Host a free workshop.
Currently offering a no-fee (UNTIL 2027) opportunity to engage first-hand in the evolving nature of this multi-year piece of work (just cover expenses, if there are any).
A 90min experience designed around the simple idea that how we gather matters. It changes how we think, how we connect, and how we make meaning together. Some of the most important things happen in the spaces between—so rather than talking about connection, this is an opportunity experience the range of it.
Participants are moved through a series of thoughtfully curated group formats, drawn from research around what actually makes humans flourish in shared spaces. Those involved will get to understand:
- the ingredients that make trust and openness possible;
- why some group formats bring out something in us that others don’t;
- how different ways of gathering shape who we become in a room;
- the invisible biases and ideas we carry into every shared space;
- how environment influences belonging in ways we don’t realise.
Think of this as a living laboratory that will be held with curiosity, care, and a genuine belief that the way we come together is key to creativity and productivity.
You’ll leave feeling aligned, reflective, and aware of the ‘hidden architecture’ that influences how we act and feel when we convene intentionally.
*This is a continuous experience with no scheduled breaks, so we recommend having something to eat before you arrive.
WORKSHOP NEEDS (all essential):
– quiet and separate dark room (participants to meet outside and brought in all together)
– chairs for everyone arranged in a circle (no tables needed)
– no less than 14 participants (and up to 200)
– presentation screen / large TV screen (with speakers) + long power extension cable.
Additional physical needs can be catered for if informed of in advance.
HOST TESTIMONIALS
“DK’s passion for sharing ways to bring people together creatively is palpable, and his skills of curating and weaving diverse elements into a cohesive package is evident. Loved this workshop – it really got the synapses firing! The ‘learning through doing’ format was really powerful for creating memories of the different gathering configurations that I find myself refering back to often. Cool reminder of how quickly humans form a connection when we create the space for it!”
Freda Wells, founder of Goodlife Collective, venue two/fiftyseven (host of the 1st ever fireside.rs workshop—timelapse above / Wellington, New Zealand: 4th May 2026)
“DK has created something special with Fireside.rs, and it was a genuine joy to watch him transform a room of curious humans as he led them through different gathering shapes. He is a warm, charismatic facilitator, and his decades of experience are evident in the way he holds attention with both playfulness and purpose. What stood out most was his ability to hold the container with real safety and intentionality, while letting the experience become what it needed to based on the people in the room. A true masterclass in human connection!”
Natasha Zimmerman, founder of Unchatter (host of 2nd workshop / Christchurch, New Zealand: 14th May 2026)
“DK held the room at our Te Uru Tāngata workshop with real skill and care. The session showed us, practically, how meeting format itself decides who gets a voice. Our people left with something they could take straight back into how they design their own spaces to host more inclusive conversations and more productive meetings.”
Maretha Smit, Chief Executive of Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion (host of 3rd workshop—related LinkedIn post with timelapse / Auckland, New Zealand: 26th Jun 2026)
“DK created an open and trusting environment that made it easy to engage and learn. The combination of innovative workshop formats, punctuated by insights from some very ‘clever humans’, sparked new ideas and challenged me to think differently about how we ‘gather’ people together. I left inspired, energised and with plenty of ideas.”
Anisha Patel, Applied Research + Consulting Group, Steelcase Discovery Center, London (host of 4th workshop—related LinkedIn post with timelapse / London, UK: 29th Jun 2026)
“From thinking about the different ‘shapes’ of meetings to experiencing them first-hand, the workshop by DK was an excellent practice on deliberately and intentionally coming together for achieving outcomes. DK was quite innovative to condense the full/longer version of the workshop into our event’s timeframe. The feedback from the workshop was extremely positive, with everyone feeling enlightened; taking away useful and actionable lessons for their personal lives and work.”
Moiz Penkar, founder of TED-Style Talks & Discussions — Wellington (host of 5th workshop—related LinkedIn post with timelapse / Wellington, New Zealand: 18th Aug 2026)
“I always welcome a chance to collaborate DK, even when I’m not entirely sure what’s involved. When I saw his idea for fireside.rs, I knew we had to test it out with the Liveris Academy Scholars. The idea that the shapes of our meetings determine the shapes of our conversations seems straightforward, but it’s a deep insight. And DK has an incredible skillset for transforming that simple idea into a meaningful and fun experience for everyone involved.”
Professor Tim Kastelle, Director, Andrew N. Liveris Academy for Innovation and Leadership, The University of Queensland, Brisbane (host of 6th workshop—related LinkedIn post with timelapse / Brisbane, Australia: 20th Oct 2026)
“DK ran an experiential learning session for our team at Hear and Say, and days later our staff are still buzzing. If you want your people genuinely engaged rather than just informed, DK is my first recommendation.”
Scott Miller, CEO, Hear and Say (host of 7th workshop—related LinkedIn post with timelapse / Brisbane, Australia: 21st Oct 2026)
“QUOTE TO COME”
Professor Daniel X. Harris, Director of Creative Agency research lab, The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne (host of 8th workshop—related LinkedIn post with timelapse / Melbourne, Australia: 22nd Oct 2026)
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
- CHRISTCHURCH, NZ: 16th November 2026 evening (hosted by Ako Ōtautahi Learning City Christchurch & LIANZA at Tūranga)—REGISTER HERE
- QUEENSTOWN, NZ: 23rd November 2026 lunch & learn (hosted by Te Atamira)—REGISTER HERE
PARTICIPANTS TESTIMONIALS
“I took away tools that I could weave into my work the very next day, DK has an ability to keep things progressing smoothly while allowing the time for learning to sink in. I’m excited to learn more about all the shapes of connections we didn’t get to.”
Joe Hopkirk, System, strategy and organisational designer
“Great inspiration for those of us that are facilitation geeks as well as those that aren’t to connect and experience different ways to gather. Learning about the different shapes through doing them was gold.”
Tania Anderson, Systemic Design | Developmental Evaluation | Lived Experience | Governance
“Thank YOU DK!! Such a treat of an evening – all the gathering experiments you did on us all sparked so much connection and insight. My data-driven-nerdy-gathering-mindset absolutely loved how your creative flair hosted and created the spaces for everyone to experiment widely. THANK YOU!”
Antonia Milkop, Leadership Coaching & Facilitation + author of Team Spirit: the power of purposeful gatherings
“Tonight I was reminded of the value of bringing humanity back into the way we come together to work, collaborate and make decisions at DK‘s thought provoking fireside.rs workshop.”
Jessica Fraser, Associate, People & Organisations, Arup
“Invigorating evening DK. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”
Ian (Harv) Harvey, Founder at Collective Intelligence
“This was a great evening. Was so different to anything I’ve done before and really brought me out of my comfort zone. Thank you DK.”
Cory Hay, LLB/BCom Student | Social Innovator
Also delivered a closing keynote in LEEDS, UK: 13-15th Jul 2026:
“Working with DK is always a joy. His keynote for the AMA Conference 2026 was brilliant; well-pitched, engaging and perfectly on theme. DK always brings creativity, energy and great knowledge to his work. After sharing his work on gathering humans effectively, our delegates were left energised and with a lot of food for thought – the perfect mix before moving onto a night of socialising. It is always a pleasure working with DK and I’m already looking forward to the next time.”
Cath Hume, CEO – Arts Marketing Association