How We Connected brings listeners inside the conversations that power communities right across the United States. Every week, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and the moments of connection showing up in their own lives. They talk with a community leaders from around the country about the relationships, collaboration, and human stories behind meaningful change. Join us every week for a reflections and practical advice on the ideas you can carry forward into your own communities.
Aaron Hurst
Aaron Hurst is the Co-Founder and CEO of the US Chamber of Connection and a long-time leader in the movement to strengthen community through work. A serial entrepreneur and social innovator, he previously founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation, two organizations that reshaped how companies think about purpose, service, and meaningful work. His book The Purpose Economy helped define a new era in which connection, meaning, and relationships stand at the center of business value.
At the Chamber, Aaron focuses on reconnecting America by mobilizing community builders in every town and city. Known for turning big ideas into practical action, he works at the intersection of business, civic life, and community leadership. Aaron co-hosts How We Connected, bringing thoughtful perspective, personal stories, and a clear belief that human connection is a skill every organization can cultivate
Charlotte Massey
Charlotte is the Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection and Executive Director of the Seattle Chamber of Connection, where she leads strategy, programs, and partnerships dedicated to strengthening the connective tissue of communities in Seattle and nationwide.
Her background spans political organizing, digital marketing for large-scale nonprofits, and venture-backed entrepreneurship. She is a Forbes 30 under 30 awardee, a Thomas J Watson Fellow, and a Tory Burch Fellow. Charlotte creates environments where collaboration is natural and accessible.
Charlotte started her career in political and civic organizing, later serving as a digital marketer for major nonprofits and advocacy organizations, helping them mobilize supporters and scale their impact. She co-founded Gnara, a venture-backed outdoor apparel company that developed patented zipper technology to make clothing more functional and accessible for women, earning national recognition and viral reach.
A lifelong community builder, Charlotte also founded the Seattle Picnic Society, a 2,000-plus-person open-invite community that gathers for creative, joyful events across the city. As co-host of How We Connected, Charlotte brings grounded, practical insight and a keen sense for the moments that reveal how connection actually happens – in workplaces, neighborhoods, and local ecosystems.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How We Connected brings listeners inside the conversations that power communities right across the United States. Every week, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and the moments of connection showing up in their own lives. They talk with a community leaders from around the country about the relationships, collaboration, and human stories behind meaningful change. Join us every week for a reflections and practical advice on the ideas you can carry forward into your own communities.
Aaron Hurst
Aaron Hurst is the Co-Founder and CEO of the US Chamber of Connection and a long-time leader in the movement to strengthen community through work. A serial entrepreneur and social innovator, he previously founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation, two organizations that reshaped how companies think about purpose, service, and meaningful work. His book The Purpose Economy helped define a new era in which connection, meaning, and relationships stand at the center of business value.
At the Chamber, Aaron focuses on reconnecting America by mobilizing community builders in every town and city. Known for turning big ideas into practical action, he works at the intersection of business, civic life, and community leadership. Aaron co-hosts How We Connected, bringing thoughtful perspective, personal stories, and a clear belief that human connection is a skill every organization can cultivate
Charlotte Massey
Charlotte is the Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection and Executive Director of the Seattle Chamber of Connection, where she leads strategy, programs, and partnerships dedicated to strengthening the connective tissue of communities in Seattle and nationwide.
Her background spans political organizing, digital marketing for large-scale nonprofits, and venture-backed entrepreneurship. She is a Forbes 30 under 30 awardee, a Thomas J Watson Fellow, and a Tory Burch Fellow. Charlotte creates environments where collaboration is natural and accessible.
Charlotte started her career in political and civic organizing, later serving as a digital marketer for major nonprofits and advocacy organizations, helping them mobilize supporters and scale their impact. She co-founded Gnara, a venture-backed outdoor apparel company that developed patented zipper technology to make clothing more functional and accessible for women, earning national recognition and viral reach.
A lifelong community builder, Charlotte also founded the Seattle Picnic Society, a 2,000-plus-person open-invite community that gathers for creative, joyful events across the city. As co-host of How We Connected, Charlotte brings grounded, practical insight and a keen sense for the moments that reveal how connection actually happens – in workplaces, neighborhoods, and local ecosystems.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Building Connections through Innovative Social Clubs
In this episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst discuss community building and tackling the loneliness epidemic in America. They highlight their efforts at the US Chamber to create sustainable ecosystems for connection, including some insight into how we’re building the Chamber’s strategy for 2026 and beyond. The hosts then welcome Margie Jiang from SF Social Club, who shares her journey from dancing professionally to founding a vibrant, inclusive social club in San Francisco. Margie discusses the importance of intentional community-building, free membership models, collaborating with local businesses, and effective use of social media for growth. She also offers insights into creating volunteer roles and ensuring ongoing member engagement. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolution of social clubs and the importance of long-term community connections.
