Skip to content

Process Explorations

Process Explorations, formerly John Cobb & Friends, is a weekly gathering on Tuesdays at 10:00am Pacific to engage in conversations that matter. We come together to hear presentations and engage with fascinating speakers – scholars, activists, and artists – across a wide range of ideas and interests. We invite you to participate in these lively discussions of critical questions, pathways to transformation, and process ways of thinking and living. 

The origins of the Cobb Institute can be found in the living room of our dear friend, colleague, and mentor John B. Cobb, Jr. The Institute was conceived and organized by a small group who met with him each week on Tuesday mornings in the latter part of 2018 and early part of 2019. These gatherings regularly included a presentation from and conversation with a special guest. This tradition of gathering weekly to learn about and discuss important topics continued after the organization’s founding and eventually became known as John Cobb & Friends. It has been the longest-running program and played a vital role in furthering the mission of the Institute.

With John’s passing and the loss of his personal presence, we felt it would be appropriate to rename the program. After careful consideration and deliberation, our leadership team decided that Process Explorations: Conversations the Matter eloquently expresses what we do. While the name has changed, our aim to provide a space for gifted individuals to present insightful ideas and engage in meaningful conversations about matters that truly matter continues.

Up Next

To receive the Zoom info for a single gathering, click on the link to the event and RSVP.

To receive the meeting information and Zoom link each week, as well as regular updates all our about our events and activities, please join our email list.

Recent Presentations

What’s Next? An Eartheology of All That Is | Catherine Keller

Catherine Keller, Board Member

Meeting Date: April 21, 2026

Experiences of Presence | Ann Taves

Ann Taves, Distinguished Professor (Emerita) of Religious Studies at University of California at Santa Barbara

Meeting Date: April 7, 2026

Relational Leadership in Such a Time as This | Mary Elizabeth Moore

Mary Elizabeth Moore, Board Member at Center for Process Studies

Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

Multi/Race/Less/Ness: A Responsible Process Post-Race Metaphysic in Sketch | Jon Ivan Gill

Jon Ivan Gill, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus Adolphus College

Meeting Date: March 3, 2026

Reframing Leadership from Complexity and Process-Relational Perspectives | Erin Hawkins

Erin Hawkins, Executive Director at Connectional Ministries for the California-Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church

Meeting Date: February 24, 2026