Next Step Forward
FEELING OVERWHELM AND DESPAIR ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE U.S. AND THE WORLD?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
AND YOU’RE NOT POWERLESS.
We begin on Sunday, June 8, 3:30 - 5:00 pm ET
Yes! Recordings will be available if you can’t attend live.
Welcome!
I’m Deb, I’ll be your space-holder and guide on this heart-centered journey for women leaders living in a time when suffering and destruction are coming at you fast and furious.
With expert guidance and personalized support, you’ll get clarity about what’s yours to do — so you you can meet this moment, on your own terms, not theirs — without further delay.
A space for spiritual white women to root into clarity, courage, and collective care—without burning out.
There’s a particular kind of heartbreak that comes with witnessing the political landscape in the U.S. right now—especially for white women who care deeply, but aren’t sure where to begin.
Their hearts are breaking open — or shutting down — with grief, fear, shock, anger, and despair at the actions the new administration is taking.
They want to show up — for themselves and for people who are at even greater risk than they are — their brown and black sisters and siblings, who've carried so much more than their fair share of the load for so long.
And the trans and gender-non-conforming humans who are being targeted even more than usual right now.
But between work, family, personal healing, and the pace of daily life, the weight of it all can feel paralyzing.
It’s a lot to hold alone. It can feel easier to escape into meditation and just trust that God/dess/the Universe will work it all out, or to tune out with Netflix, than to keep engaging.
I get it. It's normal. And you're not alone.
That’s why this space exists.
Next Step Forward is an intimate monthly gathering where multi-privileged women can navigate through the rough waters of justice, identity, and overwhelm in community, with expert guidance.
It's a space for being witnessed, held and guided as you feel the big feelings, find connection to your deeper wisdom, and experience peace amidst the chaos.
It’s a place to figure out your way, with the benefit of the knowledge and skills I’ve gathered during my decades long journey working with my sensitivity, wealth, whiteness and my deep desire to build a world of connection and collective thriving.
I’ve done the deep dives—and you’ll do your own—but with my support, you won’t need to take decades to find what’s yours to do in this crucial moment in history.
Each month I'll share empowering information, practices and skills on a topic where I see challenges arising for women who want to use their resources for the greater good.
Come as you are. Bring your full, imperfect self.
You can ask the questions that you might be afraid to ask elsewhere.
In the words of adrienne maree brown, “We will not cancel us.”
This not a lecture, or a debate. It’s a nourishing, grounded place to process, regroup, and get clear.
So you can take your next step to create a different kind of world.
And then the next one.
And the next one.
Not ALL the steps, just yours.
WE BEGIN ON ZOOM, SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 3:30 - 5:00 PM ET
Recordings available if you can’t attend live.
Want to join a circle of big-hearted spiritual women who aren't giving up?
$300
REGULAR RATE BEGINNING JUNE 9
$150 EARLY BIRD PRICE (50% DISCOUNT) GOOD THROUGH JUNE 8
$150
Deb Shine Valentine
Hi I'm Deb Shine Valentine, M.A., Ph.D, Liberatory Life Coach, Racial Justice from the Heart Facilitator, College Professor, Qoya Teacher, author, white, cis-gender, able-bodied, heterosexual, HSP, rejection-sensitive, Enneagram 4, and spiritual contemplative with a tendency to find life heavy and overwhelming as well as beautiful and magical.
I've spent decades learning how to increase my capacity to feel big feelings without getting overwhelmed by them, so I can take action for equity and justice with joy, courage and self-compassion. I help other big-hearted, empathetic women show up for justice with courage and kindness.
I’m a scholar with a nuanced understanding of the cultural context in which white women (especially American women) arrive at this work. I continue to increase my awareness, skill, and capacity to take aligned action in service of social justice — while also caring for my deeply sensitive self with compassion. I help other leaders with a commitment to creating a more just and loving world do their work with power and delight.
