Originals

He gave and gave and gave — and asked for nothing in return

Remembering Charles McCaffrey, an extraordinary community-builder, veterans advocate, and storyteller

Nov 14 •

Connective Tissue

and

The Civic Homecoming

Encouraging "alumni" of a place to return to the town they once called home, reconnect with old friends, and renew a spirit of participation and…

Oct 24 •

Connective Tissue

and

From the “Great Connector” to the “Great Sorter”

Young Americans need more communal pathways to adulthood than the traditional, four-year college route

Sep 26 •

Connective Tissue

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A reflection on my new report with the Survey Center on American Life: “Disconnected: The Growing Class Divide in American Civic Life”

Aug 22 •

Connective Tissue

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Why every town should host an activities fair

Just as colleges host activities fairs to energize campus life, so too can town leaders host activities fairs to energize civic life

Jul 18 •

Connective Tissue

and

(and silly and fun)

Jun 13 •

Connective Tissue

and

What my time as a Green Beret taught me about community building in the U.S.

Translating Jim Gant's "One Tribe at a Time" to renew America, one community at a time

Apr 18 •

Connective Tissue

and

Why startups will not “solve” loneliness

The business model of venture-backed startups is misaligned with the slow, friction-full, and local work of strengthening connection in communities.

Mar 21 •

Connective Tissue

and

Why every town should offer a welcome kit

Unlocking the potential of every community to help new residents feel welcome, connected, and integrated.

Feb 8 •

Connective Tissue

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How to think structurally about connection within communities

A simple, work-in-progress framework to identify and address community-level barriers to connection

Jan 11 •

Connective Tissue

and

How we can make Veterans Day less weird

Re-establishing the bond between the military and the American public. Reconnecting civilians with their veteran neighbors.

Nov 9, 2023 •

Connective Tissue

and

The 5 C’s of Community

How do you structure a community to promote accessibility, sustained engagement, and personal growth?

Oct 5, 2023 •

Connective Tissue

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