Hi. I’m just out here, on my own, thinking up creative ways to strengthen a weakened social fabric, rebuilding community and thus, rebuilding democracy.
Having been profoundly moved my Dr. Robert Putnam’s research and his book Bowling Alone, the documentary Join or Die, and Ray Oldenburg’s book, The Great Good Place. In my subsequent readings on these topics, it is clear the failing of our democracy has been happening for decades. Add to that, Dr. Vivek Murthy’s 2023 report on the epidemic of loneliness and isolation, and we need to give more attention to the reality that collectively, we have become more disconnected to people as we become more connected to our devices.
I am using my podcast “MissGuided Adventures: WORDS MATTER” to elevate the conversation on the importance of words and voice. I’m looking for people who want to share their stories but may not want to do it the way I am.
I am also building a business plan, something I have been working on through the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation’s entrepreneurial program for women and people of color. We need more community through connecting spots, third places, hubs for community and I look forward to bringing this to life in the coming months.
In the meantime, I’ll keep sharing tidbits and hints on how to start, at the local and individual level, to rebuild connections. Project Gather, Gather4Good!