Connect. Learn. Expand.
Welcome to The Second Saturday Brain Trust—a monthly morning gathering designed to spark deep conversation, foster community, and introduce you to fascinating ideas right here in Olympia.
Hosted by Bespoke Olympia at the beautiful Harbor House, these sessions bring together local experts, passionate visionaries, and curious minds. We dive into a different topic each month, led by incredible speakers who are living their truth and sharing their expertise.
Whether you’re looking to expand your personal growth, learn a new perspective, or simply connect with an incredible community of local neighbors, there is a seat at the table for you. No matter how you identify, you are welcome here.
The Second Saturday Brain Trust
A monthly gathering for candid dialogue, shared wisdom, and actionable practice.
Upcoming: October Session
Notice, Price, Choose: Using Your Position to Act When Someone Else Can’t Afford To With Dr. Marika Barto
Special Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Doors at 8:45 AM)
Location: Harbor House, Olympia, WA
(Note: Due to venue availability, we are gathering on the 3rd Saturday this month!)
We often assume that shared identity equates to shared experience, but even within a room that appears alike on the surface, lived realities diverge in ways we rarely name out loud.
This is not a workshop about passive inspiration—it is a hands-on, practical lab. Dr. Marika Barto guides us through "Notice, Price, Choose"—a three-step decision-making framework designed to help you:
Notice: Recognize when someone else in the room has less power or safety to survive speaking up.
Price: Honestly calculate and name what taking action will actually cost you.
Choose: Move deliberately and intentionally rather than defaulting to reflex or comfort.
Through an interactive gallery walk, personal and social identity mapping, and guided practice across real-world workplace, civic, and community scenarios, you'll practice these decisions before facing them in high-stakes moments.
Register Now via Ticket Tailor
Past Sessions & Recaps
September Recap: Rest, Clarity, & Connection with Annie Severson
Annie Severson led our community through a powerful morning exploring how personal disruption can transform into profound professional wisdom. Drawing on her own breast cancer journey, Annie guided us into honest reflections on resting through chaos, choosing purpose over performative hustle, and leaning into human-centered community care. Thank you, Annie, for grounding the room in such raw vulnerability, hope, and true resilience.
August Recap: Inaugural Session with Kara Withers
We kicked off our inaugural Brain Trust at the Harbor House with incredible energy, honest dialogue, and shared wisdom. Thank you to everyone who showed up and made our first gathering so grounded and real. Kara, you’re incredible, and please come back for Human Design, round 2 sometime soon!
Meet our Speaker
This is not your typical headshot or your typical bio and that’s intentional because nothing about me is typical. I’m Marika Barto (she/her), the Chief Equity Officer for the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems. I have served the state of Washington for over 13 years. I am an Army brat and an atypical Air Force vet (I was active duty at the US Air Force Academy and left in my senior year - see, I told you, not the typical veteran story).
I recently earned my PhD in Education for Social Justice at the University of San Diego. Prior to working for the state, I was a public-school teacher and assistant principal in New Orleans, LA, teaching high school math and science. I love working as a public servant and while not supporting others, I can be found doing all the things with my wife, enjoying time with friends, or putting together a puzzle.
About These Sessions:
When: The Second Saturday of every month (except for October! see you 10/17!) | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Harbor House, Olympia, WA
What to Bring: A notebook, an open mind, and your favorite morning beverage. Tasty local pastries and fresh coffee will always be provided.
Investment: Single Session Ticket | $55
What Your Investment Covers:
We believe in creating a beautifully curated, high-value experience for every attendee. Your ticket directly supports our local community and completely covers:
Our Speakers: Fair compensation for the incredible local experts who share their wisdom and time with us.
The Experience: Your seat at the beautiful Harbor House, along with delicious morning treats and custom workbooks or workshop materials designed specifically for each session.
Local, Woman-Owned Business: A portion of every ticket goes directly toward supporting Bespoke Olympia, allowing us to keep creating intentional spaces for local connection and growth.
Space is intentionally limited to maintain an intimate, conversational atmosphere
Want to hear about future sessions of the Second Saturday Brain Trust? 🧠Join the mailing list!
We're hard at work building the full schedule of events through 2026. Drop your email below to join our mailing list and be notified as soon as registration officially opens for new sessions.
Gatherings
If you want to make courageous change in your life, there’s no better supportive tool than gathering in healthy, positive community.
Bespoke Olympia has hosted two, full-day conferences, and we’re planning to offer more gatherings in the near future. Find your people. Join us!
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👇
The Bespoke Olympia Sovereignty Summit (BOSS!) was held on March 28, 2026.
Attendees walked through discovery and connection to their own personal sovereignty and identified ways to listen to their own inner wisdom.
In noisy cultures like ours, connection to your deep inner knowing is crucial for staying healthy, joyful, and creative.
Bespoke Olympia’s inaugural conference, Do the Damn Thing, took place in May 2024.
Samantha facilitated participants in Byron Katie’s The Work, questioning limiting beliefs that hold us back from doing the things we feel called to do.
Through questioning our own stories, we find freedom and the courage to participate more fully in life.