60 acast.com How We Connected https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ en US Chamber of Connection Chamber of Connection,Communities,Non-Profit US Chamber of Connection The New Podcast from the US Chamber of Connection How We Connected brings listeners inside the conversations that power communities right across the United States. Every week, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and the moments of connection showing up in their own lives. They talk with a community leaders from around the country about the relationships, collaboration, and human stories behind meaningful change. Join us every week for a reflections and practical advice on the ideas you can carry forward into your own communities.



Aaron Hurst

Aaron Hurst is the Co-Founder and CEO of the US Chamber of Connection and a long-time leader in the movement to strengthen community through work. A serial entrepreneur and social innovator, he previously founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation, two organizations that reshaped how companies think about purpose, service, and meaningful work. His book The Purpose Economy helped define a new era in which connection, meaning, and relationships stand at the center of business value.


At the Chamber, Aaron focuses on reconnecting America by mobilizing community builders in every town and city. Known for turning big ideas into practical action, he works at the intersection of business, civic life, and community leadership. Aaron co-hosts How We Connected, bringing thoughtful perspective, personal stories, and a clear belief that human connection is a skill every organization can cultivate



Charlotte Massey

Charlotte is the Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection and Executive Director of the Seattle Chamber of Connection, where she leads strategy, programs, and partnerships dedicated to strengthening the connective tissue of communities in Seattle and nationwide.


Her background spans political organizing, digital marketing for large-scale nonprofits, and venture-backed entrepreneurship. She is a Forbes 30 under 30 awardee, a Thomas J Watson Fellow, and a Tory Burch Fellow. Charlotte creates environments where collaboration is natural and accessible.


Charlotte started her career in political and civic organizing, later serving as a digital marketer for major nonprofits and advocacy organizations, helping them mobilize supporters and scale their impact. She co-founded Gnara, a venture-backed outdoor apparel company that developed patented zipper technology to make clothing more functional and accessible for women, earning national recognition and viral reach.


A lifelong community builder, Charlotte also founded the Seattle Picnic Society, a 2,000-plus-person open-invite community that gathers for creative, joyful events across the city. As co-host of How We Connected, Charlotte brings grounded, practical insight and a keen sense for the moments that reveal how connection actually happens – in workplaces, neighborhoods, and local ecosystems.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How We Connected brings listeners inside the conversations that power communities right across the United States. Every week, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and the moments of connection showing up in their own lives. They talk with a community leaders from around the country about the relationships, collaboration, and human stories behind meaningful change. Join us every week for a reflections and practical advice on the ideas you can carry forward into your own communities.



Aaron Hurst

Aaron Hurst is the Co-Founder and CEO of the US Chamber of Connection and a long-time leader in the movement to strengthen community through work. A serial entrepreneur and social innovator, he previously founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation, two organizations that reshaped how companies think about purpose, service, and meaningful work. His book The Purpose Economy helped define a new era in which connection, meaning, and relationships stand at the center of business value.


At the Chamber, Aaron focuses on reconnecting America by mobilizing community builders in every town and city. Known for turning big ideas into practical action, he works at the intersection of business, civic life, and community leadership. Aaron co-hosts How We Connected, bringing thoughtful perspective, personal stories, and a clear belief that human connection is a skill every organization can cultivate



Charlotte Massey

Charlotte is the Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection and Executive Director of the Seattle Chamber of Connection, where she leads strategy, programs, and partnerships dedicated to strengthening the connective tissue of communities in Seattle and nationwide.


Her background spans political organizing, digital marketing for large-scale nonprofits, and venture-backed entrepreneurship. She is a Forbes 30 under 30 awardee, a Thomas J Watson Fellow, and a Tory Burch Fellow. Charlotte creates environments where collaboration is natural and accessible.


Charlotte started her career in political and civic organizing, later serving as a digital marketer for major nonprofits and advocacy organizations, helping them mobilize supporters and scale their impact. She co-founded Gnara, a venture-backed outdoor apparel company that developed patented zipper technology to make clothing more functional and accessible for women, earning national recognition and viral reach.


A lifelong community builder, Charlotte also founded the Seattle Picnic Society, a 2,000-plus-person open-invite community that gathers for creative, joyful events across the city. As co-host of How We Connected, Charlotte brings grounded, practical insight and a keen sense for the moments that reveal how connection actually happens – in workplaces, neighborhoods, and local ecosystems.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false US Chamber of Connection info+69321d954a0500b7572aafcf@mg-eu.acast.com 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf how-we-connected episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/69321d954a0500b7572aafcf/1765223877031-7f8d5e36-499f-4fe1-89c1-88a9d5684aa6.jpeg https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ How We Connected <![CDATA[Party On! Evan Cudworth, the World's First Party Coach ]]> Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:32:20 GMT 1:02:23 69efc55dfd19588ed7f833ff false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69efc55dfd19588ed7f833ff 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf party-on-evan-cudworth-the-worlds-first-party-coach Party as a Temporary Vibe Shift full 1 21 Welcoming, Structure, and the Party Within


On this week's How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst talk about a volunteer potluck party and brainstorming “National Welcome Week.” There's a recap on current work expanding partnerships and planning upcoming events. This week's feature interview is with Evan Cudworth, the world’s first “party coach,” who describes early connection through communal building, finding collective effervescence in raves, and defining a party as a temporary vibe shift with others. He outlines his “Party Within” process (detox, identity release, a 21-day wellness bender, tribe-building, hosting, and learning to receive) and offers tactics for inclusive events: roles, activity stations, clear structure, and guided dance instruction for a conference dance party.


00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:12 Volunteer Party Recap

17:50 Introducing Evan, the World's First Party Coach

18:13 Evan's Early Experiences with Connection

21:45 Defining Party: The Temporary Vibe Shift

32:03 Creating Structure at Parties

40:48 The Party Within: Evan's 7-Stage Framework

44:35 Designing a Dance Party at a Conference

51:43 Reflection

54:42 Takeaways and the Bat Signal App



---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Evan Cudworth, Party Coach

Evan Cudworth is the world's first Party Coach, a Chicago-raised, Los Angeles-based coach and community builder helping people rebuild their social lives without numbing out or chasing nostalgia. After 15 years in the music, festival, and nightlife scenes, he pivoted to full-time coaching in 2020 and built The Party Within, a 7-stage method blending intention-setting, dopamine resets, and tools for authentic connection. He draws on eight years coaching elite college and MBA applicants, plus thousands of hours leading workshops and retreats. Evan founded KNOWFUN, a digital community mixing party culture and wellness, and his work has been featured in GQ, the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post, where he makes the case that connection is a skill worth practicing.


Connect with Evan

partycoach.me


Heylo

www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Welcoming, Structure, and the Party Within


On this week's How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst talk about a volunteer potluck party and brainstorming “National Welcome Week.” There's a recap on current work expanding partnerships and planning upcoming events. This week's feature interview is with Evan Cudworth, the world’s first “party coach,” who describes early connection through communal building, finding collective effervescence in raves, and defining a party as a temporary vibe shift with others. He outlines his “Party Within” process (detox, identity release, a 21-day wellness bender, tribe-building, hosting, and learning to receive) and offers tactics for inclusive events: roles, activity stations, clear structure, and guided dance instruction for a conference dance party.


00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:12 Volunteer Party Recap

17:50 Introducing Evan, the World's First Party Coach

18:13 Evan's Early Experiences with Connection

21:45 Defining Party: The Temporary Vibe Shift

32:03 Creating Structure at Parties

40:48 The Party Within: Evan's 7-Stage Framework

44:35 Designing a Dance Party at a Conference

51:43 Reflection

54:42 Takeaways and the Bat Signal App



---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Evan Cudworth, Party Coach

Evan Cudworth is the world's first Party Coach, a Chicago-raised, Los Angeles-based coach and community builder helping people rebuild their social lives without numbing out or chasing nostalgia. After 15 years in the music, festival, and nightlife scenes, he pivoted to full-time coaching in 2020 and built The Party Within, a 7-stage method blending intention-setting, dopamine resets, and tools for authentic connection. He draws on eight years coaching elite college and MBA applicants, plus thousands of hours leading workshops and retreats. Evan founded KNOWFUN, a digital community mixing party culture and wellness, and his work has been featured in GQ, the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post, where he makes the case that connection is a skill worth practicing.


Connect with Evan

partycoach.me


Heylo

www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Rolling with Intent: Brandon DesJarlais, Co-Founder, Vibe Ride Rolling with Intent: Brandon DesJarlais, Co-Founder, Vibe Ride Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:05:38 GMT 51:00 69e802c2abe143da5b74f977 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69e802c2abe143da5b74f977 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf rolling-with-intent-brandon-desjarlais-co-founder-vibe-ride Longboarding, Ritual, and Surprise as a Model full 1 20 More members isn’t always better


Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst open How We Connected by reflecting on building community with the right goals, the importance of fun and resonance over sheer scale, and recent experiments in connection. This week’s interview is with Brandon DesJarlais, a world-renowned longboarder, based in Los Angeles and co-founder of Vibe Ride. He shares how a middle-school incident led him to leave a destructive friend group and how longboarding helped him face his fears. During COVID, DesJarlais shifted from competitive riding to teaching online tutorials and hosting free clinics that grew into a community of 700 active members. He describes Vibe Ride’s mission, leadership model, rituals, intentions, icebreakers, and “surprise and delight” rolling dance-party rides. A key insight? He argues that more members isn’t always better. Enjoy!


00:00 Introduction

14:22 Brandon DesJarlais: Early Life and Masking Authenticity

16:12 The Turning Point: Friends, Family and Diverging Paths

19:21 Wrestling, Skating and Facing Fears

24:33 Viral Tutorials and the Birth of Vibe Ride

27:42 What a Vibe Ride Looks Like 

37:43 Sustainability, Identity and Vision for the Future

47:49 Reflections


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Brandon DesJarlais, Co-Founder, Vibe Ride

Brandon is a professional longboarder, coach, and community builder based in Venice Beach. He has competed across disciplines from downhill racing to longboard dancing, skated in 26 countries, and once stunt-doubled for Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. In 2021 he founded Beyond the Board, a Los Angeles 501(c)(3) using skateboarding to build confidence and connection. Its flagship program, Vibe Ride, is the weekly sunset group ride he co-founded in Santa Monica and Venice Beach that now counts 700 active members and has been profiled by the LA Times. Brandon teaches community-building through his 4C's Framework.


