At Common Ground we're committed to discussing challenging topics. Since we began in February we've covered the decline of tolerance, the history of violence and the nature of war and the polarising and often isolating effects of social media. At the end of October we decided to do a talk on body image, something we're coming to find, not everyone is willing to talk publicly about. Have we discovered Common Ground's Achilles heel, so to speak? Everybody's got a body, but not everybody wants to talk about body image and the many issues connected to it. But we do!

Join us Wednesday, October 30th as we chat with Sydney-based actor and philosopher Dr Austin Hayden Smidt and eating disorder therapist Katy Lennox for a discussion on the perils and perks of body image. Then join the circle as we chat with a variety of experts, artists and people who have thought a lot about body image and the skin they're in.

More panelists being announced soon, and of course, audience participation is always encouraged.

Common Ground’s Mission Statement

Worried by the heated and divisive state of public discussion today, we seek to build a conversational community to facilitate productive discussion and critical thinking about complex and controversial issues. People with different opinions and perspectives are welcome. Common Ground is a place to share and a space to listen.

Come along. Learn something new, make a friend! BYOB. (Bring Your Own Brain).

When & Where

Wednesday, 30 October at The Base Health in Newcastle West.

Doors open from 6:30pm and we aim to wrap up by 9. Tea and coffee available.

Meet the Guests!

Dr Austin Hayden Smidt is Doctor of Political Economy and Philosophy. Concept Artist. Producer. Actor. He has acted in numerous theatre, television, film, and online projects in the US, UK, and Australia. Austin is also a Research Fellow in political economy and social theory at the University of Sydney, with expertise covering philosophy, critical political economy, political and philosophical ecology, critical finance, film theory, post- and meta-modernism, psychoanalytic theory, philosophy of religion, and world religions.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/au...
https://linktr.ee/austinhayden

Katy Lennox is an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience working in mental health with adolescents and adults who struggle with difficulties around eating, body image, trauma, substance use or emotional dysregulation.
Katy has worked in a variety of public and private mental health settings for over 23 years. She has also trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches and is a specialist Eating Disorder Therapist.

https://www.thebasehealth.com....

More panelists being announced soon, and of course, audience participation is always encouraged.

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