Social Connection

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

**NEW EVENT!!!** Please be sure to RSVP on **[Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1988717400279?aff=oddtdtcreator)** so we have an accurate guest list. Pink Poodle Club is Spark's weekly Yappy Hour — every Monday on the back patio from 5–7pm. $1 Scooby Snacks for hoomans and $1 pup cups for the doggos. Come join us for a fun and **dog-friendly** gathering! It’s the perfect chance to meet new people, share stories, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with the **LGBTQ+ community**. Whether you're looking to make friends or just hang out, everyone’s welcome. Grab your favorite drink and let’s make some great memories together! This event is free to attend. We hope to see you there. In addition to coffee selections, the venue offers a good food and drinks [menu](https://spark-dc.com/pages/menu-2). We encourage you to register your attendance in advance. We hope to see you there. When you arrive with your dog, order on your own from the [menu](https://spark-dc.com/pages/menu-2). Then meet and mingle with LGBTQ+ folk and their dogs on the back patio. **Metro Directions:** Be eco-friendly. U Street Metro (Yellow/Green line) is only a few blocks away. Take the 13th Street Exit. The venue is adjacent to Crush Bar. This event is a safe space for everyone under the rainbow. Please feel free to invite all your friends to join you there! This event is hosted by **[Go Gay DC](https://www.gogaydc.com)**, Washington DC's inclusive LGBTQ+ community focused on friendship, leadership, and service. It now reaches over 10K fabulous people and is growing fast. Visit [https://www.gogaydc.com](https://www.gogaydc.com) . Go Gay DC's founder is **[TJ Flavell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjflavell/)**. Go Gay DC is on social media: Join the Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoGayDC) Like the Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC](https://www.facebook.com/GoGayDC) Follow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC](https://www.instagram.com/GoGayDC) Follow on Threads [https://www.threads.com/@GoGayDC](https://www.threads.com/@gogaydc) Follow on Bluesky [https://gogaydc.bsky.social/](https://gogaydc.bsky.social/) Follow on X [https://www.x.com/GoGayDC](https://www.x.com/GoGayDC) Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC](https://www.youtube.com/GoGayDC) LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/GoGayDC?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZG1DTnM0VnJybG83U3FWcnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR765Xxf5t8wFzbCac74QNX3p0Bs2oT0drXZoOmLV63J8cURMl3ta5b8iP3ztg_aem_nSdndpxd5-hXJ8myNF2_vQ) Search keywords: LGBT LGBTQ LGBTQI LQBTQIA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Straight Allies Two-Spirit

Enjoy a sweet **Ice Cream Social** at Woody's Ice Cream! Grab your favorite flavor, relax, and connect with others in a fun, laid-back setting. Come for the ice cream, stay for the company!

👉 Enroll at **[www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html](http://www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html)** Our ***Beginner Banter Club*** meets online and is available to all Spanish learners at the A1-B1 levels who want to start speaking and build confidence. Each week, we’ll explore vocabulary and cultural themes like holidays, food, and daily life in the Spanish-speaking world. **​**Location: Zoom Day: Mondays, 5pm - 6pm ET ​Price: $27.50 / session or FREE with monthly credits 🎁 **FREE Trial Event Available!** Use code **FREECLUB** when you sign up. 👉 Enroll at **[https://www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html](https://www.worklifespanish.com/conversational-spanish-clubs.html)**

Tally Ho Toastmasters meets regularly on the 1st and 3rd Monday each month. Our friendly club offers great opportunities to improve communication and leadership skills while providing excellent evaluations by the members. Learn more on our website at http://tallyho.toastmastersclubs.org/. Please, do not get discouraged by the number of members signed up on this MeetUp. Most of our active members do not use MeetUp to RSVP. We usually have around 10-15 members attending our meetings. Come check it out yourself!

No sign\-ups required \| All levels welcome \| 21\+ If you're looking for a casual game of chess in a fun atmosphere, this event is for you! Members range from beginner to master level, and games are played both with and without time controls. There are dozens of players each week, with only a fraction of the participants registering on meetup. This event is held at a bar, the Board Room, in Washington, DC, and is intended for 21+ players. We meet upstairs, on the mezzanine. Upon arrival, fill out a name tag and indicate your relative skill, to facilitate match-ups. Chess sets and boards are provided. We don't have club clocks, but most people use the Chess Clock app from Chess.com to play timed games.

Our first meeting!!! This event will be a Thursday night virtual social. We'll talk about our favorite foods, pets, and projects, and get to know each other a bit before playing some games. This is not a group for professional couseling services, but if you find creating therapeutic, then you're in good company. Please come in with a positive disposition and a desire to connect with others. The conversation will be moderated to ensure a pleasant experience for all. There will be zero tolerance for bigotry of any flavor. All ages are welcome, and we BIPOC and LGBTQ+ friendly.

