Community Therapy

Join us for a captivating conversation with Yurii Lazaruk and Ilker Akansel community strategists and self-proclaimed “armchair psychologists,” to uncover how communities influence mental well being. Key discussion points include: How being part of a community can enhance mental health and overall wellbeing. Why empathy is central to building true communities and how it differentiates a genuine community from mere audiences or groups. The role of community leaders in setting positive examples and fostering environments where members can thrive without the fear of judgment. How to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels safe and valued.

Discover how to create thriving sub-communities that enhance the overall community experience and drive meaningful results for your organization with Marjorie Anderson and Lana Lee. Key discussion points: Best practices for creating and managing groups within larger communities Strategies for balancing organizational control with member autonomy Techniques for fostering trust and safety in group environments Approaches to identifying and engaging key stakeholders Methods for aligning group activities with broader organizational goals Resources mentioned: Project Management Institute (PMI) Community by Association

Get practical advice and inspiring examples for harnessing the power of peer-to-peer connections from Stephanie Nakano and Chauntelle Lewis. Key discussion points: Defining peer-to-peer communities and their unique characteristics Strategies for aligning community goals with organizational objectives Techniques for cultivating trust and openness in peer support networks The impact of peer communities on member well-being and resilience Common challenges in nurturing peer-to-peer communities and how to overcome them Tips for viewing community building from a more strategic perspective

Whether you’re a solo community manager looking to streamline your processes or a leader of a large community team seeking to optimize operations, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring examples from Tiffany Oda and Ece Kurtaraner. Key discussion points: Defining community operations and its critical role in successful community management Strategies for identifying and prioritizing community needs in both small and large organizations The importance of roadmapping and cross-functional collaboration in community operations Best practices for measuring and demonstrating the impact of community initiatives Real-world examples of successful community operations projects and common pitfalls to avoid Resources mentioned: Asana Generalist World Salesforce Trailblazer Community

Learn how communities can empower employees. Rachel Happe and Phoebe Shin Venkat will share their expertise on building impactful community initiatives that go beyond just supporting employees. Key discussion points: How internal communities can break down silos and accelerate collaboration Strategies for setting clear expectations and guidelines in employee communities Techniques for catering to diverse learning styles and preferences Ways to measure and demonstrate the ROI of community initiatives Real-world examples of successful employee communities and their impact Resources mentioned: The Community Roundtable Feverbee

Discover how to foster authentic connections among members. Get insights from Lexi B and Jocelyn Hsu about how they have transformed their communities into go-to places for networking and connection. Key discussion points: The origin stories of two powerful communities addressing crucial gaps in tech and community management Strategies for fostering psychological safety and meaningful connections in online spaces Balancing member needs with organizational goals and scalability Innovative approaches to measuring community impact Insights on the future of online communities as centers for networking and learning Resources mentioned: Sister Circle Black Women in Tech  The Community Club

Dive into how community-driven offerings can become a primary revenue source. We talk with Andrew Claremont and Jeremie Gluckman about their journey from idea to implementation and the resulting community growth as they identify and meet the needs of their members. Key discussion points: Shifting the perception of community from a cost center to a revenue generator Practical strategies for aligning community initiatives with business objectives Navigating the challenges of identifying and meeting member needs Effective ways to communicate community value to leadership Balancing member desires with organizational constraints and resources

Join DeMario Bell and Molly Kipnis as they explore the art of building lasting relationships within online communities. This conversation dives deep into practical strategies for fostering authentic connections and driving engagement. Key discussion points include: The importance of authenticity in community management Strategies for scaling relationship-building efforts Innovative approaches to member engagement, including meet-ups and federated models Balancing business objectives with community needs Measuring the success and ROI of community initiatives Resources mentioned: SPACES framework by David Spinks Donut for Slack

Community builder and author Adrian Speyer, joins us for our sixth and final episode for the season. We’ll explore how community builders can and should break down the AI barrier.  Check out Adrian’s website to order his book, subscribe to his blog, The Accidental Community Manager, and follow him on ⁠LinkedIn⁠.  Episode Resources  AIcyclopedia AI for Good Learn how not to ask a chatbot a silly question ⁠Follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, and if you have a confession, email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a voicemail at⁠ ⁠speakpipe.com/CommunityTherapy⁠⁠.  Community Therapy is hosted by⁠ ⁠Morgan Wood⁠⁠, produced by⁠ ⁠Kathryn Bird⁠⁠, and powered by⁠ ⁠Hivebrite⁠⁠. Note: Community Therapy is not a replacement for professional therapy. Don't hesitate to reach out to organizations like⁠ ⁠National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)⁠⁠ or the⁠ ⁠Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)⁠⁠. There's no shame in seeking help - it's a strength.

Community builder, coach, and author, Deb Schell, joins us for our fifth episode. We’ll explore building confidence to connect. Check out Deb’s consulting business Find Calm Here and follow her on ⁠LinkedIn⁠.  Episode Resources  Creator to Community Builder by Deb Schell ⁠Follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, and if you have a confession, email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or leave us a voicemail at⁠ ⁠speakpipe.com/CommunityTherapy⁠⁠.  Community Therapy is hosted by⁠ ⁠Morgan Wood⁠⁠, produced by⁠ ⁠Kathryn Bird⁠⁠, and powered by⁠ ⁠Hivebrite⁠⁠. Note: Community Therapy is not a replacement for professional therapy. Don't hesitate to reach out to organizations like⁠ ⁠National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)⁠⁠ or the⁠ ⁠Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)⁠⁠. There's no shame in seeking help - it's a strength.