Vibe Ride

www.heylo.com/blog/brandon-desjarlais-and-vibe-ride-la


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> More members isn’t always better


Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst open How We Connected by reflecting on building community with the right goals, the importance of fun and resonance over sheer scale, and recent experiments in connection. This week’s interview is with Brandon DesJarlais, a world-renowned longboarder, based in Los Angeles and co-founder of Vibe Ride. He shares how a middle-school incident led him to leave a destructive friend group and how longboarding helped him face his fears. During COVID, DesJarlais shifted from competitive riding to teaching online tutorials and hosting free clinics that grew into a community of 700 active members. He describes Vibe Ride’s mission, leadership model, rituals, intentions, icebreakers, and “surprise and delight” rolling dance-party rides. A key insight? He argues that more members isn’t always better. Enjoy!


00:00 Introduction

14:22 Brandon DesJarlais: Early Life and Masking Authenticity

16:12 The Turning Point: Friends, Family and Diverging Paths

19:21 Wrestling, Skating and Facing Fears

24:33 Viral Tutorials and the Birth of Vibe Ride

27:42 What a Vibe Ride Looks Like 

37:43 Sustainability, Identity and Vision for the Future

47:49 Reflections


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Brandon DesJarlais, Co-Founder, Vibe Ride

Brandon is a professional longboarder, coach, and community builder based in Venice Beach. He has competed across disciplines from downhill racing to longboard dancing, skated in 26 countries, and once stunt-doubled for Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. In 2021 he founded Beyond the Board, a Los Angeles 501(c)(3) using skateboarding to build confidence and connection. Its flagship program, Vibe Ride, is the weekly sunset group ride he co-founded in Santa Monica and Venice Beach that now counts 700 active members and has been profiled by the LA Times. Brandon teaches community-building through his 4C's Framework.


Vibe Ride

www.heylo.com/blog/brandon-desjarlais-and-vibe-ride-la


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Power of Laughter: Yao Huang, Founder, Wonder Women Power of Laughter: Yao Huang, Founder, Wonder Women Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:47:31 GMT 44:33 69dbd603fdeddc4b122cc911 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69dbd603fdeddc4b122cc911 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf power-of-laughter-yao-huang-founder-wonder-women Wonder Women and the Power of Fun in Building Connection full 1 19 On this week's How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst discuss some recent connection experiments: Aaron hosted mostly male friends to watch Michigan win a basketball championship, while Charlotte attended a Seattle Community Builders Dinner where participants did simple drawing and collage activities about ideal “third places.”


The interview this week is with Yao Huang, founder of Wonder Women, a largely invitation-based “whisper network” that began as casual women’s dinners and has grown over 20 years to about 20,000 women leaders across 30 cities. Yao emphasizes humor, curated guest lists, repeatable hosting scripts, and women-only spaces to create trust, friendship, and mutual support.


00:00 Intro and Check-In

01:54 What's Been on Our Minds

13:00 Meet Yao

13:30 Yao's Origin Story

14:10 Standup Comedy and Finding the Real Yao

14:55 Wonder Women: How It Started

21:26 The Formula: Curating Connection

25:49 Community Ripple Effects and The Vouch Network

34:00 Secret Sauce: Extroverts, Energy and Fun

40:27 Reflections



---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org



Yao Huang, Founder, Wonder Women

Yao is the founder of Wonder Women, an invitation-only global community that has grown over nearly two decades from a handful of friends gathering for dinner in New York into a whisper network spanning roughly 30 cities and 20,000 women across three continents. She is also the founder and managing partner of The Hatchery, one of the organizations most responsible for building New York's tech ecosystem, where she has helped hundreds of early-stage companies with product, revenue, and fundraising, and co-founded Division One Capital, a fund expanding access to capital for women and minority-owned small businesses. Her winding path through healthcare, tech, finance, and climate included a memorable detour into stand-up comedy at clubs like Carolines and B.B. King's, an experience she credits with pulling out the goofy, funny version of herself that her corporate days had been hiding. Recognized by Forbes as one of the women at the center of New York's digital scene and by TechWeek among the 100 most influential people in tech, Yao is above all a student of human behavior who has figured out how to make a room full of strangers feel like old friends by the end of the night.


Wonder Women

wonderwomen.hatchery.vc


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> On this week's How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst discuss some recent connection experiments: Aaron hosted mostly male friends to watch Michigan win a basketball championship, while Charlotte attended a Seattle Community Builders Dinner where participants did simple drawing and collage activities about ideal “third places.”


The interview this week is with Yao Huang, founder of Wonder Women, a largely invitation-based “whisper network” that began as casual women’s dinners and has grown over 20 years to about 20,000 women leaders across 30 cities. Yao emphasizes humor, curated guest lists, repeatable hosting scripts, and women-only spaces to create trust, friendship, and mutual support.


00:00 Intro and Check-In

01:54 What's Been on Our Minds

13:00 Meet Yao

13:30 Yao's Origin Story

14:10 Standup Comedy and Finding the Real Yao

14:55 Wonder Women: How It Started

21:26 The Formula: Curating Connection

25:49 Community Ripple Effects and The Vouch Network

34:00 Secret Sauce: Extroverts, Energy and Fun

40:27 Reflections



---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org



Yao Huang, Founder, Wonder Women

Yao is the founder of Wonder Women, an invitation-only global community that has grown over nearly two decades from a handful of friends gathering for dinner in New York into a whisper network spanning roughly 30 cities and 20,000 women across three continents. She is also the founder and managing partner of The Hatchery, one of the organizations most responsible for building New York's tech ecosystem, where she has helped hundreds of early-stage companies with product, revenue, and fundraising, and co-founded Division One Capital, a fund expanding access to capital for women and minority-owned small businesses. Her winding path through healthcare, tech, finance, and climate included a memorable detour into stand-up comedy at clubs like Carolines and B.B. King's, an experience she credits with pulling out the goofy, funny version of herself that her corporate days had been hiding. Recognized by Forbes as one of the women at the center of New York's digital scene and by TechWeek among the 100 most influential people in tech, Yao is above all a student of human behavior who has figured out how to make a room full of strangers feel like old friends by the end of the night.


Wonder Women

wonderwomen.hatchery.vc


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Connection Catalyst: Hansen Hunt on Leading with Invitation, Founder, B-Side Racing Team The Connection Catalyst: Hansen Hunt on Leading with Invitation, Founder, B-Side Racing Team Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:34:51 GMT 50:55 69d428b3d2e95f513164235d false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69d428b3d2e95f513164235d 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf the-connection-catalyst-hansen-hunt-on-leading-with-invitati On Building Communities That Build You Back full 1 18 Hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst open How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection with weekend updates - gardening, a Seattle Women’s Network gala, and Aaron’s son playing a high-school “assassin” water-gun game. At the Chamber there’s events planning, a branding refresh, and the Connected Cities Summit partnerships. 


The featured interview this week is with Hanson Hunt, co-founder of the new San Diego chapter, who describes building communities from his marketing career while feeling personally lonely before sobriety. He points to the power of personal invitations into shared challenges such as marathon training and his various groups - the Bayside Racing Team, a neighborhood “hood hang,” and the 1,300-person global Connection Crew.


00:00 Introduction and Weekend Check-In

05:20 Assassin Game & Senior Spring

13:23 Introducing Hansen Hunt

14:34 Hansen's Origin Story

17:19 Sobriety and Finding His Tribe

22:13 The Communities Hansen Runs

35:21 The Art of Invitation

42:22 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Hansen Hunt, Co-Founder, San Diego Chamber of Connection; Founder and Team Captain B-Side Racing Team

Hansen is a born-and-raised San Diegan whose career in marketing and community organizing has always centered on one thing: bringing people together. In 2019 he joined the San Diego Track Club to train for his first marathon, found his running family, and never looked back, eventually founding the B-Side Racing Team, an all-ages, all-paces crew open to everyone. That same conviction led him to co-found the San Diego Chamber of Connection, bringing the movement for human connection to his hometown.


B-Side Racing Team

www.instagram.com/bsideracingteam/


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst open How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection with weekend updates - gardening, a Seattle Women’s Network gala, and Aaron’s son playing a high-school “assassin” water-gun game. At the Chamber there’s events planning, a branding refresh, and the Connected Cities Summit partnerships. 


The featured interview this week is with Hanson Hunt, co-founder of the new San Diego chapter, who describes building communities from his marketing career while feeling personally lonely before sobriety. He points to the power of personal invitations into shared challenges such as marathon training and his various groups - the Bayside Racing Team, a neighborhood “hood hang,” and the 1,300-person global Connection Crew.


00:00 Introduction and Weekend Check-In

05:20 Assassin Game & Senior Spring

13:23 Introducing Hansen Hunt

14:34 Hansen's Origin Story

17:19 Sobriety and Finding His Tribe

22:13 The Communities Hansen Runs

35:21 The Art of Invitation

42:22 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Hansen Hunt, Co-Founder, San Diego Chamber of Connection; Founder and Team Captain B-Side Racing Team

Hansen is a born-and-raised San Diegan whose career in marketing and community organizing has always centered on one thing: bringing people together. In 2019 he joined the San Diego Track Club to train for his first marathon, found his running family, and never looked back, eventually founding the B-Side Racing Team, an all-ages, all-paces crew open to everyone. That same conviction led him to co-found the San Diego Chamber of Connection, bringing the movement for human connection to his hometown.


B-Side Racing Team

www.instagram.com/bsideracingteam/


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Building Bridges Through Music: Shaka Mitchell, Founder, Come Together Music Building Bridges Through Music: Shaka Mitchell, Founder, Come Together Music Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:08:19 GMT 55:44 69cb3d3d16bd65d0695e05c7 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69cb3d3d16bd65d0695e05c7 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf building-bridges-through-music-shaka-mitchell-founder-come-t Song Swap, Spontaneous Connection, and the Come Together Project full 1 17 Hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst introduce How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection. On the show this week: Aaron’s Seattle-to–San Francisco trip for Yankees games, a surprise reunion, and reflections on organizing local “connection” leaders into a collective “us” rather than isolated efforts. This week’s featured guest is Shaka Mitchell, based in Nashville, who leads the Come Together music project. He started a “song swap” during the pandemic, scaling it into the Come Together Music Project and podcast, using guided song prompts to deepen relationships and bridge polarization, with live sessions, audience participation, and plans to measure impact and train facilitators.


