ReImagining Community with Garland

What if the gallery, the stage, or the mural on your street corner became our new town square? In this solo episode of Reimagining Community, Garland Fuller explores arts and culture spaces as powerful third spaces that spark creativity, foster belonging, and even strengthen civic engagement.

From theater and visual arts to dance, film, and public murals, Garland shares how arts and culture function as more than decoration—they are infrastructure for belonging. These spaces invite us to feel, imagine, and connect beyond background or identity. Drawing from personal experience and the People–Place–Program framework, this episode reimagines how arts and culture can democratize community and activate collective change.

Art as Belonging, Not Decoration Why arts and culture spaces are essential for emotional connection, creativity, and perspective—not just "extras."

A Personal Journey How theater, dance, and visual arts became sources of joy, inspiration, and family connection.

Civic Engagement Through Art Why people who attend arts events are 56% more likely to volunteer and 27% more likely to vote (NEA Civic Engagement Report).

The People Lens Artists as truth-tellers, audiences as participants, and the role of "shadow artists" in sustaining community.

The Place Lens From galleries and theaters to street corners and cafés—any space can be activated as an arts and culture third space.

The Program Lens How festivals, open mics, book clubs, and even dance flash mobs create access, joy, and intersection.

Arts & Culture as Resistance Echoing Nina Simone and Toni Morrison: in times of crisis, artists reflect truth, inspire action, and remind us we're not alone.

When was the last time art made you feel less alone?

What's your favorite arts and culture third space—and why does it matter to you? Share your reflections in the comments or tag Garland on LinkedIn.

👉 Explore the Community Impact Collective and join the newsletter: garlandfuller.com 👉 Book Garland to facilitate, design, or speak with your arts & culture organization: [email protected]

"Art is not decoration. It's an infrastructure for belonging." — Garland Fuller

Building legacies, together.

What happens when women gather without the male gaze? What shifts when women create spaces where honesty, safety, and creativity can thrive? In this solo episode of Reimagining Community, Garland Fuller explores the history, impact, and future of women-only spaces—from all-girls schools and suffrage clubs to modern coworking collectives and healing circles.

These spaces aren't exclusionary. They're revolutionary. They've always been incubators for change, where women organize, heal, and imagine new possibilities. Through the People–Place–Program framework, Garland unpacks why designing inclusive women's spaces requires intentionality around intersectionality, accessibility, and representation.

Whether you're building circles for mentorship, organizing intergenerational communities, or hosting women-centered events, this conversation will help you design spaces that honor safety while fueling transformation.

The Power of Women-Only Spaces How women-only spaces create safety, creativity, and healing that counter workplace bias and microaggressions.

A Historical Legacy From suffrage clubs to civil rights organizing, women's spaces have always been catalysts for liberation, equity, and social change.

Intersectionality Matters Why clarity is critical—race, class, sexuality, disability, and age all shape who feels invited and included.

The Place Lens Moving beyond "pink and pillows" toward spaces that feel welcoming, functional, and designed with women's real needs in mind.

The Program Lens Trust-building rituals, storytelling circles, and intergenerational mentorship as pillars for sustaining women-centered programming.

Revolution, Not Escape Why women-only spaces aren't retreats from the world, but incubators that fuel collective strength, leadership, and new possibilities.

Who in your life needs a women-only space—and how can you help create it?

What's the most transformative women's space you've been part of? Share your story in the comments or tag Garland on LinkedIn.

👉 Explore the Community Impact Collective and join the newsletter: garlandfuller.com 👉 Book Garland to design or facilitate women-centered programming: [email protected]

"Women-only spaces are not exclusionary. They're revolutionary incubators for change." — Garland Fuller

Building legacies, together.

People are craving connection. This is urgent. In the closing episode of the Third Space Academy Solo Series, Garland Fuller brings the lessons full circle—loneliness, hybrid work, green spaces, personal story, and why intentional community design matters now more than ever.

This finale is part recap, part reflection, and part call to action. With guided prompts, Garland challenges listeners to identify who in their communities is most at risk, how digital and hybrid spaces can deepen connection, and why every builder needs to know their own why.

• Loneliness as an Epidemic 60% of Americans report daily loneliness —a statistic that demands urgent solutions, not quick fixes.

• Hybrid Isn't Enough Physical absence requires intentional design. Remote and hybrid spaces can succeed, but only if leaders intentionally foster connection .

• Green Space as Emotional Regulation Why nature is more than scenery—it's a nervous-system reset and the ultimate third space for belonging and wellbeing .

• The Power of Personal Story Garland's own journey (Episode 4) shows how "release" and authenticity fuel the courage to build spaces where others can belong.

