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Member spotlights,
and thinking out loud.

Recaps of things we have run, the people who turn up to them, and the occasional longer piece about what we have learned trying to build this.

Club UpdatesSystem Updates 15 October 2026 How to Get on the DFWYAS Guest WiFi We've upgraded the guest WiFi at the club space. Here's how to sign in, and what to do if something goes wrong. SpotlightsMembers 14 October 2026 Member Spotlight: Justin Gissandaner He found us by clicking something at random on Eventbrite, and the first thing he tried was a salsa class. Justin on growing up in Dallas, the years that came apart and went back together,... Reflections 1 October 2026 Learning to Walk in Other People's Shoes How stepping into other people's shoes got me through growing up, and what research says about D&D, roleplay and mental health. SpotlightsMembers 19 September 2026 Member Spotlight: Aliah Lloyd She moved to a city where she knew nobody, googled fun things to do by herself, and found a beginner D&D class with six seats in it. Aliah on growing up all over the place, a year in... Club UpdatesSystem Updates 15 September 2026 The DFWYAS Merch Shop Has Re-Opened The club merch shop is back open at dfwyas.com/store. Same printer as always, completely different shop. Here is what is in there, what it costs, and what I have tested so far. Club UpdatesYear in Review 15 September 2026 Life Has a Funny Way of Working, Ya know? Where the last year went, what the club looks like now, and what it actually costs to keep the doors open every month. Club UpdatesSystem Updates 25 August 2026 Everything Is In One Place Now: Our New Homemade Website and System Everything moved off PushPress and Squarespace onto something built for this club. Here is where it all lives, what carried over, what it costs, and what we do with your data. SpotlightsMembers 13 June 2026 Member Spotlight: Lauren Reese Lauren grew up in East Los Angeles in a large, blended military family. The kind of upbringing that teaches you early on how to adapt, how to read a room, and how to find your footing in... Reflections 16 February 2026 What Loneliness Is Trying to Tell Us It’s been what…almost two months since I wrote a blog post? More so if you remove that the last post was a business update. That is to be expected, life has been full for me as many of you... SpotlightsMembers 2 January 2026 Member Spotlight: Regan Goodchild - The Connector Who Notices Everyone It is rare to meet someone who pays attention the way Regan does. To people, to moments, to the small ways care can change everything. Her story is deeply felt, and we are thankful she... Club UpdatesYear in Review 27 November 2025 Another Year Down, A Lot of Growth, and Even More Work Ahead | 2025 Reflections Already at the end of 2025 huh? It’s genuinely perplexing to go through the same exercise I did a year ago (Click Here to view last year’s reflections) . To look at what changed for good... SpotlightsMembers 18 November 2025 Member Spotlight: Lizette Rodriguez on Growth and Community When someone writes their story with as much honesty, humor, and heart as Lizette, the best approach is simple. Let her tell it herself. Below is Lizette’s spotlight in her own words based... SpotlightsMembers 3 November 2025 Member Spotlight: Davi Bezerra – From Coding to Community in Dallas You never forget your first computer — especially when it’s broken and found on the side of the road. For Davi Bezerra, a software developer originally from Brazil, that moment sparked a... SpotlightsMembers 20 October 2025 Member Spotlight: Shante’ Williams – Dance, Curiosity, and Belonging Some people move through life. Shante’ Williams dances through it. Born in Garland and raised in East Texas, she returned to Dallas in 2019 and quickly found her rhythm within DFW Young &... SpotlightsTeam 18 October 2025 Meet Maria – DFW Young & Social’s New Community & Operations Coordinator This moment means a lot to us. As DFW Young & Social continues to grow, we have reached a stage where we need not just helping hands, but a team that shares the same mission we do. We need... SpotlightsMembers 6 October 2025 Member Spotlight: Alissa Rodolico on Barista Life, Clay Crafts & Community Alissa Rodolico has never been one to follow the usual script. A barista with a soft spot for stray cats, a maker of clay crafts, and a self-declared Minecraft trivia champion, she’s... Reflections 22 September 2025 Celebrating Life, Accepting