together.
The first steps to self-knowledge and a meaningful life
for and with those who matter most.
together.
The first steps to self-knowledge and a meaningful life
for and with those who matter most.
together.
The first steps to self-knowledge and a meaningful life
for and with those who matter most.
Let’s play
joyfully
mindfully
seriously
wisely
dynamically
Let's create things
Play reel
5ToMidnight
Play reel
5ToMidnight
Play reel
5TM
Our
Offerings
Long Form / Hybrid
TIAMAT-X
An immersive, hybrid (online & in-person) cohort that takes you through Tiers 1 and 2 led by Ethan Hsieh, John Vervaeke and Taylor Barratt.
Over 8 months, you’ll develop the capacity to…
perceive what matters
regulate in real time
and act with clarity
…through a cohesive method that weaves together mindful dialogue, embodiment, imaginal practice, and disciplined mindfulness.
Flagship / In-Person
Tier 1: Awakening to Structures
Tier 1 gives you a clear map, a set of interoperable practices, and a no-nonsense training space—so you can see more, choose better, and become who you mean to be.
"TIAMAT is an Aristotelian character intervention process. ... What we're trying to do with ecologies of practice is to be able to develop the character traits that compensate for shortfalls in our personality."
"TIAMAT is an Aristotelian character intervention process. ... What we're trying to do with ecologies of practice is to be able to develop the character traits that compensate for shortfalls in our personality."
"TIAMAT is an Aristotelian character intervention process. ... What we're trying to do with ecologies of practice is to be able to develop the character traits that compensate for shortfalls in our personality."
— Ethan Hsieh, Artistic Director and Founder
— Ethan Hsieh, Artistic Director and Founder
— Ethan Hsieh, Artistic Director and Founder
5toMidnight International is a growing fellowship of artists, facilitators, philosophers, and seekers—held together by shared questions, not fixed answers.
5toMidnight International is a growing fellowship of artists, facilitators, philosophers, and seekers—held together by shared questions, not fixed answers.
5toMidnight International is a growing fellowship of artists, facilitators, philosophers, and seekers—held together by shared questions, not fixed answers.
Our workshops create a space where individuals can develop existential resilience, reconnect with their playful agency, and engage in transformative practices that lead to personal and communal growth.
Our workshops create a space where individuals can develop existential resilience, reconnect with their playful agency, and engage in transformative practices that lead to personal and communal growth.
Our workshops create a space where individuals can develop existential resilience, reconnect with their playful agency, and engage in transformative practices that lead to personal and communal growth.
Ethan
HsiehArtistic Director
Ricardo
van MildertExecutive Director
Ellie
ChanGeneral Manager
Rens
TesinkPersons & Places Coordinator
Ethan
HsiehArtistic Director
Ricardo
van MildertExecutive Director
Ellie
ChanGeneral Manager
Rens
TesinkPersons & Places Coordinator
Ethan
HsiehArtistic Director
Ricardo
van MildertExecutive Director
Ellie
ChanGeneral Manager
Rens
TesinkPersons & Places Coordinator
Ethan
HsiehArtistic Director
Ricardo
van MildertExecutive Director
Ellie
ChanGeneral Manager
Rens
TesinkPersons & Places Coordinator
Ethan
HsiehArtistic Director
Ricardo
van MildertExecutive Director
Ellie
ChanGeneral Manager
Rens
TesinkPersons & Places Coordinator
Ethan
HsiehArtistic Director
Ricardo
van MildertExecutive Director
Ellie
ChanGeneral Manager
Rens
TesinkPersons & Places Coordinator
Ethan
HsiehArtistic Director
Ricardo
van MildertExecutive Director
Ellie
ChanGeneral Manager
Rens
TesinkPersons & Places Coordinator
Ethan
HsiehArtistic Director
Ricardo
van MildertExecutive Director
Ellie
ChanGeneral Manager
Rens
TesinkPersons & Places Coordinator
Transformation
is not a skill
to perfect,
it’s a process
of becoming.
/01
/02
/03
These principles guide everything we do.
Transformation
is not a skill
to perfect,
it’s a process
of becoming.
/01
/02
/03
These principles guide everything we do.
Transformation
is not a skill
to perfect,
it’s a process
of becoming.
/01
/02
/03
These principles guide everything we do.
Some numbers we’re proud of — not for bragging, but because they point to real fellowship, real practice, and real impact.
