Each of us carries an ember, the spark of who we are. When it dims, you can do everything right and still feel stuck, exhausted, and like you’re performing. Campfire is where we sit together, tend the fire, and find the way back to ourselves.
You’ve always had a fire to create, build, or teach. You made a career and found some success. You’re great at your work, but no longer sure you like it. You can’t tell whether there’s another way or only a different version of the same life. It's all too much, yet somehow not enough.
Over the past 15+ years, I've gotten the degree. Won the awards. Created a career. Built a business. Then I had to find out who I was without it. What I found is that my fire didn't go out. I just had to uncover the ember that was still there and give it space to burn again.
I won’t hand you five steps or an optimization plan. What I do isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about clearing away what isn’t essential: the old unhelpful stories and scripts, the roles nobody asked you to take on, the habits that formed by default, and the noise that's been crowding out your ember. You’ll walk away less stuck, more hopeful, more alive, and lighter than you came. Who you’ve always been is still there. I help you find your way back.
My work is rooted in four truths that have helped me handle my fire in new ways.
“I have found a direction I’m moving in, but what’s more profound is realizing that while I’m figuring it out, while I’m building my life, THIS is the actual time that matters. The collective of experiences and self-reflections have chipped away at revealing my true self. Neil creates an open, relatable space and guides you to do deep, thoughtful work on who you are — it’s messy and beautiful in the best ways.”
We each arrive in a different place. No matter where you are, the work centers on four areas. Together, they fan the flame back to life.
We fall in love with what we do and follow it. But sometimes what we love stops working for us. I'll help you reconnect with what lights you up and separate who you are from what you do. You leave with a clear description of your ember in your own words.
We start life with the goal of becoming somebody. We push, we strive. But at a certain point, the striving wears us down. I’ll help you see what drove the first half of life and what’s asking to guide the second. You leave with a list of clear values to keep you grounded.
We pour ourselves into our work. Sometimes that's what the season of life calls for. But without proper rhythms, our fire sputters. I’ll help you work out which season you’re actually in. You leave with a rhythm for your years, months, and weeks, with rest built in.
A big part of tending our fire is knowing how much wood we actually need. Our culture insists it’s always “more.” But the truth is, fire burns best when it’s given just enough. I’ll help you name how much is enough. You leave with your own definition of it.
“Neil is the kind of guide who meets you exactly where you are without judgment. Neil has helped me ask better questions, overcome real obstacles, and find my footing during a season of questions and discovery. The group is the unexpected gift. Hearing others’ insights and wisdom made the whole experience richer than I imagined. I’m walking away less stuck, more hopeful, and deeply grateful.”
Start wherever feels right. Each one is a door into the same place.
A free newsletter
I write about keeping my own fire alive, and about design, curiosity, and creating with intention. Find original essays and art along with links and ideas that are on my mind.
A free reading list
I’ve learned so much from great teachers. These are the books, podcasts, and films that deeply influenced how I see my life, my work, and the world. They're still working on me.
A self-guided toolkit
Each of the four areas has its own set of questions and exercises for you to work through on your own. Some people stop here, and some find the questions are better with other people in the room.
A single day on one topic
Some days are enough to change how you see everything after them. Each one-day session is built around one of the four core areas. Up to 15 people, 8 hours, in person or remote.
9 weeks with a small group
Cohorts meet every two weeks and move through the four core areas. In the weeks between, you schedule a 1-1 with me to go deeper. Four to six members plus me, 2.5-hour group sessions, 1-hour 1-1s between group sessions. I start a cohort when there are enough people to fill it.
Putting it into practice
1-1 sessions are for people who've already gone through a cohort or a one-day session and want ongoing perspective and practical help with what comes next. We work directly with the questions and tensions shaping your life right now.
If something here speaks to you, I'd love to see you around the campfire. Not sure where to start? Tell me what’s going on, and we’ll figure it out together.
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