Chris Johnson
Founder & Principal
The calling to launch The Milkweed Group grows out of a nearly 30-year career in teaching, mentoring, speaking, writing, leading workshops, and facilitating retreats. I’ve worked with a wide range of people across the lifespan, including youth, young adults, and emerging leaders, people in mid-life and mid-career, and folks in the “third chapter” of life (pre- and post-retirement). Colleagues and clients also range from K-12 and higher education, civic organizations, and faith communities to the business and not-for-profit/social change sectors.
An important springboard into this work is my 13 years as the founding Director of the Center for Vocational Reflection, Director for Vocation and Integrative Learning, and Associate Director of the Center for Servant Leadership at Gustavus Adolphus College, in Saint Peter, Minnesota, where I also taught courses in ethics. Before that, I taught at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, where I also served as Director of Service-Learning. Along the way, I earned my BA from Gustavus, a Master’s from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a PhD (in “theology, ethics, and culture”) from the University of Iowa.
That background of experience, learning, and relationships has also included extensive work with state, regional, and national projects around issues of vocation, calling, and purpose; life transitions; leadership development; personal, social, and ecological sustainability; experiential learning; civic engagement; and spirituality in life and work. I’m so grateful to be a Circles of Trust® facilitator in association with Parker J. Palmer and the Center for Courage and Renewal.
Introducing The Milkweed Group
One aspect of Milkweed I’m especially proud of is our “partnership” model and the colleagues with whom I have the good fortune to work with – not only because of the excellence of what they do but also because of the quality and authenticity of Who They Are. They’re invaluable team members who exemplify the power and beauty of lives that are lived with a sense of calling to make a positive difference. To meet them and to learn more, read on!
Kaitlyn Dale, PhD
Counseling Psychologist
Who are you? What are you meant to do, in and for, this world?
These two questions sparked my initial interest in joining The Milkweed Group 5+ years ago. They also led me to identify my calling as a counseling psychologist, and they form the foundation of my doctoral dissertation on narrative meaning-making strategies, calling, and vocational identity development.
In both my research and practice I am continually amazed by the benefits of engaging in roles that align who we are (our strengths, values, and passions) with what the world needs. I’ve seen my therapy clients, as well as roomfuls of Milkweed Group participants, come to life when given opportunities to be deeply heard. This is what Milkweed Group provides: space, stillness, and big questions. Through this work I’ve learned to shift from a place of going through the motions, to deep self-examination, to meaningful action. This is what we offer our clients and what (I believe) will make a positive impact on current issues facing our world.
Other callings I experience in my day-to-day: A calling to be a loving and supportive teammate to my partner, Nick. Callings to ground myself in nature, to start living-room dance parties, to curl up with a good read. Whatever is calling your body, mind, or spirit, in this moment, I encourage you to pause and listen. If you’d like to explore it more, know that Milkweed Group would love to support you in process of discerning how to more fully live into that call.
Nate McNab
M.A. Student in Dual Language Elementary Education
“Unlike many things in our current time, the Milkweed Group will never forcefully demand your time or attention. It will, however, always be an open invitation to authenticity and life to which you are free to listen and respond.”
My name is Nate and I am proud to be a partner in the Milkweed Group. Over the past 7 years, I have worked with Milkweed in a variety of capacities from just a friend of the community to co-facilitator. Over those 7 years, I found the above quote to be true, and I choose to respond to that invitation with joy and intention. My calling with Milkweed is to continue to pay attention to the experience we call “life” though Milkweed ways of being. By doing so, I hope to create space for others to explore this thing called life and foster a way of being that makes myself, my community, and our world Whole. Through Milkweed retreats, gatherings, and newsletters we offer you this same non-demanding invitation to authenticity and life. How will you respond to the call?
Outside of Milkweed (though is anything really “outside” the work we do?), I am currently a grad student at the University of Minnesota pursuing an elementary teaching license and Master’s Degree. I live with my wife/partner, Rachel, and we enjoy filling our time with walking, laughing, reading, friends, and family.
