SHADOWDANCE
THE DRAGON SALON
Dragons, Desire, Fulfillment… Oh My!
Travel back with me to the tradition of the early French salons—where diverse minds gathered, ideas evolved, and culture quietly shifted… and bring that same spirit into your own space.
In rooms like these, meaningful desires move closer to reality—sometimes through a single brilliant connection. A different kind of gathering… for those who already know the value of a good one.
What's In a Dragon Salon
WHO
WHAT
WHY
WHERE
WHEN
WHAT GUESTS
WILL LEAVE WITH
HOW TO
GET STARTED
Who hosts and attends Dragon Salons? Those who host Dragon Salons are often the ones others already turn to— for connection, for insight, or simply for the feeling of being in a well-curated room. They are artists, innovators, leaders, and quiet catalysts… people whose presence tends to gather others naturally. And the people they invite reflect that same quality— those with meaningful desires in motion, who value conversation that moves beyond the surface.
What is a Dragon Salon? A Dragon Salon is a curated gathering where meaningful desires are shared, explored, and supported through intentional conversation. Guests leave with greater clarity, new connections, and often a sense of momentum around what matters most.
Why host or attend a Dragon Salon? Because some desires don’t need more time—they need the right room. A room where they can be spoken, heard, and shaped through conversation and connection. And often, the most meaningful ideas are carried by those who don’t rush to share them—those who are discerning, self-aware, and waiting for a space that feels worthy of what they hold. Dragon Salons create that space—where even the quietest fire is given room to be seen, and where a single conversation can begin to move it forward.
Where do Dragon Salons take place? Dragon Salons take place in intimate, private spaces—often living rooms—designed for conversation rather than presentation. Inspired by the early French salons, where small gatherings shaped culture from within the home, each Salon is intentionally limited to twelve guests. This scale allows for meaningful exchange, genuine connection, and the kind of presence that larger rooms rarely offer. In a room this size, it’s not about being seen by many— it’s about being truly heard by the right few… with the opportunity to continue the conversation as a guest co-host on the Riding Dragons podcast, filmed in San Diego.
When do Dragon Salons occur? Most Dragon Salons take place on a weekend afternoon—Saturday or Sunday—when there’s space to slow down and be fully present. The gathering itself runs from 1:30 to 5:00 PM, with a gentle lead-in for setup beginning around noon and time afterward to close the evening by 6:00 PM.
A signed copy of Riding Dragons: Desire, Fulfillment, and the Art of Becoming—a companion to the ideas explored throughout the evening. A small keepsake… something to carry the experience forward beyond the room. New connections—often unexpected, often meaningful, and occasionally transformative. And in some cases, recognition from the room itself—through the Heart of a Dragon Rider Award, honoring those whose presence and contributions elevated the experience for others.
If this resonates, you’re invited to continue the conversation. Select a time on my calendar, and we’ll explore what hosting could look like together. We’ll begin with the experience you’d like to create and the outcomes that feel most meaningful to you. From there, we’ll explore how you might invite your guests, and how the Salon could evolve into something ongoing—guided by you—whether through a recurring gathering or a more focused mastermind, all in a way that naturally integrates with what you’re already building in your work and leadership, or as something new and meaningful to you. We’ll then walk through what hosting looks like, how I’ll be supporting, and begin to align on potential dates for your Salon and podcast guest co-host experience.
1. What makes a Dragon Salon different? It’s the combination of intentional curation, thoughtful structure, and the shared language of desire. The experience creates space for conversations that don’t typically happen in more casual or traditional settings.
2. Why I created Dragon Salons? Because I genuinely value bringing thoughtful people together in a way that feels meaningful and real. So much of what shapes our lives and work comes from who we’re in conversation with—and I wanted to curate a space where those conversations could happen more intentionally, in person, and with a sense of depth. Dragon Salons are also a natural extension of my work as an artist and author, creating a living environment for the ideas within Riding Dragons to be experienced, not just read. They allow me to connect and collaborate with people who are building something meaningful in their own way—which is a part of the work I care about most.
3. Will anything be sold to my guests? No. Dragon Salons are not sales environments, and your guests won’t be pitched or placed into an offer during the evening. The focus is entirely on conversation, connection, and the experience itself. Like many in the room, I do have my own work and offerings—but the Salon itself is not the place where those are presented. If someone is naturally curious about working together beyond the Salon, those conversations happen separately and by invitation—not within the gathering.
4. Is there any expectation for guests to perform or present? Not at all. There’s no presenting or pitching—just thoughtful curated conversation for insight and expansion to happen.