In each session I will:
Create a risk-worthy space where you can feel the big feelings and ask questions that might not be “politically correct,” so you don't have to shut down, tune out, hide, or explode.
Teach tools that you can use to calm your anxiety, so you can access your calm center and act from the power of who you really are.
Share what I’ve learned from decades of study and practice as a sensitive spiritual white woman, coach, scholar and racial equity facilitator, so you can become a force for justice and love in a deep and sustainable way — starting now.
Support you to clarify next steps that fit your values, your capacity and your current life circumstances, so it doesn’t take you years to get started, or lead to burnout in just a few weeks. (Because lets be honest, we need to be in this for the long haul).
EMPOWER YOUR INNER SPARK
There are all kinds of forces front and center right now that threaten to extinguish your heartfire.
But the truth is that you are a fierce fire-tender. And you are not alone.
Since birth, you’ve been surrounded by seen and unseen beings of Love and Courage who see who you are now - and are so f*cking full of love and pride.
You have what you need inside. You know this. But it helps to have expert guidance and badass companions who can remind you of who you are when the going gets tough.
HERE’S WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“I've been feeling a lack of community, but also afraid to ‘put myself out there’ in these contentious times. I'm SO glad I attended Next Step Forward! What a balm it was to gather with like-minded women.”
KARA BOLANDA
“I didn’t know how much I needed this. It was beautiful and nourishing to be in community with like-minded souls.”
KELLIE COLE
THIS SPECIAL CIRCLE IS HELD WITH GREAT
CARE AND INTENTION.
We are not here to perform. We are here to be real.
We are not here to hustle. We are here to root down.
We are not here to prove. We are here to practice presence.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You don’t have to be the “perfect” activist.
You just need to be willing to show up—with your heart, your questions, and your humanity.
ONLY 12 SPACES AVAILABLE
THIS IS NOT TOO MUCH FOR US
(But we do need to get our sh*t together and get moving!)
Join us for the 2025 Summer Session
Summer 2025 Gatherings
SUNDAY, JUNE 8:
3:30-5:00 PM ET
RELEASING PERFECTIONISM IN JUSTICE WORK
Moving past the fear of doing harm and taking meaningful action.
TUESDAY, JULY 1:
7:00-8:30 PM ET
THE POWER OF BELOVED COMMUNITY
Creating circles of interdependence that are stronger than the powers that destroy and divide us.
THURSDAY, AUG 14:
7:00-8:30 PM ET
NAVIGATING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, PART II
Grieving, Loving and Setting Boundaries When Crossing Emotional and Political Divides
SUNDAY, JULY 27:
3:30-5:00 PM ET
UNDERSTANDING PRIVILEGE WITHOUT DEFENSIVENESS
How to increase your awareness and use what you've got to make change with joy.
Focus for June 8:
Releasing Perfectionism in Justice Work
Moving Past the Fear of Doing Harm and Taking Meaningful Action
Many of us were raised to believe that being “good” means being right, being nice, or being safe.
But in the messy, necessary work of justice, perfectionism becomes a trap. It keeps us quiet, hesitant, or spinning in doubt instead of moving with courage.
This month, we’ll explore how to:
Unpack the internalized perfectionism that stalls progress
Shift from performance into heart-centered action
Learn from mistakes without shame
Get moving without waiting to feel “ready”
You are not too messy, too behind, or too unqualified.
You are already enough to begin.
Let’s root into imperfect, courageous movement—together.
After this…
CLARITY
You’ll leave with insight on which issues, among so many concerns, are most calling to your heart right now. You get clear on what capacity you have, given your current life circumstances, so you don’t overcommit and burn out, or get mired in indecision and overwhelm.
You will know what is yours to do in this moment.
COURAGE
You'll feel your inner Lion's heart roar in the company of others who are committed to creating a world that honors the dignity of all human beings. You’ll commit to your personal next step. And then the next one. And the next. One at a time over three months. You’ll make an impact with greater efficiency and power than if you tried to go it alone.
