Natalie Audelo

@natalieaudelo

designing social architecture and community experiences that build trust, generate creativity, and encourage authentic human connection. exploring the healing power of play, movement, music and other integrative practices.

“When I talk about generous exclusion, I am speaking of ways of bounding a gathering that allows diversity in it to be heightened and sharpened, rather than diluted in a hodgepodge of people.” — Priya Parker
from My Favorite Learnings from Priya Parker’s “The Art of Gathering”
These folks are the guardians of the party’s communal energy. Their charisma is mature and thoughtful, not narcissistic. They can subtly refine and recalibrate social dynamics by introducing strangers, tweaking the lights, or suggesting the next activity—all without stealing focus from the moment itself. They’re observant, present, and able to reco... See more
from The Type of Charisma That Saves a Holiday Party by Adrienne Matei
“I think the reason there’s such good juicy kitchen gossip, and so much connection happens in the kitchen, is because you are usually kind of doing something repetitive, and that releases something in your mind that creates a space that doesn’t just reside in the brain, but also is something that becomes part of the body. And how often do we do tha... See more
from Notes & Highlights for How We Show Up by Mia Birdsong
Wanna skip rocks? Why yes, yes I do. Thanks @jenncolella for the read. 🫶🏽 “While grabbing dinner with a friend can be engaging, it’s a far cry from elaborate forest ceremonies.” How did you play as a child? How do you play now? 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 Loved this piece from @rhainacohen for @theatlantic. #theartofgathering #friendship #play #makingmemories
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The first five minutes of a gathering can change everything. My most recent newsletter is now online and available for all. In it, I take on one of my favorite topics: the magic of a good opening. For the full read, check out my monthly newsletter in my Linktree ✨
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There are a lot of organizational structures and lived practices embedded in our bodies that we just enact by default. But through explicit facilitation practices or when we make meetings happen in a certain way, that helps change these conditioned ways of operating. In the process of learning to work this way, what really helps is, again, trust. T... See more
from On growing a cooperative like you’d grow a garden by Willa Köerner
“Dips are the water cooler of parties.” Yes, @amberrosetamblyn, yes they are. I loved so much Amber’s most recent newsletter, about, yes…dips. But the SOCIOLOGY of a good dip. Dips encourage lingering, bantering, small talk, and a good hang… What are your favorite PRO-SOCIAL foods at a gathering? 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽
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See more on the art of gathering

from My Favorite Learnings from Priya Parker’s “The Art of Gathering”

from The Type of Charisma That Saves a Holiday Party by Adrienne Matei

from Notes & Highlights for How We Show Up by Mia Birdsong

from On growing a cooperative like you’d grow a garden by Willa Köerner