00:00 Intro and Welcome

01:57 Weekend Recaps

12:49 Chamber Updates

17:03 Meet Shaka Mitchell

17:42 From Connector Kid to Song Swap

22:38 Birth of Come Together Music

31:11 How It Works 

48:25 Vision

51:41 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Shaka Mitchell, Founder, Come Together Music

The Come Together Music Project, founded by Shaka Mitchell, is a unique initiative that uses music as a catalyst for storytelling, connection, and civil discourse. Each session pairs guests from differing backgrounds to share songs linked to personal experiences, providing an opportunity to build new relationships, deepen existing ones, and bridge divides. Shaka Mitchell is a Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, advocating nationally for K–12 school choice and educational equity


Come Together Podcast

podcasts.apple.com/sn/podcast/come-together-podcast/id1691123150


Come Together Music Project

www.cometogetherpodcast.com


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst introduce How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection. On the show this week: Aaron’s Seattle-to–San Francisco trip for Yankees games, a surprise reunion, and reflections on organizing local “connection” leaders into a collective “us” rather than isolated efforts. This week’s featured guest is Shaka Mitchell, based in Nashville, who leads the Come Together music project. He started a “song swap” during the pandemic, scaling it into the Come Together Music Project and podcast, using guided song prompts to deepen relationships and bridge polarization, with live sessions, audience participation, and plans to measure impact and train facilitators.


00:00 Intro and Welcome

01:57 Weekend Recaps

12:49 Chamber Updates

17:03 Meet Shaka Mitchell

17:42 From Connector Kid to Song Swap

22:38 Birth of Come Together Music

31:11 How It Works 

48:25 Vision

51:41 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Shaka Mitchell, Founder, Come Together Music

The Come Together Music Project, founded by Shaka Mitchell, is a unique initiative that uses music as a catalyst for storytelling, connection, and civil discourse. Each session pairs guests from differing backgrounds to share songs linked to personal experiences, providing an opportunity to build new relationships, deepen existing ones, and bridge divides. Shaka Mitchell is a Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, advocating nationally for K–12 school choice and educational equity


Come Together Podcast

podcasts.apple.com/sn/podcast/come-together-podcast/id1691123150


Come Together Music Project

www.cometogetherpodcast.com


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Cultivating Joyful Resistance: Jennifer Yonda, Founder, Skate Hunnies Cultivating Joyful Resistance: Jennifer Yonda, Founder, Skate Hunnies Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:56:19 GMT 1:02:18 69c1cc33d832f1da93e33541 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69c1cc33d832f1da93e33541 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf cultivating-joyful-resistance-jennifer-yonda-founder-skate-h Best Day Ever in South Park and the Rise of LA Skate Hunnies full 1 16 Hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst debrief Seattle’s first “Best Day Ever” event in South Park, organized with Cultivate South Park and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. The neighborhood has a tight-knit, majority-Latino character and some unique challenges. Best Day Ever brought people together from across the community for a day of fun, chocolate tasting, pizza-making and a stilt-led walking tour. This week’s featured interview spotlights Jennifer Yonda, founder of LA Skate Hunnies, detailing its beginner-friendly, all-wheels skate community, pandemic-era growth, and the organising realities, including safety, permits, and liability.


00:00 Welcome and Introduction

04:35 Best Day in South Park

22:31 Introduction: Jennifer Yonda, Skate Hunnies LA

25:57 Early Roots in Community Building

29:24 Starting Skate Hunnies

32:09 The First Meetup and Fear of Failure

36:09 Growth: From 4 People to 100s

47:38 Permits, Insurance and the Unglamorous Side

50:27 Going Full-Time with Skate Hunnies

52:38 Upcoming Events

55:43 Community Impact

56:41 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


LA Skate Hunnies

laskatehunnies.com


Jennifer Yorda, Founder, LA Skate Hunnies

Jennifer is the founder of LA Skate Hunnies, the largest roller and inline skating community in Los Angeles. Originally from upstate New York, she moved to LA chasing year-round outdoor life - and discovered she could skate nearly 300 days a year. After finding the city's existing skate scene too advanced for beginners, she hosted her first meetup in July 2020 with four people on the boardwalk. By spring 2021, weekly attendance had exploded to over 100. Today, Skate Hunnies hosts its signature Thursday Night Skate in rotating LA neighborhoods alongside pop-up events, skate lessons, and retreats - all wheels welcome.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst debrief Seattle’s first “Best Day Ever” event in South Park, organized with Cultivate South Park and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. The neighborhood has a tight-knit, majority-Latino character and some unique challenges. Best Day Ever brought people together from across the community for a day of fun, chocolate tasting, pizza-making and a stilt-led walking tour. This week’s featured interview spotlights Jennifer Yonda, founder of LA Skate Hunnies, detailing its beginner-friendly, all-wheels skate community, pandemic-era growth, and the organising realities, including safety, permits, and liability.


00:00 Welcome and Introduction

04:35 Best Day in South Park

22:31 Introduction: Jennifer Yonda, Skate Hunnies LA

25:57 Early Roots in Community Building

29:24 Starting Skate Hunnies

32:09 The First Meetup and Fear of Failure

36:09 Growth: From 4 People to 100s

47:38 Permits, Insurance and the Unglamorous Side

50:27 Going Full-Time with Skate Hunnies

52:38 Upcoming Events

55:43 Community Impact

56:41 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


LA Skate Hunnies

laskatehunnies.com


Jennifer Yorda, Founder, LA Skate Hunnies

Jennifer is the founder of LA Skate Hunnies, the largest roller and inline skating community in Los Angeles. Originally from upstate New York, she moved to LA chasing year-round outdoor life - and discovered she could skate nearly 300 days a year. After finding the city's existing skate scene too advanced for beginners, she hosted her first meetup in July 2020 with four people on the boardwalk. By spring 2021, weekly attendance had exploded to over 100. Today, Skate Hunnies hosts its signature Thursday Night Skate in rotating LA neighborhoods alongside pop-up events, skate lessons, and retreats - all wheels welcome.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Reigniting Civic Pride: Brian Robinson, Founder, Save Our Sonics/Seattle NBA Fans Reigniting Civic Pride: Brian Robinson, Founder, Save Our Sonics/Seattle NBA Fans Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:05:15 GMT 46:14 69b8c1071b5a7dfbdf7f84f9 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69b8c1071b5a7dfbdf7f84f9 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf reigniting-civic-pride-brian-robinson-founder-save-our-sonic Building Seattle Community Through the Return of the Sonics full 1 15 On this week’s How We Connected, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey reflect on what’s going on at the US Chamber of Connection. There’s a pi(e)-themed, math-costume birthday gathering and a Seattle potluck for Thomas J. Watson Fellowship alumni. On the horizon, a health and wellbeing welcome night and a “Best Day Ever” neighborhood field trip. This week’s featured guest is Brian Robinson, who talks about 25 years organizing to keep and then bring back the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics.


00:00 Welcome to How We Connected

01:48 Weekend Stories

07:53 AI, Future of Work and Chamber Plans

17:55 Introducing: Brian Robinson, Save Our Sonics

18:22 Origin Story

23:31 Building the Community

32:52 What Success Looks Like

40:38 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Brian Robinson, Founder, Save Our Sonics

Brian is a lifelong Seattle resident and co-founder of Save Our Sonics, the grassroots nonprofit he launched in 2006 after Oklahoma investors purchased the SuperSonics – fighting to keep the team in the city and, when that failed, to bring it back. When the Sonics moved in 2008, Robinson didn't stop. He co-founded ArenaSolution.org, served as associate producer of the Webby Award-winning documentary "Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team," and executive produced the Iconic Sonics Podcast with former head coach George Karl. Today he leads Seattle NBA Fans, a grassroots coalition building community support for what he believes is an inevitable NBA return to Seattle.


Seattle NBA Fans

seattlenbafans.com


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> On this week’s How We Connected, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey reflect on what’s going on at the US Chamber of Connection. There’s a pi(e)-themed, math-costume birthday gathering and a Seattle potluck for Thomas J. Watson Fellowship alumni. On the horizon, a health and wellbeing welcome night and a “Best Day Ever” neighborhood field trip. This week’s featured guest is Brian Robinson, who talks about 25 years organizing to keep and then bring back the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics.


00:00 Welcome to How We Connected

01:48 Weekend Stories

07:53 AI, Future of Work and Chamber Plans

17:55 Introducing: Brian Robinson, Save Our Sonics

18:22 Origin Story

23:31 Building the Community

32:52 What Success Looks Like

40:38 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Brian Robinson, Founder, Save Our Sonics

Brian is a lifelong Seattle resident and co-founder of Save Our Sonics, the grassroots nonprofit he launched in 2006 after Oklahoma investors purchased the SuperSonics – fighting to keep the team in the city and, when that failed, to bring it back. When the Sonics moved in 2008, Robinson didn't stop. He co-founded ArenaSolution.org, served as associate producer of the Webby Award-winning documentary "Sonicsgate: Requiem for a Team," and executive produced the Iconic Sonics Podcast with former head coach George Karl. Today he leads Seattle NBA Fans, a grassroots coalition building community support for what he believes is an inevitable NBA return to Seattle.


Seattle NBA Fans

seattlenbafans.com


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Decentered Studio: Liz Cahill, Co-Founder, Decentered Arts, Returns! The Decentered Studio: Liz Cahill, Co-Founder, Decentered Arts, Returns! Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:12:41 GMT 43:30 69af4bbe765824af474783ba false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69af4bbe765824af474783ba 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf decentered-studio-liz-cahill-co-founder-decentered-arts-part Building a Community Space in San Francisco full 1 14 On this week's How We Connected, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey catch up after Seattle’s successful club fair at the National Nordic Museum and there’s an update on the “Best Day Ever” event. Aaron has spent the week at spring training in Florida, while contemplating rebranding bars as “social clubs” to reset social norms. The featured interview this week is the return of Liz Cahill of Decentered Arts in San Francisco. Aaron and Liz talk about launching Decentered Studio, a 1,700-square-foot, plant-filled, modular community space that opened in September 2025.


