GAIN A NEW SUPERPOWER
STRENGTHEN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
BECOME A TRUSTED FRIEND
LEARN TO SAVE A LIFE
BUILD A HEALTHY FAMILY
"Whenever something terrible happens, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
Mr. Rogers
About us
The Red Circle develops and offers materials and training on psychological literacy and crisis response. Our goal is to become the Red Cross for mental health.
Sometimes we find ourselves at a loss for words or actions. When a friend confines that they've been assaulted, what do you do? When a family member has been dealing with depression, what kinds of questions should you ask? What do you do after a loss?
The first conversation about a difficult topic typically happens with a trusted friend or family member. How we respond in these situations can change their life, yet we often don't know how to optimally support the people we care about. The Red Circle is working on changing that: We want to create a world in which we're competently there for each other. Just as we learn how to treat a physical wound or to change a broken tire, psychological literacy is essential to get through life and to build and maintain strong bonds with friends, families, communities, and the workplace.
Team
We are open to new team members and co-founders who are enthusiastic about creating a psychologically literate world.
Julia Bossmann, MS
Co-Founder, President
Prior to founding the Red Circle, Julia mentored startups as Entrepreneur in Residence at Singularity University, did management consulting at McKinsey & Company, conducted research in product prototypes and knowledge engineering at Bosch Research & Technology, served on the Global Future Council at the World Economic Forum, and served as president of Foresight Institute. Julia studied psychology and neuroscience at Heinrich Heine University in Dusseldorf and at USC in Los Angeles in Antonio Damasio's Brain & Creativity Institute. WEF agenda contributor, WEF Global Shaper, Edmund Hillary Foundation Fellow.
Thomas Breideband, PhD
Co-Founder, Chief Instructional Designer
With a background in ethics and technology research as well as in higher education, Thomas develops the overarching structure for the classes and translates the content into meaningful modules and learning outcomes. He holds PhD degrees in Rhetoric and Cultural Studies from Georgia State University in Atlanta and the Johannes Gutenberg-University in Mainz, Germany.
Robert Malka
Instructional Designer, Chief Connection Officer
Robert Malka is co-founder of two startups, one that provides interpreting services for the Deaf and another providing a radical educational alternative to middle school. As a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), former sign language interpreter, and someone who has previously struggled with mental health, he passionately embraces creative ways for people to be and feel heard. He has written a memoir on the experience of having Deaf parents (publication pending), is a Global Shaper at the San Francisco Hub, and studied the classics at St. John's College, Santa Fe, where he received his Bachelor’s in Philosophy and History of Math and Science in 2015.
Rey Castellanos
Co-Founder, Chief Training & Facilitation Officer
Rey is the Founder of Feed Your Wolf, a high-impact coaching and consulting firm, the Founder of Aurify Inc, a coaching and transformation software startup, the Founding Curator of the Global Shapers Sacramento Hub, the Host of the Beyond Failure Podcast, Founding Member of the Forbes Coaches Council and one of the 2019 International Coach Federation Young Leader Honorees.
Joel Goldsmith
Content Advisor
As manager of the San Francisco suicide hotline, Joel trained, mentored, and supervised 180+ volunteers, staff and community partners in suicide prevention. With a background in the arts, humanities, and community based research practices, he brings a storytelling perspective to community mental health. He also participates in the arts as a producer and volunteer.
Janelle Klaas, LMFT
Content Advisor
Janelle is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice, specializing in the treatment of emotional and mental health disorders. She uses modern interventions to help people find insight, heal, and thrive, and feels passionate about increasing awareness of mental health issues and recovery. In her free time, Janelle enjoys gardening, visits to the ocean, and costume parties.
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FAQ
What's the story behind the name?
The name Red Circle is an homage to the Red Cross. As the Red Cross popularized medical first aid, the Red Circle aims to do the same for psychological first aid. The circle is a symbol of community, well-being, and bringing people together.
How can I get involved?
We're a volunteer-based effort. If you're passionate about creating a kinder world, we'd love your input! Contact us here.
Black Lives Matter, Always
At The Red Circle, we are committed to contributing to a world that is just and equitable for all.
Awareness
Silence helps abusers. We firmly stand with the victims' rights to be heard, even and especially when it's uncomfortable. We use our privilege to amplify black voices and other voices that have been silenced and ignored.
Short-term Action
During the protests and beyond, Red Circle facilitators volunteer their time to educate and hold space for conversations about racial inequality, injustice, and allyship in cooperation with minority leaders.
Long-term Action
Building a better world is a long process that isn't completed in a week, a month, or even a year. To contribute to lasting change, we are making modules on effective allyship for our workshops.
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