Often the most meaningful things are born in seasons we never would have chosen.

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In January 2023, I was laid off and trying to find my way out of a dead-end relationship. It was not my best season.

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I was sad. I felt lost. I felt like I had no real sense of purpose because so much of what I believed about myself was tied to what I did and how I thought others saw me.

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Maybe you've been there too. Or maybe your season looked a bit different.

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Perhaps it was grief, becoming a mother, an empty nest, a health scare, or simply waking up one day realizing the life you've built doesn’t quite fit you.

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One thing I know is that change has a way of shaking us up and asking us difficult questions. Many times, those questions are about who we are and what we want. What impact we want to have on the world. These questions require us to dig deep, be vulnerable in ways we don’t always feel comfortable to bring others into.

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I get it. In my season of change, I didn’t rush to try and figure it out. Instead of trying to fill the silence or rush into the next thing, I paused.

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I sat with myself.

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I sat with God.

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I looked inward—at who I was becoming, where I wanted to go, and who I wanted to bring along with me.

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In that season, I realized something that has stayed with me ever since: so many women are carrying more than anyone knows. We are navigating transitions, celebrating victories, grieving losses, and searching for purpose, often believing we have to do it alone.

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But…we were never meant to.

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A few months later, Dockside Conversations was born.

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The name "Dockside" is intentional. A dock is a place where boats come to pause, find refuge, be restored, and prepare for the journey ahead. That's what we hope every woman experiences here. Not because Dockside is the source of hope—we believe God is—but because He often uses community to encourage, strengthen, comfort, and remind us that we don't have to do life alone.

 

Our Mission

To create safe, intentional, and supportive spaces where women can share their stories, build meaningful connections, heal through life's challenges, and grow together.

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Every gathering, conversation, and experience is thoughtfully designed to help women feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. We believe that when women have the courage to share their stories and the opportunity to connect authentically, healing begins, relationships deepen, and growth becomes possible.

 

Our Vision

To build a global network of local Dockside communities where women can find belonging, healing, and connection as they share their stories and grow together.

We envision a world where every woman has access to a Dockside community—a place to pause, be encouraged, build meaningful relationships, and continue her journey surrounded by women who genuinely care.

 

Dockside Conversations is more than a series of events. It is a growing community of women choosing to show up for one another, one conversation at a time.

Whether you're celebrating a new beginning, navigating an unexpected ending, or simply longing for authentic community, there's a place for you here.

 

Welcome to Dockside.

 

Pull up a seat. It feels good here.

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Meet Pierdie

 

Hi, I'm Pierdtje "Pierdie" Marlin, founder of Dockside Conversations—and the woman you'll most likely find pouring the tea, setting the table, and welcoming you at the door.

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I'm a daughter of the Caribbean (Anguilla, to be exact) who loves to explore the world. I’m an HR leader, a foodie, a doggy mom, and above all, someone who deeply believes in the power of authentic community.

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Throughout my life, I've learned that while every woman's story is unique, many of our deepest needs are the same. We all want to feel seen. Heard. Understood. Encouraged. We all need people who will celebrate our victories, sit with us in our pain, and remind us of who we are when we've forgotten.

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That belief is at the heart of everything we do at Dockside.

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Professionally, I've spent my career helping people grow, navigate change, and build healthy workplace cultures. Personally, I've experienced seasons that challenged my identity, stretched my faith, and reminded me that healing rarely happens in isolation.

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Those experiences shaped not only who I am but also the community I felt called to create.

My hope is that every woman who walks through the doors of a Dockside gathering feels welcomed before she says a word, leaves knowing she belongs, and discovers that meaningful conversations really can change lives.

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Whether we are sharing a pot of tea, reflecting through a workbook, laughing together, or walking through a difficult season, my hope is that you'll experience God's love through the encouragement and support of the women around you.

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Thanks for stopping by.

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I can't wait to welcome you to Dockside.

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— Pierdie
Founder & Chief Facilitator
Dockside Conversations