Small live gatherings where insight becomes practice. We explore neuroscience, ancient wisdom, and the patterns shaping our everyday lives - then practice noticing, questioning, and choosing differently. I don’t believe I hold the answers for you. My role is to help create the conditions for you to discover what you already know.
Patty Purpur de Vries
Your Guide
Instructor, Stanford Continuing Studies
Facilitator, Stanford GSB LEAD
Former Director of Well-Being, Stanford
30+ years guiding leaders and teams
My work is not about giving people the answers. It is about helping people slow down enough to notice what is true for them, question the stories that keep them stuck, and consciously choose what comes next.
Class in Progress
6-Week Live Cohort
The Practice of Self-Leadership & Emotional Mastery
From automatic reaction to conscious choice.
Sep 11 through Oct 16, 2026 (in session)Thursdays 6:00 to 7:30 PM PT6 live sessions90 min eachLifetime access
Much of life happens automatically - thoughts, reactions, assumptions, stories. This course helps you notice those patterns while they are happening, understand what may be driving them, and discover the space in which another choice becomes possible. The goal is not to become someone new. It is to become more aware of who you are when habit, fear, and conditioning are no longer making every decision for you.
- Observe your thoughts, emotions, and reactions without immediately becoming them
- Recognize the stories and patterns influencing your choices
- Create space between stimulus and response
- Stay connected to yourself and others during difficult moments
- Practice choosing from clarity rather than conditioning
- Discover what becomes possible when awareness expands
“This class was not what I expected at all. And that turned out to be just what I needed. You cannot lead until you have dealt with yourself.”2026 Cohort Graduate
Opens Nov 3
6-Week Live Cohort
Inside the Happy Brain
The neuroscience and practice of happiness.
Tuesday Nov 3 through Dec 8, 2026Tuesdays 6:00 to 7:30 PM PT6 live sessions90 min eachLifetime access
Happiness is not simply something that happens to us. Our brains learn patterns of attention, expectation, interpretation, and response. Together we explore the science of happiness - and the small practices that may help us notice more of what is already good, meaningful, beautiful, and alive. Happiness is not a destination I can lead you to. It is something we learn to recognize, practice, and allow.
“I began catching myself in the act and deliberately reframing my thoughts. My mood has stayed above the line for a month. The impact has been profound.”Course Participant
Private · 1:1
Personal Session
A Reframing Conversation
When you can’t see beyond the story you are in.
1 to 2 hoursPrivate with PattyBy appointment
People often call me when they can no longer see another story beyond the one keeping them stuck. We slow it down together. We look at what happened, what you believe it means, what you know, what you don’t know, and what else might be true. I am not here to tell you what to think or what to do. I am here to ask questions, widen the lens, and help you find the next step that feels true to you.
“I recognized a trigger in myself, and I took an action I normally would not have. I did not do the default pattern.”Coaching Client
Your first 30-minute conversation is complimentary. Start with a FREE Reframe
