Intro to the Human Venture
Charting a wiser path for humanity's journeyAt a Glance
Intro to the Human Venture
Join facilitators Dana Penrice and Chris Hsiung in this eight-week introductory course online to explore the human story and how you can participate in shaping a wiser path forward .
| Date | Oct 2 - Nov 20, 2026 Weekly Friday online classes from 1 - 3 pm MT. Saturday labs on Oct 3, 17, and 31 from 10 am - 12 am MT. See course schedule here. |
| Location | Online via Zoom |
| Investment | Flexible Fees (recommended: $900) Required Reading: 3 Books (TBC) |
| Registration | Register here by Sept 15, 2026 |
Human Venture Foundations
Already taken Intro to Human Venture? If you'd like to pursue a deeper understanding of Human Learning Ecology take a look at the HV Foundations course.
Course Description
We live in a time of unprecedented challenges: climate change, technological disruption, institutional breakdown, social polarization. For caring people, it is often overwhelming to confront the state of the world.
Intro to the Human Venture is an invitation to step back and explore the bigger picture of where humanity has come from, where they are headed, and how you can participate in shaping a wiser path forward in the human story.
This course introduces a new way of understanding human development, learning, and progress. Through case studies of humanity’s achievements and failures, you will explore how societies evolve, why civilizations struggle, and what capacities are needed to thrive in an ever changing world. In essence, get tools and resources to guide your own efforts to build stronger, more resilient communities.
If you’re intensely curious about the human story, join our learning community through this introductory online course.
We are human 'becomings,' not human beings because our species is young and we are still shaping it.
Reasons to take the Course
Explore examples of human achievement and folly from a broad range of domains throughout history and across cultures, including engineering, military strategy, science, ethics, education, politics, and much, much more.
Connect with others who are also invested in how we contribute to the human journey. Tackling systemic challenges takes a mutual learning community that isn't always conventionally available.
Investigate what the transcendent or largest frame of life means and how it impacts how we think, care and act. Set aside time to delve into the big picture.
Course Schedule
Intro to the Human Venture is an eight-week facilitated online course available to people wherever they may be. This program will be co-facilitated by Dana Penrice and Chris Hsiung. Friday classes typically consist of presentations, facilitated discussions, and active reflection. There will also be three Saturday labs where we will discuss into a pre-assigned book. Accessing resources like books, podcasts, films beyond typical is a critical part of learning, so participants are expected do the required reading. The course develops participants ability to make sense of the world and their life experiences, so participants will be asked to draw from their own life experience. See schedule below.
| Date and Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Sep 15, 2026 | Registration Deadline Register for pre-course meeting with facilitators and pre-reading assignment |
| Fri, Oct 2, 2026 1 pm - 3 pm MT |
Session 1: The Challenges facing Humanity What most needs doing in our time and place in history |
| Sat, Oct 3, 2026 10 am - 12 pm MT |
Lab 1: Short History of Progress Running twenty-first century software on hardware last upgraded 50,000 years ago |
| Fri, Oct 9, 2026 1 pm - 3 pm |
Session 2: The Human Venture What it means to be a part of the human story? |
| Fri, Oct 16, 2026 1 pm - 3 pm |
Session 3: Thought and Action Why we do the same stupid things over and over again. |
| Sat, Oct 17, 2026 10 am - 12 pm MT |
Lab 2: Mistakes were made, but not by me Why we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions, and hurtful acts. |
| Oct 23, 2026 1 pm - 3 pm |
Session 4: What is Progress? Finding our way in a open-ended, complex and conflicted world. |
| Oct 30, 2026 1 pm - 3 pm |
Session 5: The Practice of Wisdom Revealing the invisible dynamics behind wise thought and action. |
| Sat, Oct 31, 2026 10 am - 12 pm MT |
Lab 3: Damned Nations Greed, guns, armies… where humanitarian aid goes wrong. |
| Fri, Nov 6, 2026 1 pm - 3 pm |
Session 6: The Adaptive Learning Gap What happens when routine learning is not enough. |
| Fri, Nov 13, 2026 1 pm - 3 pm |
Session 7: Wisdom in the Life Frame Passing the best of our culture to future generations. |
| Fri, Nov 20, 2026 1 pm - 3 pm |
Session 8: Going to the Trouble Becoming the author of our own journey. |
The Investment
The human venture requires as many people as possible invested in our collective journey. We want to make this course accessible to everyone. When registering for this course, you will be able to choose how much to pay for it depending on what is right for you and your situation. If you are keen to connect with the human story, we would love to have you regardless of how much you can pay. If you can afford the suggested rate or more, then this will go a long way to supporting our organization. The suggested rate for this course is $900.
The FACILITATORS
Multi-disciplinary, dedicated associates, application in their own careers, contributing their research
Dana Penrice
Lead FacilitatorDana Penrice is dedicated to helping human systems evolve and adapt for a more sustainable future. As an Accredited Professional with the Savory Institute, Dana teaches Holistic Management for the next generation of farmers. She is the Chair of the Human Venture Institute and an Associate delivering programs and workshops over the last decade.
Chris Hsiung
Co-facilitatorChris Hsiung is an engineer turned documentary filmmaker and founder of Hidden Story Productions. From award winning documentaries, museum exhibits, and multimedia cultural centres, he uses digital media to nurture a more compassionate, just, and intelligent society. Chris is a Human Venture Associate and has served as program facilitator, board member and volunteer over the last two decades.
Elizabeth Dozois
GuideElizabeth Dozois (Word on the Street Ltd.) is a leading edge consultant who provides strategic support, research, curriculum design, and facilitation to organisations in the non-profit and public sectors. She is helped deliver Human Venture leadership programs for almost two decades and is currently working with the Calgary Police Service to enhance psychological safety, equity, inclusion, and belonging through cultural change.
Mark Hopkins
GuideMark Hopkins (he/him) is a theatre artist with Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre, which generates productive discomfort through art-making. He volunteers with Kawalease Arab Canadian Theatre and the Centre for Newcomers, is a Fellow with the Energy Futures Lab, and founded We Should Know Each Other. He has spent the past decade involved in Human Venture programs including co-facilitating Integrity Leadership, an introductory program in partnership with the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women.