The doors to the Wonder & Whimsy Society are currently closed.
The doors to the Wonder & Whimsy Society are reopening temporarily on Monday, February 1. In order to preserve the culture that’s been established, we are limiting this next cohort to only 70 members. Doors close on Monday, February 15th, or as soon as we welcome 70 new members, whichever comes first.
Sign up to become an Escape Adulthood Insider for all the latest updates and Adultitis-fighting tips, and to be among the first to be invited to sign-up.
You’re invited to join the secret society Adultitis does NOT want you to know about.
“The world has become so serious. I often get caught up in the doldrums of others, and I too often find that I’ve developed a case of Adultitis. I want adventures and good-hearted shenanigans in my life, and I want to develop my sense of wonder and appreciation for whimsy. When I signed up, I said I was taking a big leap and it has been SO worth it.”
– Brittany Engel, WI
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything! Looking forward to adding more wonder and whimsy to my crazy, demanding life. Having fun things to look forward to in the mail, a chance to be more creative, and to laugh and be “kid-like” more often is just what I need.“
– Kristy Dimmick, UT
“I want to keep my creativity pushing ahead. It’s who I am but, like exercise, it is way too easy to fall off the bandwagon alone. Also, samesies with staying fun as an adult!! I am adventurous and fun but it’s hard to stay that way without other adventurous and fun adults!”
– Christa Schmeelk, WI
“I enjoy the monthly Secret Missions and the creative challenges of completing each one. If you are looking for a gentle poke out of your creative comfort zone, if you want to meet and talk to a community of like-minded, whimsy-seeking individuals, or you just want to be reminded that silliness and fun are positively worth pursuing, do it.“
– Matthew LaFleur, IL
the origin story
We all learned a lot in 2020. We acquired new skills. We discovered that experiences are not limited to a physical location. And we were reminded that connection is as important as ever, because in community we can borrow courage, affirmation, and inspiration from one another.
The pandemic leading to our slate of speaking engagements going up in smoke also gave us the chance for reflection. Amidst all the change and upheaval, we asked ourselves, what business are we really in?
We kept coming back to the idea that we are professional reminder-ers and permission granters. We love making wonderful things and amazing experiences for people who most appreciate them. Truth be told, we often wish we could do more of that, while spending less time toiling in the traditional system, trying to wow influencers and please gatekeepers. The idea of having the freedom to focus on delighting YOU fired us up.
We sensed the storm clouds that have invaded 2020 also carried some silver linings.
We were inspired to create something new.
But what?
the vision
For twenty years, we’d done lots of tinkering and scattered tons of seeds. Although many never took root, others blossomed into something wonderful. In the summer of 2020, we felt that the time was right to harness all the wisdom and experience we gained over the previous two decades into something less…random.
We called it The Wonder & Whimsy Society.
The Wonder & Whimsy Society is designed to give those who honor their childlike spirit the inspiration, encouragement, and accountability to create a life filled with adventure, meaning, and joy.
Does this resonate with you?
The people who can get behind this idea are the kind of people we want to share the journey and do life with. They’re the kind of people we want to make wonderful things for.
Rather than handfuls of seeds thrown out randomly, we liken this new endeavor to a garden, thoughtfully planned out and lovingly tended to. Not something that adds more noise or another thing to keep up on, but more like a place of beauty, reinvigoration and clarity. We’re filling it with beautiful things that can be appreciated now, but also planting things that will take years before they provide fruit.
why wonder & whimsy?
We envision The Wonder & Whimsy Society as a powerful antidote to Adultitis.
When we are overcome by Adultitis, we go about our days in predictable, boring fashion, filled with apathy and indifferent to the excitement of possibility. We take ourselves too seriously. Our lives become bland, humorless, and predictable. We walk around like jaded tourists, wearing “Been There, Done That, Got the T-shirt” souvenirs.
We are blind to wonder and resistant to whimsy.
In many ways, these two concepts have been the cornerstone of our work all along…
Wonder is a gift that we miss amidst the distractions of life. Each new day brings a fresh array of surprising beauty and inexplicable amazements to savor. There are magnificent marvels around every corner. Wonder is a bridge that reunites our minds to our hearts in order to experience joy and peace.
And although Whimsy is often viewed as superfluous, it is a spark of delight with the supernatural power to uplift the human spirit. Whimsy can fill a heart with happiness and a head with new ideas. Whimsy brings a playful unpredictability to our days. It puts the heavy things we carry in perspective. The delicious ridiculousness of whimsy helps lighten our loads and brings joy to others.
In a dark world where the terrible stuff weighs so heavily upon us, we need wonder and whimsy more than ever.
