headshots of Avi Hakhamamesh, Morgan Evetts and Mallory Cash with the title: How to Create Meaningful Experiences: A Conversation Series Inspired by "The Art of Gathering"
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How to Create Meaningful Experiences: A Conversation Series Inspired by “The Art of Gathering”

Connective gatherings are key to creating meaningful experiences, authentic relationships, and engaged communities. 

And there are three main reasons gatherings have been top of mind for me lately:

  • As we leave the pandemic behind, we’ll be gathering a lot more in real life after….and need to re-strengthen our gathering muscles, after a period of hibernation and partial isolation
  • The holidays are upon us, and we will be gathering with friends and family more frequently
  • In our fractured world, small and mighty communities are becoming the most important part of social ecosystem…and they are built one connective experience at a time.
  • Building and nourishing meaningful communities will be crucial for sustainable power brands of the future

With all of this in mind, joined with by a few friends (Morgan Evetts & Mallory Cash), I hosted a nine-part audio conversation series inspired by Priya Parker’s book, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters.

Hosts:

Avi Hakhamanesh

Morgan Evetts

Mallory Cash

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker Book Cover

We discussed some concepts from the book and integrated lots of our own reflections and personal experiences, as we explored the ways to create and shape meaningful experiences and relationships which can at times evolve into nurturing communities.

You can find the audio for each of the sessions below. Just click on the Listen button to listen on the web.

This series was so helpful for us in reinforcing the important factors and strategies or creating truly memorable and meaningful experiences.

And the best part is that each of us can do this!! We just need to learn.

We hope you enjoy it!

Session 1:

listen

Chapter 1 : Decide Why You’re Really Gathering

We will explore the following questions:

  • Why is a clear purpose essential to creating meaningful and connective gatherings?
  • How can we figure out the real purpose of a gathering?
  • What are examples of real life gatherings you’ve hosted or attended where the clarity of purpose was key to its connective power?

Session 2:

listen

Chapter 2: Close Doors

We will explore the following questions:

  • How do we decide who to gather or invite?
  • How does group size impact a gathering’s experience?
  • What are the factors to consider when choosing a setting?

Session 3:

listen

Chapter 2: Close Doors, Part 2

We will explore the following questions:

  • Why does the WHERE matter?
  • What are the factors to consider when choosing a setting?

Session 4:

listen

Chapter 3: Don’t Be a Chill Host

We will explore the following questions:

  • What is the real role of a host?
  • What is generous authority and why is it essential?
  • How hands-on should a host be?
  • How can we better connect our guests to each other?

Session 5:

listen

Chapter 4: Create a Temporary Alternate World

We will explore the following questions:

  • What is the value of creating a temporary alternate world?
  • What is the role of rules in this new world, and why a fresh take on them matters?

Session 6:

listen

Chapter 5: Never Start a Funeral with Logistics

Conversation Title: The Pregame & Opening Rituals

We will explore the following questions:

  • Why is it important to set expectations and prepare guests for a gathering? And how can we do this effectively?
  • If we can’t start with logistics, what is the best way to integrate them?
  • Why is it important to create a transition into a gathering and connect the guests to each other? What are some practical examples that can inspire and empower us to do this?

Session 7:

listen

Chapter 6: Keep Your Best Self Out of My Gathering

We will explore the following questions:

  • How to we encourage and incentive our guests to bring their authentic selves?

Session 8:

listen

Chapter 7: Cause Good Controversy

We will explore the following questions:

  • Why do we shy away from the impulse to make waves or bring in a level of controversy during other gatherings?
  • What does “good” controversy mean?
  • What are the risks and rewards of causing good controversy?
  • How can we prepare for gatherings where controversy can be transformative?

Session 9:

Listen

Chapter 8: Accept That There Is an End

Conversation Title: The Final Act – Why Closings Matter

We will explore the following questions:

  • Why is it hard for us to accept endings?
  • Why do closings matter? And how can we do them better, and close with a bang?
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Connective gatherings are key to creating meaningful experiences, authentic relationships, and engaged communities. 

And there are three main reasons gatherings have been top of mind for me lately:

  • As we leave the pandemic behind, we’ll be gathering a lot more in real life after….and need to re-strengthen our gathering muscles, after a period of hibernation and partial isolation
  • The holidays are upon us, and we will be gathering with friends and family more frequently
  • In our fractured world, small and mighty communities are becoming the most important part of social ecosystem…and they are built one connective experience at a time.
  • Building and nourishing meaningful communities will be crucial for sustainable power brands of the future

With all of this in mind, joined with by a few friends (Morgan Evetts & Mallory Cash), I hosted a nine-part audio conversation series inspired by Priya Parker’s book, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters.

Hosts:

Avi Hakhamanesh

Morgan Evetts

Mallory Cash

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker Book Cover

We discussed some concepts from the book and integrated lots of our own reflections and personal experiences, as we explored the ways to create and shape meaningful experiences and relationships which can at times evolve into nurturing communities.

You can find the audio for each of the sessions below. Just click on the Listen button to listen on the web.

This series was so helpful for us in reinforcing the important factors and strategies or creating truly memorable and meaningful experiences.

And the best part is that each of us can do this!! We just need to learn.

We hope you enjoy it!

Session 1:

listen

Chapter 1 : Decide Why You’re Really Gathering

We will explore the following questions:

  • Why is a clear purpose essential to creating meaningful and connective gatherings?
  • How can we figure out the real purpose of a gathering?
  • What are examples of real life gatherings you’ve hosted or attended where the clarity of purpose was key to its connective power?

Session 2:

listen

Chapter 2: Close Doors

We will explore the following questions:

  • How do we decide who to gather or invite?
  • How does group size impact a gathering’s experience?
  • What are the factors to consider when choosing a setting?

Session 3:

listen

Chapter 2: Close Doors, Part 2

We will explore the following questions:

  • Why does the WHERE matter?
  • What are the factors to consider when choosing a setting?

Session 4:

listen

Chapter 3: Don’t Be a Chill Host

We will explore the following questions:

  • What is the real role of a host?
  • What is generous authority and why is it essential?
  • How hands-on should a host be?
  • How can we better connect our guests to each other?

Session 5:

listen

Chapter 4: Create a Temporary Alternate World

We will explore the following questions:

  • What is the value of creating a temporary alternate world?
  • What is the role of rules in this new world, and why a fresh take on them matters?

Session 6:

listen

Chapter 5: Never Start a Funeral with Logistics

Conversation Title: The Pregame & Opening Rituals

We will explore the following questions:

  • Why is it important to set expectations and prepare guests for a gathering? And how can we do this effectively?
  • If we can’t start with logistics, what is the best way to integrate them?
  • Why is it important to create a transition into a gathering and connect the guests to each other? What are some practical examples that can inspire and empower us to do this?

Session 7:

listen

Chapter 6: Keep Your Best Self Out of My Gathering

We will explore the following questions:

  • How to we encourage and incentive our guests to bring their authentic selves?

Session 8:

listen

Chapter 7: Cause Good Controversy

We will explore the following questions:

  • Why do we shy away from the impulse to make waves or bring in a level of controversy during other gatherings?
  • What does “good” controversy mean?
  • What are the risks and rewards of causing good controversy?
  • How can we prepare for gatherings where controversy can be transformative?

Session 9:

Listen

Chapter 8: Accept That There Is an End

Conversation Title: The Final Act – Why Closings Matter

We will explore the following questions:

  • Why is it hard for us to accept endings?
  • Why do closings matter? And how can we do them better, and close with a bang?