Meaningful Conversations Start with BioGraffs

I'm Jen Beman, and I invented BioGraffs based on a philosophy of storytelling I developed throughout my career as a documentary editor. I've spent 30 years understanding storytelling, the different ways stories can unfold based on different perspectives in a documentary, and how transformative storytelling can be for the storyteller themselves.

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It started with talking about sex. In 2016 I started a monthly women's discussion group because I was interested in helping women share their stories about their relationships and their sexual experiences. I thought I might make a documentary about it.

I invented an activity for that group that involved using cubes to stand for sexual values. It was so successful in my discussion group that I turned it into an interactive art installation called the Graphic Sex Project to help people tell their sexual stories, de-shame talking about sex, and open up new conversations about preferences. At multiple events across the country, I asked people to make a "graph" of a good sexual experience using colored cubes. The installations were a huge success. People could make a graph, or just browse the collection of graphs other people had made at previous installations. It was a featured event around DC & NY, as well as at several Sex Weeks events at Universities across the country.

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What I discovered doing these installations was that this quirky way of looking at sexuality was a uniquely powerful way for a person to get a new perspective on their desires, and the graphs they created were a great conversation opener with a partner, sparking deep discussion on a typically difficult topic.

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I soon realized that this was actually a very helpful way to think about any difficult topic. That couples could benefit from using this tool to open up tricky conversations, or just have a fun night of in-depth discussion of personal topics. I realized that the BioGraffs method creates the a structure that encourages active listening and the space for couples to really hear each other, expound on their perspective, and communicate better. I also saw how it could be a useful tool for therapists to share with their clients.

I sought input from psychotherapists, psychologists, and counselors on how to make this tool work for people. In 2025 I launched "See What I Mean" as a live workshop to make this powerful method available to more people - including you!

That's one of the super powers of this method: it doesn't require that you feel very creative. It's just arranging objects, so the bar for artistic ability is REALLY low. If you can arrange objects on a table, you can do this. People are often surprised how naturally it flows once we get started. No drawing, no design—just meaning made visible.

At the workshop, I'll give you some ideas for prompts based on the questionnaire you filled out.

Many people do one of the prompts I give them, and many people come up with their own, based on what is going on in their lives. There's also an online resource of hundreds of prompt ideas that you can browse through.

This workshop meets you where you are. You can keep it light and playful, or you can dive into something meaningful and real. Some people share just a little. Others go all the way into the trenches, and work through real conflicts.

There’s no pressure, no right way to do it.

It’s your story. Your pace. Your boundaries.

Whether you’re here for connection, curiosity, or to work through trouble spots in your relationship—this is a space where you get to choose how deep you want to go.

Here are some popular prompts people use:

Who am I? A Portrait

A Perfect Day Together

In My Head in a Bad Mood

What Matters to Me

Who You Are to Me

A New Look at an Old Conflict

Everyone will need a piece of paper and a pen.

Then you'll all need a collection of small objects. Ideally everyone has 100 to 150, in about 10 different colors. Ideal size is around 1 cm square.

You should gather these before your event. Here are some ideas of what they can be:

🟪 Cut up colored construction paper or fabric

🟩 Candy like M&Ms, Jujyfruits, Jolly Ranchers. Anything not spherical, because they shouldn't roll around

🟥 Nuts and dried fruit

🟧 Modeling clay

🟦 Other things you might have that are small, numerous, varied

I strongly urge you to not use pens, paint, markers or the like. You want to be able to MOVE them around on your palette. This is important.

Also, once you introduce markers and paint, it becomes a different thing. For people that don't feel comfortable drawing or making "art" now you've introduced anxiety or shame. Arranging little objects keeps the bar attainable for all.

OR you can buy materials from me! I have both magnetic and non-magnetic versions in my shop. If you sign up for the workshop and buy materials, you get a discount

See What I Mean is a workshop focused on communication skills and creative expression. It’s not formal therapy or counseling. Think of it as a guided activity or class that can complement your personal growth.

It’s led by Jennifer Beman, a communication coach and creator of BioGraffs, who brings insight from her experience working with this with many people, but the tone remains fun, creative, and informal.

Many people find it therapeutic to express themselves this way, but it’s not a substitute for professional therapy if that’s what you need.

This is a guided experience that uses evidence-based ideas from relationship science and storytelling. It’s creative, structured, and emotionally resonant—designed to help people communicate with more honesty and clarity.

It's game-adjacent. It's playful and fun, but it can also go to deeply emotional, even difficult, places if you choose to go there.

These workshops are space limited to only 10 groups so I restrict cancellation with full refund to 96 hours before. Before 96 hours, you get a full refund of the workshop fee (minus kits if I've sent them already), or change your date to another one.

If something comes up and you can't make it last minute, there will be a recording available for 10 days that you can watch and participate just like the live version. And if you ask me nicely, I'll give my phone number and you can text me with questions during your makeup session. I'll answer them if I can.

But remember, I'm a person and you can always ask me and we can work something out. Write me at Jen@BioGraffs.com

The workshop is designed for 2 people. The base price covers 2 participants.

If you want to do it with more people (a friend group? The family? Great! It's awesome for a fun, in depth conversation in a small group.)

You can add a third or fourth person and I'll send you additional materials. Email me to make arrangements at Jen@BioGraffs.com

More than 4 and you will definitely run out of time to all share what you create during the 2 hour workshop — but you can continue talking all night

You can. You'll just have to take pictures of your BioGraffs and send them to each other for the sharing portion.

BioGraffs is the visual storytelling method we’ll be using in the See What I Mean workshop

In simple terms, it’s a technique where you use tangible objects or images to create a “map” of what’s going on in your mind or life. By arranging pieces on a board or surface, you can literally visualize your thoughts and feelings. This supports you in communicating ideas that might be hard to put into words. Jen developed BioGraffs as a tool to help people talk about tough or abstract topics in a concrete, visual way. It’s very cool and we think you’ll love it, and get a lot out of it.