They say “It takes a village.” But how do you build it? For all our technology, tools, and ways to stay “connected,” many of us are feeling more isolated than ever. And that lack of connection is showing up everywhere.
Florence Ann Romano believes the answer isn’t doing more; it’s rebuilding what we’ve lost.
Florence Ann is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and author. Her work has been featured across more than 900 national and local media outlets, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and major network affiliates.
We talk about why you need a village now more than ever and why that village matters just as much at work as it does in our personal lives. Florence Ann shares why people are struggling to create meaningful connections, how loneliness quietly undermines performance and mental health, and why rebuilding community is foundational to growth.
We dive into what actually makes a village work, including the six types of villagers needed for a fully functioning, supportive community. We also explore the reciprocal nature of connection: how supporting others enriches your own life, and how a true village becomes a network of mutual growth, trust, and purpose.
If you’re looking for a reset that centers humanity, collaboration, and belonging, this conversation is a powerful place to start.
To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and search by episode title.
Listen in for…
- Why both men and women are struggling to make meaningful connections.
- What it takes to make a village work properly.
- The six types of villagers needed for a functional community.
- Why you should bring your authentic self to work to strengthen your leadership and build a stronger work village.
"If you are feeling this isolation, maybe you need to lean in to those relationships that you do have at work - that could be a place that could deepen or strengthen and feel like you're not reinventing the wheel." — Florence Ann Romano
Episode References:
- Prentis Hemphill quote
- Book: Women Holding Things by Maira Kalman
The Empathy Edge podcast:
- Jamie Greenwood: Why Empathy for Others Starts with Compassion for Yourself
- Shasta Nelson: Why Successful Leaders Encourage Work Friendships
- Claude Silver: Be Yourself at Work for the Ultimate Leadership Advantage
About Florence Ann Romano, Speaker and Author of Build Your Own Village:
Florence Ann Romano is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and author, known for her ability to cultivate meaningful connections. She is passionate about helping others create their own community to be seen, heard, and understood. As an acclaimed author, Florence Ann's insights are captured in her book, Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life (Beyond Words), which has been celebrated as a top 10 in its category. Her expertise and charismatic delivery have earned her features across over 900 national and local esteemed media outlets across the country, including SHERRI, ABC/CBS/ NBC and FOX TV affiliates, Home & Family, Forbes Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and more. She is also currently a regular expert on over 10 various national TV affiliates across the U.S.
Connect with Florence Ann Romano:
Website: https://florenceann.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlorenceARomano/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/florenceann.romano
Build Your Village: A Guide to Finding Joy and Community in Every Stage of Life: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158270886X
Connect with Maria:
Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books
Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross
Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader
LinkedIn: Maria Ross
Instagram: @redslicemaria
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