Introduction

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been ten years since Natasha and I started Sutra. We began with a vision—to create a global ecosystem of relational spaces that could support people doing heart-centered work online. At the time, we had no idea how to make that happen. We just knew it was important. Over the years, we’ve come to see that group learning experiences, especially those designed with care and presence, are a powerful vehicle for transformation. We’ve worked with hundreds of creators—coaches, facilitators, community builders—who share a commitment to meaningful connection. Sutra has become a platform for those committed to fostering humanity in online spaces.

In this Sutra Showcase call, we invited four inspiring creators from our ecosystem to share how they’re using Sutra to support their work. Each person brought a different flavor, a different lens, but the common thread was clear: these are people creating experiences that feel alive, relational, and deeply intentional.

Presenter 1: Johan Holm – Inner Development Goals (IDG) Ambassador Program

Johan opened with an overview of the Inner Development Goals framework. The IDGs serve as an inner counterpart to the Sustainable Development Goals, recognizing that in order to create meaningful outer change in the world, we have to cultivate inner capacities. Johan runs the IDG Ambassador Training on Sutra, which supports "ambassadors" of this work around the world.

One of the things that stood out in Johan’s presentation was how they use Sutra to support both asynchronous and in-person learning. The training includes weekly reflection videos, which participants respond to before attending live sessions. This flipped classroom model has helped participants arrive more grounded and prepared for deeper conversation.

Johan highlighted how easy it was to organize events, create asynchronous engagement, and integrate all of this into an alumni space. He’s been able to reuse materials, run multiple cohorts, and create a clear journey for participants. His reflections reminded me how important simplicity is—we sometimes forget that a thoughtfully designed, low-friction experience is the best way to optimize for engagement.

Presenter 2: Tabitha Jane – EarthConnected Coaching

Tabitha has been with us for over five years. She runs an ICF-accredited program called EarthConnected Coaching, which supports coaches in reconnecting with themselves and the planet. What’s remarkable about Tabitha’s work is the ecosystem she’s created—her program is not just a course, it’s a living, breathing environment of nested spaces.

Her presentation touched on how she’s structured everything using Sutra—from onboarding to certification to post-program coaching exchanges. She described how coaches who complete her program are invited into a low-bono coaching exchange that gives them practical experience and helps build their businesses. These exchanges, along with partnerships she’s created with other facilitators, allow for deep cross-pollination and mutual support.

A big part of Tabitha’s approach is accessibility. She spoke powerfully about the importance of creating spaces that work for neurodivergent participants. This means using simpler language, reducing pressure to interact socially, and offering support in asynchronous formats. Sutra’s flexibility made it possible for her to minimize cognitive load and create a reflective, inclusive experience.

Her work reminded me of how learning can be a deeply artistic and empathetic practice—about creating conditions for insight rather than pushing content.

Presenter 3: Trish Sta Rosa – The Garden / Deeply Rooted Ecosystem

Trish came into Sutra with a background in community building and business development for early-stage entrepreneurs. Her project, The Garden, is a vibrant example of emergent community design. She’s been experimenting with an agile model for offerings that evolve in real-time based on member feedback.

What struck me most about Trish’s presentation was the level of responsiveness in her design. Her programs grow from listening. For example, she’ll start with a check-in call, then build a workshop based on the themes that surface. This approach is inherently relational—it trusts the wisdom of the group and creates room for surprise and co-creation.

Trish uses Sutra to facilitate events like "Business Boosters" and "Skillshare Workshops," and she leverages the platform’s broadcast features to stay in touch with participants. Her space is intentionally low-tech, welcoming, and collaborative—a sandbox for prototyping and iterating. In her words, the platform helps her meet people where they are, without needing to perform or fit into a rigid structure.

Listening to Trish, I felt inspired by how community can be a canvas. Her work demonstrates how learning emerges most naturally when we hold structure lightly and let connection lead.

Presenter 4: Kim DeYoung – Choice Mapping Mastery

Kim’s work with Choice Mapping is a beautiful example of content evolving through practice. Her program grew out of her book, The Book of Choice, and an initial beta cohort on Sutra. Over time, she shaped a more structured offering called Choice Mapping Mastery.

Kim combines weekly content modules with live "choice mapping labs," where participants apply what they’ve learned in real time. Sutra’s sequential lesson access helps guide participants through a clear journey, requiring reflections before unlocking the next step. She also makes use of AI to summarize responses and distill insights—creating a valuable layer of synthesis.

What I appreciated in Kim’s story was the scalability she’s built in. Her program can run as a self-study or a live cohort. She’s currently preparing a certification program for coaches and therapists who want to bring choice mapping into their work. Her collaboration with Janna, who helps with tech and design, has allowed her to build a polished experience that remains rooted in her values.

Kim’s approach underscores that technology can be deeply personal when used intentionally. Her work embodies a blend of clarity, intuition, and structure.

Closing Reflections

As the session came to a close, Natasha and I reflected on how each presenter brought a different form of magic. Johan’s clarity and global scale. Tabitha’s empathy and ecosystemic thinking. Trish’s emergent design. Kim’s structure and precision. Each story reaffirmed what we believe at Sutra: that learning is relational, creative, and alive.

What stood out to me was how diverse these applications were—yet each one used Sutra to create space for meaningful human connection. From neurodivergent-inclusive design to agile community feedback loops to reflective learning journeys, this Showcase reminded me that there is no single way to do this work. But there is a common thread—a deep honoring of the human experience.

I left the session feeling deeply grateful. Not just for the presenters, but for everyone who’s ever used Sutra to bring people together. This is what we dreamed of ten years ago. And seeing it come to life through others—it’s the greatest gift.

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