Who’s the Better Man? | Shared Table Dinner
Shared Table Dinners are a microcosm of community, practiced the way we’ve always gathered: around food, presence, and questions that move us.
For men and persons who have been socialized as boys or men.
Performance is our default in modern life. We want to do better, always — at work, in the boardroom, the bedroom, the gym, in love, in creativity, in civic life. And yes, even in healing. Even in men's work. We want to be better at being better.
Early on, boys are socialized into competition and performance — for power, for status, for belonging. You earn your place by how well you do, how much you win, how little you need.
So we have to ask: is this keeping us from connecting more deeply? When competition is the water we swim in — even in the spaces meant for growth — what does that do to our friendships, our honesty, our intimacy? Who are we beyond our performance? Beyond our roles, our results, our self-improvement streaks?
The author bell hooks wrote that if we love maleness, we have to love men even when they are not performing.
This evening starts there. So come join us!
Co-hosted by Jindy Mann, founder of Leader.Brother.Son; Jack Becher, creator of Beyond Patriarchy; and Monika Jiang, writer and community builder
🍚 What to Expect & Bring
Shared Table Dinners are experience-first gatherings—intentionally designed and gently facilitated, without a fixed script.
We come together around a shared table to eat, listen, and explore questions that matter. The evening invites presence, contribution, and meaningful connection while leaving space for what wants to emerge.
Please bring something small and easy to share — homemade or store-bought, both are welcome. Think: a salad, spread, soup, raw veggies for a platter, a leftover you love, or something sweet! 🍫
This is a vegetarian, alcohol-free dinner. We’ll have delicious Oolong tea and water to share. 🍵
💛 Contribution & Accessibility
Shared Table Dinners are carefully designed, facilitated experiences—hours of prep, cooking, conversation, and care go into making each gathering special. Your contribution keeps these dinners alive and accessible.
All contributions are shared equally between C*Space (our community home) and Monika Jiang / the hosting team.
10 € — Your Seat at the Table
You get a spot to join the conversation, share food, and be part of the magic. Minimal, but enough to keep the door open.15 € — Give Back a Little
Covers basic costs and some of the host’s time. You’re helping keep the lights on while showing up fully.20+ € — Sustain Community
For those who want to see Shared Table Dinners continue and grow! Your generosity sustains the space, the hosting work, and allows others to participate at lower contributions.
Choose what feels right, and know that every contribution is part of the community in action. 💛 Thank you!
About the Host(s) 🤸♀️ & Space
Hii! I’m Monika Jiang, a writer, curator, and community builder, and the creator of The Oneliness Project.
I started Shared Table Dinners as part of my exploration into loneliness and oneliness as personal, social, and cultural experiences, and how we can practice reconnection with ourselves, others, and the world. I’ve held spaces across global conferences and festivals, organizations and teams, as well as in intimate, small-group settings.
My gatherings are known for weaving together play, joy, embodiment, and depth of inquiry, using movement, reflection, and thoughtful questions. Take a leap of faith and join to feel for yourself!
C*Space is our main collaborator and community home of all Berlin Shared Table Dinners. As a purpose-driven creative hub housed in a former furniture factory in Berlin-Weißensee, C*Space cultivates curiosity, community, and regenerative ideas through co-working, cultural programs, and gatherings like this. 🟡