{"id":247,"date":"2019-10-09T17:45:56","date_gmt":"2019-10-09T17:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/160-wham\/?page_id=247"},"modified":"2026-03-31T23:37:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T23:37:09","slug":"lunch-and-learns","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/wham\/classes-and-programs\/lunch-and-learns\/","title":{"rendered":"Lunch and Learns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our lunch and learns offer staff and faculty a learning environment which promotes healthy lifestyle choices by increasing awareness, and supporting lifestyle changes.\u00a0 Lunch and Learns also offer an opportunity to gather, create connections and build relationships, which helps support your social-emotional well-being. We know that healthier lifestyles among faculty and staff will in turn create happier, more productive individuals who benefit themselves, Macalester, and the greater community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Upcoming Lunch & Learns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inviting Insight: Cultivating Wisdom and Well-being in Troubling Times<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 – <\/strong>Focus: Mental and Spiritual Well-being<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing from the work of social, psychological and educational theorists, philosophers, practitioners and activists; and spanning both eastern and western spiritual traditions; insight<\/strong> is defined as the capacity to suspend habits of thought and emotion, thereby enhancing receptivity and heightening awareness, that leads to deeper understanding, personal well-being and enriched relationships<\/em>. It is, in effect, a \u2018way of knowing\u2019 that can be developed by all people. In times of crisis, insight serves as a critical personal and societal resource. During this session, we will explore practical strategies shown to assist individuals in cultivating insight to enrich their own lives and the lives of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruthanne Kurth-Schai has recently completed nearly 40 years of teaching, scholarship and service at Macalester College, including 30 years as chair of the Educational Studies Department. Throughout her time at Macalester, her work on campus, in the community, across the U.S and abroad, has been enriched by intensive study and teaching of tai chi and qigong through the Tilopa Tai Chi\/Qigong Center in Minneapolis, in addition to study and practice of Buddhist approaches to insight meditation both locally and in Thailand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Register to join us<\/strong><\/a> for lunch catered by Bon Appetit at 11:45, Wednesday, April 22 in the Leonard Center\u2019s Hall of Fame room<\/strong>.\u00a0 The presentation will be from 12:00 to 12:50 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Past Lunch & Learns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mind Body Spirit Heart Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 – Focus Area: Heart Health & Stress Management<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Please join us for a hybrid lunch and learn.  Dr. Courney Jordan Baechler with Park Nicollet Heart and Vascular Center will join us via Zoom to help us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n