Session One: What Would It Take to Feel Satisfied?
Preparation < 2 hours
-
Anton Chekhov, "The Lottery Ticket"
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Toni Cade Bambara, "The Lesson"
-
The Cut, "A Classic Psychology Study on Why Winning the Lottery Won't Make You Happier"
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Tressie McMillan Cottom, "The Logic of Stupid Poor People"
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Kurt Vonnegut, "Joe Heller" (poem)
Session Two: How Much Is Enough When Others Have Too Little?
Preparation < 2 hours
-
Leo Tolstoy, "How Much Land Does a Man Need?"
-
Ursula K. Le Guin, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas"
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Peter Singer, "Solution to World Poverty"
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Counterpoint essay from Aeon challenging anti-consumption narratives
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Wendell Berry, "Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front"
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Session Three: What Might 'Enough' Look Like in Practice?
Preparation < 2 hours
-
Robin Wall Kimmerer, "The Honorable Harvest" (from Braiding Sweetgrass)
-
Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, excerpt from Your Money or Your Life
-
Seneca, selections from "On the Happy Life"
-
Documentary Film: The Queen of Versailles
What's a Pod?
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A big life question
Three sessions
One connected group
A big life question
Three sessions
One connected group
A big life question
Three sessions
One connected group
FAQ Premise Pods
It’s three guided sessions with the same people, all centered on one big life question, with a short set of readings or a film that helps you see the question from multiple angles. Pods are offered in person (Portland and other cities coming soon!) and online, and they’re designed for people who want something deeper than a one-off event—connection, continuity, and a shared thread to return to.
In person: 2 hours
Online: 1.5 hours
We start and end on time.Prep is light and doable and intentionally designed to fit into a busy life.
Before each session, you’ll get a set of short readings or a film chosen to spark reflection and conversation. Most people spend about 60-90 minutes preparing—enough to come in grounded, curious, and ready for conversation.
Not at all.
Premise Pods are designed for curious people, not experts. You don’t need any background knowledge—just a willingness to engage with the material, listen well, and bring your own perspective to the conversation.
We really hope you’ll be able to make all three sessions, since the continuity is what makes a Pod special.
That said, missing one session won’t be the end of the world—you can still come to the next one and stay connected to the group. If you miss more than one, it may start to feel a bit too disjointed, both for you and for the Pod’s shared thread of conversation.In person Pods are capped at 12 people.
Online Pods are capped at 15 people.Online Pods meet on Zoom. After you register, we’ll send clear instructions and your Zoom link.
In-person Pods meet at our Portland home base at 722 Page St. After you register, we’ll send details on how to access the space.
We’re also working toward Pods in other Premise communities—stay tuned as new locations open up.
Neither.
A Premise Pod is a guided conversation where a small group gathers around one enduring life question, with a short reading or film as a shared starting point. It is a space for intellectual fellowship and for meeting new people who are also hungry for richer conversation. You get to try on new ideas, hear perspectives you would not encounter in your usual circles, and leave with more questions than answers in the best way.
It is not a class. There are no lectures, homework, or grades.
It is not group therapy. Premise is not clinical, and it is not designed for crisis support or therapeutic processing.
It is a facilitated conversation experience that is structured, welcoming, and deeply human.
In Portland and for online Pods, Mary Finn, the founder of Premise, facilitates the Pod.
Facilitators are there to create a welcoming, inclusive space and to guide the flow of conversation so that everyone has room to participate. They are not lecturers, and they are not therapists. They bring thoughtful prompts and strong discussion design that helps a group engage with curiosity, care, and intellectual honesty.
As Premise expands, Pods may also be led by other trained Premise facilitators. You can learn more about our facilitators here.
After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with everything you need.
You will get the session dates and times, the prep materials for the first session, and clear instructions for where to go.
If you registered for an online Pod, we will send your Zoom link and login details.
If you registered for an in person Pod in Portland, we will send instructions for accessing our home base at 722 Page St.
Yes, please do.
Premise Pods are often even better with a friend, especially if you want a familiar face in the room. Just have your friend register separately so we can hold their spot, since Pods are capped and often fill.
Premise Pods are funded entirely by participant revenue, and that revenue is what keeps the program going and growing.