00:00 Introduction and Chamber Updates

14:06 Decentralized Arts: The Space

17:21 The Crisis: Losing Four Venues

21:54 Creating a Physical Space

25:26 Building Community Through Consistency

28:19 Tools for Growth

32:26 Future Vision: The Mycelium Network

37:33 Closing Thoughts


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Decentered Arts

decentered.org


Liz Cahill, Co-Founder, Decentered Arts

Liz Cahill is a poet, producer, artist and curator based in the Mission, San Francisco. Her writing explores the impacts of late stage capitalism, income inequality and waste, while trying to find beauty in the garbage age. She’s the co-founder of Decentered Arts, a non-profit building community through art of all mediums and the Piles Collective. Her first book Garbage Age lady is fourthcoming on Decentered Press.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> On this week's How We Connected, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey catch up after Seattle’s successful club fair at the National Nordic Museum and there’s an update on the “Best Day Ever” event. Aaron has spent the week at spring training in Florida, while contemplating rebranding bars as “social clubs” to reset social norms. The featured interview this week is the return of Liz Cahill of Decentered Arts in San Francisco. Aaron and Liz talk about launching Decentered Studio, a 1,700-square-foot, plant-filled, modular community space that opened in September 2025.


00:00 Introduction and Chamber Updates

14:06 Decentralized Arts: The Space

17:21 The Crisis: Losing Four Venues

21:54 Creating a Physical Space

25:26 Building Community Through Consistency

28:19 Tools for Growth

32:26 Future Vision: The Mycelium Network

37:33 Closing Thoughts


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Decentered Arts

decentered.org


Liz Cahill, Co-Founder, Decentered Arts

Liz Cahill is a poet, producer, artist and curator based in the Mission, San Francisco. Her writing explores the impacts of late stage capitalism, income inequality and waste, while trying to find beauty in the garbage age. She’s the co-founder of Decentered Arts, a non-profit building community through art of all mediums and the Piles Collective. Her first book Garbage Age lady is fourthcoming on Decentered Press.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Community Rewards: Eric Leslie, Founder, Union Capital Community Rewards: Eric Leslie, Founder, Union Capital Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:20:06 GMT 49:02 69a5e54229b4068917b734cc false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69a5e54229b4068917b734cc 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf community-rewards-eric-leslie-founder-union-capital Union Capital’s Rewards for Civic Participation full 1 13 This week on How We Connected hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst reflect on Charlotte's reality-TV-competition-themed 30th birthday weekend: structured games, fondue dinner toasts, and life advice at midnight. Over at the U.S Chamber of Connection, they prepare for this week’s Seattle club fair at the Nordic Museum, the upcoming neighborhood “Best Day Ever” event in South Park, and a webinars on Main Streets and community service with Workday. The interview this week features Eric Leslie, Founder of Union Capital in Boston, who has built a relationship-driven “loyalty program” that rewards unpaid community participation with points and gift cards, hosts network nights with meals and childcare, and tracks outcomes like employment, voting, and credit-score awareness. It raises broader questions about money’s role in social connection.


00:00 Introduction

01:45 Charlotte's 30th Birthday Party

10:59 Chamber of Connection Updates

17:00 Interview: Eric Leslie from Union Capital

17:39 Eric's Origin Story

21:06 How Union Capital Works

25:22 Member Journey

33:02 Points System and What Counts

37:00 Measuring Impact and Success

42:09 Sustainable Models for Connection

47:16 Closing Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Union Capital

unioncapital.org


Eric Leslie, Founder, Union Capital

Eric is the Founder and Lead Organizer of Union Capital, a nonprofit he launched in 2014 to transform social capital into opportunity by rewarding community engagement. Eric began his career as a community organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation before joining Teach For America and teaching in North Philadelphia. He went on to serve as principal of KIPP Philadelphia Charter School from 2008 to 2012, then returned home to earn his MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Under his leadership, Union Capital has grown to serve thousands of members across Boston and Springfield, awarding over $1.8 million in rewards for community involvement and hosting more than 120 Network Nights annually.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> This week on How We Connected hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst reflect on Charlotte's reality-TV-competition-themed 30th birthday weekend: structured games, fondue dinner toasts, and life advice at midnight. Over at the U.S Chamber of Connection, they prepare for this week’s Seattle club fair at the Nordic Museum, the upcoming neighborhood “Best Day Ever” event in South Park, and a webinars on Main Streets and community service with Workday. The interview this week features Eric Leslie, Founder of Union Capital in Boston, who has built a relationship-driven “loyalty program” that rewards unpaid community participation with points and gift cards, hosts network nights with meals and childcare, and tracks outcomes like employment, voting, and credit-score awareness. It raises broader questions about money’s role in social connection.


00:00 Introduction

01:45 Charlotte's 30th Birthday Party

10:59 Chamber of Connection Updates

17:00 Interview: Eric Leslie from Union Capital

17:39 Eric's Origin Story

21:06 How Union Capital Works

25:22 Member Journey

33:02 Points System and What Counts

37:00 Measuring Impact and Success

42:09 Sustainable Models for Connection

47:16 Closing Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Union Capital

unioncapital.org


Eric Leslie, Founder, Union Capital

Eric is the Founder and Lead Organizer of Union Capital, a nonprofit he launched in 2014 to transform social capital into opportunity by rewarding community engagement. Eric began his career as a community organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation before joining Teach For America and teaching in North Philadelphia. He went on to serve as principal of KIPP Philadelphia Charter School from 2008 to 2012, then returned home to earn his MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Under his leadership, Union Capital has grown to serve thousands of members across Boston and Springfield, awarding over $1.8 million in rewards for community involvement and hosting more than 120 Network Nights annually.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> No Philosophers Required: Ren Yu, Co-Founder, New York Philosophy Club No Philosophers Required: Ren Yu, Co-Founder, New York Philosophy Club Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:19:29 GMT 49:14 699d3bbd3a5156c5d2dcd6f2 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 699d3bbd3a5156c5d2dcd6f2 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf no-philosophers-required-ren-yu-co-founder-new-york-philosop How a simple format turned strangers into a 6,000-person community full 1 12 In this episode of How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst catch up on their weekends - Charlotte's elaborate reality-TV-themed 30th birthday party planning and Aaron's dinner debate about whether vampires are cannibals. Aaron shares updates on the upcoming Connected Cities Summit in Seattle, including plans for a "Declaration of Interdependence.” They welcome guest Ren Yu, co-founder of the New York Philosophy Club, who shares how he went from being an only child to building a community of over 6,000 members in New York City.


Ren describes how the club works: attendees receive a sheet of questions exploring a single word - topics like suffering, longing, or death - and discuss in small groups of four or five, rotating through three 30-minute sections before heading to a jazz bar or park for informal after-party. He talks about keeping moderation light, costs low, and the format intentionally accessible - no philosophy degree required. Ren shares the club's vision for expanding to other cities, piloting in high schools, and potentially adapting the model for other settings, while preserving the quality and magic of the experience.


00:00 Introduction

02:29 Birthday Plans and Sexy Vampires

12:51 Connected Cities Summit

18:36 Interview: Ren Yu of NY Philosophy Club

24:30 What is Philosophy Club?

31:40 Growing to 6,000+ Members

33:40 Future Expansion

41:49 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


New York Philosophy Club

https://philosophy.club/


Ren Yu, Co-Founder, New York Philosophy Club

Ren is a co-founder of the New York Philosophy Club, a free public gathering where strangers discuss a single word, ike suffering, longing, or beauty, in small groups across three rotating rounds. Featured by Vogue as one of New York's hottest gatherings, the club has grown to over 6,000 subscribers and hosts hundreds of guests each week across multiple neighborhoods. Ren finished high school early, attended Brandeis at 16 on a merit scholarship, and later transferred to NYU, where he balanced studies with a career in finance. What started as informal discussions in his apartment merged with two other small salons to become one of the city's most in-demand community experiences. The club is now expanding to other cities and piloting in high schools.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst catch up on their weekends - Charlotte's elaborate reality-TV-themed 30th birthday party planning and Aaron's dinner debate about whether vampires are cannibals. Aaron shares updates on the upcoming Connected Cities Summit in Seattle, including plans for a "Declaration of Interdependence.” They welcome guest Ren Yu, co-founder of the New York Philosophy Club, who shares how he went from being an only child to building a community of over 6,000 members in New York City.


Ren describes how the club works: attendees receive a sheet of questions exploring a single word - topics like suffering, longing, or death - and discuss in small groups of four or five, rotating through three 30-minute sections before heading to a jazz bar or park for informal after-party. He talks about keeping moderation light, costs low, and the format intentionally accessible - no philosophy degree required. Ren shares the club's vision for expanding to other cities, piloting in high schools, and potentially adapting the model for other settings, while preserving the quality and magic of the experience.


00:00 Introduction

02:29 Birthday Plans and Sexy Vampires

12:51 Connected Cities Summit

18:36 Interview: Ren Yu of NY Philosophy Club

24:30 What is Philosophy Club?

31:40 Growing to 6,000+ Members

33:40 Future Expansion

41:49 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


New York Philosophy Club

https://philosophy.club/


Ren Yu, Co-Founder, New York Philosophy Club

Ren is a co-founder of the New York Philosophy Club, a free public gathering where strangers discuss a single word, ike suffering, longing, or beauty, in small groups across three rotating rounds. Featured by Vogue as one of New York's hottest gatherings, the club has grown to over 6,000 subscribers and hosts hundreds of guests each week across multiple neighborhoods. Ren finished high school early, attended Brandeis at 16 on a merit scholarship, and later transferred to NYU, where he balanced studies with a career in finance. What started as informal discussions in his apartment merged with two other small salons to become one of the city's most in-demand community experiences. The club is now expanding to other cities and piloting in high schools.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Crafting Community Spaces: Haley Ingersoll, Founder, Pittsburgh Social Health Crafting Community Spaces: Haley Ingersoll, Founder, Pittsburgh Social Health Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:45:36 GMT 47:26 6993bd09b1ca974bbcecdb1e false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 6993bd09b1ca974bbcecdb1e 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf crafting-community-spaces-haley-ingersoll-founder-pittsburgh From Transplant Meetups to a 400-Person Connection Expo full 1 11 In this episode of How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst discuss what’s happening at the Chamber. They welcome guest Haley, a community builder in Pittsburgh, who shares her background growing up in a small town, studying sociology and psychology, and moving to Pittsburgh during the pandemic. Dog walking helped her explore the city and meet people, leading her to start a transplant meetup that grew from 14 attendees to a much larger community. She describes how her work evolved into Pittsburgh Social Health, focused on third spaces, offline meetups, and interactive programming.


