Beyond Words™

An Empathy Workshop for Men

Real empathy is not a technique. It's a transformation.

In the aftermath of relational betrayal, the hardest thing for many men isn’t sobriety—it’s empathy. Not understanding what empathy is, but actually embodying it. Feeling it. Expressing it. Sustaining it.

That’s where Beyond Words™ begins.

This unique workshop, designed and led by Dr. Windell Gill, is a deeply experiential weekend for men ready to move beyond intellectual understanding and into embodied empathic presence. Drawing from years of counseling experience and spiritual formation, Windell has created a first-of-its-kind container for emotional training and spiritual growth, grounded in the Couple–Centered Recovery® approach and his own pastoral heart.

Upcoming dates: July 24–27, 2025.
To join the waitlist for the program, please fill out the application at the bottom of the page.

Why Empathy?

Empathy is the bridge between remorse and repair. Without it, no apology can be felt. No truth can land. And no healing can happen between partners.

Many men in recovery can talk about empathy. But they haven’t been trained in how to experience it—in their bodies, in their nervous systems, and in their relationships.

Beyond Words™ was born out of this gap.

This workshop isn’t about learning new definitions. It’s about building the capacity to sit with another’s pain—especially the pain you’ve caused—and remain grounded, present, and emotionally safe.

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What Makes This Workshop Different?

Experiential Learning: This is a true workshop, not a lecture. You’ll be doing empathy, not just discussing it.

Faith-Integrated Approach: Dr. Gill weaves together spiritual formation, emotional intelligence, and somatic awareness into a uniquely sacred space for growth.

Trauma-Sensitive Practice: Rooted in Couple-Centered Recovery® principles, the workshop honors the neurobiology of trauma and the slow-building work of trust.

Small Group Setting: Intentionally limited to just 6 men for intimacy, accountability, and transformation.

Retreat Environment: Hosted at the serene Magnolia House, a beautiful riverfront property designed for rest, reflection, and reconnection.

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You'll Walk Away With:

  • A somatic awareness of empathic resonance
  • The tools to regulate your nervous system during conflict
  • A framework for emotional repair in your most intimate relationships
  • Spiritual clarity and alignment around your values and purpose as a man in recovery

And perhaps most importantly:

  • The confidence that you can be a safe place for your partner’s pain.

Program Overview

Duration: Thursday evening through Sunday morning

Location: Magnolia House, a private, residential setting in West Chambers County, Texas, approximately 30 miles east of Houston

Participants: Limited to 6 men

Lodging: 6 single room accommodations, one of which has a private restroom

Meals: Includes Thursday night evening meal, plus breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the remainder of the program

Travel: Participants flying in for the program can fly into either Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) or George Bush International Airport Houston (IAH). We recommend using a Ride Share service for transportation to and from the airport. Uber or Lyft is approximately $50-$60 one way, which will be significantly less expensive than renting a vehicle for the week. This will also help us with parking at the residence.

 

Learn more about the program's beautiful venue:

Empathy is essential for healing — for you and for your relationship.

Empathy isn’t just about helping your partner feel understood.

It’s also about becoming the kind of man who can hold space for pain—without needing to fix it, avoid it, or defend against it.

For men in recovery, empathy is often the missing link between remorse and real repair. It’s what makes accountability land, what allows trust to begin forming again, and what transforms shame into connection.

When you can feel with—not just feel bad—you shift from being a source of harm to a safe place for healing.

Empathy isn’t a soft skill. It’s a sacred one.

And it’s essential—not just for your relationship, but for your own growth, integration, and freedom.

About Dr. Windell Gill, PSAP, PMAP

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Dr. Windell Gill is a Lead Coach at Daring Ventures, known for his compassionate presence, spiritual depth, and practical wisdom. With a background in pastoral ministry and a doctorate in education, Windell brings decades of experience walking alongside men in the midst of personal and relational transformation. He is passionate about helping men grow in emotional intelligence, integrity, and spiritual maturity.

Through his coaching, teaching, and facilitation, Windell creates safe, sacred spaces for men to confront the barriers that keep them disconnected—from themselves, from God, and from the people they love. His work is grounded in the Couple–Centered Recovery® model and integrates faith, neuroscience, and embodied practice.

You can learn more about Windell here.

How do I participate in Beyond Words™?