Some numbers we’re proud of — not for bragging, but because they reflect real fellowship, real practice, and real impact.
Some numbers we’re proud of — not for bragging, but because they reflect real fellowship, real practice, and real impact.
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Participants
Participants
Participants
from 12 countries
from 12 countries
from 12 countries
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Workshops and Retreats
Workshops and Retreats
Workshops and Retreats
Conducted
Conducted
Conducted
Our
Services
From insight to practice, we help persons and groups move people, spark action, and stand out—coherently.
From insight to practice, we help persons and teams move people, spark action, and stand out—coherently.
From insight to practice, we help persons and teams move people, spark action, and stand out—coherently.
Practice-as-Research
Practice-as-Research
Practice-as-Research
We investigate how people learn, relate, and make meaning in the wild—under deadlines, in conflict, and across cultures. Our work blends 4E cognitive science with field experiments, translating theory into living ecologies of practice. Findings loop back into design: cleaner concepts, better containers, and methods you can actually use.
We investigate how people learn, relate, and make meaning in the wild—under deadlines, in conflict, and across cultures. Our work blends 4E cognitive science with field experiments, translating theory into living ecologies of practice. Findings loop back into design: cleaner concepts, better containers, and methods you can actually use.
We investigate how people learn, relate, and make meaning in the wild—under deadlines, in conflict, and across cultures. Our work blends 4E cognitive science with field experiments, translating theory into living ecologies of practice. Findings loop back into design: cleaner concepts, better containers, and methods you can actually use.
Training and Certification
Training and Certification
Training and Certification
Cohort-based programs that weave dialogos, embodiment, mindfulness, and imaginal work into a strong, playful container. You’ll get repeatable patterns, live feedback, and exaptive transfer—skills that jump from workshop to workplace. Expect rigor without grimness, and community that helps you keep going.
Cohort-based programs that weave dialogos, embodiment, mindfulness, and imaginal work into a strong, playful container. You’ll get repeatable patterns, live feedback, and exaptive transfer—skills that jump from workshop to workplace. Expect rigor without grimness, and community that helps you keep going.
Cohort-based programs that weave dialogos, embodiment, mindfulness, and imaginal work into a strong, playful container. You’ll get repeatable patterns, live feedback, and exaptive transfer—skills that jump from workshop to workplace. Expect rigor without grimness, and community that helps you keep going.
1-to-1 and Group Coaching
1-to-1 and Group Coaching
1-to-1 and Group Coaching
Focused support for people who want clearer choices and steadier follow-through—philosophical counselling, academic coaching, and leadership tune-ups. We map what matters, test assumptions, and build rhythms you can keep, turning insight into one next move (and then another). It’s relational, practical, and oriented to the life you’re actually living.
Focused support for people who want clearer choices and steadier follow-through—philosophical counselling, academic coaching, and leadership tune-ups. We map what matters, test assumptions, and build rhythms you can keep, turning insight into one next move (and then another). It’s relational, practical, and oriented to the life you’re actually living.
ocused support for people who want clearer choices and steadier follow-through—philosophical counselling, academic coaching, and leadership tune-ups. We map what matters, test assumptions, and build rhythms you can keep, turning insight into one next move (and then another). It’s relational, practical, and oriented to the life you’re actually living.
Beginning the journey of personal transformation can be daunting with all the information out there. So we have laid out a roadmap of our offerings to recommend a pathway forward.
Tier 1
$500
/ person
24 Hours of training over a weekend
Follow-up Integration Call
Practice Workbook for Self-Practice
Non-residential
Recordings of Lectures
Perfect for those starting on personal development
Tier 2
$1,500
/ person
60 Hours of practice over 5 days
Follow-up Integration Call
Access to Online Practice Sessions
Residential (incl. food and accommodation)
Discounts on Online and Live Events
Best for those who want to advance their practice
Tier 3
$3,000
/ person
100 Hours of Transformation over 10 Days
6 months of online Field-Building
3 one-to-one Coaching Calls
By-invite-only, residential
Post-mortem with invited scholars
For those who want to cross the threshold into leadership development
SPIRE
$300
/ month
4 Hours of Dedicated Leadership Practice
Advanced Practice and Facilitator Training
Certification and Progression
Earn-as-you-Learn
Seminars with Expert Guests
Research and Design Practices
For those who want to cross the threshold into leadership development
Beginning the journey of personal transformation can be daunting with all the information out there. So we have laid out a roadmap of our offerings to recommend a pathway forward.
