Inside the Healing Circles: How ‘You Are Your Best Thing’ Is Changing Lives Across America

Real Stories of Transformation from Book Clubs, Therapy Groups, and Community Centers

When ‘You Are Your Best Thing’ was released, it quickly became more than a bestseller—it became a catalyst for community healing. Across the U.S., readers are gathering in living rooms, libraries, and community centers to read the anthology aloud, discuss its essays, and share their own stories. These healing circles are safe spaces where vulnerability is honored and collective care is practiced.

Organizers describe the book as a ‘roadmap’ for healing, offering language and frameworks that make it easier to talk about shame, trauma, and resilience. Participants often report feeling seen for the first time, finding community in shared vulnerability. Therapists and educators have incorporated the book into group therapy and classroom discussions, noting that its essays resonate deeply with people from all walks of life.

One community center in Atlanta hosts monthly ‘Best Thing’ circles, where members reflect on the book’s lessons and support each other through life’s challenges. In Chicago, a group of Black men formed a support group after reading the anthology, using its themes to break down barriers and build trust.

The impact of these circles extends far beyond the page. Participants report increased self-esteem, stronger relationships, and a renewed sense of hope. The book’s message is clear: healing is a collective act, and when we come together, we can transform not only ourselves but our communities.

‘You Are Your Best Thing’ is more than a book—it’s a movement that’s changing lives, one circle at a time. 1 3