This week I’m hosting an investor retreat and so thought it fitting to release this conversation with Priya Parker on the art of gathering.

I’ve been interested in the topic of community and gathering for some time and along with the book The Art of Community, Priya’s book on the art of gathering is by far the best I’ve read. It is both conceptually interesting and extremely practical. In the book there is literally a table for how big a gathering space should be per person, sorted by the type of vibe you are after.

We had a time constraint but I could have talked to Priya for much longer. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did, and that it inspires you to do something new and different with friends, family, or colleagues.

For more episodes go to InvestorFieldGuide.com/podcast.

Sign up for the book club, where you’ll get a full investor curriculum and then 3-4 suggestions every month at InvestorFieldGuide.com/bookclub.

Follow Patrick on Twitter at @patrick_oshag

Show Notes

1:23 - (First Question) – Overview on what she does as a conflict resolution facilitator

            1:38 – The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters

4:45 – Lessons about structuring a gathering from her early very difficult work and the idea of sustained dialogue

7:43 – First event she facilitated

9:38 – Importance of a good opening for any gathering

12:30 – Identifying a good purpose for a gathering

15:06 – Why being specific on rules/code of conduct leads to more success

18:54 – Do rules help facilitate more creativity in groups

21:22 – Segregating a good from bad purpose

24:34 – Identity and good/bad gatherings

26:50 – Purpose and the guest list for a gathering

31:03 – Community building is line drawing

            32:27 – Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

34:29 – Importance of well crafted invitations

35:17 – Making the middle of gatherings interesting

39:21 – Exploring risk at gatherings

            41:28 – Patterns of Transformation

41:43 – The hero’s journey

46:54 – Making a meaningful transition out of these gatherings

52:39 – Kindest thing anyone has done for Priya

Learn More

For more episodes go to InvestorFieldGuide.com/podcast. 

Sign up for the book club, where you’ll get a full investor curriculum and then 3-4 suggestions every month at InvestorFieldGuide.com/bookclub

Follow Patrick on twitter at @patrick_oshag