Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, shares her insights on creating memorable events that foster connection. She emphasizes transforming casual hangouts into purpose-driven gatherings that draw people back. With tips tailored for the holiday season, she discusses the art of crafting the right guest list and setting meaningful rules. Parker also explores the significance of intention in social interactions, highlighting how structured events like trivia nights can rebuild community and deepen relationships.
Intentional gatherings with a clear purpose can transform social events into enriching experiences that foster lasting connections among participants.
Establishing engaging themes and clear rules in gatherings encourages meaningful participation and enhances the overall experience for guests.
Deep dives
The Importance of Hosting Meaningful Gatherings
Gathering people together is crucial for building a sense of community, especially during times of loneliness and disconnection. Host Amanda Ripley emphasizes how gatherings can nourish relationships and foster connection among participants. A listener, Julie, shared her inspiring experience of starting a podcast-driven book club with her neighbors, showcasing the power of intentional gatherings to create lasting bonds. This perspective serves as a reminder that the act of hosting can lead to a supportive network that enhances well-being and belonging.
Creating Community in New Environments
The challenges of establishing a community in a new neighborhood are illustrated through Morgan's experience. After moving and losing her previous connections, she finds it difficult to build relationships and replicate the community she once had. As Morgan explores different ways of building a sense of belonging, she highlights the importance of seeking out meaningful gatherings, whether through shared interests or common backgrounds. This reinforces the idea that intentional efforts can lead to forming lasting connections and a supportive environment.
Identifying Specific Needs for Gatherings
Priya Parker, the author of 'The Art of Gathering', stresses the necessity of defining a clear purpose for any gathering to make it meaningful. She encourages hosts to identify specific needs that the event can address, ensuring that the gathering resonates with attendees. For example, she cites a worn-out mom organizing a dinner party focused on connecting with other exhausted mothers as an effective way to foster community. By emphasizing a focused intent, hosts can transform gatherings from mundane social events into enriching experiences that fulfill communal needs.
Strategies for Successful Gatherings
To create successful gatherings, Priya Parker advises hosts to establish clear rules and engaging themes that encourage meaningful participation. She suggests using pop-up rules for events, which help set expectations and encourage active engagement among guests. Examples like themed trivia nights or potluck dinners are effective ways to foster interaction while maintaining a light-hearted atmosphere. This approach highlights the balance between structure and spontaneity, allowing gatherings to be both enjoyable and purposeful.
‘Tis the season of gathering with friends and family. It’s also a time where some of us yearn for a closer community, like this week’s listener. Morgan is looking for a way to hang out with friends in a consistent, meaningful manner. On this episode of How To!, Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, explains how to transform a lackluster hang-out where people just sit around drinking beer into a party with a purpose where guests want to come back. She tells us how to create an event that meets a need with the right rules and the right guest list. She even has tips for sprucing up your next holiday party.
Do you have a question without an answer? Send us a note at howto@slate.com or leave us a voicemail at 646-495-4001 and we might have you on the show. Subscribe for free on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen.
Podcast production by Derek John, Rosemary Belson, and Kevin Bendis.
Want more How To!? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock exclusive bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the How To! show page. Or, visit slate.com/howtoplus to get access wherever you listen.