Speaker Information
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
The Wylde Grove Gathering is a three-day online summit (January 21–23, 2026) convening Pagan, Witch, Druid, Animist, and Polytheist leaders to share practical, ethical, and durable approaches to sacred leadership.
Through concise pre-recorded teachings and evening live roundtables (ET), we’ll explore stewarding covens and groves, designing public ritual, teaching well, cultivating accountability, and building traditions that can outlast a single founder.
Our aim is to offer tools leaders and practitioners can use immediately - bringing forward a diversity of lineages and voices, and welcoming those newly called to lead.
Quick Overview for Speakers:
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Submit 1 pre-recorded teaching (required): 20–30 minutes on a topic related to the core themes of the Summit.
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Live roundtable(s): Select at least one to attend. (All speakers are strongly encouraged to take part in 1, or a maximum of 2, of the 4 live roundtable discussions.)
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Attendance and Replays: Live attendance for all members of the public is free. Replays will be available for free to all speakers, as well as to attendees who purchase the All-Access Pass. (6 months of access.)
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Compensation for Speakers: 25% affiliate commission per referred sale of All-Access Pass + $100 honorarium to all speakers once we reach 85 paid passes purchased. (25% affiliate commission will only will be available to those speakers who take part in a Live roundtable, in addition to submitting a pre-recorded teaching video.)
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Hosted by: The Coffee & Divination podcast (JoAnna Farrer), with Co-Curators Elyse Welles & Denise Cruci, Technical Director Darryl Kubian
As a speaker, your voice will appear in two ways: a focused 20–30 minute recorded teaching (on your schedule) and one live roundtable (80–90 minutes) with moderated Q&A.
We aim for clear, grounded conversations that leaders can bring back to their covens, groves, temples, festivals, and gatherings.
Participation at a Glance
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Submit the Participation Form by November 14th, 2025.
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Live roundtable(s) (strongly encouraged): Sign up to participate in one (max two) of the four panels below.
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All live roundtables via Zoom will be 75-90 minutes with a moderator; all speakers should arrive 10 minutes before the start, to make sure that all tech (audio and video) is clear before the session starts.
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Live roundtable slots are first-come and limited to 5 speakers per panel.
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Pre-recorded teaching (required): 20–30 minutes - Pre-recorded submissions should be uploaded by Jan. 4th, 2026.
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Recording/Replay: All live sessions are recorded; your pre-record and panel(s) appear in the 6-month replay library.
Your Pre-Recorded Teaching (20–30 minutes)
Core Themes
This Gathering centers on how we lead, teach, and tend our traditions. We’ll explore what works best online vs. on the land and in person, the structures that help groups grow (and not burn out), and how traditions outlast a single founder through shared stewardship. Your pre-recorded talk could also touch on adjacent skills: ethical leadership, ritual design, festival/pilgrimage organizing, mentoring, conflict navigation, adapting to change, and accountability in practice.
To keep the program balanced and practical, please submit a short proposal for your recording: a title, 70–200 word abstract via our Speaker Form. (Submissions will be accepted until November 14th, 2025.) We’ll review quickly and confirm your proposed topic via email, so we avoid overlap and ensure a well-balanced summit for attendees.
Pre-Record Sample Topics
Below are a few prompts to inspire your 20–30 minute teaching. Feel free to use any 4–6 that resonate, mix and match, or propose your own angle in your short proposal. Aim for practical frameworks + one story leaders can use right away.
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What does sacred leadership mean in your path now, and how has that changed over time?
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What practices consistently help keep a group healthy - what makes it work?
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A pitfall that can sink groups (or leaders) and how to navigate it.
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What belongs online, and what must remain in person / on the land - and why?
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A time you shifted a group from burnout toward sustainable rhythm. What did you change?
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Succession / shared stewardship: how you approach it, or why your path chooses differently.
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A teaching method that truly works today. What are some aspects of teaching traditions that we should let go of?
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How do you cultivate accountability and safety without stifling mystery?
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A brief story of repair (conflict, harm, or rupture) and what restored trust.
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How you welcome newcomers while tending elders and long-term members (boundaries and belonging.)
