Using design to help you get unstuck on what matters most

Liminal by Design

Navigating the in-between with intention and imagination

David Emrich for Unsplash

Friday, May 9 | 11am–1:30pm ET

A short course to help you navigate transitions, find steady ground, and design small, meaningful steps forward.

The liminal space: that stretch between what was and what’s next. It’s not quite an ending, not yet a beginning. About the only thing you can truly count on: it’s often uncomfortable.

Which makes it tempting to rush through. But the in-between isn’t empty — it’s where the next version of you begins to take shape. And that version needs a little time to percolate.

Liminal by Design is for people navigating a moment of change — whether it's visible and sweeping or quiet and internal. Maybe something’s ending. Maybe something’s calling. Maybe you're just realizing that what used to fit... doesn't.

In this 2.5-hour session, you’ll find your footing, reconnect to yourself, and design a small, intentional experiment to carry you forward. Not by waiting — but by moving with more clarity, confidence, and care.

You'll leave with:

  • A fresh lens on the in-between (and why it’s richer than you may realize)

  • Tools to navigate change with steadiness and precision

  • Sharp questions that bring you closer to what matters

  • A small, doable experiment to help you move forward right away

What’s new this time (thanks to feedback from amazing past participants): You’ll leave with a real, ready-to-run experiment and join a pop-up community space — a place to celebrate wins and stay inspired for a few weeks after the workshop.

I offer this course just 2–3 times a year to keep it personal and energizing. If now feels like a meaningful time for you, I’d love to have you join!

The experience on May 9th (11am–1:30pm ET) is $75. And… be one of the first 5 to register and you’ll get a private 15-minute laser session with me after the session (May 12-14) to tighten and turbocharge your experiment.

Because the in-between isn’t a waiting room. It’s the way.

Not knowing what’s next can feel unsettling

High achievers are masters at change. That’s how they’ve gotten where they are in life, by recognizing that growth comes from discomfort and stretch.

Which is why, when they hit a transitional moment that they’re not sure how to navigate… It hits hard. 

I know, because I’ve been there myself.

I can’t speak for all high achievers, but I can tell you my story: I felt like I got to a certain stage and I had to unlearn a lot of what got me there. Because I could see it wasn’t going to get me any further. I needed new tools, approaches, and mindsets. So I designed them.

Page background.png

 I like to joke that I have a PhD in liminality (a fancy word for transitional space but I love it for a reason I’ll share later).  

If you look at my credentials and all the things that I've done, it looks really impressive from the outside. I've lived in six countries across four continents. I've worked for some of the world's biggest brands (IDEO, Google, John Deere, YouTube). I’ve been an executive at an $8b company (Old Navy)…. 

And the reality is that every single one of those transitions created a knot in my stomach and a real sense of lack of groundedness. And so in every one of those moments I was like, s***, I need some new tools.

That's how I ended up doing this work: Not because all those changes were perfect and easy, but because they almost broke me.

At every change, I got curious and learned something new.

I've spent the past 12 years digging into the science and methodologies of a range of tools. I’ve studied mindfulness, neuroscience, behavior change science, somatics experiencing, parts work and more. Not to mention design thinking. And as a good designer, I’ve synthesized, gathered the most important essence of each, and mixed them up into some powerful concepts and tools to help you to the next level.

Let me save you the time. I’ll give you a solid starting point in Liminal by Design.

 Is this the right fit for you right now?

Liminal by Design is for people who are ready to engage.
It’s a space for action-takers, experimenters, and anyone craving real traction in a time of transition.
And it’s for those who, even if they aren’t in a capital L liminal space, know they want new tools for the future.

It might not be the best fit right now if:

  • You're not quite ready to rethink how you approach ambiguity or change

  • You don’t have time or capacity to try small steps after the May 9th session — which is where the real benefits will happen

  • You’re sensing hesitation more than excitement — and the timing or investment doesn’t feel aligned just yet

And that’s okay.
This isn’t a course to add more pressure.
It’s for those who feel the pull to move forward differently — now — and are ready to respond.

Page background.png

Liminal by Design is about changing your mindset and approach to ambiguity… in your personal life, in your work life, in your life life.

It’s not about:

  • Set formulas and exact rules

  • Rushing through liminal and transitional times

  • Having someone else tell you what the answer is (I’ve been asked to do this more than once!)

So, who are we looking for?

  • You’re curious about integrating new approaches to how you approach ambiguity and change (the hallmarks of the liminal space)

  • You’re willing to be open and experiment with new ways of doing things

  • You’re looking for a like-minded group of people doing the same

 Real People, Real Results

Why now? Is now the time?

Does the concept of a liminal space resonate with you? And the idea of designing it, rather than being at sea in it?

 
 

Hi! I’m Amy Bonsall, and here’s my background and the results I’ve seen:

  • I spent over a decade helping the world’s biggest and most innovative companies to grow and evolve (I was a leader at IDEO, led key client relationships with Google, John Deere and others, and an executive at Old Navy)

  • I have helped many people to use these tools I created to jump start their own growth and change — and the testimonials speak for themselves.

  • I have taken the best from all kinds of disciplines (from design thinking to neuroscience and biology to somatic experiencing to behavior change) to create a unique and effective approach to change

  • I’ve shared my expertise in spaces such as Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur Magazine, SXSW conference, IDEOU (you may know me from the popular IDEOU course on designing a business), and more.

Page background.png

I have been featured as an expert in:

Participants have come from:

Liminal by Design includes:

  • 1 interactive, live session on May 9, 11-1.30 ET (you’ll get the recording if you can’t join live… heck, you’ll get it even if you can!)

  • The camaraderie of being in a space with others who are exploring and experimenting with their own liminal spaces

  • One community space open for the month after the session, for sharing stories and shared accountability

Why do you use the word “liminal”?
Why not transition or something else?

I’m so glad you asked. :)

I’m in the midst of a series of blog posts explaining why I love the word liminal and highlighting the different types of liminal spaces (I bet some of them will surprise you). The first one is here, and if you sign up for the course, I’ll automatically mail you each in the series.

Page background.png

You’ll leave with:

  • A fresh lens on the in-between (and why it’s richer than you may realize)

  • Tools to navigate change with steadiness and precision

  • Sharp questions that bring you closer to what matters

  • A small, doable experiment to help you move forward right away

 “Say less, I’m in!”

Excellent! See you on May 9th, 11-1.30ET!