When Strangers Become Connected

 At a recent fair for government employees, our team set up a simple table. We didn’t bring flashy giveaways or loud presentations. We had nothing to sell. Instead, we brought questions—thoughtful prompts from Cozy Juicy Real, the connection-building game we love to use in our work.

As people walked by, we invited them into conversation. Some stopped for only a moment, but in that moment, something profound happened.

One man shared that his most positive life experience was volunteering as a firefighter after 9/11. His face softened as he described the pride he felt in helping others through such a devastating time. Another woman spoke vulnerably about surviving breast cancer at 30 years old and the perspective that experience gave her on what truly matters. Still another told us how running marathons has helped her navigate the ups and downs of her mental health journey, giving her not only strength but healing.

Over and over, people opened up. Within an hour, a dozen individuals expressed deep vulnerability and honesty—with us, complete strangers. As each person thanked us for listening, we were reminded once again that beneath the surface of every passerby is a story waiting to be told. Sometimes all it takes is a safe space and a caring invitation for that story to come to light.

I have to admit—I didn’t expect to feel so personally moved. But as I listened to each story, I felt my own heart growing lighter. These were not just quick exchanges at a crowded fair; they were moments of shared humanity. I walked away feeling more connected to people I had never met before, reminded that when we take time to truly hear one another, barriers fall and bonds form. It was a gift to be let into their lives, even briefly.

At Someone To Tell It To, we know that all of us are longing for connection. We long for someone to truly hear us, to acknowledge our stories, to honor the things that have shaped us. When that happens, healing begins. With just a little intentionality, safe spaces can be created—even in the middle of a bustling fair—where strangers become connected and hearts are lightened by being heard.

That’s why we’re so excited about our upcoming Cozy Juicy Real event this fall. This annual gathering is more than a game night. It’s an invitation into authentic conversation, a chance to experience the power of listening and sharing in community. It’s an evening where you can put aside small talk and enter into what really matters: your story, your hopes, your challenges, and your humanity.

We hope you’ll join us. Because as we were reminded at the fair, when we give people the opportunity, they are ready to connect. And when they do, it changes the way they (and we) show up in the world.