Haley talks about her upcoming “Connection Expo,” a college-style club fair for adults on Pittsburgh’s South Side, featuring 80 organizations and roughly 400 RSVPs - and the challenges in sustaining community work, including time demands on volunteer leaders, keeping events accessible and low-cost, using partnerships with local business. She shares how she measures success through participant sentiment, feelings of safety and belonging, and actionable next steps.


00:00 Introduction

01:30 Weekend Catch-Up

09:11 Conference Strategy

18:54 Introducing Haley Ingersoll

20:09 Growing Up in a Small Town

21:36 Moving to Pittsburgh During the Pandemic

23:53 From 14 People to 400: Growth Story

25:14 The Connection Expo

29:20 Building Community Between Events

36:01 Economics and Sustainability

41:34 Reflection and Takeaways

46:44 Closing Thoughts


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Pittsburg Social Health

www.instagram.com/pghsocialhealth


Haley Ingersol, Founder, Pittsburg Social Health

Haley Ingersol is the founder of Pittsburgh Social Health, a grassroots initiative dedicated to helping people build meaningful connections in the city. With a background in social work and experience spanning human services, academia, government, start-ups, and hospitality, she brings a cross-sector lens to community building. Haley believes social connectedness is essential to overall well-being. Through social and sightseeing meetups, she creates welcoming spaces for new and returning residents to find belonging. Her work centers on equity, comprehensive wellness, and reducing social isolation. Above all, she is committed to shaping a more connected social future.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst discuss what’s happening at the Chamber. They welcome guest Haley, a community builder in Pittsburgh, who shares her background growing up in a small town, studying sociology and psychology, and moving to Pittsburgh during the pandemic. Dog walking helped her explore the city and meet people, leading her to start a transplant meetup that grew from 14 attendees to a much larger community. She describes how her work evolved into Pittsburgh Social Health, focused on third spaces, offline meetups, and interactive programming.


Haley talks about her upcoming “Connection Expo,” a college-style club fair for adults on Pittsburgh’s South Side, featuring 80 organizations and roughly 400 RSVPs - and the challenges in sustaining community work, including time demands on volunteer leaders, keeping events accessible and low-cost, using partnerships with local business. She shares how she measures success through participant sentiment, feelings of safety and belonging, and actionable next steps.


00:00 Introduction

01:30 Weekend Catch-Up

09:11 Conference Strategy

18:54 Introducing Haley Ingersoll

20:09 Growing Up in a Small Town

21:36 Moving to Pittsburgh During the Pandemic

23:53 From 14 People to 400: Growth Story

25:14 The Connection Expo

29:20 Building Community Between Events

36:01 Economics and Sustainability

41:34 Reflection and Takeaways

46:44 Closing Thoughts


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Pittsburg Social Health

www.instagram.com/pghsocialhealth


Haley Ingersol, Founder, Pittsburg Social Health

Haley Ingersol is the founder of Pittsburgh Social Health, a grassroots initiative dedicated to helping people build meaningful connections in the city. With a background in social work and experience spanning human services, academia, government, start-ups, and hospitality, she brings a cross-sector lens to community building. Haley believes social connectedness is essential to overall well-being. Through social and sightseeing meetups, she creates welcoming spaces for new and returning residents to find belonging. Her work centers on equity, comprehensive wellness, and reducing social isolation. Above all, she is committed to shaping a more connected social future.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Connections Beyond Borders: Darilys Matos Acevedo, Founder, Raices Latinas/Friends Beyond Boston Connections Beyond Borders: Darilys Matos Acevedo, Founder, Raices Latinas/Friends Beyond Boston Wed, 11 Feb 2026 01:23:45 GMT 45:25 698baeab0581faffc77b0bca false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 698baeab0581faffc77b0bca 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf connections-beyond-borders-darilys-matos-acevedo-founder-rai Building Connections: From Boston to Puerto Rico full 1 10 In this episode of How We Connected, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey discuss the importance of building connections and the role of repetition in forming strong friendships. They welcome guest Darilys, a community builder who shares her experiences and challenges in creating social groups in Boston. Darilys touches on the cultural differences between Puerto Rico and mainland U.S. and the impact of hostility towards immigrants on her Latino-focused group. She also discusses the strategies she employs to foster connections, including hosting coffee socials and leveraging technology platforms.


00:00 Introduction: The Mission

14:59 Welcome Darilys

16:10 Origin Story: Moving to Boston

20:48 Starting Friends Beyond Boston

23:20 Platform Changes & Moving to Heylo

27:03 Coffee Socials

30:49 Cultural Differences: Puerto Rico vs Boston

35:16 Advice for Community Builders

38:17 Reflection



---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Raices Latinas / Friends Beyond Boston

raiceslatinas.walthamsocial.com

walthamsocial.com


Darilys, Founder, Raices Latinas/Friends Beyond Boston

Darilys is the Founder of Raíces Latinas and Friends Beyond Boston. A Puerto Rican community leader based in Boston, she focuses on building belonging and cultural pride. Her work centers Latino voices while creating bridges across communities. Through events, storytelling, and partnerships, she strengthens civic connection and mutual support.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of How We Connected, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey discuss the importance of building connections and the role of repetition in forming strong friendships. They welcome guest Darilys, a community builder who shares her experiences and challenges in creating social groups in Boston. Darilys touches on the cultural differences between Puerto Rico and mainland U.S. and the impact of hostility towards immigrants on her Latino-focused group. She also discusses the strategies she employs to foster connections, including hosting coffee socials and leveraging technology platforms.


00:00 Introduction: The Mission

14:59 Welcome Darilys

16:10 Origin Story: Moving to Boston

20:48 Starting Friends Beyond Boston

23:20 Platform Changes & Moving to Heylo

27:03 Coffee Socials

30:49 Cultural Differences: Puerto Rico vs Boston

35:16 Advice for Community Builders

38:17 Reflection



---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Raices Latinas / Friends Beyond Boston

raiceslatinas.walthamsocial.com

walthamsocial.com


Darilys, Founder, Raices Latinas/Friends Beyond Boston

Darilys is the Founder of Raíces Latinas and Friends Beyond Boston. A Puerto Rican community leader based in Boston, she focuses on building belonging and cultural pride. Her work centers Latino voices while creating bridges across communities. Through events, storytelling, and partnerships, she strengthens civic connection and mutual support.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Creating Yummy Spaces: Liz Cahill, Decentered Arts Creating Yummy Spaces: Liz Cahill, Decentered Arts Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:05:48 GMT 32:28 69812c264b12c3dd7302b42b false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69812c264b12c3dd7302b42b 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf creating-yummy-spaces-liz-cahill-recentered-arts The Art of Community and Welcoming Spaces full 1 9 In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey talk about some unique celebrations and Charlotte's plans for her 30th birthday party. The main interview features an insightful conversation with Liz Cahill, a community builder in San Francisco, who shares her journey from feeling isolated in Philadelphia to creating vibrant, inclusive community spaces. Liz discusses her experience of hosting events in various settings, including her Mission live-work warehouse, and highlights the importance of creating 'yummy' spaces that foster connection and comfort. The discussion also touches on Liz's commitment to the Bay Area and her efforts to support the local community through Decentered Arts.


00:00 Introduction

00:23 Charlotte's 30th Birthday Party

01:00 Reality TV Weekend Plans

08:24 Interview with Liz Cahill

08:57 Liz's Early Years

09:54 College & Finding Community

11:54 Moving to San Francisco

15:21 Building Decentered Arts

18:30 The Uzi Gallery Warehouse

20:57 Creating Yummy Spaces

24:04 Commitment to the Bay Area

30:00 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Decentered Arts

decentered.org


Liz Cahill, Co-Founder, Decentered Arts

Liz Cahill is a poet, producer, artist and curator based in the Mission, San Francisco. Her writing explores the impacts of late stage capitalism, income inequality and waste, while trying to find beauty in the garbage age. She’s the co-founder of Decentered Arts, a non-profit building community through art of all mediums and the Piles Collective. Her first book Garbage Age lady is fourthcoming on Decentered Press.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey talk about some unique celebrations and Charlotte's plans for her 30th birthday party. The main interview features an insightful conversation with Liz Cahill, a community builder in San Francisco, who shares her journey from feeling isolated in Philadelphia to creating vibrant, inclusive community spaces. Liz discusses her experience of hosting events in various settings, including her Mission live-work warehouse, and highlights the importance of creating 'yummy' spaces that foster connection and comfort. The discussion also touches on Liz's commitment to the Bay Area and her efforts to support the local community through Decentered Arts.


00:00 Introduction

00:23 Charlotte's 30th Birthday Party

01:00 Reality TV Weekend Plans

08:24 Interview with Liz Cahill

08:57 Liz's Early Years

09:54 College & Finding Community

11:54 Moving to San Francisco

15:21 Building Decentered Arts

18:30 The Uzi Gallery Warehouse

20:57 Creating Yummy Spaces

24:04 Commitment to the Bay Area

30:00 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Decentered Arts

decentered.org


Liz Cahill, Co-Founder, Decentered Arts

Liz Cahill is a poet, producer, artist and curator based in the Mission, San Francisco. Her writing explores the impacts of late stage capitalism, income inequality and waste, while trying to find beauty in the garbage age. She’s the co-founder of Decentered Arts, a non-profit building community through art of all mediums and the Piles Collective. Her first book Garbage Age lady is fourthcoming on Decentered Press.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Keep on Running: Lionel Brodie, Founder, Original Propaganda Athletic Club Keep on Running: Lionel Brodie, Founder, Original Propaganda Athletic Club Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:09:42 GMT 50:36 697800e6689e1e8026398e2c false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 697800e6689e1e8026398e2c 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf keep-on-running-lionel-brodie-founder-original-propaganda-at How a Philly running club merges accessibility and financial sustainability full 1 8 In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey plan for birthdays, travel and the glamour of the Grammies - as well as the latest at the US Chamber of Connection. The episode features an engaging and entertaining conversation with Lionel Brodie, founder of Original Propaganda Athletic Club (OPAC) in Philadelphia. Lionel discusses his journey from founding a high school club to building a thriving running community and apparel brand. Highlighting the importance of inclusivity, collaboration, and balancing community-building with financial sustainability, Lionel shares valuable insights and anecdotes that are both inspiring and practical for aspiring community builders.


