In this conversation, James Ferrigno sits down with Romi Elan, a lifelong explorer of connection, culture, and business. Romi shares how a childhood move from Los Angeles to a small town in northern Israel first woke up his curiosity about people, relationships, and belonging.

From DJ’ing kids’ parties in middle school to throwing elaborate theme events in college, Romi has spent his life experimenting with how to bring people together in ways that go far beyond small talk. Parallel to that, he built a “serious” career in global management consulting and later moved into the startup world—eventually deciding he didn't want to live a double life anymore.

Romi talks about the moment he chose to take the leap and create SoulPlay, a multi-day transformational festival and community in California designed as a “laboratory” for authenticity. He shares the mental exercise he used—meeting his future self in different timelines—to help him decide whether to take the risk, and how he thought through the worst-case scenario in a way that freed him to move forward.

Together, James and Romi unpack what authenticity actually looks like in real life (and not just as a buzzword), including:

• Being yourself at work, even when it doesn’t fully match corporate culture
• Why trying to be what other people want is a terrible long-term dating strategy
• How habits and old social strategies can quietly keep us stuck for decades
• Why growth only happens outside the comfort zone

They also zoom out to the bigger picture: political polarization, wars, tribalism, and the sense that the world is at a strange crossroads. Romi shares how his own vision has shifted from focusing mainly on personal liberation and sexuality to being deeply interested in reconciliation, repair, and healing cycles of hatred between groups.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, lonely, or unsure how to find “your people,” Romi offers a simple, practical roadmap for building community: pick something you love, show up repeatedly, and stay long enough for real relationships to form.

Whether you’re navigating career choices, seeking more authentic connection, or just wondering how to be a real human in a messy world, this episode has a lot of heart, honesty, and grounded wisdom.

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The views, opinions, and statements expressed by guests on Say It Anyway are their own and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views, opinions, or positions of the host, James Ferrigno, or the producers of this podcast. Say It Anyway does not endorse or assume responsibility for any statements made by guests. The content of this program is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.