Hello ,
Six years ago, at my last conference before leaving the corporate world, I told myself it would be my last. The people were great and the topics meaningful, but the human-to-human connection felt flat, transactional, and missing the depth I’d come to truly value.
Last week at CultureCon, I experienced the opposite and even got to help shape it. This conference, centered on improving the corporate workplace, went out of its way to foster genuine connections between attendees.
As part of an amazing group of Connection Professionals called Connection Crew, I had the joy of leading four unique experiences, each one reminding me why I light up when I do this work. Here’s what unfolded…
Tuesday: Connection Crew Team Building
I got to lead our team building and guided my fellow Connection Professionals through a mix of improv comedy, authentic relating games, and mini-meditations. We spanned the spectrum of movement, laughter, and depth. A few participants told me they finally felt permission to be their full, weird selves simply because they saw me being mine. The big takeaway for them? When you embody your authentic self, you give others permission to do the same.
Wednesday: Dance Break
Many of the conference attendees had never danced at a conference. But apparently, my enthusiasm was so contagious that soon, people who thought they would not participate were moving, smiling, and feeling lighter. Movement got them energized and reconnected with the playful part inside them, which had been dormant for a while.
Thursday Morning: Movement & Meditation
At 7 AM, a small group arrived sleepy and left alert, grounded, and focused. We moved with music, stretched, and sat in stillness, even weaving the sounds of catering deliveries into our meditation. It was a gentle reminder that you don’t need a pristine, silent space to meditate; the sounds around you can become part of your practice if you allow them.
Thursday Midday: Compassion in Action Meditation
I guided attendees through a partner practice exploring empathy (feeling with another) and compassion (empathy + wishing them well). Silent moments, eye contact, and the awareness that “just like me, the person in front of me also has challenges, joys, and the full spectrum of human emotions” created powerful shifts.
For some, it brought tears. For others, it sparked new friendships. Colleagues who had never seen each other beyond their job titles connected on a deeper level. Several told me afterwards that this was the most profound session of the entire conference.
These moments reaffirmed my belief:
➡ We can pair movement, laughter, and depth to create connection that lasts long after the event ends.
If you’d like to explore this in your own life, here’s how:
For beginners:
Join At Ease, Empowered & Connected, my 6-week live online course for mindful professionals ready to move from self-doubt to self-trust, from overwhelm to calm connection.
📅 Starts September 15th | Mondays, 6–8 PM PST
For those with an existing practice:
Join The Power of Connection Monthly Membership to deepen your emotional intelligence and authentic communication skills through weekly live sessions. Build lasting mindfulness habits and let authentic relating become second nature, with the support and accountability of our group helping you embed these new behaviours into your daily life.
Which one feels right for you? I’d love to see you in our next session, whether you’re taking your first step or deepening the path you’re already walking.
Warmly,
Roxana 💜
A picture with our Connection Crew - I’m so grateful and honoured to have been part of this amazing team.
P.S. Do you know someone who could use these skills in their life? Please share this email with them. Thank you!🙏
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