Death People keep asking me if I’m okay. It comes in all forms, a gentle, “How are you holding up?” or a blunt, “Are you alright?” Sometimes it’s just a long pause where the silence does the... SpotlightsMembers 22 September 2025 Member Spotlight: Liv Haynes If you’ve ever been to a karaoke potluck, attended one of our monthly board game nights or heard a mysterious voice in an indie video game, chances are you’ve met Liv Haynes! A full-time... Reflections 11 September 2025 The Courage of Quiet: Finding Strength in Silence and Boundaries Our natural instinct? Fill it. Patch it. Fix it. Beg. Explain it away. Do anything to bring communication back. SpotlightsMembers 8 September 2025 Madi’s Journey: Counselor, Creator, and Aerial Performer Some people have a knack for making you feel seen within minutes of meeting them. For Madi, that comes naturally, both in her work as a Licensed Professional Counselor and in the way she... Reflections 30 August 2025 Board Game Nights in DFW: The Easiest Way to Make Friends as an Adult Ever felt that moment when you walk into a room alone and suddenly become hyper-aware of your hands? Too full to shove in your pockets. Too awkward to fold across your chest. So…you pull... SpotlightsMembers 25 August 2025 Member Spotlight: Ashley Blake – Skydiver, Connector, Creator If you have met Ashley Blake, you know her nickname “Everywhere” is not an exaggeration. She is the friend who shows up for the things that make life full, whether that is dancing,... Reflections 13 August 2025 The Gift of Not Knowing A few weeks ago, I watched someone freeze up during an event we were hosting. At first pass it seemed like a simple create experience. It was low pressure, just for fun. But something in... Club UpdatesAnnouncements 22 May 2025 Important Updates Coming to DFW Young & Social: Transparent Look at Our Changes I want to share some important updates and changes we’re making to ensure our community continues to thrive. These changes and our communication on it reflect our commitment to... SpotlightsPartners 11 May 2025 Vendor Spotlight: Hairebrained Design We believe in supporting small businesses that add something unique and fun to our community. One of those special businesses is Hairebrained Design, a vendor who has been joining us month... SpotlightsPartners 2 March 2025 Sponsor Spotlight: Rusty Ahmadi | Realtor Buying a home can feel like navigating a maze, exciting but full of twists and turns. That’s where Rusty comes in. His mission? Reflections 22 February 2025 Gratitude Won’t Fix Everything, But It Makes Life Easier We’ve all felt it, that sense that something’s missing. Maybe it’s success, deeper relationships, or just the feeling that life isn’t quite where it should be. It’s a quiet frustration that... Reflections 16 February 2025 Chemistry Opens the Door; Compatibility Keeps You There Everyone loves a good rom-com moment. You know the one…eyes meet across a crowded room, sparks fly, and suddenly there’s a montage of spontaneous adventures, stolen kisses, and love that... SpotlightsTeam 6 February 2025 Welcome Devin, Event Coordinator Collaborator at DFW Young & Social As DFW Young & Social continues to grow, we care deeply about how we grow. That means collaborating with people who bring their own ideas, creative energy, and perspective into the space,... Reflections 5 February 2025 What to Expect in Your First Dance Class Walking into a dance class for the first time can feel a little like stepping into the unknown. Will you trip over your own feet? Maybe. Will you accidentally cha-cha into a wall? Possibly.... SpotlightsTeam 26 January 2025 Meet Crystal: The Heart Behind Our Yoga Classes Yoga is more than just poses and postures—it’s a practice that brings people together, fosters mindfulness, and encourages personal growth. At DFW Young & Social, we’re lucky to have... Reflections 26 January 2025 What I Learned from a Flawed Man Every couple of months, I like to write something deeply personal. These aren’t just posts—they’re an exercise in vulnerability, a reminder of the power in embracing your chaos and finding... Reflections 21 January 2025 Navigating Conflict with Compassion Conflict. Just the word makes most of us squirm. It’s uncomfortable, awkward, and, let’s be honest, it can bring out the absolute worst in people. The raised voices, the passive-aggressive... Club UpdatesAnnouncements 12 January 2025 The Values That Define Us and Why We Fight for Them I’m angry. I’m upset. And honestly, I’m tired. Over the past few months, I’ve seen things that have made me shake my head from the sheer disappointment by the fraction of a percent of the... Club UpdatesYear in Review 22 December 2024 Why Everything Changed for Us This Year | Marco’s Reflection of 2024 It’s hard to put this year into words. 