00:00 Introduction, What’s Going on at the Chamber
05:25 Building the Chamber’s Strategy - Retreat
10:02 Our guest: Margie Jiang - Early Community Experiences
13:25 Building the SF Social Club
16:20 Event Programming & Partnerships
19:46 Membership Model & Onboarding
24:11 Scaling & Team Management
24:25 Financial Sustainability
31:35 Reflection
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How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.
Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.
Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.
Connect with Us
SF Social Club
Margie Jiang
Margie is the founder of SF Social Club, a San Francisco–based social club designed to help people build real connection beyond single-interest groups. What began as a response to post-pandemic isolation has grown into a highly curated community of more than 400 active members, built around shared experiences, intentional onboarding, and consistent in-person programming. Margie leads all aspects of the club, from partnerships and programming to membership design and community standards, collaborating with local businesses and organizations to create experiences that turn strangers into friends. Alongside SF Social Club, Margie works at Deloitte, where she designs and delivers experiences for senior leaders tackling complex strategic challenges.
Heylo
Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Building Community Through Fitness and Brunch with Miracle Olatunji
In the second episode of 'How We Connected,' hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey introduce Miracle Olatunji, founder of Crunch and Brunch and the Seattle Wellness Summit. Miracle shares her journey of moving to Seattle, the inspiration behind combining fitness and brunch to foster community, and practical insights on scaling her initiative. She discusses the importance of authenticity in partnerships, her strategies for securing sponsors, and her vision for expanding Crunch and Brunch nationwide. The episode underscores the significance of structured post-event socialization and offers valuable advice for aspiring community builders.
00:00 Introduction and Miracle's background
12:43 Early experiences with community
15:43 Creating Crunch and Brunch
21:13 Making friends as an adult
27:35 Event growth and sponsorships
33:16 Advice for community builders
35:46 Upcoming events and closing reflection
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How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.
Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.
Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.
Connect with Us
Crunch and Brunch
https://luma.com/CrunchandBrunch
Miracle Olatunji
Miracle is a keynote speaker, content creator, and founder of Crunch and Brunch and the Seattle Wellness Summit. After moving to Seattle in 2023, she created a community that combines group fitness with structured social time, solving the common problem of attending classes alongside the same people without ever really connecting. What started with six people has grown to nearly 1,000 subscribers and partnerships with over 20 fitness studios. With a background in finance and a passion for bringing people together, Miracle has secured major sponsorships from organizations like Columbia Bank and Lululemon. In 2026, she's expanding Crunch and Brunch nationally with chapters in new cities. Learn more at miracleolatunji.com and luma.com/CrunchandBrunch.
Heylo
Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Building Community & Wellness with James Tan, CEO, Yerbana
In this insightful and inspiring first episode of How We Connected from the US Chamber of Connection, we are joined by James Tan, founder and CEO of Yerbana, a holistic wellness organization based in Seattle. James shares his journey from being an introverted, health-conscious kid to creating a thriving community centered around wellness. He recounts the challenges of balancing a passion-driven business with community building, and his initial forays into promoting Yerba Mate as a healthy beverage. James discusses his flagship event, Yoga in the Park, which grew from a small gathering to an event drawing nearly a thousand people weekly, promoting accessible health and wellness. He touches on the struggles of running a for-profit beverage company, the transformative power of community support, and his vision for expanding his wellness initiatives nationally. The episode concludes with James offering advice for aspiring community builders and details on how to get involved with Yerbana.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Launch
03:25 Charlotte's Travel and Reflections
11:21 About the US Chamber of Connection
16:34 Interview with James Tan: Early Life and Wellness Journey
26:02 Starting Yurana: The Yerba Mate Business
28:41 Birth and Growth of Yoga in the Park
35:40 Financial Struggles and Sustainability Challenges
40:33 Vision for Accessible Wellness and National Expansion
46:45 Community Building Strategies and Advice
51:02 Closing Reflections and Next Episode Preview
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How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.
Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.
Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.
Connect with Us
Yerbana
Heylo
Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How We Connected brings listeners inside the conversations that power communities right across the United States. Every week, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and the moments of connection showing up in their own lives. They then talk with a community leader from somewhere in the country about the relationships, collaboration, and human stories behind meaningful change. Join us every week for reflections and practical advice on the ideas you can carry forward into your own communities.
Aaron Hurst
Aaron Hurst is the Co-Founder and CEO of the US Chamber of Connection and a long-time entrepreneur focused on purpose, community, and the future of work. He previously founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation, and authored The Purpose Economy. At the Chamber, he leads national efforts to strengthen community through connection. Aaron co-hosts How We Connected, bringing thoughtful insight and personal stories to each episode.
Charlotte Massey
Charlotte Massey is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the US Chamber of Connection, where she builds programs and partnerships that help communities thrive through stronger relationships. With a background in community development and network building, she focuses on practical ways people work better together. As co-host of How We Connected, Charlotte brings clarity, curiosity, and a grounded perspective to every conversation.
Contact Us
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.