6 Things That Moved The Needle In 2024
And a new podcast episode and NYC Gatherings
What moved the needle for you? Reply back and let me know!
This year has been incredible.
I started the year sprinting. And now, I am ending the year with appreciation and increased clarity and self-confidence.
As I reflect on the year, there are 6 things that moved the needle for me. Here they are:
C3
Experimenting
Williamsburg
My friends and friendship
Group trips
Fabrik
1.C3
This year, I hosted 4 Community Builders and Creators Mini-Conferences also known as “C3.” These events are 6 hour intentional gatherings focused on peer-to-peer learning and problem solving with ~35 people. I love them and I want to host more of them in 2025!
In early 2024, I felt a desire to grow (you too?) beyond my existing Podcast Mixer event format. And as a remote community builder, I wanted to spend more time jamming with other like-minded people for an extended time period… So I decided to host a mini-conference that *I would want to attend.* And I was blown away by the feedback I got from the first C3. So, based on that feedback and additional interest, I decided to host three more including the last one in November.
C3 gave me an increased sense of purpose and meaning. And it has been helping me level-up. When you find things and feel things like this, keep going!
2.Experimenting
I have a love-hate relationship with experimenting. You too? After an experiment is over, I am glad that I did it though haha.
In 2024, the Hot Seat and Hot Pod Podcast Mixer formats really emerged this year after initially experimenting with them. And the most recent Podcast Mixer for episode #350 was a slightly different format too.
The part that I hate… is the uncertainty on if the experiment is going to work or not (says everyone). Overall, I really like how these experiments generally brought me closer to my friends too. To more experimenting in 2025!
3.Williamsburg
I am super lucky that so many of my close friends live in Williamsburg. This makes planned and unplanned hang-outs so much easier. Walking around the neighborhood solo and then eventually sometimes bumping into a friend on the street is SO GREAT. I have often said “good things happen when you leave your apartment” and that’s because how special Williamsburg is (to me).
Where you live and who lives near you matters!
4.My friends and friendship
This year, it felt like many friendships really solidified and new ones emerged too. It also feels like more and more of my friends know each other too, which is awesome. When I first moved to NYC, I wanted to make new friends. And to feel how I do now… is truly a gift. If you want to learn more, I wrote this letter to my prior self about friendship before and I recently recorded this podcast episode with Lani on this topic too.
Friendship in NYC can be hard, but it’s really worth it. Because of how helpful they have been, I want to create more containers with friends in 2025!
5.Group trips
And how did some of these friendships really solidify? On group trips!
It’s also really nice to get outside of the city, and car rides with friends is under-rated too! Group trips also create new group chats, which I am always a fan of too haha!
Thanks again to the people who organize these trips. I can imagine it takes a lot of work, emotionally too! If you can make it work, I highly recommend going on a group trip with friends!
6.Fabrik
This new third space has been super helpful while working remotely. I hosted the second C3 there on May 18th, two days after they officially opened. And then the next Monday, I coworked there and I have been there regularly since. Fabrik has helped me host events, get work done, and see my friends more.
If you want to learn more about Fabrik, you can listen to this podcast episode with Jaclyn, the Founder of Fabrik here:
Overall, 2024 was a special year. Thanks for your help! As I look to 2025, I am excited to keep doubling-down on the things that I like doing and doing life with the amazing people in it.
How are you thinking about 2024 and 2025? Reply back and let me know!
NYC Gatherings: check out my NYC Gatherings calendar for fun gatherings to attend in NYC!
🎧 Podcast Episode
Episode 350. Wow. It's crazy to type that, after starting this project 6+ years ago on the couch. Thank you for being part of my journey!!!
Episode 350 was recorded with many of people who have been part of the journey. It was special. The episode included short stories with people on what it is inspiring or exciting to them. You can listen here!
David Nebinski, who wants to know what moved the needle for you
PS: if you want to know what moved the needle for me in 2023, here you go!
Never is too late, it was great to come across and discover your podcast, I will catch-up some episodes during 2025. Would you advise any specific ones to listen?
That C3 approach looks exciting. I'll try the same in Spain!