The percentage of people reporting no close friends increased 5-fold between 1990 and 2021.. I feel it. Most everyone I talk to does too. And yet — no one talks about it. That's about to change. Maybe you've felt it too. The sense that everyone around you seems to have their people already figured out. That friendships are somehow supposed to happen on their own, but they just... don't. That you're already out there meeting people, and still something is missing... As a loneliness and connection researcher, I can say that it's NOT just you--it's an epidemic. And at this event, it becomes a conversation. Join us for an evening on finding and cultivating real connection. 💙 This is a part-social, part-educational event! You'll hear a 15-minute talk and take part in guided, small-group discussions — the kind where you actually learn something *and* meet someone worth knowing. **You'll walk away with:** * A clearer understanding of how proximity and intention drive connection more than almost anything else * Real stories from real people, shared in a room that makes it safe to be honest * Actionable steps you can use this week toward building the relationships you actually want "The experiences that make us feel the most alone, and even isolated, are often the most universal experiences." -Brené Brown Suggested age: 20s-40s **\~Loose Plan\~** Intro ⁘ 5m Absurd Icebreaker ⁘ 5m Hear my Personal Story ⁘ 5m Journaling ⁘ 5m Hear Main Talk ⁘ 15m Q+A ⁘ 10m Small Group discussion ⁘ 10m Journaling (optional) ⁘ 5m Small Group sharing ⁘ 20m Takeaways (optional) ⁘ 5m Social hour/feedback ⁘ 5m - end **Why?** • Washington D.C. named "Loneliest city in America" when measured by the percentage of single-person households (48.6%) • Addressing mental health stigma and promoting open dialogue about loneliness are essential steps towards fostering inclusive communities and supportive environments (Kehinde 2024) **Getting there, parking, etc** • Metro: Get off at East Falls church on orange line + 20m walk • Car: Street parking and two free lots **About the organizer - Michael Lin, PhD, MS** Michael Lin earned his PhD in Applied Mathematics from Arizona State University, where he studied how information spreads through social systems. After moving to San Francisco, and feeling a loneliness he hadn’t expected, he began exploring a deeper, more personal question: How do we connect better with others? Since 2023, Michael has been sharing what he’s learned on his YouTube channel, breaking down human connection and offering practical ways to build more meaningful relationships. Today, he speaks on these topics, helping others move from isolation toward genuine connection. If you’re interested in having him speak at your event or organization, please reach out! YouTube: Complex Objects [https://www.youtube.com/@complexobjects](https://www.youtube.com/@complexobjects) Instagram: @**thesocialcircle** @complex_objects [Meetup.com](http://Meetup.com): The-Social-Circle [https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-nihgttao/events/](https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-nihgttao/events/)

Greetings from the capital! Every Saturday at 7:30 PM, people from all walks of life — students, diplomats, travelers, locals — gather to unwind and connect. [[Click this whatsapp groupchat link to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JFESzopY1OgJ5z4r3RINfL)] Our age range is mostly 20s to 30s. If you enjoy discussing culture, politics, travel, or just want to practice a new language, this group is for you. A perfect blend of diversity and dialogue, right in the heart of D.C.

What if the conflicts in your life weren’t problems to fix—but doorways to deeper understanding? In this interactive Authentic Relating (AR) event, we’ll explore what unmet needs often sit beneath tension, frustration, and disconnection. Rather than focusing on who’s right or wrong, we’ll practice shifting attention to what truly matters underneath: our shared basic human needs; as described by Marshall Rosenberg (NVC). Through guided games and real-time exercises, you’ll practice slowing down, listening more deeply, and uncovering what truly matters—both in yourself and others. Whether you're navigating family dynamics, relationships, or everyday interactions, this experience offers a supportive space to: * Recognize the needs driving conflict * Express yourself with honesty and care * Build deeper, more meaningful connections * Come as you are—no experience necessary. Just bring your curiosity and willingness to connect. **Who would benefit from this practice:** partners, family members, those who want help connecting with others (friendships), professionals who have trouble working with team members, and team leaders who are trying to make an impact. **About Mike**: Mike is a certified Authentic Relating facilitator from ART International and trained in Nonviolent Communications. He is eager to facilitate authentic relating exercises in order to provide impact on people's lives.

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Washington.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

For the last 5 years, Central Ohio Friends and Columbus Social Connection have teamed up for some incredible nights out and some of the biggest social events in Columbus with our biggest combined event bringing out 80+ people. ⚠️ Please only RSVP through ONE group to help keep headcount accurate. Now we’re celebrating where it all started. On Friday, May 22, we’ll be joining Central Ohio Friends 🍻 **Starting at Whistle & Keg at 8:00 PM** before making our way through the Arena District Making a stop at Brothers Bar & Grill in the Arena District the same place their very first event was held back in 2021. Whether you’ve been to one of our events before or **have been waiting for the right one to come out to,** this is a great one to jump into. Stop scrolling. Start doing stuff. If you find value in these events consider contributing Link can be found in comments!

Who else is ready to sit outside? Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Grandview Grind! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **Join the Columbus City Brunch Club and make new friends!** Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier. \* Discover new restaurants in your city, together. \* Curated lunch venues with good food and vibe. \* If you hit it off with your group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards. **Note:** RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) is only a placeholder. This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.