Who leads your live events?

CEO and Program Leader Kelley Kosow leads The Ford Institute’s live events. Kelley has been on staff and led the programs for many years, and was personally trained and chosen by Debbie to lead The Shadow Process.

Who will be there?

Men, women, couples, families, from age 16 to 76 attend.  From CEOs to stay at home parents, from students to retirees, participants vary in terms of career and stages of life.  Some are new to the conversation of shadow and some are more familiar with it.  The commonality is that they come seeking something more. Whether it is to shift some behavior that is limiting or hurting them, to feel more deeply, to heal their heart, to become unstuck, to regain their confidence, to step into new level of worthiness, or to learn more about themselves, people come with a willingness and wanting and they leave deeply moved and radically changed.

There will also be staff and assistants from The Ford Institute who are there to lead and support you every step of the way.

What happens?

The Shadow Process is an amazing three-day journeys from the dark to the light.  It was brilliantly designed by Debbie Ford and is considered the most effective and highly respected transformational workshop of our time.

Our work is very experiential. Based on the foundational concepts that "your head cannot take you where your heart longs to go" and “all your answers are inside of you,” Leader Kelley Kosow introduces many different aspects of the shadow and our work and coaches live.  These powerful discussions are followed by unique exercises and interactive processes that create an experience of transformation on a deep and cellular level.  They support you in dropping below the level of your mind and the trap of your ego so you can access your deep inner wisdom in new and enlightening ways, shift your perceptions, and break free of unconscious limitations that have driven your choices and behaviors.

The group dynamic is also an invaluable catalyst for change. There is sharing privately between participants and with the group on a voluntary basis.  Participants see themselves in other people’s sharing and the sharing serves as a catalyst for deep insight and connection that lasts well after the workshop officially ends. There is also time for your own journaling to help you integrate the insights you receive. The entire weekend is a beautifully choreographed, progressive journey so when you leave on Sunday, you will be amazed by your new perspectives and feelings of freedom, joy, and empowerment.

Is there support during the weekend?

The staff and assistants are all Certified Integrative Coaches and we are available to support the group and individuals throughout the weekend. The number of assistants is based on enrollment and the ratio is approximately one assistant for every eight participants.

Are accommodations and meals included in workshop fee?

For The Shadow Process, accommodations are not included in the workshop fee but we do secure a discounted block of rooms for a limited time at the workshop venue.

We strongly recommend that you stay at the workshop hotel. This will enable you to stay in the process instead of jumping into cabs and navigating your way to another place in between sessions and at the end of each day. It is also imperative that you be on time to all of workshop sessions in order to make the most out of your weekend as well as to respect the process for other participants. If you do choose to stay offsite at home, with friends or family members, please know that to deepen your process we suggest that you stay in silence during breaks, including overnight breaks, so we suggest that you let your friends and family know this is advance so that you can be supported to stay in your process.

Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday lunch are included in the workshop fee. Breakfast is not, so you will need to take care of that on your own.

What if I have special dietary needs?

When you register, you will be asked to indicate whether you want regular meals or vegetarian gluten-free meals and we will invite you to select your specific meals about one month before the workshop.

Since we use hotel catering, our capacity for supporting other dietary restrictions is limited.  If you have additional dietary restrictions based on health, not preference, we can consult with the hotel chef on whether we are able to accommodate your needs.

What is the schedule?

The schedule is:

Friday 11:00 am – 1:30 pm registration
Friday 2:00 pm – 9:30 pm general session
Saturday 9:00 am – 9:30 pm general session
Sunday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm general session

During The Shadow Process, there are regular breaks given throughout the day.  Participants are required to be available for each full session because it is a progressive process, and it also maintains the experience of a sacred, supportive space for everyone.

How many people generally come to the workshop?

Enrollment varies. It can be as small as 45 people and as large as 75+. Regardless of the size, we have been trained to create and maintain a safe, supportive and nurturing space so you can focus on your own process and receive the best results.

Can I attend with a family member?

Absolutely! We have had spouses, partners, parents and children, siblings, families, blended families, co-workers, and friends attend. We will give you instructions to sit separately for most of the weekend so you can focus on your own process and we will guide you to sit together for particular exercises that will deepen your relationship and your process.

What should I wear?

You want to dress comfortably throughout the weekend.  We also suggest you bring layers since some meeting rooms can vary in temperature and we want you to be comfortable.

Is there anything I need to bring?

We suggest you bring a journal. Other than that we take care of everything else. All you need to bring is willingness and trust in the process!

What do I need to do to prepare?

Once you register, you want to fill out the profile we send you and read “The Dark Side of The Light Chasers” by Debbie Ford which is required reading.  We highly recommend that you truly give yourself the gift of this experience by taking the time to create a structure that supports you in staying in your process.  For example, it is important to unplug during the workshop so prepare by letting your friends, family, and business associates know that you won’t be as readily available by phone, text, or email!  The bottom line is that we are all good at staying busy in our external worlds. For this workshop you want to create the space to really connect with your internal world.