rooted regeneration
unravel deeply entrenched entanglements with hyper-individualism and root into the regenerative, relational support that makes liberation work effective and sustainable
Meeting this moment requires community.
The systems we live within are designed to keep us in survival mode.
Far too many of us are navigating loneliness, overwhelm, and burnout.
In a time of deep uncertainty, urgency, and increasing instability…
Amidst funding cuts, attacks on social services, and the constant pressure to pivot…
The only way out is through.
And the only way through is together.
None of us can single-handedly resolve the crises unfolding in our world.
It doesn’t serve us, or those we care about, to martyr ourselves for our convictions.
While we’re fighting for a more liberated future, we’re too often fighting each other.
Moral perfectionism and threats of cancellation lead to self-censorship and the fear of exile.
When activism becomes authoritarian, our need to be “right” eclipses our capacity to be relational.
If we want to meet this moment and cultivate communities of care that can sustain our work for social change—without collapsing under the weight of the world…
We have to begin by looking within.
We have to become aware of how we’re unconsciously reinforcing and reproducing colonial capitalistic, and patriarchal patterns of harm toward ourselves and with one another.
Because without the inner work, the outer work won’t work.
YOU’RE INVITED TO JOIN
rooted regeneration
A 3-part workshop series for educators, activists, and changemakers
Together, we'll unpack how saviorism, martyrdom, and purity politics shape our movements for change; tend to our need for connection, interdependence, and belonging; and explore how we can begin to weave wider webs of solidarity and support in our lives and in our leadership.
SESSION 1 (MAY 16): UNEARTHING THE ROOTS OF HYPER-INDIVIDUALISM
In our first session, we explore how the soil we were planted in—our sociocultural context—has led to internalized hyper-individualism. We’ll look at how these larger systemic norms are transmitted through our families of origin, taking root as patterns of saviorism, martyrdom, and punitive practices of exclusion that continue to shape our sense of self, our relational dynamics, and our leadership practices. Together, we’ll identify the ways in which we’re unconsciously replicating harm—and how these protective strategies are actually signaling a deeper desire for genuine connection with ourselves and with one another.
SESSION 2 (MAY 23): NURTURING OUR NATURAL NEED FOR CONNECTION
In this session, we begin to tend to the protective patterns and survival strategies we’ve developed to stay safe in a world that all too often feels threatening. We’ll offer compassion to the parts of ourselves that fear connection, struggle to receive, and feel a responsibility to hold it all alone. Together, we’ll anchor into somatic practices that expand your nervous system capacity—so softening into connection, reciprocity, and support feels doable, not overwhelming. We’ll also identify small, tangible ways to begin practicing these principles with yourself, in your relationships, and in your work.
SESSION 3 (MAY 30): ROOTING INTO WIDER WEBS OF COMMUNITY CARE
In our third and final session, we explore what becomes possible when we stop doing this work alone and instead begin to weave wider webs of support in our lives and in our leadership. Together, we’ll engage in visioning and embodiment practices that create a felt sense of how plurality, reciprocity, and mutuality can take shape through life-giving, life-affirming relationships rooted in interdependence. We’ll begin to reimagine what it means to cultivate ecosystems of care where power is shared—and where our vision for a liberated world is sustained through a collective commitment to shared responsibility.
I’M LENA PAPADOPOULOS
In 2017, I walked away from an award-winning career in education when I realized why most of our efforts to create social change are ineffective and unsustainable…
We pour our time, energy, and resources toward addressing the symptoms of our systems, without tending to the ROOTS.
As a first-generation Greek-American with a family history of genocide and forced displacement, my research as a graduate student centered on the role of religion and national identity in war and conflict.
I spent 15 years working at the intersections of global citizenship education, leadership development, and cross-cultural community building—dedicating my life and leadership to bringing people together across difference.
Over time, I came to see that the divisions between us reflect the disconnect within us.
The work I do now addresses that disconnection first.
We can’t dismantle oppressive systems outside of us without confronting how they’ve taken root within us.
Today, I support heart-led, purpose-driven visionaries and changemakers across a variety of sectors and disciplines. I’ve facilitated leadership development programs around the world that help folks unearth and tend to sociocultural conditioning and unconscious patterns, so they can break free of fear and shame, dissolve divisive dynamics, and build bridges toward inclusion and belonging.
My approach is human-centered, trauma-informed, and reflects a unique blend of my background in sociology, psychology, cultural anthropology, intercultural education, leadership development, life coaching, and somatic trauma resolution. I’ve been recognized for my commitment to personalized experiences and successful efforts in humanizing communities.
I’m committed to creating a more just, loving, and liberated world—and I believe it begins within.
"Lena’s beautiful character paired with her extensive experience working with diverse groups makes her uniquely qualified to design and deliver meaningful programs. Through masterful planning and creative delivery, Lena guides participants through a process of discovery and transformation that has long-lasting effects. Her approach is innovative and incredibly intentional, creating a safe atmosphere of acceptance and genuine respect. She is deeply committed to building connection at a time when the world needs it most." —J.S.A.
"Lena is uniquely capable of creating space for understanding and challenging you to become the best version of yourself. By facilitating a comfortable environment to get uncomfortable, her programs provide the perfect opportunity for vulnerability and deep reflection. In my own experience, Lena's programs opened the door to many positive changes. I would absolutely recommend working with Lena, as you cannot find someone more compassionate, thoughtful, and insightful." —M.C.
SESSION DATES AND TIMES
Saturdays, May 16th, 23rd, and 30th from 12pm - 2pm Eastern Time
All sessions will take place via Zoom and will include a mix of teaching, personal reflection, experiential learning activities, embodiment practices, and group discussion.
REGISTRATION IS $250 USD
These sessions are designed to feed into and build off of one another. Registration includes all three.
GROUP SIZE
Registration is limited to 16 participants.
Registration closes Sunday, May 10 or when spots are filled.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
All participants are encouraged to join live and plan to be fully present and engaged if at all possible. One of the things that makes these spaces so special is the people who come into them. There's a powerful field of shared learning and wisdom that’s co-created when we come together, and this is a large part of what makes the experience so supportive. That being said, everything in the session is optional; please engage in whatever way and to whatever extent feels doable and accessible for your capacity.
Session recordings will be sent out within 24 hours. You will have access to all recordings for 30 days following the end of the series, and you will have the option to download the recordings to your own device.
“The sessions felt like an intimate sanctuary where powerful change-making humans could vulnerably grapple with the kind of uncomfortable, tender inquiry that collective change really requires. Lovingly tending to the roots and deepening into the theme of liberation week by week, linked arm-in-arm with like-minded people, is absolutely one of the most valuable investments you can make towards creating a future worth living for. It's like a weekly liberation ministry and a deeeep values massage all in one. It's approachable and gentle and also challenging, but in a doable way because it's facilitated so brilliantly and everyone's all in it together.” —N.R.
“This is for people drawn to healing-centered modalities and justice-oriented work. If you desire a different way of being in relationship to yourself and others, this community of learning is for you. I have spent lots of time in contemplative spaces that bypass the material and political worlds we live in, and lots of time in activist spaces that reproduce harm because we did not attend to our own inner worlds. This program is the best of both, deepening into parts of ourselves that can hold more love and compassion while strengthening our ability to show up in response to suffering.” —V.S.