Welcome to the World of
Community-Building CircleS
The ancient Art of
Circle is a transformative practice rooted in ancient traditions, designed to bring people together, encourage active listening, and break down barriers of vulnerability. Circle is one of the greatest empathy-building practices, cultivating compassion, belonging, and critical Human Skills like self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship-building. Circle provides a space where individuals and communities can forge deeper connections, establish healthy, positive social norms, and grow emotional intelligence together.
At Sweethearts and Heroes, we’ve upgraded the ancient Art of Circle with evidence-based practices stemming from the latest psychological, biological, and sociological research. Our Circles are S.M.A.R.T. because they are Scientifically evidence-based, Model healthy behavior, deal with the Affective domain, utilize time-spaced Repetition, and focus on Trust-building. These S.M.A.R.T. Circles enable you to develop and accelerate meaningful intergroups in a fraction of the time it takes humans to build a trusted and connected community.
The Importance of S.M.A.R.T. Circles
Research conducted by Dr. Peter Wyman and colleagues, released in his Wingman-Connect Upstream Suicide Prevention Program and in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (2019), hypothesized that peer-to-peer and peer-to-adult structural networks at schools could predict rates of suicide ideation and attempts. Results of the study found that fewer instances of suicide ideation or attempts amongst youth occurred in school environments where peers regularly connected with positive peer role models and had continuous access to positive adults.
In S.M.A.R.T. Circles, we have 3 goals:
To grow each participant’s Empathetic Fitness through perspective-taking and emotional sharing, which leads to empathic concern, the neurologic development of compassion, described as “the sympathetic consciousness of another’s distress with the desire to alleviate it.”
Practice the 5 Core Human Skills identified as self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, and relationship skills for stronger communities and learners. Circle is where all these skills can be practiced and successfully developed while engaging all participants.
Establish strong networks of support (both peer and adult), centered around healthy, adaptive social norms, drawing upon the strengths of individuals in the community to help one another transition through and/or deal with difficult situations and life challenges.
Circle Formats
We believe S.M.A.R.T. Circles should be a weekly practice for everyone. Circle is undoubtedly the MOST IMPORTANT work we do, and building a sustainable Circle culture in your school is the key to long-lasting change. Our Circle visits immerse students and staff in this process, focusing on belonging, autonomy, and practicing essential life skills. We recommend weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly visits to ensure consistency and provide guidance from our Circle practitioners.
The Round Table Circle
The Round Table Circle is our core community-building practice — a guided group conversation designed to foster genuine connection and deepen reflection. Every Circle follows the same simple arc: you'll play an opening Circle Activator, introduce an idiom that grounds the group in a shared human thread, move through a set of guided questions, and close together in gratitude. What makes the Round Table Circle so versatile is its built-in flexibility. Questions span a spectrum from light and lighthearted to more reflective and, ultimately, deep and profound — and you can shape each Circle to fit your time and your group's readiness.
The Flash Circle
The Flash Circle, which can be completed in 20-30 minutes, is our dynamic format designed to address serious topics, safety protocols, or community challenges. This format helps you guide your group through a structured discussion on a difficult issue, then pose a single, optimal human question. This is the perfect tool for integrating cultural reflection directly into daily operations or conflict resolution.
The Reverse Circle
The Reverse Circle, which can be completed in 40-60 minutes, is our participant-driven format that completely flips the traditional talking dynamic. With this format, you'll play your opening Activator, introduce an idiom, and pass two talking pieces around the room so the group can ask questions directly to a designated volunteer. This is our most collaborative and playful format, perfect for building deep empathy and letting participants drive the connection.
Book Us today!
Bring our S.M.A.R.T. Circle Practitioners to your school and build a culture where every student and educator feels seen, heard, and valued!
Create lasting change in your school and establish a foundation of belonging, empathy, and human connection!
Strengthen your student’s Human Skills and foster a culture of compassion!
Transform how your school builds relationships, develops positive social norms, and empowers students.
Equip your school with the tools to create a culture of belonging today!