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Blueprint for Connection is a 3-hour workshop or 3-part lesson designed for classrooms, youth groups, clubs, and workplaces. This hands-on curriculum works to minimize the skills gap of connection by teaching active listening, non-judgmental curiosity, and perspective-taking.
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Meaningful connection often requires skills many of us never formally learned. Participants practice active listening and learn dialogue skills through curiosity-based interviewing techniques,
This flexible 3 hour program can be implemented as a one-time workshop or three lessons. Intentionally written age-neutral, BLUEPRINT FOR CONNECTION is suitable for all ages and can be adapted for classrooms, youth groups, clubs, or workplaces.
Nearly half of Americans report
feeling lonely or isolated, with young adults almost twice as likely to report feeling lonely than those over 65
Social media algorithms can reduce exposure to cross-cutting content by up to 45%, narrowing our exposure to diverse viewpoints
64% of Americans believe people are incapable of having constructive conversations about issues on which they disagree
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Exploring the human need for significance through thoughtful questioning and appropriate sharing with peers.
Learning Objectives:
Identify how the need to feel significant influences human behavior and relationships
Practice asking open-ended questions that invite meaningful sharing from others
Share personal experiences appropriately while respecting boundaries and building trust
Conducting structured interviews to practice listening with curiosity and discover meaningful personal stories.
Learning Objectives:
Conduct structured interviews using techniques like follow-up questions and allowing pauses
Listen actively to identify meaningful "gold nugget" moments in others' stories
Recognize patterns and connections across different people's experiences
Creating simple visual projects representing partners' stories and sharing these as gifts to build community and affirm value.
Learning Objectives:
Create representations of others' experiences through "critical creativity"
Give and receive feedback that communicates understanding and validates personal significance
Build community connections through the exchange of personally meaningful gifts
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In partnership with NYU's The Listening Project, NEST developed Blueprint for Connection as a way for classrooms and groups of all kinds to build communities based on mutual respect. The Listening Project, founded by Dr. Niobe Way and directed by Holly Van Hare, brings five years of successful classroom implementation and expertise in teaching transformative interviewing skills. NEST contributes its research-backed approach to violence prevention through Significance Quest Theory and essential relationship skills development. Through this partnership, participants experience being seen, heard, and valued as they develop the skills for more resilient connections.
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