We need hope like we need air.
- Brené Brown
hope: embracing darkness to find your light
FREE Course begins
MARCH 31, 2025
This course is open to women from all states and countries.
The first 1000 women from Iowa who register also get the Tend Her gift box in the mail, thanks to a grant from the state of Iowa.
When the world feels so troubled, how do we hold on to hope?
Many psychologists consider hope to be one of the most consequential experiences when it comes to well-being and life satisfaction. While hope seems to be an emotion, research suggests it is more of a “positive motivational state” that we can seek out, harness, learn, and practice.
Hope isn’t something that happens to us, rather it is something we can cultivate. The best news is that the experience of hope is teachable.
In this 4-week online program you will learn empirically supported interventions that support the development of a hope practice.
Hi, I'm Betsy
— a licensed psychologist, certified yoga and meditation teacher, author, and momma of 3 kids ages 13-20.
I have definitely weathered highs and lows in the past few years. The pandemic was a particularly hard chapter for me. My own challenges opened my eyes (and compassion) to how many people were suffering.
It is said that dark times offer you growth and opportunity. From my own search on how to weather the storm, I applied for a grant in 2021 to create a self-compassion program for women to buoy their mental health through the trials of the pandemic. The idea for Tend Her was born!
This program is not a replacement for mental health care, but it is a program that encourages women to go inward and care for their inner life. It provides a forum of other women doing the same for positive reinforcement. When we are gathered in groups, there is a synergistic effect of support and healing.
Whoever you are, and whatever your struggles, I hope you’ll join us!
TEND HER
is a women's program that intends an inclusive definition of women. We are welcoming and respectful of all women, including trans women and nonbinary and gender nonconforming people who are female-identified in a way that is significant to them.
THE PROGRAM
4 ONLINE CLASSES
Tend Her 4.0 is 4 online live classes starting Monday, March 31 – April 21 from 6-7 PM with Dr. Betsy.
Each class will provide not only education, but also practical tools and practices to enhance your practices of hope, along with time for Q&A with Betsy. If you cannot make the class live, it is recorded and can be watched on an online educational portal.
21-day meditation challenge and 8 weeks of yoga classes
You will receive access to a 21-day meditation challenge as part of the course. Every morning for 21 days you will receive an email with your daily hope medicine, and a 10-15-minute recorded meditation.
You will also receive a zoom link to attend 8 of Dr. Betsy’s yoga classes through the duration of this course. If you cannot attend live, the classes will be recorded for you to access later.
GROUP AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES
You have access to a private Facebook group for TEND HER members that allows for connection, community building, and a place to feel seen and heard.
You will be given the opportunity to join a small group of 10. In the first week of the program, Kate Moreland will lead an online Hope Huddle, providing guidance on holding space for healthy small group circles. Each group has autonomy and agency to meet or use the group however the group sees fit. Many deep friendships have been resulted from TEND HER small groups so we encourage you to find the courage to join.
You will also receive invitations to “Glimmer Events” in your community that help us tap into the power of art, music, and community connection during the month of April.
SELF-EXPRESSION TOOLS
Journaling and soul-work is a key component of the course. In every Monday class you will be given “soul work” to take you deeper into the teachings and your own hope practices.
FREE CARE PACKAGE
The first 1000 Iowa residents who register for the course will receive a curated box in the mail that includes a Tend Her 4.0 Hope bracelet as designed by {made} community and a journal with art by Monica Basile. (This care package is generously covered by a grant from the state of Iowa).
Program Disclaimer
This program is FREE for the first 1000 women living in the state of Iowa who register thanks to this grant. We request that if you register for the program, that you truly engage in all of it, not only as a commitment to yourself, but to honor the space you have received.
(If you are from out of state, no worries, we’d still love to have you join for all the online offering.)
Sign Up
Here’s What You Get
| 4 Live Online Classes with Dr. Betsy (March 31-April 21, recordings available) | $125 value FREE |
| 8 Live Yoga Sessions with Dr. Betsy (Tuesdays & Saturdays @ 9am recording available) | $160 value FREE |
| Private Facebook Group | Priceless FREE |
| Tend Her Journal | $25 value FREE |
| Bracelet | $25 value FREE |
That’s a $335 value for FREE!
HOW IT WORKS
- The live online classes with Dr. Betsy take place every Monday from 6-7 PM starting March 31. (If you cannot make it live, the class is recorded).
- Starting on April 3, you will receive a daily hope email and recorded meditation to enrich your 21-day meditation challenge.
- Each Tuesday & Saturday you can join Dr. Betsy’s live yoga class @ 9AM. You will receive a zoom link for 8 classes throughout the 4 week program. If you cannot join live, you will receive the recording.
THE CURRICULUM
- Intro to Tend Her Program, Expectations, Ground Rules to create safety
- The reality of the current state of affairs, and why the cultivation of hope is needed more than ever.
- The impact of trauma on the nervous system, and why most of us are carrying trauma.
- How the majority of us have or will experience a mental health condition and how hope may help mitigate our suffering.
- The importance of shadow work, and acknowledging the “mud” in our life as a way to source more hope and light.
- How we too easily bypass the hard stuff of life through numbing out, and why hope involves learning to hold the paradox of light/dark in our own life.
- Snyders Hope Theory of creating goals, creating a plan, and accessing agency.
- Homework, Writing Prompts, 21-day meditation challenge
- The darkness we carry in the body in the form of illness, injury, imbalance, and stuck trauma.
- How to more deeply listen to the messages/symptoms the body is sending.
- The mind-body connection and how every cell of our body is eavesdropping on your thoughts and feelings.
- Ways to begin to make your body your ally vs your enemy.
- How to bring light to the body.