2024 has been intense, emotional, exhausting, and deeply fulfilling all at once. When Alexi and I started DFW Young & Social, we never imagined we’d... Reflections 17 December 2024 Beyond the Summit: Honoring the Journey The year’s end has a strange kind of magic, doesn’t it? The world grows quieter, and we start looking back on the months behind us. For me it’s a season of reflection and celebration, but... Reflections 3 December 2024 The Courage to Be Yourself You’ve felt it before: the hesitation at the edge of a crowded room, the weight of deciding how much of yourself to show. It’s tempting to smooth out your quirks, to tone down the parts of... Reflections 3 November 2024 Why Being Kind to Strangers Can Lead to Real Friendships Friendship quite literally shapes our world, often doing so invisibly, gently, and without fanfare. We talk about the moments when our friends were there for us, through heartbreak or... Club UpdatesAnnouncements 12 October 2024 Future of DFW Young & Social: Growing Together as a Community Alexi and I have poured so much love, time, and effort into this community. From the very beginning, we’ve always believed in creating a space where people can connect, share, and be... SpotlightsMembers 26 September 2024 Member Spotlight - Matt Long day, long week…what’s your go-to comfort food? Club UpdatesAnnouncements 21 September 2024 2024 Q3 Update: Multi-Pack Changes, Event Shifts, and Future Plans Hey everyone! Hope you’re all doing well as we transition into fall. Just like with our past updates, we’re staying committed to being transparent and keeping you all in the loop as we... SpotlightsMembers 28 August 2024 Member Spotlight - Jaime Long day, long week…what’s your go-to comfort food? InterestsWellness 22 August 2024 The Long-Term Mental Health Benefits of Regular Exercise When it comes to staying healthy, we often think about our physical well-being first; like building strong muscles, better endurance, and maybe fitting into that old pair of jeans. But... Reflections 4 August 2024 Embracing Life with Anxiety and Hope Howdy Everyone, every couple of months I like to take the time to write a piece that is very personal to me, highlighting the importance of being vulnerable. I hope to inspire others to do... SpotlightsMembers 25 July 2024 Member Spotlight - Michelle Long day, long week…what’s your go-to comfort food? Club UpdatesAnnouncements 3 July 2024 Q2 - Mid Year Update for DFW Young & Social Hello everyone! We hope you're staying cool this summer. As always, we provide these updates as our dedication and duty to be as transparent as possible. While this may look like a lot of... SpotlightsMembers 25 June 2024 Member Spotlight - Brian Long day, long week…what’s your go-to comfort food? InterestsWellness 24 June 2024 Unlocking Your Optimal Experience in an Overloaded World Have you ever found yourself completely absorbed in a task, losing track of time, and feeling an intense sense of satisfaction? That’s the magic of flow, a concept developed by psychologist... Reflections 15 June 2024 Why Mid-Career Change Might Be the Best Decision You’ll Ever Make Before diving into the exploration of mid-career changes, it's essential to recognize that stability, income, and basic survival are paramount. Without a foundation of stability, it becomes... SpotlightsMembers 31 May 2024 Honoring Steven The Way He Wanted To I want to take a moment to express how much your support and companionship have meant to me at DFW Young & Social. You were always there to hang out and keep me company during events, and... SpotlightsMembers 28 May 2024 Meet Nikki: June 2024 Member Spotlight https://www.mckellarcreative.com/ https://www.litloveshop.com/ https://www.instagram.com/gnomeadoptionagency/ InterestsBooks 15 May 2024 Exploring Ted Chiang’s "Exhalation": Time, Existence, and AI Reading has always been a portal to new worlds, offering fresh perspectives and insights that challenge our understanding of reality. For the DFW Young & Social Book Club, our latest... SpotlightsMembers 11 May 2024 Member Spotlight: Meet Maria - A Journey of Tastes, Tunes, and Triumphs LinkedIn │ Crafting Instagram │ Photo Instagram Reflections 11 May 2024 Reflecting on