September’s Connection Crew Masterclass Recap – Building Real Relationships

Covve’s relationship building Masterclasses with the Connection Crew offer an inspiring journey into the heart of what it means to build genuine human connections. Forget the small talk and awkward silences—this workshop dove deep into creating real meaning in our relationships and offered practical ways to tackle loneliness by forming lasting bonds.

For this event, we were honored to host Allison Gilbert as a special guest who co-authored “The Joy of Connections” with the renowned Dr. Ruth. Allison shared personal anecdotes about working with Dr. Ruth, who has spent a lifetime teaching people the importance of intimacy and human connection. 

Dr. Ruth’s wisdom has helped countless individuals forge deeper, more meaningful relationships by understanding the power of empathy, openness, and genuine communication. This introduction set a warm, inclusive tone for the rest of the workshop, framing it as a space for authenticity, growth, and connection.

Taking the connection workshop to the next level, we were introduced to three dynamic panelists, each offering their unique insights on building relationships. They didn’t lecture—they engaged us in hands-on activities designed to connect us with others in the room and provide take-home tools for fostering deeper connections in our own lives.

Here’s a closer look at the panelists and what they brought to the session:

• Steven Michael Crane, a researcher from Stanford University and founder of Synaptic Insights Consulting, focused on challenging the preconceived notions that often keep us from forming meaningful connections. His activity, “Misperceived Risk and Unexpected Reward,” encouraged us to step outside our comfort zones and engage in deeper conversations. Steven emphasized that we often overestimate the awkwardness and underestimate the benefits of having deeper dialogues with others. The activity helped participants move past initial hesitations and discover the unexpected rewards of opening up to someone new.
• Devin Keane, COO of Gratitude Plus, led a practical exercise around the power of gratitude. He shared how acknowledging small moments of joy and expressing gratitude can significantly transform our relationships. Devin’s activity was all about cultivating a habit of gratitude that doesn’t require grand gestures—just recognizing the little things that make us smile every day. He demonstrated how sharing these moments with others can strengthen bonds and build a supportive community around us.
• Sondra Norris, a culture consultant and coach, guided us through an introspective exercise on self-exploration. Her focus was on breaking down limiting beliefs that often hold us back from connecting authentically with others. Sondra’s session encouraged us to confront these beliefs, understand where they come from, and find ways to let them go. By doing so, we can approach relationships with a more open and genuine mindset, ultimately fostering more profound and meaningful connections.

After sharing their perspectives and personal stories, each panelist paired up with another to demonstrate their activities. The room was filled with curiosity and anticipation as participants paired up and jumped into the exercises, creating an atmosphere buzzing with conversation, laughter, and new connections.

If you missed the workshop, don’t worry! You can easily try these activities at home to enhance your connections and build deeper relationships. Keep reading to learn more about each panelist’s activity and how you can practice them yourself.