Women in the professional sphere often face a world that expects, yet barely appreciates, their unique expertise and ability to build bridges and navigate complex team dynamics. Often beneath the professional polish is a quiet, persistent friction—the feeling of a “yes” that should have been a “no.”  The exhaustion isn’t just from working hard, but from constantly filtering your instincts through other people’s expectations. This shared experience signals that we’ve reached a

No need to board a plane or book a retreat to experience transformational conversations rooted in women’s stories. Right here in Chicago, a rich ecosystem of book talks, author conversations, and literary gatherings is thriving. For open-hearted women who like a good book and love an even juicier conversation, book talks in Chicago offer more than intellectual stimulation: They create spaces where stories are unapologetically shared, perspectives are expanded, and connection

This week, we’ve invited Tama Kieves, Harvard-trained lawyer turned career/success coach and bestselling author, to share her perspective on how she repeatedly sees people holding themselves back and what we can do about it. Don’t miss Tama in Chicago here at ALTAR Community for her One-Day Retreat on January 31st, 2026.  Ready to live your exceptional life in 2026?   I invite you to stop following mediocre thinking and to trust the integrity of your love and knowing instead.

Searching for ways to support your inner self? In addition to self-care or meditation, one of the best ways to care for ourselves is by finding spaces that help us slow down, breathe differently, and feel more at home in our own bodies. Immersing ourselves in the right environment can shift our whole experience: reminding us that healing and power often move together when we feel grounded and supported. Fortunately, Chicago is full of spiritual events and sacred spaces. Some

This week we’ve invited Katie Hoffner, steward, storyteller, and niece of Artist Lydia Ruyle, to share her perspective on the power of sacred feminine art, its importance in today’s world, and its roots in Chicago. “Art brings us to self-knowledge.  The artist’s role is to make that possible” - Lydia Ruyle Sacred imagery has a way of inviting us to remember what matters in this world. It reconnects us to mystery, beauty, and meaning in our own lives. It bonds us to the deeper

As we near the end of 2025, many companies find themselves in the familiar territory of planning their annual holiday or year-end party. There are always so many details to consider—the catering, the cocktails, the DJ, the venue—and yet, something about the “same old” feels out of sync with how modern teams want to connect. Research shows that teams are asking for more presence, authenticity, and meaning at work . We’re overdue for an overhaul on how we celebrate. At ALTAR, w

As we near the end of the year, I’m taking time to reflect on all that 2025 has held for me, ALTAR, and the women who make up this amazing community. It’s been a year of deep connection, creativity, and quiet, intentional growth.   I’m often in awe of how much can shift within us when we surround ourselves with people and in spaces that encourage us to show up exactly as we are. Before looking ahead to 2026, I’ve asked our community to share what stood out most for them this

This week we’ve invited Eliza Cussen, political writer and organizer, to share her perspective on why a feminist approach is what we need to center in today’s world.  Between my last meeting of the day and school pickup, I opened TikTok to see ICE agents marching down Michigan Avenue, showing strength to tourists, office workers, and the people in line for lunch at Raisin Cane’s. With no threat in sight, it was closer to a drag performance than law enforcement. These men in c

Turning Your Company’s Annual Event into a Must-Attend Moment (Not a Cringy “Remember When...”) Every year, there’s always one holiday party story that lives on for all the wrong reasons: an awkward toast, forced fun and games, and embarrassing moments that live on in hushed whispers and over Slack or Teams. What if your company’s annual holiday celebration could become the event your team looks forward to–with stories people want  to tell year after year? The type of gatheri

"Any time women come together with a collective intention, it's a powerful thing. Whether it's sitting down making a quilt, in a kitchen...

The approach of Fall is a timely reminder that cycles matter—the trees don’t ask if it’s convenient to let go of their leaves, and the...

Have you considered that the standards or “rules” we live by aren’t even ours to begin with? That’s the question I asked myself shortly...

When was the last time you let yourself rest? Not just a brief pause or slowdown, but a full stop to breathe and soften the edges of your...

I think I’ve always been on a path of searching. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been driven by my curiosity. Always looking for...

What if the most impactful thing you do as a leader isn’t found in a presentation or performance review, but in a pause ? A deep breath....

Are you totally drained by the end of your workday? Feeling stuck in your own head in cycles of stress and self-doubt? Just all-around...

I want to let you in on something real: while bringing ALTAR to life as a physical space felt surprisingly easeful—like something that...

Modern life can feel like a constant juggling act. In particular, women face mounting pressure to excel in every area of life—careers,...

Are you practicing sistering? Learn how this carpentry term gives us the framework for uplifting women in our lives.

Do you find yourself craving community? It’s a headline we see time and time again—that we’re amidst a loneliness epidemic and that we...