Tier 1
$500
/ person
24 Hours of training over a weekend
Follow-up Integration Call
Practice Workbook for Self-Practice
Non-residential
Recordings of Lectures
Perfect for those starting on personal development
Tier 2
$1,500
/ person
60 Hours of practice over 5 days
Follow-up Integration Call
Access to Online Practice Sessions
Residential (incl. food and accommodation)
Discounts on Online and Live Events
Best for those who want to advance their practice
Tier 3
$3,000
/ person
100 Hours of Transformation over 10 Days
6 months of online Field-Building
3 one-to-one Coaching Calls
By-invite-only, residential
Post-mortem with invited scholars
For those who want to cross the threshold into leadership development
SPIRE
$300
/ month
4 Hours of Dedicated Leadership Practice
Advanced Practice and Facilitator Training
Certification and Progression
Earn-as-you-Learn
Seminars with Expert Guests
Research and Design Practices
Tailored for those who want to pursue a lifetime of Leadership
Beginning the journey of personal transformation can be daunting with all the information out there. So we have laid out a roadmap of our offerings to recommend a pathway forward.
Not sure where to start? Let’s figure it out together.
Tier 1
$500
/ person
24 Hours of training over a weekend
Follow-up Integration Call
Practice Workbook for Self-Practice
Non-residential
Recordings of Lectures
Perfect for those starting on personal development
Tier 2
$1,500
/ person
60 Hours of practice over 5 days
Follow-up Integration Call
Access to Online Practice Sessions
Residential (incl. food and accommodation)
Discounts on Online and Live Events
Best for those who want to advance their practice
Tier 3
$3,000
/ person
100 Hours of Transformation over 10 Days
6 months of online Field-Building
3 one-to-one Coaching Calls
By-invite-only, residential
Post-mortem with invited scholars
For those who want to cross the threshold into leadership development
SPIRE
$300
/ month
4 Hours of Dedicated Leadership Practice
Advanced Practice and Facilitator Training
Certification and Progression
Earn-as-you-Learn
Seminars with Expert Guests
Research and Design Practices
Tailored for those who want to pursue a lifetime of Leadership
November 5, 2025
How to Play Your Way to Transformation
Transforming your person, relationships and view of reality is no easy task.
There are many different ways, paths, schools, courses and ideas to follow towards self-knowledge.
However, it’s hard to separate fact from opinion, distinguish ideology from truth and balance personal desire with common good. Many people are facing profound inner conflict, and it is oh-so-easy to fall into the trendy nihilism of meaninglessness. #depressionmemes
November 5, 2025
When “Work on the Self” Becomes Self-Involved
On the surface, self-help is all about doing the things you want to do,
creating positive experiences for
yourself and empowering you.
It’s about what you want,
who you are,
battling your inner demons,
finding your inner child,
manifesting your dreams.
But once that’s all said and done, transforming your life is not about you.
Get the latest on fresh practices, workshop invites, and field notes on meaning — no spam, just signal.
mailinglist
Join our
Get the latest on fresh practices, workshop invites, and field notes on meaning — no spam, just signal
mailinglist
Join our
Get the latest on fresh practices, workshop invites, and field notes on meaning — no spam, just signal.
Join our
mailinglist
Kind words from participants who have attended our containers.
Worked with us? Leave a review — we’d love to hear from you.
“In high-performance sports, everything must work seamlessly together. To truly perform at my best, my body and mind must unite in harmony: by reducing inner turmoil, focusing on the right things at the right time in the right way, grasping my actions effectively, and accepting the person I see in the mirror.
Working with the 5toMidnight team has been a privilege — their empathy, wisdom, and foresight have helped me understand myself more deeply, guiding me not only to perform better but to grow as a person."
— Christoph Dürr, Olympic Shooter, Switzerland
In the world of sports, change and uncertainty are constant. Working with TIAMAT has provided a philosophical framework, a living container, that helps the self self-organize, adapt, and co-evolve with shifting environments. His guidance has allowed me and my athletes to cultivate wisdom, steadiness, and a sense of meaning that extends beyond performance into the wider arc of life.
I highly recommend his work to anyone seeking depth, clarity, and genuine transformation.
— Jochem Stephan, National Neuroathletic Trainer, Switzerland
"What often happens is that we perhaps realize something important in our lives but is actually disconnected from our daily experience because it's not embodied. Everything we did aimed to align the mind and body. So that the physical and mental aspects were in constant dialogue, thereby better communicating with the world and the people around. To reconnect with our human nature and communicate what one truly feels and what's happening, without any fear."