“Being a part of the W&WS has given me the reminder of what’s important – finding wonder and whimsy in the everyday; and being open to learning from a fun, creative group of people from all over. Also, who doesn’t love getting to decode secret missions in the company of a miniature plastic penguin? Any opportunity to find new ways to discover and spread more wonder and whimsy is priceless.”
– Martha Henderson, WI
“This group brings joy through adventures, shenanigans, and conversations. W&WS is a positive, supportive, and welcoming group. There is acceptance of everyone and the way you want to engage.”
– Jen de Ridder, NC
is this for me?
The Wonder & Whimsy Society is not for everyone.
We’re focused on providing a life-changing experience for the biggest supporters of our work. It’s for people addicted to making memories and creating meaningful moments. It’s for people looking for an escape from taking themselves too seriously. It’s for people fed up with Adultitis who are ready to reawaken their spirit, reignite their passion, and see with new eyes.
Joy is contagious. The people you surround yourself with are the biggest influence on your behavior, attitude, and results. This community exists to give you the fuel to fill yourself up, so you can go back out and serve the important people in your life. The Wonder & Whimsy Society is your safety net to get the inspiration, encouragement, and accountability you need to live your best life and let your authentic, childlike spark shine.
If you’ve ever felt like that childlike spirit is an unwelcome guest in your own family, circle of friends, or workplace, there is a place for you here. This is your tribe, your people, your chosen family, where you no longer have to apologize for being you.
Welcome home.
“In the W&WS I feel seen and celebrated in this very fun, amazing and awesome group of awesome individuals, like family you get to pick. I look forward to those monthly secret missions. This is totally and 100% worth the investment. Love you guys!”
– Amy Payne, WI
“It’s great knowing I can come on this site and find friendly people, positive vibes, and creativity. And that I’m not crazy for taking silly photos of the antics of critters like Wonder Marty. The W&WS is sunshine on a gloomy day.
– Brenda Kinnear, PA
the exclusive perks
The Wonder & Whimsy Society is the premiere solution for treating Adultitis. It’s an ongoing experience that will faithfully provide the electricity of anticipation. Not only does your membership fund the continuation of our work and this movement, it gives you a front row seat to the best of what we create.
What can you expect?
- 12 Secret Missions by mail, featuring creative challenges and shenanigans designed to add more fun and adventure to your life.
- 4 Mystery Mailings stuffed with our latest creations and Adultitis-Fighting treats and tools.
- Admittance to a private, positive and supportive community within the Escape Adulthood League.
- Live online Monthly Mastermind meetings to help you overcome challenges and achieve victory in your battle against Adultitis.
- 15% discount on all Lemonade Stand orders
(not including original artwork). - Access to exclusive art and products.
- Discounts on ALL Escape Labs and Courses.
- A treasure chest of other exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access not available anywhere else.
- Opportunities to participate in Society-only events and gatherings.
In addition, 5% of your membership fee will support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization we’ve been involved with for almost twenty years, which provides wonder & whimsy by granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
“Kim and Jason have created something very special here and I’m so grateful to be a part of it. The W&WS has been a respite for me during such a difficult year. I love this opportunity to be a part of such a positive, uplifting group of welcoming people, doing fun things together, and sharing our light with others. While our world is so uncertain right now, the masterminds, secret missions and fun goody box ensures I always have something to look forward to.”
– Cara Tracy, AZ
“I love the like-minded community support even with different personalities, and backgrounds. You can participate as much or as little as you want and you may be surprised at how much you end up enjoying every chance to participate.”
– Helen Meissner, MN
you’re worth the investment
This is more than a membership, more than a community, more than getting cool things by mail. It’s a transformative experience and an opportunity to equip yourself with strength and confidence to stand up to Adultitis in your daily life.
In our research, we looked at pricing models for Peloton classes and Crossfit gyms and yoga studios. We found that people spend $30,000 or more for a country club membership.
(Don’t worry, membership to The Wonder & Whimsy Society does not cost $30,000. :)
We wanted to create a premium experience, but we also wanted to make it affordable. Membership is just $479 (about $40 a month). And you can even participate with a friend, sibling, or spouse, aka a Partner in Crime. We’re excited to offer a special price for this limited enrollment period, but we are only accepting 70 new members at this time.
- ANNUAL:
$479.00 ($40/month)$419.99 ($35/month) - ANNUAL PARTNER IN CRIME (One Shipping Location):
$958.00$739.99 - ANNUAL PARTNER IN CRIME (Two Shipping Locations):
$958.00$789.99
Need a payment plan? Although paying your membership in full ensures you the best price we can offer, we are happy to offer the convenience of breaking your fee into two easy payments. (If it’s more important to you to spread out your payments than paying the lowest price, please use this application form.)
consider the patron level
If this cause aligns with your mission and legacy, you may find that the Patron level will make your heart sing. It’s an opportunity for you to take on a special, more personal role in bringing our work to the world.