• The People–Place–Program Framework, Revisited

  • People need belonging more than convenience.

  • Place communicates before anyone says a word.

  • Program brings it all to life through ritual, design, and intention.

• Reflection Prompts for Builders

  • Who in your community is most at risk of loneliness right now?

  • How is your hybrid or digital space inviting deeper connection?

  • What role can nature or sensory design play in your gatherings?

  • What's your personal why for building community?

• Loneliness & Social Connection

  • U.S. Surgeon General Advisory: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation

• Hybrid & Work Wellbeing

  • Gallup: The Remote Work Paradox—Higher Engagement, Lower Wellbeing

  • Gallup: Global Indicator—Hybrid Work

  • Gallup: Despite Employer Prioritization, Employee Wellbeing Falters

• Wellness & Nature

  • 2024 Global Wellness Economy Monitor

Which reflection prompt speaks loudest to you? Share your answers in the comments or tag Garland on LinkedIn.

👉 Explore the Community Impact Collective and subscribe at garlandfuller.com. 👉 Book Garland to guide your team through the People–Place–Program framework for intentional connection in workplaces and communities.

"Every gathering is a chance to rehearse the future we want to see." — Garland Fuller

Building legacies, together.

We spend so much time cosplaying corporate—buttoned-up, polished, leaving parts of ourselves at the door—that we forget who we really are. In this vulnerable solo episode of Reimagining Community, Garland Fuller shares the personal journey that shaped her work in people, culture, and third spaces.

From high school track meets to college leadership roles, to a two-decade career in HR and community building, Garland threads together the story of how she learned to design spaces where people can show up as their whole selves. This is her why behind Third Space Academy—and a call to leaders and organizers to build spaces where belonging isn't accidental, but intentional.

• Release as a Word of the Year Letting go of polished images and showing up with more authenticity—why release has been both vulnerable and liberating.

• Early Third Spaces Track and cross-country taught resilience; student orgs and peer health education built leadership and facilitation skills.

• Cosplaying Corporate The hidden cost of showing up as the "representative version" of yourself—and how third spaces peel back those layers.

• From HR to Third Space Academy Why two decades of building programs, internships, DEI initiatives, and nonprofit strategy revealed the deeper work: designing containers for connection.

• Third Spaces as Rehearsal for Society These are places to practice who we want to be—letting go of polarization, reclaiming humanity, and rebuilding trust.

• The Loneliness Epidemic 60% of Americans report daily loneliness —a reminder that intentional spaces aren't optional, they're urgent.

• Loneliness & Social Connection

  • U.S. Surgeon General Advisory: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation

• Wellbeing & Work

  • Gallup: Despite Employer Prioritization, Employee Wellbeing Falters

  • Gallup: Leaders, Ignore Employee Wellbeing at Your Own Risk

What third spaces shaped your story? Reflect on the teams, organizations, or programs that taught you something lasting—and share them with Garland.

👉 Comment or tag Garland on LinkedIn. 👉 Explore Third Space Academy and subscribe at garlandfuller.com.

"Community isn't built—it's practiced. Every gathering is a chance to rehearse who we want to be." — Garland Fuller

Building legacies, together.

Green space isn't decoration—it's medicine. In this solo episode of Reimagining Community, Garland Fuller explores how outdoor and nature-rich "third spaces" restore wellbeing, invite belonging, and spark creativity. From morning walks to community gardens, we unpack why designing with nature is not a nice-to-have—it's a leadership mandate for healthier teams and communities. Research on social connection, mental health, and wellbeing backs it up , , .

• Why Nature Matters for Belonging How outdoor third spaces (parks, trails, gardens) counter isolation and strengthen social connection , .

• Wellbeing > Just Productivity Nature time supports mental health and life satisfaction, a cornerstone of any credible wellbeing strategy , .

• Place as a Silent Communicator Lighting, shade, sound, seating, wayfinding, and views of nature shape stress and nervous-system regulation long before anyone speaks.

• Community Gardens = Community Glue Food growing spaces build pride, intergenerational connection, and access to healthful routines—especially meaningful in underserved neighborhoods (aligned with social connection priorities ).

• Program Outdoors, On Purpose Walking meetings, "curiosity walks," and outdoor offsites reduce digital fatigue, deepen trust, and turn nature into a built-in facilitator.

• People–Place–Program (PPP) Outdoors

  • People: Design for access (mobility, shade, restrooms, transit, cultural cues).

  • Place: Use sensory design intentionally (views, plants, water, materials).

  • Program: Plan rituals and flows (arrival, movement, reflection, food) that make connection inevitable.

