What is Totem?
Totem is more than an online support group—it’s where real friendships grow through storytelling and shared experience. We believe the best support comes from people who truly understand you.
Through Totem Spaces, we foster meaningful conversations that support growth, emotional wellness, and authentic connection. Many join for self-exploration—and stay for the community that forms beyond the sessions.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to make support and connection accessible to all.
The name “Totem” comes from the metaphorical talking stick used in our Spaces—a symbol of shared voice, respect, and the power of being heard..
What are Spaces?
Totem Spaces are virtual gatherings of 3 to 8 individuals—designed to feel like a digital fireplace. It’s a place for reflection, connection, and shared storytelling.
Each Space is a chance to slow down, explore your thoughts, and build meaningful relationships in a setting that feels real and human.
Spaces are guided by Keepers who offer thoughtful prompts and lead the conversation with care and clarity. With their support, everyone shares without interruption.
Our Values
We have been natural storytellers for thousands of years. Through storytelling, we unlock unique perspectives that would otherwise be hidden from us. Our revelations lead us to advance our understanding of the world.
We acknowledge when our opinions don’t ring true for everyone. This opens us to learning through the lens of others. We hope this awareness gets us closer to a world where everybody is treated with respect.
We love listening to experts in their field. Everyone is an expert in themselves. When we speak from our experiences, we reveal truths that no one else can. You have so much to share, and we want to listen.
Support
Thanks to funding from the Lopker Family Foundation and contributions from people who believe in our services, Totem can continue providing Spaces to those who need it.
Totem is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
All of our resources go to directly into growing and maintaining Totem, from building our website, to community outreach, to compensating our Keepers.
Totem is committed to transparency and will share details of our annual reports, strategic roadmaps, and financials.
Safe and confidential
Totem prioritizes the security and confidentiality of all of our members. We will not, under any circumstances, sell or share your information with third parties. Your data is treated with the highest level of respect and protection.
For a comprehensive understanding of how we handle your information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Meet Bo, Totem's Founder
Hello! I'm Bo. I've spent most of my life in sunny California. Life was pretty good. Then my dad died of prostate cancer. It's hard to describe how subtly that loss grew in my life.
So, I sought a therapist. Simply being able to talk to someone attentive about what I was going through got me past barriers that I would not have by myself.
Still, I found it difficult to connect with my therapist as they had not been through the same situation. Then I founded Totem. It has showed me there are other ways to heal. Unfortunately, there are not many resources or tools for people to authentically connect. Without that, we're limited in the ways we can heal ourselves and each other.
I created Totem to change that.