IN-PERSON | Compassion Collective | The Load We Carry: Learning to Lighten What’s Not Ours

Now more than ever, we need spaces that bring us together—spaces that soften the weight we silently carry and remind us that we don’t have to do life alone. That’s the purpose of a Compassion Collective.

A Compassion Collective is a gently facilitated gathering where we listen, reflect, and learn from one another. Through shared stories, honest conversation, and heartfelt presence, we create a space where wisdom can rise from the room, not just the front of it.

For this session, our theme is: The Load We Carry: Learning to Lighten What’s Not Ours

So many of us—especially women—carry emotional, professional, and relational weight that isn’t actually ours: expectations, invisible labor, unspoken responsibilities, old family patterns, or the pressure to hold everything together. This conversation invites us to pause, notice those burdens, and consider which ones we may be finally ready to set down.

What to Expect
We’ll begin by hearing from 3–4 Central Exchange members who will share brief personal stories about the loads they’ve carried, and how they’ve begun to release what no longer belongs to them.

After the storyteller panel, we’ll open the space for anyone who’d like to reflect on the theme or share a moment from their own life. Whether you choose to speak, journal quietly, or simply listen, your presence is part of the collective wisdom in the room.

Together we will:

• Explore how invisible or inherited burdens show up in our work and lives
• Practice identifying what is yours—and what isn’t
• Hear stories that spark recognition, relief, and possibility
• Connect with one another’s hearts through shared humanity
• Leave with a bit more spaciousness, clarity, and compassion

This Compassion Collective is not a lecture. It’s a shared experience of insight, belonging, and relief. You’ll walk away lighter, seen, and connected to a community of women walking their own brave paths.
 

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Lee Ann Franklin is a transition coach and consultant, speaker, and workshop leader with a deep background in leadership, mindfulness, grief, and personal transformation.
As the former Executive Director of Spiritual Care & Ethics at a Level One Trauma Center/Public Hospital, Lee Ann supported healthcare workers, teams, and organizational leaders through profound challenges—including the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier in her career, she served as a Creative Director and Innovation Leader at Hallmark Cards, Inc., where she leveraged her leadership and creative expertise to help the company adapt to the disruptive shifts brought on by the rise of the internet in the social expression industry. In addition, as a board-certified chaplain in both hospice and hospital settings, Lee Ann provided compassionate care to thousands of patients and families during times of illness, death, and grief.

Her personal journey—including divorce, cross-country moves, career changes, and caregiving for both parents—has deeply informed her understanding of transition, uncertainty, and healing. These experiences, along with her professional background, have fueled her passion for guiding others through life’s pivotal moments.
Today, through Second Act Soul Coaching, Lee Ann creates and leads soul-centered forums, workshops and retreats designed to empower organizations and individuals navigating transition. Her programs combine mind-body-spirit practices, storytelling, and experiential learning to help participants gain clarity, resilience, and confidence. With a grounded belief that the next chapter can be the best chapter yet, Lee Ann equips others with the tools and insight to move forward with intention and hope.