📖 Read Time: 4 minutes
📩 What you’ll get out of this newsletter: A practical blueprint for hosting meaningful, peak experiences.
My first experience with Alcoholics Anonymous changed everything.
Brian again here!
Almost nine years ago, I made the choice to sit down at the end of the Venice Fishing Pier with a group of strangers for the first time. There were maybe 15 other people and it was super uncomfortable.
Since then, I've hosted nearly a thousand events; some for my former company, some for brands, some for friends, some in AA, some just for the sake of connection. Regardless of the context, what I've learned about real-life community is this:
Small, intentional gatherings have the power to change lives (yours and others).
Whether you're thinking about throwing your first dinner party, a niche book club, a micro-retreat, or joining an already established group, there's a way to do it that actually builds something lasting. Not just a one-off moment. A community.
Let's talk about how.
Genius Hotline: Brian Schopfel, how a genius builds long-term community IRL.
1. Start with the story.
Why are you hosting this? Who is it for? If you can’t answer that clearly, your guests won’t feel clear either.
2. Design for connection.
People don’t just want to attend, they want to belong. Curate your invite list around a shared purpose, interest, or vibe.
3. Location is not just aesthetics.
Consider what’s happening before and after. How far will guests travel? What will they need to feel welcome the moment they arrive?
4. Programming should be invisible.
Transitions matter more than you think. What cues are you giving people to know when things start, end, or shift?
5. Keep it stupid simple.
One clear activity. One reason to be there. One memory they’ll talk about later. If your agenda needs a slide deck, you’ve already lost.
6. Honor the logistics.
Are bathrooms, parking, signage, accessibility boring? Maybe. Is parking free? Are restrooms easy to find? Do people know how to leave when it’s over? These seem minor, until they’re not.
7. The host is the glue.
Not a performer. Not a promoter. Just someone who cares enough to curate the right room. Hosting doesn’t have to mean you run the show. If you’re not the natural emcee, find someone who is. Your job is to ensure the energy, not necessarily deliver it.
🧠 Genius Tips
Micro events = under 35 people. Intimacy is the whole point.
Design for clarity: “People should know why they’re there without asking.”
If it’s free, be transparent about why… is there a sponsor? Are you hoping to meet more clients? Be honest, it builds trust.
Introduce the “outroduction”: How are people leaving your event? On what note?
Why AA Works So Well
Alcoholics Anonymous isn’t just a sobriety program. It’s a masterclass in low-tech, high-trust community building. Granted the stakes are higher than most other recreational events, but there is still something to be said for the beauty in how simple the program really is.
Clear Purpose: Everyone’s there for the same reason.
Peer-Led: No gurus. Just people showing up for each other.
Consistent Format: You always know what to expect.
Safe Space: Vulnerability isn’t forced. It’s modeled.
No Flash Needed: No branding, no marketing... just a folding chair and a reason to return.
The Great Equalizer: Crossing paths with others who are different on the surface, but united with one common trait, is powerful.
Now imagine applying those same principles to your world. A creative meetup. A parent support group. A Sunday walk with strangers. The power is in the simplicity. Keep it simple.
🚀 Genius Takeaways
Intimacy is easier to build in small doses.
Clarity and simplicity beat spectacle and scale.
Hosting is about care, not charisma.
The best communities are designed like rituals: repeatable, low-pressure, purpose-first.
Hey—you made it to the end. Thanks 🙂
This Saturday, June 28th, I hit nine years of sobriety (God willing!). As I reflect, I keep coming back to this: my life has been shaped not just by the rooms I've entered, but by the people who made space for me. That's what this whole guide is about.
I truly believe everyone would benefit from attending a single open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous (hint: it’s not only about drinking).
If you're craving more real-world connection, maybe it starts with one dinner, one invite, one night where you feel seen. One moment where you talk about something real, something substantial, something that maybe you’re afraid to talk about.
Life is short! And it feels good to do hard things.
If you resonate with this I’d love to hear from you.
— Brian (@brianmschopfel)
P.S. Serious about building your audience or brand presence?
We’re opening a few spots for July in our 4-week content strategy advisory cohort. If you’re a founder, executive, or operator looking to grow your audience—whether for fundraising, hiring, sales, or personal thought leadership—this is for you.
If that sounds like you, let’s connect.
