Name: Emily Esfahani Smith Hometown: Washington Circle Start Date: Fall 2017 What do you do when you’re not running a Ben Franklin Circle? I’m a journalist and writer. I wrote a book called The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness, which grew out of an article I wrote… Read more »
Life is expensive. There’s no way to really drive that point home quite like spending a term studying in Europe. Whether it’s the socialism, the current weakness of the dollar, or the fact that everything is more expensive in the city, I’ve been burning through money faster than I ever did on campus. … Read more »
Our first Circle Host Forum was a success! Thanks to Henry Edwards, Nanette Alvey, and Kim Crowley for sharing your experiences with us. Want to learn more about starting your own Ben Franklin Circle? Hear from Circle Hosts. If you weren’t able to join us live, you can listen to the recording here: … Read more »
Name: Aron DiBacco Hometown: Deerfield, NH (Circles in Deerfield & Concord) Sponsor Organization: Stone Soup NH Circle Start Date: October 2017 & January 2018 What attracted you to Ben Franklin Circles? I was drawn by the opportunity to create dialogues about values rather than ideology. This is a labor of love, conducted under the… Read more »
Name: Carina Jackson Hometown: Inkster, MI (Circle meets in Detroit) Sponsor Organization: Mariners Inn Circle Start Date: September 19, 2017 What attracted you to Ben Franklin Circles? I learned about Ben Franklin Circles during my participation in the 92Y Ford Fellowship in June 2016. I was intrigued with the idea of actively working… Read more »
Name: Tracy Rogers-Tryba Hometown: Sycamore, IL Date Launched: October 2017 What attracted you to Ben Franklin Circles? I was drawn by the concept of bringing individuals together around topics that are non-threatening or “wicked.” Values are something we personally and professionally hold ourselves accountable to. They can intersect with the respective communities that we… Read more »