The starting point
Begin with a question.
What happens when we slow down an everyday interaction and ask what everyone in the room might be learning?
We propose a series of conversations developed with athletes, coaches, educators, and researchers. The aim is to explore familiar behavior with curiosity and practical questions, drawing on research and firsthand perspectives as the project develops.
The series has not yet been produced. The topics below are starting points to shape together.
Pilot concept
“When we make fun of someone’s body, what are we actually making fun of?”
A comment about someone’s body can open a much larger conversation. Questions for the proposed episode include:
- Are we criticizing appearance—or establishing a social hierarchy?
- What are we communicating about who belongs?
- What expectations about masculinity, femininity, or athletic identity are being reinforced?
- Who is allowed to humiliate someone without consequences?
- What are the other people witnessing the interaction learning?
- How do we distinguish mutually enjoyed teasing from humiliation or coercion?
Additional episode concepts
Keep asking.
- When everyone laughs but one person doesn’t, what happens next?
- Who notices? Who checks in? Explore how a group decides whether a joke is shared—or comes at someone’s expense.
- When a teammate says “stop,” what does the team do?
- What would it look like to respect a boundary without requiring someone to defend it?
- What does silence teach?
- Explore the difference between agreement, uncertainty, and the fear of speaking up. What makes a different response possible?
- What’s the difference between earning respect and demanding it?
- Consider how responsibility, seniority, and authority shape the way a team understands leadership.
- When does team loyalty become an excuse for protecting harmful behavior?
- What might loyalty to a teammate—and responsibility to everyone else—ask of us at the same time?
A working approach
Notice. Question. Practice.
Notice the lesson.
What is being modeled, rewarded, excused, or ignored?
Question the meaning.
What might different people in the room take from this moment?
Explore a response.
What could dignity, respect, and accountability look like here?
This is a proposed discussion framework, not a validated assessment or evaluated curriculum. Any future facilitated program would need professional review, clear learning objectives, safeguarding arrangements, and an approach to evaluation.
Before you take part
Good questions to ask.
Can we watch or use the series now?
No videos or finished educational materials are available yet. This page introduces the concept and invites people to help develop it. The glossary and project framework are public resources.
Who will help develop it?
We hope to work with current and former athletes, coaches, educators, and researchers. We have not established an advisory council, production team, or institutional partnerships.
Can our organization explore a future pilot?
Adults can register an interest below. This starts a conversation; it does not enroll an organization in a service or guarantee a pilot. Conversation requests do not subscribe you to general updates.
Can young athletes participate?
For now, signup is for adults 18 and older. Any future direct participation by minors would require a separate safeguarding and consent process. Public pages can be read without signing up.
Should I share a personal incident?
Please do not submit incident details. This is not a reporting or individual support service. Independent help and resources are available here.
This overview is public and suitable for printing. Share lockerroomtalk.org/program without signing up.