— Vojta Hlaváček, Podcast Founder & Author, Brain We Are
Kind words from participants who have attended our containers.
Worked with us? Leave a review — we’d love to hear from you.
“In high-performance sports, everything must work seamlessly together. To truly perform at my best, my body and mind must unite in harmony: by reducing inner turmoil, focusing on the right things at the right time in the right way, grasping my actions effectively, and accepting the person I see in the mirror.
Working with the 5toMidnight team has been a privilege — their empathy, wisdom, and foresight have helped me understand myself more deeply, guiding me not only to perform better but to grow as a person."
— Christoph Dürr, Olympic Shooter, Switzerland
In the world of sports, change and uncertainty are constant. Working with TIAMAT has provided a philosophical framework, a living container, that helps the self self-organize, adapt, and co-evolve with shifting environments. His guidance has allowed me and my athletes to cultivate wisdom, steadiness, and a sense of meaning that extends beyond performance into the wider arc of life.
I highly recommend his work to anyone seeking depth, clarity, and genuine transformation.
— Jochem Stephan, National Neuroathletic Trainer, Switzerland
"What often happens is that we perhaps realize something important in our lives but is actually disconnected from our daily experience because it's not embodied. Everything we did aimed to align the mind and body. So that the physical and mental aspects were in constant dialogue, thereby better communicating with the world and the people around. To reconnect with our human nature and communicate what one truly feels and what's happening, without any fear."
— Vojta Hlaváček, Podcast Founder & Author, Brain We Are
Kind words from participants who have attended our containers.
Worked with us? Leave a review — we’d love to hear from you.
“In high-performance sports, everything must work seamlessly together. To truly perform at my best, my body and mind must unite in harmony: by reducing inner turmoil, focusing on the right things at the right time in the right way, grasping my actions effectively, and accepting the person I see in the mirror.
Working with the 5toMidnight team has been a privilege — their empathy, wisdom, and foresight have helped me understand myself more deeply, guiding me not only to perform better but to grow as a person."
— Christoph Dürr, Olympic Shooter, Switzerland
In the world of sports, change and uncertainty are constant. Working with TIAMAT has provided a philosophical framework, a living container, that helps the self self-organize, adapt, and co-evolve with shifting environments. His guidance has allowed me and my athletes to cultivate wisdom, steadiness, and a sense of meaning that extends beyond performance into the wider arc of life.
I highly recommend his work to anyone seeking depth, clarity, and genuine transformation.
— Jochem Stephan, National Neuroathletic Trainer, Switzerland
"What often happens is that we perhaps realize something important in our lives but is actually disconnected from our daily experience because it's not embodied. Everything we did aimed to align the mind and body. So that the physical and mental aspects were in constant dialogue, thereby better communicating with the world and the people around. To reconnect with our human nature and communicate what one truly feels and what's happening, without any fear."
— Vojta Hlaváček, Podcast Founder & Author, Brain We Are
Thought Partners & Practice Collaborators
We are always open to collaboration—with curiosity, care, and shared integrity.
Whether you’re:
A facilitator interested in becoming a well-rounded leader
An artist, thinker, or practitioner exploring similar ground
A past participant wanting to stay in the orbit
Reach out to us!
Thought Partners & Practice Collaborators
We are always open to collaboration—with curiosity, care, and shared integrity.
Whether you’re:
A facilitator interested in becoming a well-rounded leader
An artist, thinker, or practitioner exploring similar ground
A past participant wanting to stay in the orbit
Reach out to us!
Thought Partners & Practice Collaborators
We are always open to collaboration—with curiosity, care, and shared integrity.
Whether you’re:
A facilitator interested in becoming a well-rounded leader
An artist, thinker, or practitioner exploring similar ground
A past participant wanting to stay in the orbit
Reach out to us!
FAQ
Have questions? We’ve made it easy. Here’s what to know before we get started — and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to ask.
/ 01
What is TIAMAT?
TIAMAT stands for The Integrative Approach and Methodology of Active Transformation—a practice framework and pedagogy originally developed from actor-training and expanded into a general ecology of practices for cultivating character, wisdom, and transformation.
/ 01
What is TIAMAT?
TIAMAT stands for The Integrative Approach and Methodology of Active Transformation—a practice framework and pedagogy originally developed from actor-training and expanded into a general ecology of practices for cultivating character, wisdom, and transformation.
