Council Training 1: Introduction to Council

with David Listenberger and Jamy Myatt

April 11 - 12, 2026

Date and Time Details: Saturday, April 11, 2026 - 9:00am-5:00pm. Sunday, April 12, 2026 - 9:00am-5:00pm.

Location: Topa Institute I TOF

Address: Topa Institute, Ojai Santa Paula Road, Ojai, CA, USA

Contact: Alea Wade ⎮ Program Director at Topa Institute
alea@topainstitute.org

  • $600.00 – w/ overnight accommodation
  • $500.00 – no overnight accommodation
  • $200.00 – Community Sponsored Price

Council Training 1: Introduction to Council, is a powerful and inspiring introduction to the practice of Council and provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the roots of the practice as well as the unique lineage of The Ojai Foundation. The fundamentals and nuances of the forms and modalities in Council are explored in some depth and a good deal of background is offered on the intentions and languaging used in the practice. In addition to a grounding in the basic forms and tools of Council, the broader applications to a variety of personal and professional settings are explored. It is a rich and dynamic opportunity to immerse oneself in and explore the foundational practice of Council and its application to the participants’ lives and work.

Council builds positive relationships between participants by fostering attentive listening and authentic expression. It supports a deep sense of community and fosters recognition of a shared humanity and interconnectedness. It enables individuals to give voice to their stories, develop a mutual respect and cultivate a compassionate response to anger and defensiveness, as well as strengthen emotional health and resilience.

 

PRICE:

$500 – no overnight
$600 –
with overnight accommodations

$200 – Community sponsored, needs based pricing

Scholarships available

 

Itinerary

Saturday, April 11, 2026 – 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Sunday, April 12, 2026 – 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time to allow for a prompt beginning.

Accommodations

Optional overnight accommodations include:

-Shared space in a yurt, sleeping pad provided (limited beds available upon request)
-Private campsite, bring your own gear (BYOG)

Participants may camp for up to two evenings (Friday and Saturday) on the land. Participants must provide all their own bedding and gear if camping. Topa Institute has drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers, refrigerator/stove, and level campsites available. For those wishing to camp on the evening of Friday April 10th, please plan to arrive between 3 and 6 pm. Personal camp stoves are not permitted.
Alternatively, the following hotels @ 9-minute drive from Topa:

Food

There will be light refreshments and snacks with the course (coffee, tea, simple snacks, etc.). Participants are expected to bring a bag lunch for Saturday and Sunday and provide their own food for all other meals. There is a refrigerator and stove available for use, and personal camp stoves are prohibited.

**Pricing

We have needs-based scholarship funds designated to support access to our courses for those facing financial barriers. With each course, we aim to support as many people as possible with the funds. To this end, we are not asking for any financial records, but simply asking all who are in need to respond to a few questions. If you have questions, please feel free to email alea@topainstitute.org.

Transportation

Participants are responsible for getting to and from the course. You can find driving directions using this Google Maps link. Parking is available onsite.

About the Facilitators

David Listenberger

David Listenberger came to council through his work in music. Hired as a vocal arts instructor at Crossroads School in 1999, David quickly found a home practicing and witnessing the power of council with students, parents, teachers, alum – all members of a school community. David has a B.A. in English from Chapman University and […]

Learn more about David Listenberger

Jamy Myatt

Jamy Myatt is a council trainer in the Ojai Foundation tradition who has spent 25 years leading council at Crossroads School, weaving the practice into the heart of learning for students in grades 6–12 and guiding countless senior rites of passage journeys.  Beyond the classroom, Jamy has facilitated faculty, staff, and beloved parent councils, as […]

Learn more about Jamy Myatt

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