- Snyders Hope Theory to create body goals.
- Homework, Writing Prompts, 21-day meditation challenge
- Introduction to shadow work and understanding the inner blocks that are impeding our connection to our light.
- Owning your emotional history.
- The key to feeling all our feelings without denying or repressing, and yet also not indulging the feeling.
- Accepting the past is gone.
- Breaking through old habitual patterning to find more light.
- The power of self-compassion and gratitude.
- Using Snyders Hope Theory to create goals for emotions/mind.
- Homework, Writing Prompts, 21-day meditation challenge
- The truth about who you actually are.
- Lifting above the physical and mental dimensions of life to better understand the calling of your soul.
- The power of the present moment and why we need to release the darkness of the past.
- Why we can no longer afford to be disempowered.
- How we begin to ripple out our light into our families, communities and world.
- Using Snyders Hope Theory to create goals for shining your light into the world.
- Homework, Writing Prompts, 21-day meditation challenge.
About Your GuideS
Betsy Brandl Rippentrop, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, certified yoga and meditation teacher, and Reiki master who uniquely blends science, psychology, mysticism and spirituality into her yoga classes and private therapy work.
She guides people into courageous awareness of their body and mind, and is especially adept at translating complex concepts into practical tools that can efficiently shift our state of being.
Betsy also owns Heartland Yoga, maintains a psychology practice focused on integrating yoga into treatment, has written multiple academic papers on the mind-body connection and is author of Chakra Healing: Restore balance to your body, mind, and spirit through the seven energy centers.
Visit her at dryogamomma.com
Kimberly Jaeger-Arjes
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR, YOGA FACILITATOR
Kimberly is a matron & mother, goat witch, grief & death doula, end of life companion, yoga & meditation comrade, and practitioner of rest and restorative justice.
She believes our collective purpose in this “one brief life” (Alua Arthur) is found in our relationships—with other beings, our choices, nature, and the environments around us. It’s about how we grieve, how we love & liberate ourselves, and how we become more present. It’s a collaborative endeavor, really: to live and to die. She aims to offer services that honor the whole self of the dying and support those around them. Through ancient movement practices such as yoga, dance, and restorative rest, as well as meditation, intention-setting, and the energy work of Reiki, she hopes to provide comprehensive care.
kate moreland
HOPE HUDDLE LEADER, GUIDED MEDITATION FACILITATOR
Kate Moreland is an experienced coach who understands the struggles of career decisions and burnout, and the power of conscious leadership, wellbeing and authenticity. After a decade of practicing law, Kate recognized she needed to make a change. For the past 12 years she has been coaching others as they explore interests, uncover strengths, and consider career and life changes.
She is a Lumia Coach, has a certificate in the Science of Wellbeing from Yale, and is certified in the mind-body connection. She is also a master collaborator and is certified in Strategic Doing. As a natural connector, Kate is the co-founder of Her Experience, a revolutionary retreat for women. She is also a co-host of the Podcast Tend Her Wild. She lives with her husband and three children in Iowa City. Visit her at katemorelandcoaching.com.
fannie Hungerford
GUIDED MEDITATION FACILITATOR
Fannie Hungerford, t-LMFT, 500hr-CYT, is a psychotherapist, creator, teacher, and seeker based in Iowa City, IA. A lover of people, she is curious about the relationships which unfold between our stories, bodies, environments, and each other. Her work is informed by embodied somatics, the energetics and psychology of yoga, creative exploration, and existential curiosity. As a facilitator and psychotherapist, she aims to provide experiences for Soul and opportunities to feel one’s unique aliveness. She leads retreats and yoga teacher trainings and sees individuals and couples in private practice. Fannie draws inspiration from and is kept afloat by the wisdom of the Earth, friends, family and colleagues, dancing and singing, and dreams. Learn more about her work at fanniehungerford.com
Monica Basile
GUIDED MEDITATION FACILITATOR, JOURNAL DESIGNER
Monica Basile, PhD is a visual artist and graphic designer, Reiki Master/Teacher, and creator of The Earth Speaks Oracle Deck.
With more than 28 years of experience as a healer, midwife, and space-holder, she is passionate about helping people to experience beauty, enchantment, connection to the earth, and inner peace through honoring the seasonal and cyclical transformations of life. She brings her love of liminal spaces into her work as an artist and mentor, helping people navigate the subtle, imaginal, and creative realms with self-compassion and curiosity.
Monica is a mother and a longtime yoga and meditation practitioner. She believes in the power of gentle compassion, the wisdom of the body, and the light within all beings. Visit her at ravenandmagnolia.com.
Andrea Wilson
GUIDED REFLECTION FACILITATOR
Andrea Wilson is a certified narrative therapist and mental health practitioner whose work explores the conscious re-authoring of our own lives. Through her synergistic growth and healing programs Andrea helps women and girls deconstruct, reframe, and rebuild their frameworks of meaning and psychological foundations. She is the inventor of The Write Mind methodology and The Narrative Equations— writing protocols and scientific formulas for personal healing & consciousness.
Andrea manages a private therapy practice while also leading Project Inner-Hawk at the University of Iowa which brings her work to student populations for improved campus wellbeing. With over 20 years of professional leadership, creative writing, and therapeutic methods, Andrea’s work helps people heal the past, begin new chapters, and build new relationships with their inner selves. She welcomes new clients who are wishing to discover their voice and live into a new story. Visit her at: www.awritemind.com or email her at andrea@awritemind.com.
LET'S BUILD HOPE TOGETHER
Join us for the Tend HER Hope Summit – in person on Friday, April 25, from 9-4pm at Little Lights on the Lane in West Branch, Iowa.
The event will include women-owned local business vendors, a live Tend HER Wild Podcast, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.