Hearth Circle Terms | Wild Women Hawaii

The Hearth Circle: Community Agreements & Policies (updated 5/18/26)

The Hearth Circle is a small, intentional seasonal cycle limited to 10 women. To protect the emotional safety, logistical integrity, and sacred nature of this space, all participants are asked to align with and uphold the following agreements.

We share these policies openly here so you know exactly what to expect before applying.

1. Absolute Confidentiality

What is shared in the circle stays in the circle.

The Policy: You may share your own personal insights or breakthroughs outside the group. You may never share another woman’s name, identity, story, or life details with anyone else including partners, friends, or family.
The Intention: This allows every woman to speak without fear of her vulnerability leaving the room.

2. Pure Witnessing (No Fixing or Advising)

This is a space of reception, not correction.

The Policy: When a woman shares, we listen without feedback, cross-talk, advice, coaching, or "fixing", even if well-intentioned.
The Intention: Many women spend their lives managing others or being managed. Here, we offer the rare gift of allowing a story to simply exist, uncorrected and whole.

3. A Receptive, Non-Collaborative Space

This circle is intentionally non-collaborative and non-hierarchical.

The Policy: Michelle facilitates the rhythm so that you can simply arrive and receive. There is no expectation—and no opportunity—for you to lead, co-create, or offer your own healing practices or modalities.
The Intention: This allows leaders, healers, and caregivers to completely step out of their professional roles and receive.

4. A Space Without Promotion

The Hearth is a sanctuary from commercial and professional life.

The Policy: You agree not to use this circle, or the contacts made within it, to pitch services, sell products, hand out business cards, network for business, or recruit clients. You also agree not to use the stories or structure of this group as "content" or inspiration for outside projects.
The Intention: This ensures we meet as equal human beings, completely free of professional roles and transactional motives.

5. Responsible Expression

We speak from our own lived experience.

The Policy: Use "I" statements to share your personal truths, griefs, and joys. This is a space for personal reflection instead of debating politics, processing cultural theories, or lecturing the group.
The Intention: This keeps the container anchored in raw, human vulnerability rather than intellectual discussion, debate, and potential nervous system dysregulation.

6. Registration, Attendance, & Refund Policies

Trust, safety, and continuity are built through steady financial and physical commitment.

Seasonal Membership: Your $60 payment secures your seat for the full cycle. Of this, $15 is a non-refundable administrative fee covering transaction and organizing costs.
Cancellation & Refund Deadline: Cancellations requested more than 7 days prior to our first session will receive a partial refund of $45. Cancellations made within 7 days of our first session are completely non-refundable, as the circle closes and your seat can no longer be filled.
No Partial Refunds: Because you are paying for your specific seat in a closed container, missed gatherings (due to illness, travel, or personal reasons) cannot be refunded, credited, or rolled over to future seasons.
Punctuality: Please arrive 5 minutes early so we can begin at 5:00 PM. Arriving late disrupts the grounded somatic state of the group.

7. Safety & The Limits of Confidentiality

While absolute confidentiality is the foundation of our circle, it cannot be guaranteed if there is an immediate risk to basic safety.

The Policy: If a participant shares information indicating an immediate risk of severe harm to herself or others, or reveals suspected abuse or neglect of a minor or vulnerable adult, Michelle may step outside of the confidentiality agreement to seek emergency support or notify the relevant authorities.
The Intention: This is a circle for sharing lived human experiences, not for crisis or clinical therapy. This boundary ensures that everyone in the room remains safe and supported.

8. Studio Environment & Accessibility

Floor Seating: Gatherings are held on an elevated wooden floor. Cushions and soft blankets are provided for cushion and comfort, but chairs are not available and cannot be used on the studio floor.
Accessibility: The studio is located in a private residence and is not wheelchair accessible.
Dogs: Two small, friendly dogs live in the home. Because they reside here, some dander or fur may be present.

9. Assumption of Risk & Release of Liability

By participating in The Hearth Circle, you acknowledge and agree to the following legal terms:

Voluntary Participation: You are voluntarily participating in a group gathering at a private residence and fully understand the risks involved, including but not limited to slips, trips, falls, or other accidents inherent in a home environment.
Assumption of Risk: You knowingly and freely assume all such risks, both known and unknown, including the physical demands of utilizing floor-based seating on an elevated wooden floor, and assume full responsibility for your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
Release of Liability: You hereby release, waive, and forever discharge Michelle Gallagher Escobar, Wild Women Hawai‘i, and the owners/residents of the property from any and all liability, claims, demands, or causes of action for personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death, whether caused by ordinary negligence or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Indemnification & Hold Harmless: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all claims, actions, suits, procedures, costs, expenses, damages, and liabilities, including attorney’s fees, brought as a result of your involvement in The Hearth Circle. You further agree to reimburse the Released Parties for any such expenses incurred.

10. Right of Refusal

Michelle reserves the right to protect the integrity of the container. If a participant repeatedly violates these boundaries, steps out of alignment with the receptive nature of the space, or disrupts the safety of the group, she may be asked to leave the seasonal container. In this rare event, all fees remain non-refundable.

Your signature will be required before participation can be confirmed.