Find a moment of peace amidst the chaos, so you can re-engage on your terms.
Release shame and judgment and “shoulds," so you can hear your Inner Wisdom.
Strengthen your ability to feel big emotions and not be overcome by them, so you can take the actions that are yours to take.
Get clear on YOUR next step forward to create change, and let go of what's not yours to do without guilt or shame.
Grounded and Courageous action begins here.
kind words from clients
“Before Deb and I worked together I was deep in a tunnel vision of blame and shame, trying to understand what was going on for me and in my significant relationships – around race especially. I was stuck. After working with Deb I feel less stuck. And I have a more nuanced understanding of which things are my responsibility and which are shared.”
—Brigid
“Deb is extraordinarily gifted at what she does. Her spaces offer a depth of safety I wasn't even aware was possible, nor was missing. She offered me loving, empathetic guidance while I navigated some tender space with a client around our ethnic and racial differences, empowering me to show up in compassionate leadership, in the greatest service of my client.”
—Adena
“Because of working with Deb, I have a calmness that I’ve never had before even when things are really difficult. Not a detached disassociation, but a calmness. It just seems to grow when I notice it!"
—Ame
“I no longer believe I have to live in a perpetual cycle of suffering in order for the world to be a better place. I no longer believe that God alone creates my destiny. I believe that I am working with God. I’m a co-creator with God in my destiny and the fulfilling of that destiny. I’m a lot more self-confident. I now believe that I’m really, really powerful and capable of steering the course of my life."
—Cece
empower your inner spark
There are all kinds of forces front and center right now that threaten to extinguish your heartfire.
But the truth is that you are a fierce fire-tender. And you are not alone.
Since birth, you’ve been surrounded by seen and unseen beings of Love and Courage who see who you are now - and are so f*cking full of love and pride.
You have what you need inside. You know this. But it helps to have companions who can remind you when the going gets tough.
After this…
clarity
You’ll leave with insight on which issues, among so many concerns, are most calling to your heart right now, and what capacity you have, so you won't get mired in indecision and overwhelm.
Courage
You'll feel your inner Lion's heart roar in the company of others who are committed to creating a world that honors the dignity of all human beings. And you'll have the chance to commit to your personal next step.
compassion
You'll experience compassion for yourself and offer it to others as we create a risk-worthy space in which we practice feeling the big feelings without apology, and without getting overcome by them.
Important Reminder:
This is not too much for us
Tuesday, May 13, 7:00-8:30 pm ET
with AN option during checkout to purchase all of Summer 2025 before session price goes up in june!
faq
Why are you focusing on white women, doesn't everyone need this right now?
First, because I know a lot of us really want to stand up with black and brown and gender non-conforming humans at this time and we're not sure how. Second, white women currently hold about 50% of the world's wealth and many of us have a number of other privileges, so I believe it's crucial that if we find our way to use the power that comes with that to do what we can do collectively alongside those with more targeted identities, there will be change.
Why the focus on spiritual humans - and how do I know if I am one?
I've found many spiritual humans have big sensitivities and emotions (especially shame) that can get in the way of our ability to act for justice. And also, I believe that there's incredible power in connecting together with the Divine/Source/the Universe/Love. This is a space of both compassion and capacity building.
As long as you can be in a space of mutual respect and love with others whose spiritual beliefs and practices (or lack there of) differ from yours, this is a great place for you!
I don't identify as white, can I still come?
You're welcome to come if you feel it will be a support to your journey, which is especially likely if you are white-presenting (look white to others) or are living in a context in which your racial or ethnic identity gives you unearned privileges. While we are all heading to the same destination of creating a loving, safe, just world for all, white people and BIPOG (Black, Indigenous, People of the Global Majority) have different work we need to do to get there. So, while there's lots of work we can do together, doing our work separately at times can prevent unintended harm and allow for greater growth. That's what this space is for.
Why isn't the session recorded?
We started out with live-only sessions in order to increase the sense of safety people feel when they come, given the current tensions in our political climate. If there is agreement among those who register for a full season, we may make recordings available to those who commit for the full time.
What do I need to bring to the session?
Just your open heart and curious questions - but I recommend a hydrating beverage, journal and pen and comfy clothes too.