experiences that reframe
the way you think.
reframe with monA
A 9-minute Reframe process that leads to breakthroughs on real-life challenges by shifting and expanding perspectives.
Offered for teams in organizations, mastermind groups, conference presentations/workshops and retreats.
To come to a reframe session and see it for yourself, request an invite.
SITA’S STORY
Why are we so quick to believe a woman needs to be saved?
"Sita's Story" is a modern retelling of a 3000-year old Hindu epic from the perspective of a strong, powerful female goddess that reframes devotion and sacrifice. "Sita's Story" is exploration of how a story ‘s lesson shifts based on how it’s told and who gets to tell it.
PAST experiences
Since 2020, we’ve been creating experiences for people to join via Zoom or in person. While learning what not to do along the way, we found our niche in igniting powerful, meaningful insights using immersive storytelling. Our goal has always been to inspire more empathy and understanding, for ourselves and others.
QUEEN COBRA
Queen Cobra was our first in-person experience, and it took place in a yoga studio with actors placed in the circle of audience members. Three actors, each seeking answers, shared where they were stuck in their own paths and revealed the meaning of destiny. The experience ended in a luxurious sound bath, leaving audiences feeling pampered and centered. Crafted over five months and presented live for one month, 'Queen Cobra' stood out as a uniquely challenging and rewarding production, and also reminded us why we prefer the simplicity of online experiences.
listen UP
"Listen Up" was presented live to over 500 leaders, and this immersive learning journey by Gray Zones transformed how they approach meetings and communication. The piece delved into the art of listening, challenging participants to explore who deserves to be heard and the essence of true listening. Integrating scenes from a play about a company learning to listen with interactive discussions, "Listen" shed light on empathy, curiosity, and the secret sauce of great communication. The impact was immediate: leaders left with renewed strategies for their meetings, and wrote to us saying their team meetings had been transformed.
TRUTH IN TAROT
This online experience, staged as a social experiment, delved into the psychology of confirmation bias through the lens of tarot. As attendees received readings, their reactions were telling: 80% believed Tarot was accurate when the reading was positive , and only 60% believed it if the reading was negative. This exploration highlighted the selective nature of our belief systems, demonstrating how our desires and hopes can significantly skew our perception of truth. Through tarot, a tool traditionally shrouded in mystique, we uncovered profound insights into how individuals interpret and accept reality.
is this TOXIC?
Why do people remain in relationships that don’t serve them? Why do they work at companies that they hate? What makes a healthy relationship? How do we know when something is unhealthy and why do we stay anyway? The audience really loved the discussion portion and although we produced a short film for this experience, we later realized that it was not needed. People wanted to discuss their stories (and this laid the groundwork for the 2024 Reframe launch, where people and their stories are the only characters and plot lines needed for the experience).
IS THIS A MICROAGGRESSION?
In the wake of George Floyd's murder, we created an experience where the audience listened to voicemails and then voted on whether they heard a microaggression. The follow-up discussions were profound, as many realized they had unknowingly used or overlooked language offensive to the Black community. This experience was a powerful experience in exploring how words can perpetuate biases and offering a critical step towards more respectful and conscious communication.
is this harassment?
A total of 270 people across 9 sessions engaged in a unique exploration of nuanced workplace interactions. Initially, an average of 80% identified harassment in a scene. Then, we changed only the tone and mannerisms in the second version, and 40% flipped their view. The powerful discussions that followed illuminated the “gray zones” of sexual harassment, helping men and women alike understand the complexities and differing perceptions in such scenarios.
92%
Want to participate in another
Gray Zones experience.
96%
Say this experience helped them reflect on how to be a better leader.
Gray Zones crafts custom audio experiences for corporations, focusing on leadership development and DE&I. We write and produce a custom audio piece (10-25 minutes) telling a story that inspires powerful conversation in the subsequent 60-minute live moderated workshop. This combination has challenged perspectives on everything from exploring Asian hate, to how to be a great ally, to how to not hate coming back to the office.
bespoke experiences
the MIND behind gray zones
Mona Patel brings a unique blend of over 25 years designing how to shift human behavior, as well as a profound talent in storytelling and entrepreneurship. She has pioneered thought-provoking experiences that delve into complex social themes that have transformed over 900 leaders, from companies ranging from Nike to NASA. Mona's work consistently challenges and reshapes perspectives. She is now working primarily reframing problems as opportunities.
