The Other Side – A Men’s Retreat on Connection, Patterns & the Female Perspective
Mentor of Men
A 2–3 day experiential retreat for men who want to explore the patterns they bring into relationships, intimacy and connection. The retreat will be co-facilitated with Erik van Nieuwburg, founder of Mentor of Men and an experienced facilitator…
Retreat Overview
Retreat Description
A 2–3 day experiential retreat for men who want to explore the patterns they bring into relationships, intimacy and connection.
The retreat will be co-facilitated with Erik van Nieuwburg, founder of Mentor of Men and an experienced facilitator of men’s groups and retreats. Erik brings the foundation of men’s work: creating a grounded space in which participants can explore recurring patterns, protective strategies, boundaries, vulnerability and personal responsibility.
Lisa Wade brings a different element into that space: a female presence with whom those patterns can be experienced rather than only discussed.
Participants bring real situations in which they feel stuck in relationships or connection. Lisa listens to what they share and reflects what she sees, feels and experiences in the interaction from her own female perspective. Through conversation, guided exercises and role-play, situations can then be explored in real time.
A participant may discover that he withdraws when connection becomes uncomfortable, starts pleasing when he fears rejection, pushes when he does not feel heard, loses contact with his own needs or tries to control an uncertain situation. Instead of only understanding that pattern intellectually, he has an opportunity to notice it as it happens, receive immediate feedback and experiment with a different response.
The retreat is not about teaching men how women think or how men should behave. Lisa does not speak on behalf of all women. Her role is to offer an honest female perspective and become a mirror through which participants can explore their own patterns in relationship.
By combining the depth and safety of men’s work with direct interaction across male and female perspectives, the retreat creates an opportunity to discover not only where participants repeatedly get stuck, but where the opening for a different kind of connection might be.
Suitable for small groups of approximately 8–16 participants. The exact program, duration and balance between group work, individual exploration, physical activity, reflection and direct interaction can be tailored to the group and setting.
Other Focus / Benefits
Relationship patterns, self-awareness, intimacy, vulnerability, boundaries, authentic connection, understanding intention versus impact, male-female dynamics, embodied learning, and discovering new ways of relating to oneself and others.
Focus Themes
Personal & RelationalGrowth & Development
Retreat Model
Programme only (client books venueyou provide programme/facilitation)
Logistics & Delivery
What’s Included
The full 2–3 day retreat program and facilitation by two facilitators, including preparation and tailoring of the program, group sessions, guided exercises, individual explorations within the group, role-play, reflection and integration. Venue, accommodation, catering, travel and accommodation for facilitators are not included.
Minimum Planning Time (weeks)
4
Would Travel Elsewhere?
Yes
Languages
EnglishDutch
Commercial & Partnership
Past Clients
The retreat combines Lisa Wade’s extensive experience working with organisations, media professionals and educational institutions with Erik van Nieuwburg’s experience as founder of Mentor of Men, facilitating men’s groups, retreats and personal development work. Lisa’s professional experience includes work with organisations such as Movies that Matter, War Child, Missing Chapter Foundation and the Anne Frank Stichting (International Youth Conference). Erik brings extensive experience working specifically with men around personal development, relationships, leadership and recurring patterns in life and connection.
Partnership Model
commission-promotion
Corporate Experience
Yes
Industries
Other
Hosted by Lisa Wade
About the Host
Lisa Wade is a British-Dutch television presenter, journalist, programme maker, writer, director and facilitator with more than twenty years of experience in media, storytelling, education and live events. She became widely known in the Netherlands as a presenter of the iconic children’s television programme Het Klokhuis. She later presented Vroege Vogels on national radio and television and co-created and presented the award-winning historical series 13 in de Oorlog, which was nominated for an International Emmy Award. She holds a Master’s degree in Theatre Studies and Dramaturgy from the University of Amsterdam, where she graduated cum laude. Throughout her career, Lisa has worked at the intersection of storytelling, communication, education and human connection. Whether she is interviewing someone, presenting to an audience, directing, teaching a workshop or facilitating a conversation, she is interested in the same fundamental question: what allows people to become present enough to genuinely meet one another? She has worked with children, young people, media professionals, musicians and professionals from many different fields, helping them communicate with greater confidence, authenticity and connection. Her approach combines more than two decades of experience in front of the camera and on stage with her background in dramaturgy, journalism and directing. As a British-Dutch professional, Lisa works fluently in both Dutch and English and brings a naturally international perspective to her work. Her workshop Presenting Me grew out of the observation that people often become less convincing when they start trying to “present”. Instead of teaching participants to perform a polished version of themselves, Lisa helps them discover what happens when they stop performing and start connecting. Through practical exercises in presence, curiosity, listening, storytelling andnd interaction, participants develop a way of communicating that feels both more natural and more powerful.
Travel Locations
Worldwide. Based in the Netherlands and happy to travel internationally. Travel and accommodation costs are additional and depend on location.
Certifications & Credentials
MA in Theatre Studies/Dramaturgy, University of Amsterdam, graduated cum laude. More than 20 years of professional experience in television, presenting, journalism, directing, facilitation and education. Extensive experience delivering presentation, communication and storytelling workshops to young people and professionals. No specific professional certification is required for the workshops offered.
Client Requirements
A quiet, private room with enough space for participants to move around and work in pairs or small groups. Chairs that can easily be moved. For larger groups, a wireless or headset microphone. A screen/projector with HDMI connection can be useful but is not essential.
Past Clients
Anne Frank Stichting (International Youth Conference), Movies that Matter, Cinekid, War Child, Missing Chapter Foundation, NTR, VPRO, BNNVARA, Netherlands Film Festival, National Committee for 4 and 5 May, Dutch War Graves Foundation, Nederland Monumentenland and Utrecht University of Applied Sciences.
Focus Areas
Creative/CultureWell-being/HealthDevelopment/Coaching
Location
Culemborg, Netherlands
Languages
English, Dutch
Corporate Experience
Significant
Session Types Offered
Interactive & Passive
Past Experience Doing Sessions
Yes - Performing
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