00:00 Introduction & Weekend Updates

09:58 Meet Lionel Brodie

11:16 Origin Story: The Varsity

13:51 Starting OPAC Running Club

19:55 Building Community & Membership Model

25:33 Economics & Sustainability

35:28 Accessibility & Inclusion

39:47 Advice for New Community Builders


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


O.P.A.C

www.opac.club


Lionel Brahim Brodie III, Founder, Original Propaganda Athletic Club

Lionel is the founder of OPAC, a Philadelphia-based running community he launched in 2012 after starting his first run crew at Villanova University, where he served as Director of Equipment for 24 NCAA varsity sports. What began as a way to get free sneakers has grown into one of Philly's most inclusive athletic communities, built on the philosophy of "all faces, all paces." Brodie also co-founded Original Propaganda, a private-label apparel line that merges athletic function with high fashion. Under his leadership, OPAC has partnered with Nike, Lululemon, and Hoka, and produces signature events including OPAC Relays, Philly United, and OPAC Expo. A West Philadelphia native, Brodie is known for delivering Olympic-level experiences to runners of all skill levels, from couch-to-5K beginners to Boston Qualifiers.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey plan for birthdays, travel and the glamour of the Grammies - as well as the latest at the US Chamber of Connection. The episode features an engaging and entertaining conversation with Lionel Brodie, founder of Original Propaganda Athletic Club (OPAC) in Philadelphia. Lionel discusses his journey from founding a high school club to building a thriving running community and apparel brand. Highlighting the importance of inclusivity, collaboration, and balancing community-building with financial sustainability, Lionel shares valuable insights and anecdotes that are both inspiring and practical for aspiring community builders.


00:00 Introduction & Weekend Updates

09:58 Meet Lionel Brodie

11:16 Origin Story: The Varsity

13:51 Starting OPAC Running Club

19:55 Building Community & Membership Model

25:33 Economics & Sustainability

35:28 Accessibility & Inclusion

39:47 Advice for New Community Builders


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


O.P.A.C

www.opac.club


Lionel Brahim Brodie III, Founder, Original Propaganda Athletic Club

Lionel is the founder of OPAC, a Philadelphia-based running community he launched in 2012 after starting his first run crew at Villanova University, where he served as Director of Equipment for 24 NCAA varsity sports. What began as a way to get free sneakers has grown into one of Philly's most inclusive athletic communities, built on the philosophy of "all faces, all paces." Brodie also co-founded Original Propaganda, a private-label apparel line that merges athletic function with high fashion. Under his leadership, OPAC has partnered with Nike, Lululemon, and Hoka, and produces signature events including OPAC Relays, Philly United, and OPAC Expo. A West Philadelphia native, Brodie is known for delivering Olympic-level experiences to runners of all skill levels, from couch-to-5K beginners to Boston Qualifiers.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Conversations in the Heat: Hannah Goldstein, Founder, Tuli Lodge Conversations in the Heat: Hannah Goldstein, Founder, Tuli Lodge Tue, 20 Jan 2026 17:04:53 GMT 48:34 696eb6292fd5784046312e7c false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 696eb6292fd5784046312e7c 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf conversations-in-the-heat-hannah-goldstein-founder-tuli-lodg full 1 7 Seattle's Sauna Community Third Space 


In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share their weekend highlights and dive into their mission at the US Chamber of Connection. Their guest this week is Hannah Goldstein, founder of Tuli Lodge, a social sauna experience in Seattle. Hannah discusses how a trip to Norway inspired her to create a community-focused sauna garden in the heart of Seattle - one that promotes wellness and connection. The conversation touches on the challenges of operating in Seattle, building a supportive environment for conversations, and future expansion plans. Aaron shares a personal confession about owning an unused sauna and the two hosts reflect on the broader significance of creating accessible third spaces.


00:00 What’s happening this week at the Chamber of Connection?

16:39 Hannah Goldstein, Tuli Lodge

17:44 What is Tuli Lodge?

19:47 Early Entrepreneurial Spirit

21:55 The Pants Debate

24:06 Norway Inspiration

26:05 Building Community Through Design

35:23 Collaborations & Events

39:06 Future Growth


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Tuli Lodge

www.tuli-lodge.com


Hannah Goldstein, Founder, Tuli Lodge

Hannah is the founder and CEO of Tuli Lodge, a social sauna experience on the Seattle waterfront that combines wood-fired saunas and cold plunges with a community-oriented atmosphere. She developed the concept after a 2023 trip to Norway where she encountered casual Nordic sauna culture and saw an opportunity to bring something similar to Seattle. Before launching Tuli Lodge, she worked in the tech industry, including a role at TikTok, before shifting her focus to wellness and community experiences. Tuli Lodge officially opened its winter season on Pier 62 in late 2025 and aims to create a space that feels like a neighborhood hangout rather than a luxury spa. Goldstein’s work centers on helping people unplug, reconnect with nature, and build social connections through shared wellness rituals.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Seattle's Sauna Community Third Space 


In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share their weekend highlights and dive into their mission at the US Chamber of Connection. Their guest this week is Hannah Goldstein, founder of Tuli Lodge, a social sauna experience in Seattle. Hannah discusses how a trip to Norway inspired her to create a community-focused sauna garden in the heart of Seattle - one that promotes wellness and connection. The conversation touches on the challenges of operating in Seattle, building a supportive environment for conversations, and future expansion plans. Aaron shares a personal confession about owning an unused sauna and the two hosts reflect on the broader significance of creating accessible third spaces.


00:00 What’s happening this week at the Chamber of Connection?

16:39 Hannah Goldstein, Tuli Lodge

17:44 What is Tuli Lodge?

19:47 Early Entrepreneurial Spirit

21:55 The Pants Debate

24:06 Norway Inspiration

26:05 Building Community Through Design

35:23 Collaborations & Events

39:06 Future Growth


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Tuli Lodge

www.tuli-lodge.com


Hannah Goldstein, Founder, Tuli Lodge

Hannah is the founder and CEO of Tuli Lodge, a social sauna experience on the Seattle waterfront that combines wood-fired saunas and cold plunges with a community-oriented atmosphere. She developed the concept after a 2023 trip to Norway where she encountered casual Nordic sauna culture and saw an opportunity to bring something similar to Seattle. Before launching Tuli Lodge, she worked in the tech industry, including a role at TikTok, before shifting her focus to wellness and community experiences. Tuli Lodge officially opened its winter season on Pier 62 in late 2025 and aims to create a space that feels like a neighborhood hangout rather than a luxury spa. Goldstein’s work centers on helping people unplug, reconnect with nature, and build social connections through shared wellness rituals.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Trails of Connection: Tracy Stephens, Founder, BLK Hiking Club Trails of Connection: Tracy Stephens, Founder, BLK Hiking Club Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:52:25 GMT 46:39 696590d01266d4af74a7efa0 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 696590d01266d4af74a7efa0 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf trails-of-connection-tracy-stevens-and-the-genesis-of-the-bl Building Community Through Outdoor Adventure: full 1 6 Building Community Through Outdoor Adventure


In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron and Charlotte discuss the importance of community and connection in America - and the launch of the State of Connection report. Their guest today is Tracy Stephens, founder of the BLK Hiking Club. Tracy shares his journey from a novice hiker to leading a thriving community of black hikers in the south. The episode explores the challenges and triumphs the group faces, the transformative power of outdoor activities, and Tracy's vision for expanding the group. Aaron and Charlotte also share personal stories about their weekends and reflect on the broader impact of fostering inclusive spaces in the outdoor industry.


00:00 Introduction & Chamber Updates

15:23 Tracy's Origin Story

17:27 Discovering Hiking

22:49 The Moment That Started BLK Hiking Club

25:57 Growing the Community

31:59 Expanding Beyond Hiking

34:55 The South's Unique Context

39:21 Closing Thoughts


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


BLK Hiking Club

www.blkhikingclub.com


Tracy Stephens, Founder, BLK Hiking Club

Tracy started hiking back in 2018. He was introduced to hiking after his boss invited him to go to the mountains. He was hesitant because he always kind of lived by that stereotype that “Black people don’t hike”. He decided to take the chance and go on the hike. He fell in love with it immediately. Soon he was telling his friends about the hobby, hoping to get people together to hike with him. For the next three years he hiked on his own. In 2020, he created a logo for a group he would come to call “BLK Hiking Club,” but he was hesitant to get started. New Years Day of 2021 came around and he went hiking with a friend. They met a Black woman on the trail who spoke with them about her experiences. She talked about the traumas of hiking alone, seeing signs and political messages that made her fearful. Coming back down the mountain, Stephens realized what he had to do. He had the idea; the logo already solidified. It was time to make a plan and put it in action. He went home, created a social media page and the rest was history.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Building Community Through Outdoor Adventure


In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron and Charlotte discuss the importance of community and connection in America - and the launch of the State of Connection report. Their guest today is Tracy Stephens, founder of the BLK Hiking Club. Tracy shares his journey from a novice hiker to leading a thriving community of black hikers in the south. The episode explores the challenges and triumphs the group faces, the transformative power of outdoor activities, and Tracy's vision for expanding the group. Aaron and Charlotte also share personal stories about their weekends and reflect on the broader impact of fostering inclusive spaces in the outdoor industry.


