Choose your learning experience.
Where the curious come to learn and connect
Upcoming Online Sessions
Does Thinking About Death Lead to a Good Life?Wed, May 28Portland
Are the Machines Coming to Get Us?Thu, Mar 13Online Session
What Is Love? What Should It Be?Sun, Feb 09Online Session
What Does Democracy Demand of Us?Thu, Jan 16Steeplejack Brewery
Try Premise
Join us for a no-cost single session in August or September to explore one big life question through short, powerful works and thoughtful guided conversation. Then keep going with a three-session Pod.
Try Premise! Complimentary SessionWed, Sep 09PortlandWhat happens when a quiet refusal becomes an act of resistance? In this session we’ll explore autonomy, work, authority, and the expectations that shape our lives using Melville’s Bartleby, the Scrivener.- Try Premise! Complimentary SessionSun, Sep 13PortandA conversation about what technology gives us, what it takes away, and who we are becoming through the machines we create.
Try Premise! Complimentary SessionSun, Sep 27PortandA conversation about desire, abundance, and the difference between having more and having enough.
- Try Premise! Complimentary Session
- Try Premise! Complimentary Session
- Try Premise! Complimentary Session
- Try Premise! Complimentary Session
- Try Premise! Complimentary Session
- Try Premise! Complimentary Session
What Our Participants Say
"This was really fun, a bunch of people brought in perspectives on the work that I hadn’t considered. I’ve been wanting to join Premise and was thrilled to be in on this one. Thanks for hosting!"
What Our Participants Say
"This session was refreshing, thoughtful, meaningful."
What Our Participants Say
"I was pleasantly surprised to find that everyone stayed on topic and addressed the instructors questions directly, rather than doing a segue into talking about their cats, which often happens in other online sessions I attend."
What Our Participants Say
"The faciliator's knowledge-base is truly admirable, and I appreciate the breadth, and care given to the discussion. Also, the attention to details during the discussion are commendable. The world needs more of this."
What Our Participants Say
"Overall I loved the reading choice and really liked the sense of community within the group. It felt like a bunch of friends (who had never met before!) getting together to chat and it was a highlight of my day."
What Our Participants Say
"Too darn short. So much to discuss; so little time. I would have happily spent another hour or more talking with tonight’s participants about their impressions of this reading and film. (I am hoping this is received as the compliment that is intended.)"
What Our Participants Say
"I really appreciated the diversity of the attendees - both with respect to age and gender. I also wanted to say that I admired the way the instructor led the discussion and kept everything on track, crystallizing ideas and discussion points - it's such a difficult job and it worked so well."
Our Participants Say it Best
"Premise is a great idea. And, its the right time in life for a program like this because the world feels so disconnected."
Our Participants Say it Best
"This was really fun, a bunch of people brought in perspectives on the work that I hadn’t considered. I’ve been wanting to join Premise and was thrilled to be in on this one. Thanks for hosting!"
Our Participants Say it Best
"This session was refreshing, thoughtful, meaningful."
Our Participants Say it Best
"I was pleasantly surprised to find that everyone stayed on topic and addressed the instructors questions directly, rather than doing a segue into talking about their cats, which often happens in other online sessions I attend."
Our Participants Say it Best
"The faciliator's knowledge-base is truly admirable, and I appreciate the breadth, and care given to the discussion. Also, the attention to details during the discussion are commendable. The world needs more of this."
Our Participants Say it Best
"Overall I loved the reading choice and really liked the sense of community within the group. It felt like a bunch of friends (who had never met before!) getting together to chat and it was a highlight of my day."
Our Participants Say it Best
"Too darn short. So much to discuss; so little time. I would have happily spent another hour or more talking with tonight’s participants about their impressions of this reading and film. (I am hoping this is received as the compliment that is intended.)"
Our Participants Say it Best
"I really appreciated the diversity of the attendees - both with respect to age and gender. I also wanted to say that I admired the way the instructor led the discussion and kept everything on track, crystallizing ideas and discussion points - it's such a difficult job and it worked so well."
Upcoming Online Sessions
![[Online, 3 Sessions Premise Pod] Is this what democracy looks like?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/162b93_4e5d9beb5aed4313a9d520be5cb51508~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/162b93_4e5d9beb5aed4313a9d520be5cb51508~mv2.jpg)
[Online, 3 Sessions Premise Pod] Is this what democracy looks like?Sun, Apr 19Link shared after registration- Does Thinking About Death Lead to a Good Life?Sat, Apr 11Zoom link shared after registration
Choose your learning experience.
Where the curious come to learn and connect
...and more cities coming soon!
Premise is different.
Learn and grow, one conversation at a time.
Premise offers a unique blend of joyful, purposeful, and unpretentious learning experiences, led by experienced facilitators. Our sessions bring together adults from all walks of life, committed to exploring life's big questions and buoyed by the sense of community that comes from learning together.
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Wonder
Every Premise session begins with an enduring question that delves into the essence of being human. These questions spark curiosity, ignite deep thought, and encourage meaningful reflection.
Grapple
Participants engage with carefully selected works—readings, films, and visual art. These works are thought-provoking and relevant.
Connect
Small sessions bring together diverse participants. Skilled facilitators guide thoughtful discussions, valuing listening over debate, creating a space where everyone’s voice is heard.
Connect
Small sessions bring together diverse participants. Skilled facilitators guide thoughtful discussions, valuing listening over debate, creating a space where everyone’s voice is heard.
Grapple
Participants engage with carefully selected works—readings, films, and visual art—that bring the question to life. These materials are thought-provoking, and relevant to the enduring question at hand.
Wonder
Every Premise session begins with an enduring question that delves into the essence of being human. These questions spark curiosity, ignite deep thought, and encourage meaningful reflection.
Wonder
Every Premise session begins with an enduring question that delves into the essence of being human. These questions spark curiosity, ignite deep thought, and encourage meaningful reflection.
Grapple
Participants engage with carefully selected works—readings, films, and visual art—that bring the question to life. These materials are thought-provoking, and relevant to the enduring question at hand.
Connect
Small sessions bring together diverse participants. Skilled facilitators guide thoughtful discussions, valuing listening over debate, creating a space where everyone’s voice is heard.
We're Expanding Our Horizons
We're excited to announce that Premise is expanding to new cities in 2025, bringing our unique learning experiences to even more curious minds across the country. As we grow, we’re actively seeking Founding Chapter Leaders to join us in building this growing community and shaping the future of Premise across the U.S., both in-person and online.