The Patron level is $1499 annually per member, and includes these extra benefits as a token of our appreciation:
- 15% discount on all original art!
- Exclusive Patron-only one-of-a-kind annual gift!
- Handwritten postcards from our adventures!
- Special mention and credit lines in the various things we create, such as acknowledgments in our books, credits on our shows, etc.
“I want to do this for the connection and to support you so you can continue your mission work. You are essential workers.”
– Cathy Rose Monaghan, WI
it’s time to shine!
We are so excited about this, and see it as the most important thing we’ve ever created. We are looking forward to surprising and delighting you all year long. We are committed to providing you inspiration, encouragement, and accountability to create a life filled with adventure, meaning, and joy.
If this sounds like the perfect fit for you, don’t delay. The doors to The Wonder & Whimsy Society will close on Monday, February 15, 2021, so we can focus our time, attention, and creativity on members.
Feel free to email us with any questions you might have as you consider applying for membership!
As dark and difficult as life can sometimes be, there is still magic in the world and wonders to uncover. In the battle between darkness and light, the darkness doesn’t stand a chance.
The future is bright. Let’s shine together!
Your friends,
Although paying your membership in full ensures you the best price we can offer, we are happy to offer the convenience of breaking your fee into two easy payments. (If it’s more important to you to spread out your payments than paying the lowest price, please use this application form.)
“Do you have anything in your world that delights and surprises you and encourages you to keep your heart open? W&WS allows you to participate at any level that’s comfortable for you but I promise you being part of the W&WS will lead to unexpected random goodness when you least expect it and when you need it most. As a single person who lives alone and has been working remotely during this lovely pandemic, having a group of creative, friendly, kind, interesting, and accepting people that I can tap into as needed has been a lifeline for me. The wonderful things that come in the mail, secret missions and fantastic treats, plus the web meetings and online platform, all together have added a delightful randomness that makes me happy and promotes fresh thoughts.”
– Victoria Labovsky, WI
FAQs
Do you have a monthly payment option?
Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons we’re not able to offer a monthly payment plan for the Wonder & Whimsy Society membership. Like the pricing of the Escape Adulthood Summit Golden Tickets, we’re asking for your financial commitment which will allow us to invest it in all of the surprises and happenings as the year unfolds. However, we can offer the convenience of breaking down your annual membership fee into two easy payments. If that sounds good to you, apply here.
I’d like to include my spouse and possibly other family and friends in my adventures as a member; what is the difference between a regular membership and the “partner in crime” membership?
The main difference between the regular membership and the Partner in Crime version is that you get TWO of everything. The monthly Secret Missions will be easy to include other people in on, but you may wish to have more than one of the quarterly Mystery Mailings. The contents are a surprise of course, but certain things would be easier to share than others (like a book versus a t-shirt, for example).
Also, your Membership Welcome Kit will have a cool name badge with a specific membership number, and for some future events that we’re planning, the name badge will be treated as a single “ticket” or “pass” and only official members will be allowed access.
Finally, keep in mind that you can save money if you join with a Partner In Crime (even more if you reside at the same address, as we don’t have to ship two separate packages. ;)
I signed up for the regular membership but now I’ve found a Partner in Crime. Can we still get the discount?
Yes! Simply have your Partner in Crime sign up as a single member. Then email us to let us know that you belong together. Once we receive your partner’s application form, we will be happy to process a partial refund for BOTH of you, so that the amount you pay will match what you would have paid if you’d signed up together.
Is the membership fee a one-time cost or does it recur annually? What is the cancellation policy?
The non-refundable membership fee is annual and is good for one full year of awesomeness. For your convenience, the credit card you used to sign up will be charged automatically at the one-year mark to keep your membership active and ensure you don’t miss out on any benefits. However, you will be notified of this charge in advance and have the option of cancelling if you don’t wish to continue on for another year.
I’m an introvert. I’m concerned that others will begin to wonder why I’m not participating, at all or more, during meetings. The fear of judgment on various levels is holding me back.
First of all, please know that Kim and Jason are BOTH introverts. It may not seem like it sometimes, but they savor weekends at home with nothing to do, and burn out very easily if they’ve not had enough of an opportunity to “fill their cups.”
Of course we want people to be involved and get as much out of the community as possible, but we are very mindful that just because people may not be participating “publicly” doesn’t mean they’re getting anything out of the experience. We’ve designed this so that you can participate as much or as little as you feel comfortable. There will be group activities (always optional), but also plenty of solo and self-reflective elements, as well as opportunities to share the fun with people in your inner circle if you want.
Many introverts have already joined, some who participate in discussions and others who stay more on the sidelines, absorbing the things that are important to them. Several people are telling us they are signing up primarily for self-care in these trying times. In short, there is definitely place for you here!