/ 02
What does “ecology of practices” mean here?
It’s a balanced set of mutually counter-weighting practices organized for opponent-processing—so no single technique dominates. In TIAMAT this draws on the DIME constellation (Dialogue, Imaginal, Mindful, Embodiment) and is explicitly framed as an ecology rather than a one-off method.
/ 02
What does “ecology of practices” mean here?
/ 03
Is TIAMAT therapy?
No; it’s psycho-hygienic and developmental, not clinical, though many find it therapeutic-adjacent.
/ 03
Is TIAMAT therapy?
/ 04
What does a session feel like (container & safety)?
Sessions are run inside a clear container—with a defined beginning, middle, and end; agreements to hold material; and an emphasis on integration into daily life. Facilitation relies on experienced pattern-recognition and titration (inviting, not forcing) to support stuck patterns without over-indulgence.
/ 04
What does a session feel like (container & safety)?
/ 05
What if I feel silly?
Good—serious play lowers egoic rigidity; as Ethan likes to say, “play your way to a better you.”
/ 05
What if I feel silly?
FAQ
Have questions? We’ve made it easy. Here’s what to know before we get started — and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to ask.
/ 01
What is TIAMAT?
TIAMAT stands for The Integrative Approach and Methodology of Active Transformation—a practice framework and pedagogy originally developed from actor-training and expanded into a general ecology of practices for cultivating character, wisdom, and transformation.
/ 01
What is TIAMAT?
TIAMAT stands for The Integrative Approach and Methodology of Active Transformation—a practice framework and pedagogy originally developed from actor-training and expanded into a general ecology of practices for cultivating character, wisdom, and transformation.
/ 02
What does “ecology of practices” mean here?
It’s a balanced set of mutually counter-weighting practices organized for opponent-processing—so no single technique dominates. In TIAMAT this draws on the DIME constellation (Dialogue, Imaginal, Mindful, Embodiment) and is explicitly framed as an ecology rather than a one-off method.
/ 02
What does “ecology of practices” mean here?
/ 03
Is TIAMAT therapy?
No; it’s psycho-hygienic and developmental, not clinical, though many find it therapeutic-adjacent.
/ 03
Is TIAMAT therapy?
/ 04
What does a session feel like (container & safety)?
Sessions are run inside a clear container—with a defined beginning, middle, and end; agreements to hold material; and an emphasis on integration into daily life. Facilitation relies on experienced pattern-recognition and titration (inviting, not forcing) to support stuck patterns without over-indulgence.
/ 04
What does a session feel like (container & safety)?
/ 05
What if I feel silly?
Good—serious play lowers egoic rigidity; as Ethan likes to say, “play your way to a better you.”
/ 05
What if I feel silly?
FAQ
Have questions? We’ve made it easy. Here’s what to know before we get started — and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, feel free to ask.
/ 01
What is TIAMAT?
TIAMAT stands for The Integrative Approach and Methodology of Active Transformation—a practice framework and pedagogy originally developed from actor-training and expanded into a general ecology of practices for cultivating character, wisdom, and transformation.
/ 01
What is TIAMAT?
TIAMAT stands for The Integrative Approach and Methodology of Active Transformation—a practice framework and pedagogy originally developed from actor-training and expanded into a general ecology of practices for cultivating character, wisdom, and transformation.
/ 02
What does “ecology of practices” mean here?
It’s a balanced set of mutually counter-weighting practices organized for opponent-processing—so no single technique dominates. In TIAMAT this draws on the DIME constellation (Dialogue, Imaginal, Mindful, Embodiment) and is explicitly framed as an ecology rather than a one-off method.
/ 02
What does “ecology of practices” mean here?
/ 03
Is TIAMAT therapy?
No; it’s psycho-hygienic and developmental, not clinical, though many find it therapeutic-adjacent.
/ 03
Is TIAMAT therapy?
/ 04
What does a session feel like (container & safety)?
Sessions are run inside a clear container—with a defined beginning, middle, and end; agreements to hold material; and an emphasis on integration into daily life. Facilitation relies on experienced pattern-recognition and titration (inviting, not forcing) to support stuck patterns without over-indulgence.
/ 04
What does a session feel like (container & safety)?
/ 05
What if I feel silly?
Good—serious play lowers egoic rigidity; as Ethan likes to say, “play your way to a better you.”
/ 05
What if I feel silly?