• Loneliness & Social Connection

  • U.S. Surgeon General Advisory: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation — policy and design levers for connection. Read → HHS (2023)

• Mental Health Context

  • The Big Question: What is driving the global mental health crisis? Read → Financial Times (2024)

• Wellbeing & Work

  • Global Indicator: Employee Wellbeing Read → Gallup

  • Despite Employer Prioritization, Employee Wellbeing Falters Read → Gallup

• Wellness Macro Trends

  • 2024 Global Wellness Economy Monitor — framing nature, recreation, and mental wellness within the broader wellness economy. Read → Global Wellness Institute

What's your favorite outdoor third space—and why does it matter to you? Share in the comments or tag Garland on LinkedIn. Want a deeper dive into People–Place–Program for outdoor activations? Join the Community Impact Collective and subscribe at garlandfuller.com.

"Outdoors isn't a backdrop—it's a living facilitator of belonging, wellbeing, and creativity." — Garland Fuller

Building legacies, together.

We're not robots. We don't show up to work as just one version of ourselves—and in today's hybrid and remote landscape, engagement and wellbeing don't always align. In this solo episode of Reimagining Community, Garland Fuller explores why flexibility gets people in the door, but connection is what keeps them in the room.

From Gallup's paradox of remote work (higher engagement, lower wellbeing) to the rising demand for flexibility as currency for retention, Garland dives into what leaders need to understand about designing meaningful connection in hybrid teams.

• Hybrid Work Paradox Why fully remote employees are often more engaged but report lower wellbeing—and what that gap means for managers and organizations .

• Engagement vs. Wellbeing Engagement = energy for work. Wellbeing = energy for life. Garland explains why high engagement scores don't always protect against turnover or burnout .

• Flexibility as Retention Currency 60% of remote employees say they'd quit if flexibility were revoked —why this is non-negotiable for many.

• Connection by Design Connection doesn't happen by accident. Leaders must intentionally design hybrid experiences—team touchpoints, offsites, and non-traditional gatherings (beyond happy hours).

• Checking In Without Micromanaging How to balance accountability with care—asking about stress, social connection, and energy without crossing personal boundaries.

• The Third Space Academy Lens Garland shares why the People–Place–Program framework is essential for hybrid leaders who want to move beyond "butts in seats" and build true belonging.

• Reports & Data

  • Gallup: The Remote Work Paradox—Higher Engagement, Lower Wellbeing

  • Gallup: Global Indicator—Hybrid Work

  • Gallup: Global Indicator—Employee Wellbeing

  • Gallup: Despite Employer Prioritization, Employee Wellbeing Falters

• Frameworks

  • People, Place, Program (intentional design for connection in hybrid spaces).

Are you working remote or hybrid? Drop a 🏠 if you're remote or a 🏢 if you're hybrid, and tell us your biggest blocker to connection.

👉 Share your reflections in the comments or tag Garland on LinkedIn. 👉 Explore the Community Impact Collective and join the newsletter: garlandfuller.com.

"Flexibility wins over engagement—and connection sustains wellbeing." — Garland Fuller

Building legacies, together.

Loneliness is rising, even as our world feels more connected than ever. Half of Americans report feeling lonely on a daily basis , and burnout continues to affect nearly two-thirds of U.S. employees . In this solo episode of Reimagining Community, Garland Fuller unpacks what this means for leaders, organizers, and anyone invested in building spaces of belonging.

From the People–Place–Program framework to practical examples of inclusive design, Garland breaks down why true belonging doesn't happen by accident—it's built with care, intention, and attention to detail. Whether you're designing youth programming, hosting community events, or rethinking your workplace culture, this conversation challenges you to go deeper.

• The Loneliness Epidemic Why half of Americans feel lonely daily , and what that reveals about the hidden cost of disconnection.

• Burnout & Wellbeing 63% of U.S. employees report burnout —and why organizations can't ignore wellbeing without risking long-term engagement .

• True Belonging Is Built Garland shares lessons from 25 years in corporate, nonprofit, and ERG leadership about why community needs intentional design.

• The People Lens Designing with intersectionality in mind—considering race, gender, age, ability, socioeconomic class, language, and faith to build inclusive third spaces.

• The Place Lens Why sensory design is emotional communication—from natural light to plants, the environment we gather in matters for reducing anxiety and sparking connection.

• The Program Lens Aligning people and place through intentional programming, flexible formats, and full-participation design (like food, writing, and open-mic flow at a poetry slam).

• Third Spaces as Healing Spaces Reframing third spaces as places that heal, inspire, and transform—and why that shift matters for addressing the loneliness epidemic.

