An Intentional Approach to Building Community

In this episode of How We Connected, hosts Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey discuss the importance of building connection and community in America. The conversation dives into Aaron's recent trip to Miami and Charlotte's adventurous holiday travel, highlighting the enriching experiences of spontaneity and connection. This week's interview features Gabriel Ghiglione, an experienced community builder who was global lead at Midnight Runners and helped expand the social running community to 18 cities globally. Gabe shares his playbook for building successful communities, emphasizing the importance of consistency, personal connection, and establishing a core group of volunteers. The hosts reflect on how to integrate these lessons into their own community-building efforts at the US Chamber of Connection.

00:00 Introduction to How We Connected

02:56 Holiday Travel Stories and Reflections

07:04 A Medical Emergency in Minnesota!

12:35 Gabriel Ghiglione's Journey: From Berlin to Global Community Building

20:40 The Playbook: Building Community in New Cities

28:30 Midnight Runners Today and New Projects

36:24 Intentional Diversity and Leadership in Communities

42:24 Key Takeaways and Closing Reflections

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How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.

Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.

Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org

Midnight Runners

www.midnightrunners.com

Gabriel Ghiglione

Gabe is a community builder best known as global lead for Midnight Runners, a movement that combines running, music, and social connection to help people feel a sense of belonging in cities around the world. What began as a small volunteer-led run group grew into a nonprofit community active across 18 cities internationally. Gabriel spent nearly seven years launching chapters, developing local leadership teams, and refining a playbook centered on consistency, co-creation, and mission-led design. Today, he continues to apply these principles through neighborhood and creative communities in San Francisco, and through his work in community platforms and experiential design.

Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

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