"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 life? For so many women, exhaustion has become our baseline. We’re taught to produce, perform, and persevere no matter the cost, but this does not need to be our standard. There’s another way of being. A way that begins with us laying it all down—the armor, the expectations, and the constant doing—to come back to ourselves. To gather with o

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. A moment of honest reflection. In our era defined by uncertainty, burnout, and rapid change, the leaders who enact the greatest change aren’t the ones focused on external metrics, but the ones who look inward. At ALTAR, we know that transformational leadership doesn’t begin with a title or a role. It’s rooted in self-awareness and deep alignm

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 disconnected from the you that wanted this role in the first place? You are likely experiencing stress and burnout, and you are not alone. Recent data shows that 71% of leaders at any level are experiencing significantly more stress since stepping into their current roles. Among those, 54% are concerned about burnout, and 40% have considered l

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, relationships, personal growth, and self-care—all while making it look effortless. The stress is real, and it's widespread. Recent studies show us a concerning trend. Roughly 53% of women report higher stress levels than in previous years. Women also consistently experience more stress than men . These high levels of stress can chip away at

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 have fewer friends than previous generations . In a sprawling city like Chicago, many women find themselves oscillating between the demands of home and work. These primary spaces, though essential, leave little room for personal growth, reflection, and community engagement. Enter the idea of a third place. A third place is somewhere that isn’t

For the first edition of ALTAR Adventure Club, a small but mighty group of us gathered for indoor Picnic and Poetry. Tracy Levy and I...

This was originally sent to our Consciousness Concierge subscribers on July 15th, 2023. Want to receive each carefully curated volume...

“I’m as fine as wine in the summertime.” ~Maya Angelou in an interview at age 81 This was originally sent to our Consciousness Concierge...

As some of you may know, the original name of ALTAR was, "The She Shed." It’s one that I reluctantly gave up after the term “she shed”...

Knowing this volume would arrive in the wake of last night’s full moon and lunar eclipse, I’ve been reflecting on fullness over the past...

“ As buds begin appearing on trees, I’ve been thinking about emergence, about the soft, tentative unfurling of wings, fronds, and selves....

“I was a late bloomer. But anyone who blooms at all, ever, is very lucky.... Many lives don't allow that, the good fortune of being able...

This winter, I made a commitment to myself to slow down, look inward, and reconnect to what matters most. Paying attention to the simple...

Welcome to winter! This was originally sent to our Consciousness Concierge subscribers. Want to receive each carefully curated volume...