The Generous Listening Newsletter: Volume 9

On Belonging

Dear Listener,

We live in a time when belonging feels more elusive than ever. Despite our many ways to stay connected, people around the world still wrestle with loneliness, isolation, and a persistent sense of otherness—a “crisis of belonging” that endangers both our emotional and physical health. At its core, belonging is more than just fitting in; it’s a fundamental human need. When we feel recognized, valued, and included, we thrive—when we don’t, our health and happiness can suffer deeply.

Yet belonging can also be an active, generative process—something we shape and nurture by being mindful in our personal relationships, workplaces, and communities. Approached with intention, the power of belonging can transform individuals, organizations, and even whole societies. From our daily routines to our biggest life decisions, it quietly informs how we see ourselves and one another.

“Belonging isn’t just a touchy-feely construct. It’s actually something that touchy-feely has hard consequences. It’s associated with physical illness, early death, cardiovascular disease, also vulnerability.”

— Geoffrey L. Cohen, Stanford Graduate School of Education

Voices on Listening

Brené Brown “True belonging is not something we negotiate or accomplish; it’s something we create.” Brown’s work reminds us that belonging is a creative practice. It doesn’t simply happen to us; we take part in shaping it every day through our choices, conversations, and the environments we co-create.

— Brené Brown

Research on Belonging: The Othering & Belonging Institute

One of the leading voices in this field is the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. Founded by john a. powell—an internationally recognized expert in civil rights, civil liberties, and structural inequality—the Institute’s mission is to understand and address the processes that create “othering.” Through a combination of cutting-edge scholarship, policy innovation, and community partnership, the Institute aims to foster a society that upholds inclusion, justice, and care for the earth—what it calls “belonging.”

• What is “othering”? It’s any action by which an individual or group becomes mentally classified as “not one of us.” When we other someone, we set them apart, sometimes even subconsciously, based on race, ethnicity, religion, ability, or any facet of identity.
• What is “belonging”? In contrast, it is the proactive creation of space for every person to be fully included and valued in the social fabric. It moves beyond tolerance to full participation and recognition of each individual’s inherent dignity.

Bridging to Belonging

A key concept championed by john a. powell and the Institute is “bridging”—actively reaching across differences to build empathy and collaborative relationships. Bridging is the antidote to breaking, which divides us into entrenched camps and fosters suspicion or hostility. The Institute’s Bridging to Belonging slides illustrate the practical steps we can take to move from conflict and polarization to genuine connection. In the coming weeks, our Instagram channel will explore these principles further, translating them into accessible insights for daily life.

By engaging with such research, we learn that belonging is more than a sentiment—it’s a practice that can be studied, measured, and most importantly, cultivated.

Generous Listening in Action: Soli Community

We’re inspired by the work of Soli Community, an Istanbul-based culture magazine that weaves together neighborhood stories to illuminate the essence of belonging in urban life. Soli’s platform spans digital, print, and in-person experiences, each revealing how places, people, and cultures interconnect.

• Focus on Neighborhoods: Soli magazine showcases the power of small communities in shaping our sense of identity. Even in the busiest cities, we form our own microcosms—neighborhoods where we grow familiar with local shopkeepers, greet neighbors on the street, and develop a genuine sense of home.
• Inaugural Print Issue: “Belonging”: Their first print edition dives deep into Istanbul’s stories of migration, cultural hybridity, and the daily rituals that form the backbone of communal life. It’s a celebration of how we find meaning and connection wherever we dwell.

“We spread our lives into places. Places that shaped us. Places that we share... These are the places where we belong, feel inspired, and create.”

— Soli Community

By highlighting personal narratives, Soli’s approach aligns with Generous Listening principles: making space for genuine, human stories that challenge stereotypes and foster empathy.

• Read More: solimagazine.com

Pause and Ponder

In what spaces do you feel like you truly belong, and why? Consider the physical or virtual spaces that feel like home. Is it the shared history with others, a common interest, or a sense of safety that makes you feel at ease?

We want to hear your observations and thoughts. Drop us a line at: [email protected]

Further Reads

• What Does It Take to Build a Culture of Belonging? Harvard Business Review — A deep dive into the organizational strategies that foster inclusivity and trust.
• A Crisis of Belonging Harvard EdCast with Jill Anderson — An exploration of how modern pressures are eroding our sense of connection and what can be done to reverse this trend.