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Blend Book Club | Embracing Your Own Purgatory

Name: Blend Book Club | Embracing Your Own Purgatory
Start: 2026-10-14T18:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-10-14T21:00:00-04:00
Location: Chicago

Author Geoff Curtis joins the Chicago community to unpack the “grey areas” of life, and why sitting with uncertainty can lead to deeper self-understanding.

Chicago

October 14, 2026

to October 14, 2026

6:00 pm

- 9:00 pm

About this event

Geoff Curtis is a communications strategist and leadership advisor with extensive experience in the healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries. He is the author of Embracing Your Own Purgatory, a thoughtful exploration of life’s in-between moments, those periods of uncertainty, transition, and waiting that many of us experience at different stages of life.

Tonight, we’ll discuss the book’s themes of navigating ambiguity, finding meaning during times of change, and why embracing the “grey areas” of life can lead to personal growth and deeper self-understanding.

Our speakers

Geoff Curtis

Communications Strategist, Leadership Advisor, and Author of 'Embracing Your Own Purgatory'

Geoff Curtis is a communications strategist and leadership advisor with nearly 30 years in healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical communications. He spent nine years as EVP of Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer at Horizon Therapeutics. He now leads his own consultancy, Marshall Curtis Communications.

Geoff is the author of Embracing Your Own Purgatory, a candid look at life’s uncertain, in-between moments. The book draws on his own experience navigating identity after an unexpected career ending. He explores why sitting with ambiguity, rather than rushing past it, can lead to growth.

His writing has been featured in Fortune, and he speaks widely on leadership, communications, and change.

Key themes & discussion topics

Navigating ambiguity – what it takes to move forward without a clear next chapter

Finding meaning in change – why life’s in-between moments matter more than we admit

The value of grey areas – how uncertainty, not certainty, drives real growth

Rebuilding identity – what happens to us when a title or role disappears

Event agenda

Arrivals & networking

6:00 – 6:30 PM

Book Club Discussion

6:30 – 7:30 PM

Dinner

7:30 – 8:30 PM

Event close & networking

8:30 – 9:00 PM

Why should you attend?

Reframe uncertainty – learn how ambiguity can become a source of growth rather than fear.

Sit with the in-between – understand why rushing past transition can delay real change.

Rebuild your sense of self – explore what happens when a title or role disappears.

Connect over shared experience – leave with fresh perspective from members navigating similar change.

Event Organizer

Emily Osgood

emily@joinblend.com

Venue

Chicago

Chicago
United States

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