Shared Goals, Small Risks, Big Moves

Insights and Activities from July’s Joyful Masterclass

What happens when you bring together a TEDx speaker, a DEI strategist, and a connection researcher under one (very sparkly) roof?

You get a masterclass that lets you feel connection in your body, your breath, and your bones.

Hosted by Charley “Sparkle” Lapomardo, July’s Joyful Connection Masterclass invited participants to reflect, move, and show up. But the real magic came from the panellists themselves, each one inviting us to practice connection in ways that felt human, meaningful, and real.

Let’s take a look at what they brought into the room.

Erin Shellington – Finding Synergies

Erin Shellington creates space for real alignment to happen. She’s spent years helping people across communities, research, and nonprofits figure out what connection looks like when you build it with intention.

During her session, Erin introduced a simple but effective practice: finding synergies. She asked participants to name a single goal and a single challenge they were facing. Then they shared them with a partner.

No pitches or problem-solving. Just two people learning what each they each care about.

How to try this yourself:

• Write down one goal you’re currently focused on and one challenge that’s been showing up.
• Share them with a colleague or peer.
• Ask them to do the same.
• Talk through where your efforts meet. See where you can synergize to overcome a challenge or amplify what works.

This moment of openness gave people the chance to see each other with more clarity and to build relationships from there.

Tony Esteves – Micro-Bravery in Action

Tony Esteves brings a sense of play and honesty to every room he enters. His focus on micro-bravery has helped thousands of people rethink how they connect, both professionally and personally.

Tony’s activity, Micro-Bravery in Action, started with a question: When’s the last time you took a small social risk? Then came another: What’s something you’ve always wanted to say to someone, but haven’t?

Participants shared their stories in pairs, often quietly, with moments of laughter and deeper thought.

How to try this yourself:

• Think of a small moment where you spoke up, reached out, or showed up.
• Share that moment with someone you trust.
• Then reflect: What made it feel risky? What might be worth saying next time the chance comes up?

Tony showed that even the smallest act can help foster confidence to build deep and meaningful relationships

Sumayyah Emeh-Edu – Movement as Belonging

Sumayyah Emeh-Edu led the group through movement, but not in the way most people expected. Her approach centers the body as a site of memory, emotion, and connection.

In her activity, participants were invited to mirror one another’s movements, to dance, or simply sway together. The room was quiet at first, but movement brought a new kind of focus.

No explanation was needed, just attention and a willingness to be seen.

How to try this yourself:

• Move alongside someone else. This could be walking, stretching, dancing, or even swaying.
• Focus on what your body feels, without needing to perform or explain.
• Afterward, write or record a short reflection: What did you feel? What surprised you? What stayed with you?

This session helped participants explore connection through rhythm, breath, and presence.

A Masterclass That Stuck With Us

July’s masterclass gave people a set of tools they could carry into daily life. Not advice or frameworks, but ways to pay attention and connect more fully.

Each panelist offered something practical, grounded, and generous. The activities were clear, the energy was warm, and the moments of reflection felt like they belonged. These activities worked because everyone involved showed up and stayed open, and sometimes, that is all we need to build connection and community.

We’re grateful to everyone who brought their energy with openness, curiosity, and courage to make themselves and others feel heard. Every masterclass is truly a joyful experience for the Connection Crew, and we’re excited to see familiar and new faces in August. Stay tuned!