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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

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Recent Presentations

Global Economic Governance: The Case of Trade, Economic Development, and AI | Douglas Lippoldt

Douglas Lippoldt, Non-Resident Senior Fellow (International Economist) at Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI; Waterloo, Canada)

Meeting Date: June 9, 2026

Dementia Dharma: Caregiving Sentient Beings with Neurodegenerative Diseases | Lourdes Arguelles and John Freese

Lourdes Arguelles, Teacher at Drikung Kyobpa Choling
John Freese, Minister at Dhamma Vinaya Order

Meeting Date: June 2, 2026

Education and the Homo Ludens Hypothesis | Daniel Dombrowski

Dan Dombrowski, Board Vice Chair

Meeting Date: May 26, 2026

Hasidic Storytelling and Spiritual Development: A Field Report | Rabbi Or Rose

Or Rose, Rabbi

Meeting Date: May 19, 2026

Is There Ever a “Just” War? A Process-Relational Reframing of Power, God, and Violence | Sheri Kling

Sheri D. Kling, Director of Process & Faith at Center for Process Studies

Meeting Date: May 12, 2026