Our Place in the Cosmos In the vast expanse of the cosmos, where galaxies swirl and stars are born and die in explosive brilliance, the significance of our tiny planet, and the even tinier creatures upon it, might... SpotlightsMembers 28 April 2024 Member Spotlight: Cynthia Long day, long week…what’s your go-to comfort food? Club UpdatesAnnouncements 18 April 2024 Championing Community and Ethical Pricing in Social Clubs I don’t talk about pricing and/or business strategy often with members. Not because I’m trying to keep anything secret, but I like to keep our event and spaces as a fun stress-free... InterestsDance 10 April 2024 The Evolution of Salsa Dancing Salsa: a word that conjures images of swirling skirts, rhythmic feet, and vibrant music. It’s more than just a dance—it's a cultural phenomenon that has transcended its Caribbean origins to... SpotlightsMembers 1 April 2024 Meet Johnny: A Creative Force in the DFW Young & Social Community What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? Club UpdatesAnnouncements 28 March 2024 Q1 - Updates and Future Plans for DFW Young & Social As we continue to grow and evolve, we want to keep you in the loop about some important changes to our memberships, our membership system and give you a sneak peek into our future plans. SpotlightsMembers 17 March 2024 Member Spotlight: Karen What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? Reflections 12 March 2024 Loneliness Can Help Us Love Ourselves and The World Around Us I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not the best writer, a good blogger, or anything in between. Despite that, I consistently try to push past my comfort zone to share my world with... SpotlightsMembers 27 February 2024 Meet Sharena: DFW Young & Social's Inspiring Member of the Month Before we continue with our regular framework… Club UpdatesAnnouncements 26 February 2024 DFW Young & Social: New Beginnings, Membership Program, and More! March heralds not just the arrival of spring but also brings a season of change and growth for our beloved community. Alexi and I are thrilled to share some significant updates that mark... SpotlightsMembers 10 February 2024 Member Spotlight: Flo Instagram │ Facebook │ Website │ LinkedIn Reflections 6 February 2024 I'm a Male Swiftie, So What? Let me share something with you: I'm a guy who's really into Taylor Swift's music. Yeah, you heard that right. In a playlist where you'd find the heavy hitters of rock, 90’s Rap, and the... SpotlightsMembers 30 January 2024 DFW Young & Social Member Spotlight: Ashlee What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? InterestsFood 23 January 2024 The Crusty Conundrum: To Slice or Not to Slice? Ah, the humble sandwich – a beacon of culinary simplicity, yet a canvas for endless creativity. Is there anything more universally loved and yet so wonderfully diverse? From the light and... Club UpdatesAnnouncements 14 January 2024 What It Takes to Keep DFW Young & Social Going Many people lately have been asking, “How much does it really cost to keep DFW Young & Social running? How does it all stay afloat?” These are fair questions, and I believe in being open... SpotlightsMembers 30 December 2023 Member Spotlight: Alex What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? InterestsGames 16 December 2023 Leveling up in life: How video games are shaping the future In the labyrinth of adulthood, we often seek tools and experiences that aid in navigating the complex terrain of our lives. Amidst the myriad options lies an unexpected ally, video games.... SpotlightsMembers 6 December 2023 Member Spotlight: Allison What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? InterestsFood 1 December 2023 Cooking Up Happiness Creating a meal is more than just a means to satiate hunger. It's a delightful journey that is, quite literally, the fuel in our lives, which impacts our well-being in unexpected ways. I... Reflections 8 November 2023 One View on Finding Joy During the Holiday Blues With the holiday season just around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to connect with all of you. SpotlightsMembers 2 November 2023 Member Spotlight: Michael With an innate love for the outdoors, he dreams of embarking on a cross-country road trip to explore the natural wonders of the US National Parks. In his quieter moments, Michael delves... SpotlightsMembers 2 October 2023 Member Spotlight: Andreya My favorite hobbies would be singing and dancing. I've danced since the age of 3 or 