We also do not want money to be the reason you cannot join. If you would like to come but cannot pay, or you need a significant discount, email Mary at Mary@premiseinstitute.com
No need to explain. No questions asked.We always provide the readings after you register.
Sometimes a Pod includes a film, and that may require access to a streaming service like Netflix. When possible, we provide links and clear instructions so it is easy to find.
Premise attracts a wide mix of people.
Pods tend to include adults of different ages and backgrounds who are curious, thoughtful, and hungry for deeper conversation.
Some people come because they love literature and big questions. Others come because they want to meet new people and have more meaningful dialogue than daily life usually makes room for.
You do not need a specific academic background. You just need a willingness to show up, engage with the materials, and be part of a generous conversation.
FAQ: Premise Pods
It’s three guided sessions with the same people, all centered on one big life question, with a short set of readings or a film that helps you see the question from multiple angles. Pods are offered in person (Portland and other cities coming soon!) and online, and they’re designed for people who want something deeper than a one-off event—connection, continuity, and a shared thread to return to.
In person: 2 hours
Online: 1.5 hours
We start and end on time.Prep is light and doable and intentionally designed to fit into a busy life.
Before each session, you’ll get a set of short readings or a film chosen to spark reflection and conversation. Most people spend about 60-90 minutes preparing—enough to come in grounded, curious, and ready for conversation.
Not at all.
Premise Pods are designed for curious people, not experts. You don’t need any background knowledge—just a willingness to engage with the material, listen well, and bring your own perspective to the conversation.
We really hope you’ll be able to make all three sessions, since the continuity is what makes a Pod special.
That said, missing one session won’t be the end of the world—you can still come to the next one and stay connected to the group. If you miss more than one, it may start to feel a bit too disjointed, both for you and for the Pod’s shared thread of conversation.In person Pods are capped at 12 people.
Online Pods are capped at 15 people.Online Pods meet on Zoom. After you register, we’ll send clear instructions and your Zoom link.
In-person Pods meet at our Portland home base at 722 Page St. After you register, we’ll send details on how to access the space.
We’re also working toward Pods in other Premise communities—stay tuned as new locations open up.
Neither.
A Premise Pod is a guided conversation where a small group gathers around one enduring life question, with a short reading or film as a shared starting point. It is a space for intellectual fellowship and for meeting new people who are also hungry for richer conversation. You get to try on new ideas, hear perspectives you would not encounter in your usual circles, and leave with more questions than answers in the best way.
It is not a class. There are no lectures, homework, or grades.
It is not group therapy. Premise is not clinical, and it is not designed for crisis support or therapeutic processing.
It is a facilitated conversation experience that is structured, welcoming, and deeply human.
In Portland and for online Pods, Mary Finn, the founder of Premise, facilitates the Pod.
Facilitators are there to create a welcoming, inclusive space and to guide the flow of conversation so that everyone has room to participate. They are not lecturers, and they are not therapists. They bring thoughtful prompts and strong discussion design that helps a group engage with curiosity, care, and intellectual honesty.
As Premise expands, Pods may also be led by other trained Premise facilitators. You can learn more about our facilitators here.
After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with everything you need.
You will get the session dates and times, the prep materials for the first session, and clear instructions for where to go.
If you registered for an online Pod, we will send your Zoom link and login details.
If you registered for an in person Pod in Portland, we will send instructions for accessing our home base at 722 Page St.
Yes, please do.
Premise Pods are often even better with a friend, especially if you want a familiar face in the room. Just have your friend register separately so we can hold their spot, since Pods are capped and often fill.
Premise Pods are funded entirely by participant revenue, and that revenue is what keeps the program going and growing.
We also do not want money to be the reason you cannot join. If you would like to come but cannot pay, or you need a significant discount, email Mary at Mary@premiseinstitute.com
No need to explain. No questions asked.We always provide the readings after you register.
Sometimes a Pod includes a film, and that may require access to a streaming service like Netflix. When possible, we provide links and clear instructions so it is easy to find.
Premise attracts a wide mix of people.
Pods tend to include adults of different ages and backgrounds who are curious, thoughtful, and hungry for deeper conversation.
Some people come because they love literature and big questions. Others come because they want to meet new people and have more meaningful dialogue than daily life usually makes room for.
You do not need a specific academic background. You just need a willingness to show up, engage with the materials, and be part of a generous conversation.