26: The Joy of Creating Congregations, with Jillian Richardson

The JOMOcast with Christina Crook

Jillian Richardson created The Joy List when she moved to New York City to connect herself to the events and gatherings around the city that would give her the best chance to forge meaningful human connections and “find her people.” Since then, she’s made it her business to create “facilitated human connection”- intentional gatherings carefully curated and designed to foster friendship. Key Takeaways:

• Creating a meaningful event - or building a community- requires intentionality and structure.
• The connections created through intentional interaction are different and have greater potential for depth and meaning.
• A congregation or community of people is not simply a gathering; they are group relationships based in unconditional mutual support
• As younger people move away from the traditional communities of faith or neighborhood, gaining the healthy benefits of community membership requires intentional work to provide the opportunity for it to emerge.
• Membership in a community imparts a wealth of benefits- trust, belonging, emotional outlet, and deep connection- that casual or incidental contact does not.

Favorite Quotes:“A joyful gathering is a thing that has an intentional container… where the creator put thought into how people are coming together.”“Screaming over loud music doesn’t foster meaningful connection.”“Gathering people is a courageous act.”“We’ve been very conditioned to not say anything challenging, or unpleasing, or just don’t talk, period.”
Resources:SIGN UP for The Joy List.READ The Joy List blog.Jillian’s book, Un-Lonely Planet.Jillian’s articles on MediumArticle: “Lonely? You're not alone. America's young people are suffering from a lack of meaningful connection.” NBC News.Blog: “JILLIAN RICHARDSON: 5 WAYS TO CREATE DEEP AF FRIENDSHIPS” on MaddyMoon.LISTEN to Jillian’s podcast appearances:“Unlonely Planet” on The Soul Frequency Show.“Why We’re Lonely And What We Can Do About It” on The Unmistakable Creative.CONNECTFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/joylistnycInstagram – Joy List: http://www.instagram.com/joylistnycInstagram – Jillian: http://www.instagram.com/thatJillianWATCHAs promised in the episode, Jillian’s old improv performance in Boston.Strike A Chord: Social Isolation
SupportThis podcast is made possible by you — our listeners all over the world — from Brazil to Australia, the USA to Singapore. Please support the JOMO(cast) for just $3 a month at patreon.com/jomocast.
Christina Crook Twitter: https://twitter.com/cmcrookInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechristinacrook Web: https://www.christinacrook.com/jomocast
CreditsHosted by Christina CrookProduced by Christina Crook and Thomas J IndgeEditing and Music by Thomas J IndgeExecutive Produced by Christina Crook and Rebecca Wigaard, with production assistance from Natalie Semotiuk

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