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Public rituals: design and planning principles for groups of different sizes.
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Money & sustainability: fees, sliding scale, or patronage - what’s ethical and sustainable?
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Pilgrimage / sacred travel: when it serves community growth, and when it doesn’t.
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Interacting with other religious communities and people. What could we do better? What have you found that's working well?
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Building lineage literacy: how you transmit tradition without freezing it in amber.
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Online teaching: formats, pacing, or tools that genuinely build skills and abilities.
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Mentoring the next wave: spotting readiness, setting expectations, and letting people move on, if it's not for them.
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Books, blogs, and YouTube: What works best in these formats? Where are they headed?
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Crisis moments: practices that keep leadership grounded through difficulties.
Live Roundtable Discussions
Each panel will be 75–90 minutes, with a moderator and audience Q&A, via Zoom. Each panel will have space for 4 speakers, so if a session has already filled up, please choose another that fits. (All times Eastern.) To make sure that we have a balance of guests, please select no more than two roundtables to attend.
While live participation in this aspect is completely optional, I'm sure that the discussions will be extremely interesting and valuable, and will allow attendees to submit questions for the panels, so your time in attending ONE (or two) during the week is much appreciated.
Tech, Tools & Temples — Wednesday, January 21, 2026 • 7:00 pm ET
What kinds of practices and teachings thrive online, and where do we draw sacred lines for in-person / land-based work? We’ll share practical ways to use online platforms and media without losing the soul of the work. What can be taught via books, videos, blogs, or Zoom, and what do we only share in person? We'll discuss hybrid models, consent/privacy considerations, and leadership decisions around where and how we create sacred space.
Seeds That Thrive — Thursday, January 22, 2026 • 12:00 pm ET
What actually helps groups grow—and what quietly burns leaders and group members out? We’ll discuss our ideas of sustainable structures (roles, money, mentorship), common pitfalls (triangulation, vague boundaries), and ways to navigate conflict.
After the Founder — Thursday, January 22, 2026 • 7:00 pm ET
Do we want our traditions to outlast a single founder—and if so, how? We’ll compare models for succession, shared stewardship, leadership in transition, ordination/recognition, and how to navigate changes in traditions over time. This conversation will discuss balances of ego, devotion, and the needs of a living community.
The Spell of Belonging — Friday, January 23, 2026 • 7:00 pm ET
In an age often named for disconnection and loneliness, how do we create communities where people feel seen, appreciated, and safe to grow? We’ll look at hospitality, interfaith conversations, accessibility, pastoral presence, and ritual and community practices that foster connection and healthy spiritual relationships.
Speaker Compensation & Affiliate Program
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Affiliate Commission: 25% per All-Access Pass sold via your unique link or coupon
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Honorarium: $100 to all speakers if the summit reaches 85 paid passes total
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All-Access Pass: Complimentary for all speakers
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Payout timing: Commissions/honoraria are paid within 30–45 days after the event concludes (to allow for processing.)
Affiliate setup: You’ll receive your unique link after you confirm and set your Roundtable time. We’ll also send graphics to share on social media to help with promotion.
Timeline & Deadlines
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Confirm your participation by filling out the Speaker Form: November 14th, 2025
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Choose your live roundtable(s): ASAP (first-come, first-served, using the links above)
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Affiliate link issued + promo kit: by November 19th, 2025
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Pre-recorded talk uploaded by: January 4th, 2025
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Live roundtables and pre-recorded teachings available to the public: January 21–23, 2026 (see schedule above)
Presented by Coffee & Divination
The Wylde Grove Gathering - Leadership Summit is in its inaugural year, and is produced by JoAnna Farrer (Founder & Executive Producer), with Elyse Welles and Denise Cruci (Co-Curators & Program Directors), and Darryl Kubian (Technical Director). We're excited to share this with you, and to be a part of what unfolds in our community.
Join the Conversation?
Click below to fill out the Speaker Intake form to give us your contact details and pre-recorded talk proposal. We’ll follow up with your upload link, affiliate details, and live-session notes. (Please note: the deadline to complete this form is November 14th, 2025.)
Thank you for your time, and see you online for exciting discussions!