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Community Changes Everything…

Community isn’t a side project. It’s the heartbeat of how people feel, work, and stay. DeMario Bell, founder of Gatherful and longtime community builder, shows us what happens when organizations stop chasing engagement metrics and start cultivating real connection. From psychological safety to micro moments of trust, he maps how belonging scales and why work feels different when people choose to show up.

We sat down with DiMario to talk about what community really means at work and the small, human moves that change everything.

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Ever felt like you’re on your own at work—even in a “great culture”?

That’s because culture isn’t the same as community.
One happens whether you shape it or not. The other takes intention, safety, and a shared purpose.

In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with DeMario Bell—community strategist, speaker, and founder of Gatherful, who’s spent over a decade building communities across higher ed, startups, and global enterprise, including leading Culture Amp’s 100,000+ member HR community.

We talk about:

  • The difference between a workplace and a true community

  • Why family is inherited but community is chosen

  • How psychological safety is the real test of culture

  • Common mistakes leaders make when “building community”

  • The role of vulnerability, trust, and micro-moments in belonging

  • Why the future of work is “more human, more diverse, and more fluid”

If you’ve ever wondered how to build connection that lasts—without forcing fake “family” vibes—this conversation will make you rethink what healthy community really looks like at work.

More about DeMario: 

DeMario is the Founder & CEO of Gatherful Consulting. He’s helped scale global communities (100K+ members) across HR, Tech, and education sectors, creating active engagement. He’s turned community connections into real business results, helping drive over $3M in revenue. He’s designed over 50+ successful programs including mentorship programs, ambassador initiatives, and advisory boards people actually wanted to join. He’s been named one of LinkedIn’s Top Community Voices and has won multiple CMX awards, including Best B2B Community.

You can learn more about DeMario, and Gatherful Consulting here:

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

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