Team
Natasha
Founder + Meaning Maker
About Natasha
Thank you for being here, in every sense. In my sprinkle of years on this earth, it has become clear to me that meaningful connections are the real stuff of life. Nothing brings more soul-abiding joy than knowing that we matter, that our presence is fully and gratefully received for the beautiful gift that it is.
My accent will tell you I’m originally from the US, where I grew up on a farm in the pretty little state of North Dakota. After uni, I moved across the country to Cleveland, where I spent a decade working, making friends, making mistakes, reading incessantly, rowing occasionally, and generally learning to become a better human.
In 2017, I left my job as a healthcare executive and sold my house, my car, and everything else I owned – except my grand piano and my little blue Le Creuset teapot. (Some things are worth holding onto.) After a dabble of travel and a wee existential crisis, I moved to New Zealand to pursue my PhD in Psychology at the University of Canterbury.
My current research is centered on belonging and connection in organisations, and I love finding the juicy intersection of science, humanism, and practical application. My driving force is helping every human see how much they matter, and I am lit up by working with organisations and individuals to cultivate meaning in work and in everyday life.
These days, I spend a lot of time getting lost: in deep conversations, in books, in the woods, in thought. I also love looking at the moon, organising things for fun, falling off the bouldering wall, tramping gleefully, and baking ridiculous cakes. I’m an old soul, an introvert, a word fiend, and a lover of all things blueberry.
I live in Christchurch with my joy-givers, Bodhi (world’s best baby boy) and Hassan (world’s best partner).
What are your top 3 values?
Quietness, Wholeheartedness, Wisdom
What makes you grin?
Poetry, early mornings, classical music, linen, dried flowers, filter coffee, rainy days, Bodhi’s giggles, Hassan’s sparkly eyes, old books, new friends, mountains and the moon
What’s something you’re working on as a human being?
Being a more conscious consumer, befriending boundaries, and always, always practicing deeper presence.
Do you have any words to live by?
Everything has to do with loving and not loving.
– Rumi
For a more poetic version of my bio, head on over to our poetry corner and read I Am From.
Bear
facilitator
About Christopher
Kia ora friends [enthusiastically waves]. Being a human is weird, so curious, fun!, actually it’s mostly weird though, huh. And I’m here to curiously explore all of its weirdness. I feel a clear purpose in this gift of life: to explore the wildest, most far out reaches of our emotional landscapes. I like to call myself a trail guide to the heart for this very reason. This is my journey, this is my call and I’m here to answer it.
I’m a pākehā kiwi who grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and I now very happily find deep belonging and community in Ōtautahi (Christchurch). The wild west coast beaches of Tāmaki Mataurau is my water, mainly the raw black sand of Muriwai Beach. The peaks of the Matukituki Valley are my mountains and where my soul feels most at home. The skies around the Craigieburn Forest Park where I paraglide is where I feel most free.
I’ve lived many contrasting lives already, many different worlds of thought and value, which all at times have felt incredibly conflicting. Coming home to my deepest, most honest self has been a great journey which I’m so proud of. I’m grateful for what each of these ‘life times’ have taught me, especially the ability to relate and empathise with others. I truly believe you can learn something from everyone. I’ve got many curious stories to tell from these lives, which I’ll leave for you to discover…
Important things to know about me: I love presence, I truly adore it. I’m a (consentual) hugger. I’m committed to honesty, if you ask me, I will tell you and I don’t shy away from speaking the unspoken thing we’re all feeling. The way to my heart is through play and openness. I need space within all relationships to leave and explore on my own. When I come back I’ll share all that I am and have discovered. I genuinely want to see everyone grow, heal, love and feel safe, including you. <3
What’s your go-to connection question?
What are you most excited about right now?
Or, what’s the most important thing I should know about you? (When I really have space and enthusiasm to deepen into a relationship)
What are your top 3 values?
Integrity, Wisdom, Safety
What makes you grin?