• Reports & Data

  • U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on Loneliness & Isolation

  • Gallup: Despite Employer Prioritization, Employee Wellbeing Falters

  • Gallup: Leaders, Ignore Employee Wellbeing at Your Own Risk

• Frameworks

  • People, Place, Program (Garland's approach to building intentional third spaces).

• Design Insights

  • Sensory design elements—lighting, sound, and plant life—as tools for emotional connection.

What makes your favorite third place powerful? Is it the people, the place, or the program that keeps you coming back?

👉 Share your reflections in the comments or tag Garland on LinkedIn. 👉 Explore the Community Impact Collective and join the newsletter: garlandfuller.com

"True belonging doesn't happen by accident. It's built, one intentional choice at a time." — Garland Fuller

Building legacies, together.

We're back for our quarterly check-in! This episode, Garland, Marissa, and Allison get real about how 2025 is treating them—emotionally, creatively, and professionally. The crew dives into the words of the year they each picked, how those intentions are holding up (or, in some cases, getting a remix!), and the rituals keeping them grounded in these all-over-the-place times.

From Topple-inspired metaphors for emotional balance to morning walks and "letting go" as a radical act, you'll find sharp honesty and truly relatable reflections. We chat about how consuming less (media, content, even responsibilities) can actually help you do more of what matters. Plus, we cover what books, podcasts, and TV shows are getting us through—and why comfort viewing totally counts as self-care.

If you're managing teams, scaling impact, or just trying to stay steady as the world wobbles, you'll walk away with a healthy dose of community wisdom—and a reminder that you are so not alone.

• Quarterly Check-in Energy: Honest reflections on how "the 2025 of it all" is landing—balancing gratitude and struggle, creativity and overwhelm.

• Words of the Year Recap: The group revisits their chosen guiding words (like "anchor," "weave," "elevate," "impact," "release") and checks in on where those intentions are now.

• Emotional Grounding Rituals: Walks (headphone-free!), family time, and quiet routines that help anchor you amidst chaos.

• Letting Go as Power: Why releasing the need to control everything (including your kid's forgotten shoes!) is the real flex.

• Input Diets: Reducing information overload; choosing lighter books, comfort TV, and creative projects over "shoulds."

• Current Reads & Recos: History nerd alert, Gilded Age deep dives, rom-com reads, and nostalgia watches like ER and Survivor.

• Song of the Year: Musical mantras like "Defying Gravity," "This Is Me," and "Show Yourself"—and why the right anthem gives you courage to leap, even when your word of the year says otherwise.

• Community & Collaboration: The power of support, witnessing each other's growth, and the magic that happens when you have people in your corner.

• Books:

• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron (plus real talk on the "input deprivation diet")

• Gilded Age histories (Allison's pick: a book on the Rothschild women)

• Buy Back Your Time (mentioned by Garland)

• TV:

• ER (classic comfort watch)

• White Lotus

• The Pit (on HBO)

• Survivor

• Righteous Gemstones

• Media Approach: Intentional reduction in podcasts/news—prioritizing rest, fiction, and lighter entertainment as self-care.

• "Defying Gravity" (from Wicked)

• "This Is Me"

• "Show Yourself" (from Frozen II)

Check out the episode playlist—songs are linked in the show notes!

• How's your year unfolding? Share your own words, mantras, or check-ins with us!

• Ready to go deeper? Join the Community Impact Collective and sign up for Garland's newsletter https://prodigious-designer-8603.kit.com/2998145cf6

• Tag us with your reflections or what's keeping you grounded right now:

• Allison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/

• Marissa: https://www.itsmemarissag.com

• Garland:https://www.linkedin.com/in/garlandfuller/

• #Changemakers #CommunityImpact #ImpactDriven

Don't forget to subscribe and invite a friend who needs a community pick-me-up!

"You don't have to choose between passion and progress. Together, we create change that lasts." — The ReImagining Community Team

Building legacies, together.

In this energizing episode, Garland Fuller dives into a radically authentic conversation with Bahni Turpin—acclaimed actress, community leader, and founder of the SoLA Food Co-Op in South L.A. Bahni shares her journey from artist to changemaker, breaking down how lived experience and community theater opened her eyes to food injustice and inspired tangible solutions.

From her roots in New York to establishing a home and purpose in South L.A., Bahni reveals what it really takes to build a member-owned food co-op in a city shaped by food deserts and systemic inequities. She opens up about the co-op building process, the setbacks and surprises, and the incredible community momentum fueling SoLA Food Co-Op today.