00:00 Introduction & Chamber Updates

15:23 Tracy's Origin Story

17:27 Discovering Hiking

22:49 The Moment That Started BLK Hiking Club

25:57 Growing the Community

31:59 Expanding Beyond Hiking

34:55 The South's Unique Context

39:21 Closing Thoughts


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


BLK Hiking Club

www.blkhikingclub.com


Tracy Stephens, Founder, BLK Hiking Club

Tracy started hiking back in 2018. He was introduced to hiking after his boss invited him to go to the mountains. He was hesitant because he always kind of lived by that stereotype that “Black people don’t hike”. He decided to take the chance and go on the hike. He fell in love with it immediately. Soon he was telling his friends about the hobby, hoping to get people together to hike with him. For the next three years he hiked on his own. In 2020, he created a logo for a group he would come to call “BLK Hiking Club,” but he was hesitant to get started. New Years Day of 2021 came around and he went hiking with a friend. They met a Black woman on the trail who spoke with them about her experiences. She talked about the traumas of hiking alone, seeing signs and political messages that made her fearful. Coming back down the mountain, Stephens realized what he had to do. He had the idea; the logo already solidified. It was time to make a plan and put it in action. He went home, created a social media page and the rest was history.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Community of Very Long Walks: Holden Minor Ringer, Seattle Super Saunter The Community of Very Long Walks: Holden Minor Ringer, Seattle Super Saunter Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:05:45 GMT 44:07 695c5a63b1ddb8392c70ee72 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 695c5a63b1ddb8392c70ee72 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf the-community-of-very-long-walks-holden-minor-ringer-seattle What happens you invite people to walk together full 1 5 What happens when you invite people to walk together and really see their city?


In this episode of How We Connected, Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey talk with Holden Minor Ringer, a Seattle community builder and transit advocate who believes walking is one of the simplest ways to fight isolation. Holden shares the story of walking more than 4,500 miles across the United States, relying on the kindness of strangers and gaining a front-row view of how cities either support or hinder human connection.


That experience inspired the Seattle Super Saunter - a 22-mile walk across Seattle that drew 300 people, even in pouring rain. Holden explains how walking creates natural, low-pressure connection, why accessibility and flexibility matter, and how the saunter model can be replicated in other cities.

This conversation is about movement, community, and the power of doing something simple together.


00:00 Introduction

04:10 Community Reflections

10:32 Meet Holden

14:41 Walking Across America

21:46 Creating the Seattle Super Saunter

29:20 Connecting Walking to Transit Advocacy

36:48 Replicating the Model

39:52 Wrap-up and Reflections


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Seattle Super Saunter

www.seattlesupersaunter.com


Holden Minor Ringer

Holden is the primary organizer for the Seattle Super Saunter. Prior to returning to Seattle in May of 2024 Holden walked across the country starting March 8th from La Push, WA and over the course of 423 days, 4,500+ miles and 20 states, completed his journey in New Haven, CT on May 4th 2024. Before his journey, Holden had walked all around the Pacific Northwest to prepare, having walked from Everett to Seattle, Seattle to Tacoma, all around Lake Washington, from Ballard to Tiger Mountain (and back), as well as from Vancouver, BC back to Seattle. To make a long story short, he's a big walker.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What happens when you invite people to walk together and really see their city?


In this episode of How We Connected, Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey talk with Holden Minor Ringer, a Seattle community builder and transit advocate who believes walking is one of the simplest ways to fight isolation. Holden shares the story of walking more than 4,500 miles across the United States, relying on the kindness of strangers and gaining a front-row view of how cities either support or hinder human connection.


That experience inspired the Seattle Super Saunter - a 22-mile walk across Seattle that drew 300 people, even in pouring rain. Holden explains how walking creates natural, low-pressure connection, why accessibility and flexibility matter, and how the saunter model can be replicated in other cities.

This conversation is about movement, community, and the power of doing something simple together.


00:00 Introduction

04:10 Community Reflections

10:32 Meet Holden

14:41 Walking Across America

21:46 Creating the Seattle Super Saunter

29:20 Connecting Walking to Transit Advocacy

36:48 Replicating the Model

39:52 Wrap-up and Reflections


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Seattle Super Saunter

www.seattlesupersaunter.com


Holden Minor Ringer

Holden is the primary organizer for the Seattle Super Saunter. Prior to returning to Seattle in May of 2024 Holden walked across the country starting March 8th from La Push, WA and over the course of 423 days, 4,500+ miles and 20 states, completed his journey in New Haven, CT on May 4th 2024. Before his journey, Holden had walked all around the Pacific Northwest to prepare, having walked from Everett to Seattle, Seattle to Tacoma, all around Lake Washington, from Ballard to Tiger Mountain (and back), as well as from Vancouver, BC back to Seattle. To make a long story short, he's a big walker.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Building Global Communities: Gabriel Ghiglione, Global Lead, Midnight Runners Building Global Communities: Gabriel Ghiglione, Global Lead, Midnight Runners Tue, 30 Dec 2025 21:28:36 GMT 47:20 6954440409314afbec5f7aa3 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 6954440409314afbec5f7aa3 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf building-global-communities-gabriel-ghiglione-founder-midnig An Intentional Approach to Building Community full 1 4

An Intentional Approach to Building Community

In this episode of How We Connected, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey discuss the importance of building connection and community in America. The conversation dives into Aaron's recent trip to Miami and Charlotte's adventurous holiday travel, highlighting the enriching experiences of spontaneity and connection. This week's interview features Gabriel Ghiglione, an experienced community builder who was global lead at Midnight Runners and helped expand the social running community to 18 cities globally. Gabe shares his playbook for building successful communities, emphasizing the importance of consistency, personal connection, and establishing a core group of volunteers. The hosts reflect on how to integrate these lessons into their own community-building efforts at the US Chamber of Connection.


00:00 Introduction to How We Connected

02:56 Holiday Travel Stories and Reflections

07:04 A Medical Emergency in Minnesota!

12:35 Gabriel Ghiglione's Journey: From Berlin to Global Community Building

20:40 The Playbook: Building Community in New Cities

28:30 Midnight Runners Today and New Projects

36:24 Intentional Diversity and Leadership in Communities

42:24 Key Takeaways and Closing Reflections


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Midnight Runners

www.midnightrunners.com


Gabriel Ghiglione

Gabe is a community builder best known as global lead for Midnight Runners, a movement that combines running, music, and social connection to help people feel a sense of belonging in cities around the world. What began as a small volunteer-led run group grew into a nonprofit community active across 18 cities internationally. Gabriel spent nearly seven years launching chapters, developing local leadership teams, and refining a playbook centered on consistency, co-creation, and mission-led design. Today, he continues to apply these principles through neighborhood and creative communities in San Francisco, and through his work in community platforms and experiential design.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>

An Intentional Approach to Building Community

In this episode of How We Connected, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey discuss the importance of building connection and community in America. The conversation dives into Aaron's recent trip to Miami and Charlotte's adventurous holiday travel, highlighting the enriching experiences of spontaneity and connection. This week's interview features Gabriel Ghiglione, an experienced community builder who was global lead at Midnight Runners and helped expand the social running community to 18 cities globally. Gabe shares his playbook for building successful communities, emphasizing the importance of consistency, personal connection, and establishing a core group of volunteers. The hosts reflect on how to integrate these lessons into their own community-building efforts at the US Chamber of Connection.


00:00 Introduction to How We Connected

02:56 Holiday Travel Stories and Reflections

07:04 A Medical Emergency in Minnesota!

12:35 Gabriel Ghiglione's Journey: From Berlin to Global Community Building

20:40 The Playbook: Building Community in New Cities

28:30 Midnight Runners Today and New Projects

36:24 Intentional Diversity and Leadership in Communities

42:24 Key Takeaways and Closing Reflections


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Midnight Runners

www.midnightrunners.com


Gabriel Ghiglione

Gabe is a community builder best known as global lead for Midnight Runners, a movement that combines running, music, and social connection to help people feel a sense of belonging in cities around the world. What began as a small volunteer-led run group grew into a nonprofit community active across 18 cities internationally. Gabriel spent nearly seven years launching chapters, developing local leadership teams, and refining a playbook centered on consistency, co-creation, and mission-led design. Today, he continues to apply these principles through neighborhood and creative communities in San Francisco, and through his work in community platforms and experiential design.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Art of Social Clubs: Margie Jiang, Founder, San Francisco Social Club The Art of Social Clubs: Margie Jiang, Founder, San Francisco Social Club Mon, 22 Dec 2025 21:22:42 GMT 35:05 6949b6a23aa794d3c618dd16 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 6949b6a23aa794d3c618dd16 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf the-art-of-social-clubs-margie-jiang-founder-san-francisco-s Building Connections through Innovative Social Clubs full 1 3

Building Connections through Innovative Social Clubs


In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst discuss community building and tackling the loneliness epidemic in America. They highlight their efforts at the US Chamber to create sustainable ecosystems for connection, including some insight into how we’re building the Chamber’s strategy for 2026 and beyond. The hosts then welcome Margie Jiang from SF Social Club, who shares her journey from dancing professionally to founding a vibrant, inclusive social club in San Francisco. Margie discusses the importance of intentional community-building, free membership models, collaborating with local businesses, and effective use of social media for growth. She also offers insights into creating volunteer roles and ensuring ongoing member engagement. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolution of social clubs and the importance of long-term community connections.


00:00 Introduction, What’s Going on at the Chamber

05:25 Building the Chamber’s Strategy - Retreat

10:02 Our guest: Margie Jiang - Early Community Experiences

13:25 Building the SF Social Club

16:20 Event Programming & Partnerships

19:46 Membership Model & Onboarding

24:11 Scaling & Team Management

24:25 Financial Sustainability

31:35 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


SF Social Club

www.sfsocialclub.org


Margie Jiang

Margie is the founder of SF Social Club, a San Francisco–based social club designed to help people build real connection beyond single-interest groups. What began as a response to post-pandemic isolation has grown into a highly curated community of more than 400 active members, built around shared experiences, intentional onboarding, and consistent in-person programming. Margie leads all aspects of the club, from partnerships and programming to membership design and community standards, collaborating with local businesses and organizations to create experiences that turn strangers into friends. Alongside SF Social Club, Margie works at Deloitte, where she designs and delivers experiences for senior leaders tackling complex strategic challenges.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>

Building Connections through Innovative Social Clubs


In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst discuss community building and tackling the loneliness epidemic in America. They highlight their efforts at the US Chamber to create sustainable ecosystems for connection, including some insight into how we’re building the Chamber’s strategy for 2026 and beyond. The hosts then welcome Margie Jiang from SF Social Club, who shares her journey from dancing professionally to founding a vibrant, inclusive social club in San Francisco. Margie discusses the importance of intentional community-building, free membership models, collaborating with local businesses, and effective use of social media for growth. She also offers insights into creating volunteer roles and ensuring ongoing member engagement. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolution of social clubs and the importance of long-term community connections.


