Community building vs fan clubs vs cult brands with Ari McDaniel | Ep. 9

The Art of Circling with Benzi Holler

In this episode I sit down with Benzi Holler and discuss the practice of circling and authentic relating. We explore the art of circling as a group verbal mindfulness meditation, its impact on building empathy, and the dynamics of facilitating such spaces. Benzi shares insights on the challenges faced in circling, including power dynamics and the importance of maintaining a safe container. Our discussion also touches on the influence of circling on personal relationships and its potential application in corporate environments, emphasizing the value of vulnerability and connection in community building. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Circling and Authentic Relating 03:09 Benzie's Journey into Circling 06:01 The Impact of Circling on Relationships 08:31 Circling's Role in Building Empathy 10:22 Navigating Conflict in Circling 12:33 Online vs. In-Person Circling 15:04 Trust and Dependency in Circling 17:57 The Importance of Staying Present 20:40 Circling's Influence on Daily Life 23:39 Empathy and Conflict Resolution through Circling 26:04 Common Challenges in Circling 28:20 Meeting Edges and Personal Growth 30:40 Power Dynamics in Circling 35:03 Scaling Circling Practices 37:02 Closed vs. Open Circles 39:21 Bringing Circling to Communities and Workplaces Connect with Megan [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/] Connect with Benzi [https://www.benziholler.com/] Keywords circling, authentic relating, mindfulness, community building, empathy, conflict resolution, vulnerability, personal development, leadership, group dynamics

Picnic Pals: Building Community in Tucson with Emiliya Dale | Ep.13

In this episode Megan sits down with Emiliya Dale a Tucson local, comedian, and founder of Picnic Pals. What began as a sweet little idea to help young adults make friends and has since become a full-blown social club. From community picnics to comedy shows to interactive dating events like Pitch A Pal, Blind Date, and The Love Operator, she’s helping Tucson get offline, laugh loudly, and maybe fall in love. At the heart of it all, Emiliya is creating the kind of community where showing up alone is brave, normal, and probably the start of a great story. Chapters 00:00 Building Community Through Events 04:10 The Origin of Picnic Pals 07:49 Challenges in Community Building 11:07 The Importance of Passion in Community 14:18 Facilitating Connections in Social Settings 18:38 Favorite Events and Personal Connections 20:43 Rebranding Community Events 21:20 The Unique Experience of Picnic Pals 22:49 Inclusivity in Community Building 24:40 Navigating the Singles Scene 26:25 The Importance of Authenticity 28:25 Advice for Aspiring Community Builders 30:23 Overcoming Competition in Community Spaces 32:07 The Journey of Personal Development 38:58 Connecting with Picnic Pals Connect with Emiliya Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/picnic.palz [https://www.instagram.com/picnic.palz] Website - https://picnicpalz.com/ [https://picnicpalz.com/] Connect with Megan Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hotgirlsbuildcults/ [https://www.instagram.com/hotgirlsbuildcults/] Linkedin -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/] community building, inclusive events, Tucson, Picnic Pals, social clubs, event planning, community engagement, networking, event marketing

How NARU Reinvents Community Building for Impact and Connection | Ep. 12

In this insightful episode Michelle, CEO and founder of NARU, shares her innovative approach to community building focused on impact, accountability, and genuine connection. Discover how her platform fosters vulnerability, habit formation, and meaningful engagement beyond traditional social media. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to NARU and Its Purpose 01:20 The Unique Approach of NARU 04:15 The Importance of Accountability in Community 07:00 Building Habits and Identity Through Community 09:36 How NARU Facilitates Accountability 12:32 The Social Component of NARU 15:09 Creating Meaningful Connections in Communities 17:57 The Role of Structure in Community Success 20:17 Transformative Experiences and Community Impact 23:16 The Future of Online Communities and Loneliness 29:39 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 30:52 The Evolution of Dating Apps 32:19 Technology's Profit Motive vs. User Well-being 34:04 AI's Role in Human Connection 36:23 The Importance of Authentic Human Interaction 39:00 Building Trust in Community Engagement 40:45 Creating Safe Spaces for Youth 47:33 NARU's Community Programs and Their Impact Resources NARU Official Website - https://www.naru.com.au/ [https://www.naru.com.au/] Michelle's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ew/] Megan's Linkedin -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/] keywords community building, impact, accountability, belonging, habit formation, online communities, NARU, social platforms, mental health, connection

How Rossy Burgos Built a Thriving Pop up Wellness Community from Scratch | Ep. 11

In this episode, I sit down with Rossy Burgos, a community builder and wellness entrepreneur, to explore her journey of creating impactful wellness events, building community, and navigating the business side of hosting social clubs. Rossy shares insights on sustainability, authenticity, and the power of intentional community building. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Upleveled Wellness 06:17 Event Structure and Themes 12:21 Navigating Partnerships and Venues 18:16 Sustainability in Event Planning 24:10 Managing Growth and Opportunities 30:16 Differentiation in a Crowded Market 37:38 Understanding Event Goals and Community Impact 44:04 Building a Sustainable Community and Business 51:38 Facing Fears and Expectations in Business 57:11 Self-Discovery Through Community Building 01:04:02 Advice for Aspiring Community Leaders Connect with Rossy https://www.instagram.com/rossy.upleveled/ [https://www.instagram.com/rossy.upleveled/] https://www.instagram.com/upleveled.wellness/ [https://www.instagram.com/upleveled.wellness/] Connect with Megan https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/] https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/ [https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/] https://www.instagram.com/hotgirlsbuildcults/ [https://www.instagram.com/hotgirlsbuildcults/] keywords community building, wellness events, entrepreneurship, sustainability, social clubs, women entrepreneurs, event planning, business strategy, authentic community, wellness community

How CEO Besties Empowers Women Entrepreneurs Through Community| Ep. 10

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Bernacchi and Emily Collins of CEO Besties to dive into how intentional community and focused execution can elevate ambitious women entrepreneurs. Together, they unpack the power of surrounding yourself with the right people, cultivating a resilient mindset, and building a business that grows sustainably. You’ll hear about: * Creating powerful, supportive communities for women entrepreneurs * Why focus and prioritization are the real drivers of business growth Chapters 00:00 Introduction to CEO Besties 00:45 The Birth of CEO Besties 05:14 The Evolution of Community Needs 07:06 Understanding Overwhelm in Entrepreneurship 09:18 The Power of Connection and Support 12:10 Breakthroughs in Community 15:09 Curating the Right Community 17:59 The Difference Between Community and Mastermind 18:59 Building Community: The Importance of Connection 20:04 Learning from Experience: Failures as Growth Opportunities 22:48 The Power of Focus: Momentum in Business 24:44 Engagement Strategies: Keeping Members Active 26:36 Surprising Transformations: The Impact of Community 28:27 Personal Growth: Lessons from Leading a Community 31:17 The Evolution of Business: Adapting to Change 33:10 Future Aspirations: Growing the CEO Besties Community 35:24 NEWCHAPTER Connect with us CEO Besties on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theceobesties/ [https://www.instagram.com/theceobesties/] CEO Besties Website - https://ceobesties.com [https://ceobesties.com] Connect with Megan -https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganliken/] https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/ [https://www.instagram.com/megan.liken/] keywords women entrepreneurs, community building, CEO Besties, mindset, business growth, women supporting women, mastermind, virtual community, in-person retreats, entrepreneurial success