# Power of Play: Vanessa Elias, Block Party USA

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/how-we-connected-7614718/power-of-play-vanessa-elias-block-party-usa
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/how-we-connected-7614718/power-of-play-vanessa-elias-block-party-usa.md
Podcast: [How We Connected](https://stenobird.com/podcast/how-we-connected-7614718)
Published: 2026-05-26T15:47:59+00:00
Episode link: https://www.chamberofconnection.org/
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/69321d954a0500b7572aafcf/e/6a15031883dd9b6e1174c26f/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/how-we-connected-7614718/episodes/power-of-play-vanessa-elias-block-party-usa
Duration seconds: 2986

## Resource

Hosts Charlotte Massey and Aaron Hurst of the US Chamber of Connection open with Memorial Day week updates, including Charlotte's 22-hour Colorado-to-Seattle drive spent talking and listening to Gone Girl and Aaron's bittersweet last hurrah weekend with his son before graduation. This week at the Chamber, there's Seattle's Connection Council, Bellevue workshops, Best Day Ever, and a Workday symposium in San Francisco. This week's guest is Vanessa Elias, who shares how moving 28 times across four countries shaped both her loneliness and her connection skills, including the pivotal moment when neighbors showed up after her infant brother died. She links rising youth anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues to over-scheduled lives and the loss of free play and makes the case that block parties build the village families need while restoring everyday civility through face-to-face contact. Vanessa offers practical tips for hosting block parties and challenges Charlotte and Aaron to publicly commit to throwing neighborhood gatherings this summer. 00:00 Introduction: Catch and Chamber Events 11:06 Vanessa Elias: Block Party USA 11:55 Growing Up Always Moving 16:30 Kids' Mental Health and Free Play 22:49 Block Party Tips: How to Start 26:15 Block Party Therapy with Aaron 35:05 Vanessa's Vision and Resources 43:22 Closing Reflections --- How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community. Aaron Hurst , Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpo…

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## Transcript

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