00:00 Introduction, What’s Going on at the Chamber

05:25 Building the Chamber’s Strategy - Retreat

10:02 Our guest: Margie Jiang - Early Community Experiences

13:25 Building the SF Social Club

16:20 Event Programming & Partnerships

19:46 Membership Model & Onboarding

24:11 Scaling & Team Management

24:25 Financial Sustainability

31:35 Reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


SF Social Club

www.sfsocialclub.org


Margie Jiang

Margie is the founder of SF Social Club, a San Francisco–based social club designed to help people build real connection beyond single-interest groups. What began as a response to post-pandemic isolation has grown into a highly curated community of more than 400 active members, built around shared experiences, intentional onboarding, and consistent in-person programming. Margie leads all aspects of the club, from partnerships and programming to membership design and community standards, collaborating with local businesses and organizations to create experiences that turn strangers into friends. Alongside SF Social Club, Margie works at Deloitte, where she designs and delivers experiences for senior leaders tackling complex strategic challenges.


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Finding Friends Through Fitness: Miracle Olatunji, Founder, Crunch & Brunch]]> Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:36:54 GMT 41:38 6940635658c537ceb62e0ba3 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 6940635658c537ceb62e0ba3 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf finding-friends-through-fitness-miracle-olatunji-founder-cru full 1 2 Building Community Through Fitness and Brunch with Miracle Olatunji


In the second episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey introduce Miracle Olatunji, founder of Crunch and Brunch and the Seattle Wellness Summit. Miracle shares her journey of moving to Seattle, the inspiration behind combining fitness and brunch to foster community, and practical insights on scaling her initiative. She discusses the importance of authenticity in partnerships, her strategies for securing sponsors, and her vision for expanding Crunch and Brunch nationwide. The episode underscores the significance of structured post-event socialization and offers valuable advice for aspiring community builders.


00:00 Introduction and Miracle's background

12:43 Early experiences with community

15:43 Creating Crunch and Brunch

21:13 Making friends as an adult

27:35 Event growth and sponsorships

33:16 Advice for community builders

35:46 Upcoming events and closing reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Crunch and Brunch

https://luma.com/CrunchandBrunch


Miracle Olatunji

Miracle is a keynote speaker, content creator, and founder of Crunch and Brunch and the Seattle Wellness Summit. After moving to Seattle in 2023, she created a community that combines group fitness with structured social time, solving the common problem of attending classes alongside the same people without ever really connecting. What started with six people has grown to nearly 1,000 subscribers and partnerships with over 20 fitness studios. With a background in finance and a passion for bringing people together, Miracle has secured major sponsorships from organizations like Columbia Bank and Lululemon. In 2026, she's expanding Crunch and Brunch nationally with chapters in new cities. Learn more at miracleolatunji.com and luma.com/CrunchandBrunch.



Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Building Community Through Fitness and Brunch with Miracle Olatunji


In the second episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey introduce Miracle Olatunji, founder of Crunch and Brunch and the Seattle Wellness Summit. Miracle shares her journey of moving to Seattle, the inspiration behind combining fitness and brunch to foster community, and practical insights on scaling her initiative. She discusses the importance of authenticity in partnerships, her strategies for securing sponsors, and her vision for expanding Crunch and Brunch nationwide. The episode underscores the significance of structured post-event socialization and offers valuable advice for aspiring community builders.


00:00 Introduction and Miracle's background

12:43 Early experiences with community

15:43 Creating Crunch and Brunch

21:13 Making friends as an adult

27:35 Event growth and sponsorships

33:16 Advice for community builders

35:46 Upcoming events and closing reflection


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Crunch and Brunch

https://luma.com/CrunchandBrunch


Miracle Olatunji

Miracle is a keynote speaker, content creator, and founder of Crunch and Brunch and the Seattle Wellness Summit. After moving to Seattle in 2023, she created a community that combines group fitness with structured social time, solving the common problem of attending classes alongside the same people without ever really connecting. What started with six people has grown to nearly 1,000 subscribers and partnerships with over 20 fitness studios. With a background in finance and a passion for bringing people together, Miracle has secured major sponsorships from organizations like Columbia Bank and Lululemon. In 2026, she's expanding Crunch and Brunch nationally with chapters in new cities. Learn more at miracleolatunji.com and luma.com/CrunchandBrunch.



Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Connecting Through Yoga: James Tan, CEO, Yerbana Connecting Through Yoga: James Tan, CEO, Yerbana Tue, 09 Dec 2025 01:39:20 GMT 54:56 6937794d3d875cc2571bff03 false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 6937794d3d875cc2571bff03 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf connecting-through-yoga-james-tan-ceo-yerbana Welcome to the first episode of How We Connected full 1 1 Building Community & Wellness with James Tan, CEO, Yerbana


In this insightful and inspiring first episode of How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, we are joined by James Tan, founder and CEO of Yerbana, a holistic wellness organization based in Seattle. James shares his journey from being an introverted, health-conscious kid to creating a thriving community centered around wellness. He recounts the challenges of balancing a passion-driven business with community building, and his initial forays into promoting Yerba Mate as a healthy beverage. James discusses his flagship event, Yoga in the Park, which grew from a small gathering to an event drawing nearly a thousand people weekly, promoting accessible health and wellness. He touches on the struggles of running a for-profit beverage company, the transformative power of community support, and his vision for expanding his wellness initiatives nationally. The episode concludes with James offering advice for aspiring community builders and details on how to get involved with Yerbana.


00:00 Introduction and Podcast Launch

03:25 Charlotte's Travel and Reflections

11:21 About the US Chamber of Connection

16:34 Interview with James Tan: Early Life and Wellness Journey

26:02 Starting Yurana: The Yerba Mate Business

28:41 Birth and Growth of Yoga in the Park

35:40 Financial Struggles and Sustainability Challenges

40:33 Vision for Accessible Wellness and National Expansion

46:45 Community Building Strategies and Advice

51:02 Closing Reflections and Next Episode Preview


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Yerbana

www.yerbana.com


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Building Community & Wellness with James Tan, CEO, Yerbana


In this insightful and inspiring first episode of How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, we are joined by James Tan, founder and CEO of Yerbana, a holistic wellness organization based in Seattle. James shares his journey from being an introverted, health-conscious kid to creating a thriving community centered around wellness. He recounts the challenges of balancing a passion-driven business with community building, and his initial forays into promoting Yerba Mate as a healthy beverage. James discusses his flagship event, Yoga in the Park, which grew from a small gathering to an event drawing nearly a thousand people weekly, promoting accessible health and wellness. He touches on the struggles of running a for-profit beverage company, the transformative power of community support, and his vision for expanding his wellness initiatives nationally. The episode concludes with James offering advice for aspiring community builders and details on how to get involved with Yerbana.


00:00 Introduction and Podcast Launch

03:25 Charlotte's Travel and Reflections

11:21 About the US Chamber of Connection

16:34 Interview with James Tan: Early Life and Wellness Journey

26:02 Starting Yurana: The Yerba Mate Business

28:41 Birth and Growth of Yoga in the Park

35:40 Financial Struggles and Sustainability Challenges

40:33 Vision for Accessible Wellness and National Expansion

46:45 Community Building Strategies and Advice

51:02 Closing Reflections and Next Episode Preview


---


How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.


Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.


Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.


Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org


Yerbana

www.yerbana.com


Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Trailer: How We Connected Trailer: How We Connected Mon, 08 Dec 2025 20:00:34 GMT 2:37 69333aaeaef2c71c1de6e8cc false https://www.chamberofconnection.org/ 69333aaeaef2c71c1de6e8cc 69321d954a0500b7572aafcf trailer-how-we-connected Trailer full 1 How We Connected brings listeners inside the conversations that power communities right across the United States. Every week, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and the moments of connection showing up in their own lives. They then talk with a community leader from somewhere in the country about the relationships, collaboration, and human stories behind meaningful change. Join us every week for reflections and practical advice on the ideas you can carry forward into your own communities.


Aaron Hurst

Aaron Hurst is the Co-Founder and CEO of the US Chamber of Connection and a long-time entrepreneur focused on purpose, community, and the future of work. He previously founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation, and authored The Purpose Economy. At the Chamber, he leads national efforts to strengthen community through connection. Aaron co-hosts How We Connected, bringing thoughtful insight and personal stories to each episode.


Charlotte Massey

Charlotte Massey is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the US Chamber of Connection, where she builds programs and partnerships that help communities thrive through stronger relationships. With a background in community development and network building, she focuses on practical ways people work better together. As co-host of How We Connected, Charlotte brings clarity, curiosity, and a grounded perspective to every conversation.


Contact Us

US Chamber of Connection

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> How We Connected brings listeners inside the conversations that power communities right across the United States. Every week, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and the moments of connection showing up in their own lives. They then talk with a community leader from somewhere in the country about the relationships, collaboration, and human stories behind meaningful change. Join us every week for reflections and practical advice on the ideas you can carry forward into your own communities.


Aaron Hurst

Aaron Hurst is the Co-Founder and CEO of the US Chamber of Connection and a long-time entrepreneur focused on purpose, community, and the future of work. He previously founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation, and authored The Purpose Economy. At the Chamber, he leads national efforts to strengthen community through connection. Aaron co-hosts How We Connected, bringing thoughtful insight and personal stories to each episode.


Charlotte Massey

Charlotte Massey is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the US Chamber of Connection, where she builds programs and partnerships that help communities thrive through stronger relationships. With a background in community development and network building, she focuses on practical ways people work better together. As co-host of How We Connected, Charlotte brings clarity, curiosity, and a grounded perspective to every conversation.


Contact Us

US Chamber of Connection

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>