Clubhouse is Democratizing Conversation -- And it Matters.

When was the last time you felt like your voice was heard? Like you were adding value? Like you mattered?

Better yet, when was the last time you truly listened to someone else? You made them feel like they were adding value? And you made them feel like they matter?

This is the beauty of Clubhouse, the audio-based social media app that has a global audience of every type of socio-economic background and level of influence connecting in very deep, personal and inspiring ways. 

I joined Clubhouse on January 12th and I too was skeptical about whether I needed to engage in yet one more social media anything, but the first time I joined a room and listened to the free flow of conversation unfold so organically, authentically, passionately, deeply and with incredible gems of value - I was hooked. 

For anyone who knows me, this will come as no surprise as I believe that we all have a voice, a tribe, a purpose. And while I come with 20 years of experience in the lecture industry working with some of the most sought-after speakers in the world, I still believe that all it takes is one comment to make a difference. One comment, said at just the right time and heard by just that one person who needed to hear it, and this, again, is the beauty and power of Clubhouse.

If this isn’t helping, what is? - Nathan Akpan

As Nathan Akpan said last Friday night in a room that was meant to be about influential entrepreneurs engaging with audience q&a, but turned into a deep conversation about race, diversity and the value that each of us brings, Akpan shared, “If this isn’t helping, what is?” And by “this,” he meant the authentic exchange that was happening in that room, which was raw and unfiltered. A couple of moderators asked if they should reset the room to the original theme, but many of the speakers said this conversation, which happened so organically, needed to play out. And it played for almost three hours that I listened.

I know there are naysayers and trolls who will do all they can to put a negative spin on what's happening at Clubhouse, and I'm sure there are plenty of divisive rooms, and legitimate questions of concern as with any social media these days, but there are more pros than cons. And unlike other social media that feels incomplete or finite, there is something magical about this long-form conversation that is blending rooms of people who, at their best, are trying to learn from one another and lift each other up.

Meaningful conversations are happening because people are trying to understand each other. -Michelle Phan

Michelle Phan, known to many as YouTube's first star, is now also known as a Nikola Tesla fan and an advocate of sustainable energy at global scale which she shared in a CH Room on Saturday, where she was the featured guest. I joined with only 20min left to the room, and in that short period of time I heard a woman who surprised and delighted me in unexpected ways. I bet a lot of people left that room researching more on Phan, bitcoin, Nikola Tesla and sustainable energy solutions. Not the kind of conversation you would expect to unfold between a YouTube star and her fans, but imagine the conversations that have been spurred because of it? And as Michelle put it when commenting about the power of Clubhouse, it's providing "meaningful conversations because people are trying to understand each other, rather than fighting in comments," as they do on so many other platforms. In CH you can't hide behind words and at the end of the day, "Clubhouse humanizes, because there are no filters." Her voice sounded vulnerable as she said that she wished Clubhouse existed when she was starting her YouTube channel so that she could have engaged in this open dialogue, instead of just having thoughts in her head through the most challenging times.

And there are so many other voices I heard on Clubhouse of people sharing how it is giving them a voice, a community, an opportunity to grow relationships, build their businesses, figure out new journeys, and maybe most important of all giving people a sense of hope.

Clubhouse is giving people a platform where their stories can unfold and have an opportunity to renew. Where they can be heard, but they can also listen and honor others. Where we can all come together to collaborate, co-create, build, grow, share, and be kinder to one another.

I know there is frustration because it's only in the Beta phase for Apple users, but I'm sure that will change soon. For now, for all those people who have invitations waiting to be opened, I encourage you to try Clubhouse. It is democratizing conversation by the very nature of how it is set up to be used once you are in the app. It is raw and communal, and while I understand that many worry about how misinformation can also spread in these rooms, I have heard people's voices swell with emotion for how much Clubhouse has given them a voice and sense of belonging, and that matters a great deal in a time where so many feel lost.

What if we can just give this app and its community some breathing room? Like a family at a holiday dinner table, working through heated conversation, sometimes angry, sometimes filled with love, sometimes misinformed, but always filled with opportunity to grow and learn from one another.

I hope you will join the table where your voice matters and where we can

learn and grow in community.

And speaking of growing, I would love to invite you to a room today with emotional intelligence and change expert Dr. Gary Bradt at 3pm ET. Here's the Link: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/mZJAVn60