What's your bark? initiative
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The What's your Bark? Initiative is a portfolio of our own independent research. Each of these projects is born from ideas that inspire us, areas of inquiry about which we are passionate and topics that bring us joy. This work is dedicated to our core values of
Discovery, Cultivation and Growth.
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​The sections below provide additional information about:
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Current Projects
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How You Can PARTICIPATE in Projects
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How You Can help FUND Projects
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Further Explanation about the
What's your Bark? Initiative
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Current projects
These projects are designed to explore and investigate the beautiful aspects of being ALIVE–learning, feeling, understanding, connecting, etc. They are crafted to elicit a variety of perspectives and tell the stories that matter–YOUR stories.
So, whether you want to participate in a project (or share this information with others you think might want to participate), sponsor or donate to a project, read the findings of a project or buy some cool merch in support of this work, we hope you'll join us in our journey!
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The U.S. is arguably one of the most individualistic cultures in the world. We celebrate uniqueness, individuality and autonomy. And, because of that ideology, characteristics like independence, creativity and self-expression are highly valued. Combined, these lauded attributes promote and reward bravery and are responsible for exploration and expansion, ingenuity and invention as well as innovation and change.
Conversely, alternate philosophies, such as Ubuntu, emphasize a universal bond of commonality, human interconnectedness and shared humanity (collectivism). Ubuntu, specifically, is translated as "I am because we are," or "humanity towards others." It highlights the interdependence of individuals within a community. Ubuntu is characterized by respect for others, helpfulness, sharing, caring, trust, and unselfishness
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These distinctive paradigms, undoubtedly, influence the ways in which individuals view and value themselves and others in addition to how they construct their journeys through life. However, what occurs when these two paradigms collide and individuals must combine tenets of each ideology/philosophy?
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This project seeks to understand how people in the U.S. navigate a culture that increasingly values individualism while also experiencing collectivist practices of collaboration, generosity, empathy and compassion–and, how this experience relates to their overall sense of purpose and happiness.
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Just as we are when you want to participate in our research, we also would be incredibly grateful if you'd like to donate or sponsor any of our What's your Bark? projects.
We also have some really cool merch that you and yours might like!
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Whether you have a favorite watering hole in your community or you just frequent the hotel and/or airport bar while on travel, you likely have engaged in some amazing (and surprising) conversations... and with people you would not have met–let alone conversed–anywhere else.
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This project explores the bar/brewpub as a place where people from different backgrounds can meet and interact... and whether there is opportunity in this space to generate greater understanding and cohesion.​
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What's Your Inspiration?
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What's Your Passion?
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What Brings You Joy?
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What's your Bark? is more than a tagline for this initiative; it's the ever-present consideration at the
foundation of our work, and is infused in everything we do. The phrase What's your Bark?
is the mantra by which we live and work because for us "Bark" is a synonym for words like
inspiration, passion and joy...
and, when these characteristics are fully realized our unique stories unfold in the most powerful ways.
​What's your Bark? honors the essence of my dear friend, Barkley... and subsequently includes
Ellington, Huxley and Winslow, all of whom are beautiful souls who live right and embody everything
on which this company is built:
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In short, these guys are special and their companionship nourishing. . .
and this company has been inspired in their likeness.​​​​​
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So, we'd really love to know, What's your Bark?
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They are curious.
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They are an interdependent pack/community.
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They genuinely connect with other souls.
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They bring people together.
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They represent all that is good and share that goodness with all those who will allow it.
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They love to be outside, in nature, enjoying the beautiful, natural world.
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They abound with love and infuse it in all they do.