4. In fact, my first dance class was a Tap class that my Mom took me to. I was very nervous to be by... Reflections 28 September 2023 Moments Matter: Live your Values and Embrace your Passions This blog post was inspired by several conversation with my close friend Lacey, Kurzgesagt and the Wait Buy Why Blog Club UpdatesAnnouncements 11 September 2023 Creating Connections: The DFW Young and Social Story I want to share a story with you…a story of how DFW Young & Social came to be, where we are now, and the bright future that lies ahead. This journey isn't just ours; it's yours too, as you,... SpotlightsMembers 30 August 2023 Member Spotlight: Rachel & Rusty What’s something about you that not many people know? Reflections 22 August 2023 Embracing Lifelong Learning: A Journey of Endless Growth In a world brimming with innovation and rapid change, the pursuit of knowledge has transformed from a simple desire into a vital necessity. Just as the tides shape the coastline, continuous... Reflections 3 August 2023 The Friendship Paradox: Bridging the Gap in a Hyper-Connected World The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our social lives. Social distancing measures have made it difficult to connect with friends in person. This has led to increased... Reflections 18 July 2023 The Power of Creativity Creativity is a gift that we all have. It's the ability to come up with new ideas and solutions, to see the world in a new way. It is essential for innovation, problem-solving, and personal... Reflections 11 July 2023 The Art of Transformation: Sage’s Wisdom, Explorer’s Passion In our pursuit of personal growth and positive change, we often encounter a disparity between the person we are and the person we aspire to become. It may seem like a daunting task to... Reflections 3 July 2023 Whispers of Wisdoms: Emotional Intelligence in Action Names and specific situations have been changed to protect the identity of those involved. Reflections 22 June 2023 Cooking Adventures: A Recipe for Balance and Joy Recently I was cooking up a storm in my kitchen, I embarked on a flavorful adventure with a mouthwatering Pesto Alfredo dish. With the delightful company of wife, sister-in-law and friends.... Reflections 5 June 2023 Embracing Our Journey: Finding Strength in Vulnerability I’m here to talk about a topic that is near and dear to my heart: embracing the ups and downs of life with a sprinkle of inspiration. So, grab a cup of coffee, find a cozy spot, and let's... Club UpdatesPast Events 28 May 2023 BBQ Bliss and Boot-Scootin' Frenzy: Hey there, y'all! I’m excited to dish out all the juicy details from the recent event we hosted. It was a mouthwatering adventure amidst the tantalizing aroma of sizzling Texas BBQ. Picture... Club UpdatesPast Events 16 May 2023 Swing, Burgers, and Good Times: A Recap of DFW Young and Social's Latest Events We recently hosted two events this past weekend - the Lindy Hop Social Dance Lesson and an “after party” at Twisted Root . Both events were so much fun, and I couldn't be more grateful to... Club UpdatesPast Events 8 May 2023 A Day in the Life of a Dallasite at the Arboretum: Sun, Fun, and Community DFW Young and Social fam! I hope everyone's doing well. As you all know, we recently had our meetup at the Dallas Arboretum, and it was a blast! There was a massive turnout, and it was... Club UpdatesAnnouncements 6 May 2023 DFW Young and Social Hits 3000 Members: A Journey of Community Building After a long period of hoarding toilet paper and the pandemic began to subside. People started venturing out again and there was a palpable need for building connections. It was during this... Club UpdatesPast Events 3 May 2023 Ready for a Blooming Good Time? Spring is here and it's the perfect time to connect with nature and your fellow members at our upcoming Meet & Greet event at the Dallas Arboretum! Join us for a blooming good time as we... Club UpdatesPast Events 1 May 2023 DFWYAS Takes on the Scarborough Renaissance Festival On April 8th DFWYAS embarked on a journey to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, and what a quest it was! Our group of fun-loving and adventurous members gathered at the festival grounds,... Club UpdatesPast Events 26 April 2023 Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes and Habanero Pizza As the co-host and trail guide of the Wildflower Walk and Pizza event, I was thrilled to see so many nature enthusiasts and members of DFWYAS enjoy a memorable evening. The hike was held...