5. How personal do the conversations get? That depends on the room. Some conversations stay practical and idea-focused, while others move into more personal reflections. The structure allows for both—without forcing either.
6. What if some guests are more reserved? That’s completely natural—and part of what the Salon is designed to support. The environment and flow create space for both expressive and more thoughtful, reflective voices to contribute in their own way. Often, those who are quieter at first bring some of the most meaningful insights into the room.
7. What if my guests don’t know each other? That’s often where the most interesting connections happen. Dragon Salons are intentionally designed to bring together people who might not otherwise meet, creating space for fresh perspectives and unexpected alignment.
8. What does hosting actually involve? Hosting a Dragon Salon is more about curating the room than managing an event. You provide the space and invite a small group of guests you feel would resonate with the experience. I guide the flow of the evening, facilitate the conversations, and support the overall structure. Together, we create something that feels natural, intentional, and well-held.
9. What does it mean to “hold the room” as a host? Hosts are invited to play an active role in holding the space for their guests—often in simple, supportive ways such as guiding music, keeping time, or helping tend to the flow of the evening. You won’t be doing this alone. I guide the overall structure and facilitate the experience so the room feels supported, natural, and well-held throughout.
10. Do I need experience hosting gatherings? Not at all—though many hosts already enjoy bringing people together. If you have a sense of who you’d want in the room and a space that can comfortably hold the group, that’s more than enough to begin.
11. Who makes an ideal guest? People who are engaged in something meaningful—personally, creatively, or professionally. Those who value thoughtful conversation, and who are open to sharing ideas, perspectives, and possibilities in a more intentional setting.
12. Can I invite clients or is this more personal? Either can work. Some hosts invite peers, collaborators, or community members, while others include clients or even potential clients which can naturally support deeper connection and insight. The biggest key is choosing people who will contribute meaningfully to the room.
13. Is this social, structured… or both? It’s a blend of both. There’s a natural, welcoming atmosphere, paired with a guided structure that supports conversation moving beyond the surface. The flow provides direction while still allowing space for organic interaction and connection.
14. How do guests typically feel after attending? Many describe feeling both inspired and grounded. It’s common to leave with a clearer sense of direction, a few meaningful connections, and a feeling that something important has begun to move.
15. What kind of space works best? An intimate, comfortable space where 12–15 people can gather and converse easily. Living rooms are often ideal, especially when arranged with intention to support connection and flow.
16. Do I need to provide food or drinks? I provide a bottle of red wine, a sparkling cider and a selection of dark chocolate. Other light refreshments are welcome, but simplicity is perfectly fine. The focus of the evening is the conversation and connection—not the hosting details.
17. How do we choose a date? We’ll explore timing together during our initial conversation. Most Salons take place on a weekend afternoon, but we’ll align on what works best for you and your guests.
18. What would I need to prepare in advance? Primarily your guest list and your space. I’ll guide you through invitations, flow, and what to expect, so you feel supported every step of the way.
19. What is the investment to host? Yes—and in many cases, it can be fully funded through guest reservations. Details are shared during our initial conversation, where we’ll walk through what’s included and explore what feels aligned for you.
20. What happens after the Salon? For many hosts, the connections and conversations continue naturally. Some choose to gather their group again in their own way—whether socially, collaboratively, or through something more structured. And for those who feel aligned, there’s the opportunity to continue the conversation through the podcast experience.
21. Can this become something ongoing? Absolutely—if it feels aligned. Many hosts find that the connections formed naturally lead to future gatherings, collaborations, or more structured spaces they choose to lead.
22. Is this for everyone? Not necessarily. Dragon Salons tend to resonate most with those who value thoughtful conversation, meaningful connection, and the exchange of ideas in a more intentional setting.
23. Why Dragons? Because dragons have long symbolized the forces within us that are powerful, persistent, and not easily ignored. In the context of a Dragon Salon—and within my book— a “Dragon” is simply a meaningful desire—something you feel called toward, even if it feels uncertain, ambitious, or not yet fully formed. To “ride” that dragon is to engage with it consciously—giving it voice, direction, and movement. The language may be symbolic, but the experience is very real.
24. How do I know if this is the right fit for me? If you’re reading this and already imagining the room—or the people you’d invite—it likely is. The best way to know is simply to continue the conversation and explore it together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every human is an evolving work of art.
I stand for a world where we are empowered to become who we are, fully, without apology,
consciously creating lives that are deeply expressed, deeply seen, impossible to ignore.
