Send us Fan Mail Getting to a shared purpose as a group often requires digging a little deeper than usual. In this replay episode from 2024, Jessica and Bob talked about the "chaordic stepping stones," a helpful tool for going below the surface with a group, and share four questions that can help groups work toward a clear statement of purpose together. Links and resources from this episode: "You don't have to be local" by Derek Sivers"Keep Going" by Austin KleonConnect with us! Sign up...

Send us Fan Mail How does a small North Carolina city become a national example of collaboration between military and community? Mayor Will Lewis says it starts with relationships - and a willingness to show up for one another. In this replay episode from early 2026, Jessica talks with Havelock, North Carolina Mayor Will Lewis about what it looks like when a city and an installation grow together. As president of Allies for Cherry Point Tomorrow, Mayor Lewis helps connect communit...

Send us Fan Mail What is the value of using a systems lens in community work? In today’s archive episode, we are hearing from Bob and Jessica about solving issues in your community on a systems level, not just on a focused project level. It’s easy to get caught up in a silo, or to talk past each other. While hyperfocusing on one event or initiative in your community can have great results, it can also cut you off from system changes that have a greater impact on your community. S...

Send us Fan Mail We talk a lot on this podcast about the importance of collaborating with others in your community. But if you are finding yourself overwhelmed or with limited capacity, this framework and practice are a great way to get started. You don’t have to make everything happen yourself! Today we are diving into an episode about leveraging community assets as part of our From the Archive series. In this series we are updating and rereleasing retired content that we feel is...

Send us Fan Mail Do icebreakers always make things awkward? Have you ever had to do an icebreaker that made you cringe? What if your icebreakers actually helped your team do better work? In this episode Erin and Jessica discuss why icebreakers sometimes suck the energy out of the room and share real world examples of what it is like when they actually work. Then Erin shares a practice on how to design an icebreaker that makes team building, making connections, and getting work don...

Send us Fan Mail How do you build community connections that actually work? Have you ever gotten stuck as you try to build community partnerships? In this month’s Listener Q&A, Erin and Jessica answer questions about classic partnership problems: What do you do if you can’t find time to build connections during work timeHow do you navigate miscommunication years into a partnership? If I can only do one thing, what should I focus on? Links and resources from this epis...

Send us Fan Mail Do you see yourself as a generous collaborator? Have you ever been generous with a collaborator, only to leave disappointed? This week's practice is all about unpacking generosity. Making time for generosity can build trust, which is a key ingredient to collaborative relationships. In this episode from the archives, Bob and Jessica discuss what generosity can do for you in your relationships and why it can be challenging to offer generosity to new people. Then Bob...

Send us Fan Mail Most of us don’t ignore input - we just ask for it too late. And by then, the decisions are already made. What if the biggest issue with community engagement isn’t whether you do it - but when and how? In this episode, Jessica and Erin explore a simple but powerful two-part practice that can transform how collaborative work unfolds: engaging with people before decisions are made, and closing the loop afterward by showing how their input shaped the outcome. They unpack why eve...

Send us Fan Mail Empathy mapping is a simple tool for helping you imagine someone else and their experience. In this From the Archive episode, Bob and Jessica explore a powerful tool designed to deepen your connection with others—empathy mapping. Whether you're working with military families, service members, or anyone navigating life's challenges, this practice can help you step into their shoes and understand their experiences on a whole new level. Jessica shares her insights on...

Send us Fan Mail When military kids move, their whole world shifts—schools, friends, routines, and support systems. In this episode of Practicing Connection, school liaison Karen Watkins-Diouf and 4-H educator Jeremiah Johnson share how they work together across military and civilian systems to make sure those kids don’t fall through the cracks. Military-connected kids move more often than most of their peers, and every move disrupts their relationships, routines, and sense of belonging...