COMPASSION
You'll experience compassion for yourself and other deeply sensitive women who have been conditioned to be oblivious to our privilege and power. You’ll feel big feelings without apology, and be held and seen. You’ll ask the embarrassing questions and get answers, not cancelled. You’ll take action while caring for your sensitive soul.
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING:
Connect with a group of like-minded humans, so you feel less alone.
Find support and solidarity as you process grief, anger and fear, so you don't stay stuck in hopelessness.
Experience peace amidst the chaos, so you can re-engage on your terms.
Release shame and judgment and “shoulds," so you can hear your Inner Wisdom.
Strengthen your ability to feel big emotions and not be overcome by them, so you can take the actions that are yours to take.
Get clear on YOUR next step forward to create change, and let go of what's not yours to do without guilt or shame.
GROUNDED AND COURAGEOUS ACTION BEGINS HERE.
KIND WORDS FROM CLIENTS
“Before Deb and I worked together I was deep in a tunnel vision of blame and shame, trying to understand what was going on for me and in my significant relationships – around race especially. I was stuck. After working with Deb I feel less stuck. And I have a more nuanced understanding of which things are my responsibility and which are shared.”
—BRIGID
“Because of working with Deb, I have a calmness that I’ve never had before even when things are really difficult. Not a detached dissociation, but a calmness. It just seems to grow when I notice it!"
—AME
“Deb is extraordinarily gifted at what she does. Her spaces offer a depth of safety I wasn't even aware was possible, nor was missing. She offered me loving, empathetic guidance while I navigated some tender space with a client around our ethnic and racial differences, empowering me to show up in compassionate leadership, in the greatest service of my client.”
—ADENA
“I no longer believe I have to live in a perpetual cycle of suffering in order for the world to be a better place. I no longer believe that God alone creates my destiny. I believe that I am working with God. I’m a co-creator with God in my destiny and the fulfilling of that destiny. I’m a lot more self-confident. I now believe that I’m really, really powerful and capable of steering the course of my life."
—CECE
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
THIS IS NOT TOO MUCH FOR US
FIND YOUR NEXT STEP FORWARD
Sunday, June 8, 3:30 - 5 PM
(Not sure? Option to purchase one session also available at check out.)
FAQ
Why are you focusing on white women, doesn't everyone need this right now?
First, because I know a lot of us really want to stand up with black and brown and gender non-conforming humans at this time and we're not sure how. Second, white women currently hold about 50% of the world's wealth and many of us have a number of other privileges, so I believe it's crucial that if we find our way to use the power that comes with that to do what we can do collectively alongside those with more targeted identities, there will be change.
Why can’t I have the recording if I sign up for just one session?
We started out with live-only sessions in order to increase the sense of safety people feel when they come, given the current tensions in our political climate. We now honor the shared commitment of those who register for the season by providing recordings.
Why the focus on spiritual humans - and how do I know if I am one?
I've found many spiritual humans have big sensitivities and emotions (especially shame) that can get in the way of our ability to act for justice. And also, I believe that there's incredible power in connecting together with the Divine/Source/the Universe/Love. This is a space of both compassion and capacity building.
As long as you can be in a space of mutual respect and love with others whose spiritual beliefs and practices (or lack there of) differ from yours, this is a great place for you!
I don't identify as white, can I still come?
You're welcome to come if you feel it will be a support to your journey, which is especially likely if you are white-presenting (look white to others) or are living in a context in which your racial or ethnic identity gives you unearned privileges. While we are all heading to the same destination of creating a loving, safe, just world for all, white people and BIPOG (Black, Indigenous, People of the Global Majority) have different work we need to do to get there. So, while there's lots of work we can do together, doing our work separately at times can prevent unintended harm and allow for greater growth. That's what this space is for.
What do I need to bring to the session?
Just your open heart and curious questions - but I recommend a hydrating beverage, journal and pen and comfy clothes too.