Welcome to the Star Raft Coach
Hello, and welcome to the Star Raft Coach, a tool for building enduring circles of support, companionship, safety, and opportunity, one small step at a time.
David Wetherow, the creator of the Star Raft method, developed the coach by sharing transcripts from his Zoom training and action series, content from the Star Raft website, and numerous written articles.
For more information about the Star Raft method and to register for our four-session training series, visit the Star Raft website.
You can now scroll down to learn in detail about how to use the Coach.
Having a Conversation
This works like a natural conversation:
- Type your thoughts or questions in the text box at the bottom
- Click "Send" or press Enter
- The coach will respond with guidance, questions, or ideas
- Continue the conversation for as long as you like
Example: "I'm thinking about starting a circle for my loved one, but I'm not sure where to begin."
Listening to Responses
You can hear the coach's responses read aloud:
- Choose your preferred voice from the dropdown at the top (you can always change it)
- Look for the 🔊 Play button at the top of each response
- Click it to hear the response read to you
- The text will scroll smoothly as it's being spoken
- Click ⏸ Pause anytime—it will remember your spot
Audio is completely optional—use it when it's helpful!
Your Conversation is Saved on Your Device
You don't need to finish in one sitting:
- Your conversation automatically saves to your browser
- You can close the window and come back anytime—you'll see your full conversation
- Your conversation is private—it never leaves your device
- Saving the conversation works only on the device and browser that you are using at the moment. If you clear your browser data or use a different device, your conversation won't be there - the coach will need to start a new conversation
Helpful Controls
At the bottom of the page, you'll find five helpful buttons:
- 📝 Start a new conversation: Clear everything and start fresh
- 💾 Download this conversation: Save your conversation as a text file to keep, print, or share
- 🌐 Visit our Website and register for free training if you wish:
- ✉️ Send an email to David: We always value your requests, ideas, and reflections
- 📤 Share this application: You can share it on Facebook, LinkedIn, Substack, and via Email
Getting the Most Helpful Guidance
The coach works best when you:
- Share specifics about your situation and the person the circle is for
- Ask follow-up questions when something isn't clear
- Take your time—there's no rush, this is a slow dance
- Be honest about fears, uncertainties, or challenges
Instead of: "How do I start a circle?"
Try: "My son loves seeing heavy equipment in action, and he goes to the library every week to learn more about that. How might I begin thinking about who to invite to his circle?"
Help Make the Coach Better
After each response, you'll see feedback buttons:
- 👍 Helpful: The guidance resonated with you
- 👎 Needs work: Something felt off or unhelpful
Your feedback helps David improve the Coach for everyone who is building circles.
What the Coach Can Help With
The coach can guide you through:
- Understanding the Star Raft approach
- Identifying people who already know and care
- Making those first invitations
- Building your circle one relationship at a time
- Setting a good direction together
- Celebrating accomplishments
- Navigating challenges and staying safe
- Keeping your circle strong over time
Remember
This coach is a guide, not a replacement for:
- Your own wisdom and intuition
- The wisdom of your circle
- Professional medical or legal advice
- The authentic relationships you're building
Ready to begin? Close this guide and share what's on your mind.