• Turning Challenges Into Action: Bahni's journey is all about not waiting for "someone else" to fix the gaps you see. When big chains refused to invest in her neighborhood, she imagined something bolder: a store owned by—and for—the people.

• Power of the Cooperative Model: A co-op isn't just a store—it's a movement. Every household member gets a vote and a say in how the business serves the community, from the products on the shelves to profit sharing and long-term decisions.

• Building From the Ground Up: Bahni shares honest reflections on how long the process can take and why showing up at farmer's markets, collaborating with local growers, and hustling for grants matter. This is grassroots, solutions-first work.

• Disrupting Food Deserts by Design: The episode unpacks how systemic issues shape food access in Black and Brown communities—and how local, collective ownership can change the narrative for future generations.

• Collaboration in Action: The SoLA Food Co-Op journey is packed with stories of partnership—working with local farmers, coffee roasters, and organizations birthed from the Black Panther legacy—to ensure the co-op reflects and uplifts the neighborhood.

"If you're noticing [a problem], that's all that needs to happen for something to start changing." — Garland Fuller

"What if the community owned the store—what if I didn't have to be the owner?" — Bahni Turpin

"A co-op isn't for sale to the highest bidder. It's about legacy, voice, and staying power for our communities." — Bahni Turpin

• Interested in joining SoLA Food Co-Op?

• $200 membership per household—for a lifetime of ownership, voting power, and community impact.

• Visit https://www.solafoodcoop.com/ to join or donate.

• Connect in person:

• Meet the team at their booth at the farmer's market on the first and third Saturdays at Slauson & Crenshaw (5730 Crenshaw, 10am–3pm).

• Support their fundraising goal:

• They're working toward $5M to open their doors debt-free and keep the power in the community. Every donation and membership matters.

• Bring your creativity:

• Volunteers, connectors, and cheerleaders are always needed! If you're passionate about food justice, this is your space.

• Community Services Unlimited – Local partner and organic produce provider

• California Center for Cooperative Development – Check out their annual conference for anyone interested in building co-ops

• Aura Cafe & Life in a Bottle – Supporting local food entrepreneurs

• Bahni's go-to community soundtrack? "Love Train" and Marvin Gaye's hits—because building together is always better with a soundtrack.

• Subscribe to ReImagining Community for more stories that move you to act.

Let's reimagine what's possible. Together. Tag us with your thoughts or questions! #Changemakers #CommunityImpact #CollaborationOverCompetition

Links & Contact Info:

• SoLA Food Co-Op Membership/Donation page: https://www.solafoodcoop.com/join

• Garland Fuller Newsletter & Community Impact Collective: https://prodigious-designer-8603.kit.com/2998145cf6

• Social: @solafoodcoop, @bahni_turpin, @garlandfuller

Building legacies. Together. See you in the community!

We've reached the end of an incredible first season of ReImagining Community! In this special finale, Garland Fuller and Marissa Garza look back on the moments that shaped the season, the conversations that challenged and inspired us, and the powerful ways our community is growing.

More than just a recap, this episode is about honoring the stories, connections, and impact that have come from building this space together.

🔥 Kicking Things Off (00:01:07) Garland and Marissa reflect on what it took to launch this podcast, the energy behind each episode, and the deep sense of purpose fueling this work.

🌟 Season Highlights A look back at the moments that sparked big ideas, new perspectives, and real action—from leadership lessons to the power of storytelling in community building.

💡 Lessons from Our Guests We revisit key takeaways on cultural intelligence, navigating change, and balancing personal and professional growth.

💭 Personal Growth & Big Reflections Garland and Marissa open up about how this season has shaped their own understanding of leadership, creativity, and the evolving nature of community work.

🚀 Looking Ahead to Season 2 What's next? We're building on this momentum with fresh conversations, deeper engagement, and even more ways for you to be part of the journey.

🎶 Season Playlist Drop Here's a playlist of all of the songs that moved and inspired our guests this season: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/74GIZUo0A7R0atmcPmvEz7?si=R6XQu5hqTZ-jN_WuH5uv1g

📩 Join the Movement

• Be part of the Community Impact Collective—a space for changemakers building lasting impact. https://communityimpactcollective.mn.co/
• Subscribe to Garland's newsletter for insights on leadership, strategy, and community-driven action. https://prodigious-designer-8603.kit.com/2998145cf6

💬 Your Turn: What Stuck With You? What moments from Season 1 resonated most with you? Let us know—we'd love to hear your takeaways!

To every listener, guest, and supporter—thank you. This podcast is about reimagining what's possible when we come together with intention, and we're just getting started. See you in Season 2!