I’ve been loving this since I was 5

(but somehow I just realized it) You too??

Aug 19, 2026

I’m writing this on the heels of some beautiful serendipitous chats.

One with a biology teacher-turned-oceanic-documentary-filmaker. Another with a climate advocate who used to be the mayor of a small town. And, a sprinkling of other multi-hyphenates including an automotive part dealer-turned-barista and nurse-turned-bookseller.

That’s all to say: being out and about in my community is SO beautiful and energizing because everyone I meet has a fascinating story. And, I hope you know that sharing your story and journey with the world is a gift. 🫶

Quick reminder to join us…

August 20 (Tomorrow!) - Live Conversation with Nicky Weldy, a visual designer who left her career in tech and entertainment to become a permanent makeup artist and found her studio Featherhaus. Add it to your calendar here!
August 26 - Tiny Lessons From Obituaries: Stories That Could Change Your Life, a co-hosted event with Mary McGreevy at Local Economy that will involve reading real obituaries as a way to reflect us back to ourselves. Get your tickets here!

And, if you haven’t yet given us feedback this summer, please take a minute to do so! I really appreciate it.

Tiny Summer Check-In

I just realized: I’ve been a community-gatherer and events producer since age 5! Though, it’s probably because I was a very lonely only child who just wanted people to play with.

In turn, whenever my family had guests over (not very often), I’d have a very serious list of activities, games, and conversation prompts prepared for them to choose from. My cousins still tease me (very lovingly) to this day.

I would set up different stations around the house. And, the second they entered, I would reveal what-felt-like-at-the-time a 10-foot-long scroll with a full interactive program.

I didn’t know facilitation was a thing back then. I just loved that buzzy feeling I got whenever a room full of strangers start connecting, laughing, swapping stories, and playing. Anyways, it turns out I never grew out of my love for artfully gathering people!

Last week, in partnership with Creative Lunch Club and Adobe, I hosted a room of multi-passionate, multi-hyphenate creatives to share a meal and connect over what’s lighting them up lately.

In the room were: Children’s book illustrators, photographers, filmmakers, musicians, art educators, dancers, ceramists, creative directors, storytellers, fashion designers, and community curators.

From the get-go, the room was alive with conversation (so much so that I could barely hear myself). Mission accomplished! At the end, when I asked folks to share a word to capture the feeling of the gathering, I heard:

Energized. Defining. Whole. Inspired. Connected. Goosebumps. Grateful.

That buzz I felt as a kid? I now recognize it as the feeling of creating a space where people feel more ignited, more connected, more creative, and a little more open to what’s possible.

So, here’s a tiny prompt for you as you head into the latter half of the week: Take out a piece of paper and a pen. Set a timer for 3 minutes. Write down everything your 5-year-old-self loved to do. Or, as many as you can.
Then, take another 3 minutes to write down ways you could incorporate some of those things in your current life.

Once you’ve done this, share your list with a friend (or, if you feel comfortable, share it in the comments below)! And, start trying those ideas.