Silence. People who are proud and open with who they are. Seeing people express their emotions fully. Howling into valleys from the top of mountains. Seeing my friends love each other. Child-like nonsense play. A really astute and curious question. Having someone respond to my invitations of bravery. True presence.
What’s something you’re working on as a human being?
Living in loving relationship with our mother earth and encouraging others to do so too. Supporting indigenous rights. Letting go of stories which aren’t mine. Caring for Chris.
Do you have any words to live by?
The longest journey we will ever make is from our head to our heart.
Love is the quality of attention we pay to things.
Both of these I think about constantly and are truly the words of my life.
Hassan
Support Crew
About Hassan
Like a fair number of people these days, I don’t consider myself to be from any specific place. I’m an eclectic mix of being born and raised in the UK with Pakistani heritage and now living my best life on the other side of the world in Christchurch, New Zealand. Spending my first 22 years in the concrete jungle of London, I eventually grew tired of the chaos that was swirling around me. After university I couldn’t find work I really wanted to do and decided to pack my life into a backpack and move to New Zealand.
Having been here once before on a rugby tour with my school (we lost every game), I thought it would be the perfect place to come back to. Travelling lots throughout my life, it’s only natural to be exploring this amazing country which I continue to do today with my beautiful little family, Bodhi and Natasha.
I have had a natural tendency to build relationships and connect with people from all over the world and this has only become a bigger passion of mine since going to my very first Unchatter and also falling face first for Natasha. Leaving the corporate IT world in 2019, I now teach yoga, massage and have begun to run retreats for men.
Outside of family and work, you can find me training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, hiking in the hills or riding my motorbike.
What’s your go-to connection question?
What has been your rose and thorn today?
What are your top three values?
Presence, Connection, Authenticity
What makes you grin?
Bodhi’s cheeky smile, Natasha’s warm hugs, the sunrise, views from the top of a mountain, riding my motorbike, eating a tasty meal, listening to my favourite songs, my morning coffee
What’s something you’re working on as a human being?
Watching my thoughts carefully and assessing why my mind works in the ways it does; calling myself out when my unconscious bias rears its ugly head
Tim
Connector Director
About Tim
My name is Tim and it’s a pleasure to meet you!
I was born in Timaru and have been raised in Christchurch since I was 3 years old. I consider both locations to be ‘Home’ but in different ways. After a fairly sheltered early childhood I quickly found my passion in technology and became a nerdy teenager. In my early adulthood I studied a Computer Networking Diploma at CPIT (now Ara Institute).
I have been working in the IT industry now for over 8 years and have always found the highlights of my job to be the human factor. I love getting to know people, solving their technical issues and taking a weight off their shoulders. It is my intention to be there for the whole human, not just the “problem” that I am there to fix. I run my own small IT business on the side of my “day job” and have found this to be a tremendous vehicle for learning and growth!
It is in my recent adult years that I have discovered the miracles of personal growth, spirituality and a much deeper meaning and value of human connection. A major component of this has been 3 years of self development training as a Pascha Therapist (counselling/talking therapy) and am currently working towards the goal of seeing therapy clients part time.
I have loved Unchatter since I participated in the first event two years ago and as I have slowly become more and more involved my passion for connection has grown to match. I love to create spaces where connection and love can be present and it is an honour to contribute to Unchatter in a meaningful way!
What’s your go-to connection question?
“What do you love most about yourself?”
What are your top 3 values?
Love, Connection, Empathy
What makes you grin?
Sunrises, sunsets, beaches, nature, hugs, community, playing with technology, skimming stones, full moons, kirtan, longboarding on fresh tarmac, dancing!
What’s something you’re working on as a human being?
Practicing presence, being in my body and living from my heart. Bringing down the walls around my heart and how much love it can give.
Do you have any words to live by?
“Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, ‘You owe me.’ Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky” -Hafiz
“If I asked you to name all the things that you love, how long would it take for you to name yourself?”