The Jacquelyn Social Exchange

At the turn of the 20th century, there were hundreds of third places in every city. Those slowly disappeared. And now they're coming back.Drew Wahl has spent over a decade inside some of the world's most interesting clubs, and he sees a deeper shift happening. Third places are coming back. People want real rooms with real people where the phones go away and the conversations actually matter. As Chief Partnership Officer of the Sonato Alliance — a network of nearly 90 independent private social clubs worldwide — Drew sits down with Mary to talk about why clubs are resurging, what members really want, how culture defines a club's identity, and why a club is a living, breathing thing you come back to, not just a place you visit. If you've ever wondered what happens behind the door with no sign on it, start here.You'll Learn:- Why social clubs are the "tip of the spear" in the return of third places- What makes clubs one of the last AI-free, tech-limited spaces and why that matters- Why a club is a living place and what it means that conversations stay there- What members actually want (hint: it's not the food)Perfect For: Anyone who's felt the pull of wanting a real place to go — not a bar, not a networking event, just a room full of interesting people who showed up on purpose.Guest: Drew Wahl, Chief Partnership Officer of the Sonato AllianceSponsors:⁠https://meropictures.com⁠Learn more about the Jacquelyn social club:⁠https://www.thejacquelyn.com/⁠Get In Touch:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejacquelyn.official/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jacquelyn/⁠Email:⁠[email protected]⁠

Success isn't really about the titles. It's about every chapter that builds toward them and the willingness to show up fully in each one.Tony Christ has spent 15 years reshaping Sacramento's nightlife — not by following a blueprint, but by building one in real time. From house parties during the housing crisis to producing events for thousands, from Vegas to LA and back again, Tony has always known when it's time to level up. Now, as CEO of H.E.R.E. Passport, he's taking that instinct global. In this conversation, Tony and Mary get into what it really takes to build something from nothing, why knowing your limits is a form of power, and what community looks like when you remove the walls.You'll learn: - What the housing crisis of 2009 taught him about reading a market and creating opportunity inside chaos- The real difference between throwing a party and designing an experience — and why that distinction defines his entire career- How working for a race car driver-turned-filmmaker in Hollywood Hills expanded his entire vision of what was possible- What H.E.R.E. Passport is building, and why Tony believes the future of community has no wallsPerfect for: The person who has always known they were building toward something bigger, even when they can't name it yet. Guest: Tony Christ, CEO of H.E.R.E. PassportSponsors:⁠https://meropictures.com⁠Learn more about the Jacquelyn social club:⁠https://www.thejacquelyn.com/⁠Get In Touch:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejacquelyn.official/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jacquelyn/⁠Email:⁠[email protected]⁠

What would you do if you knew the truth and no one wanted to hear it?Dr. Bennet Omalu, Forensic Pathologist, Neuropathologist, Professor, and author, discovered CTE in professional football players. But he isn't defined by that discovery; he's defined by his conviction for truth. Born a refugee during the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War, Bennet came to America with nothing but faith, curiosity, and an unshakable belief that the truth is worth everything. In this conversation, we meet the whole person: the scientist, the man of deep faith, the immigrant who outprepared everyone in the room. You'll learn: - How Bennet transformed childhood depression and the deprivation of growing up in a war-torn country into an unshakable drive for purpose- Why he believes education is the most powerful response to adversity, and how he used it to rise above racism- What it truly means to tell the truth, even when powerful forces want you to stop- How a prepared mind and genuine curiosity led to a discovery that changed the world- His definition of truth: any decision, action, or word that enhances the shared common humanity of all of us- The philosophy that has guided his entire life: "Be yourself because mankind would not be complete without you."Perfect for: Anyone ready to live with more courage. Anyone who has faced adversity and is looking for proof that conviction is enough to change everything.Guest: Dr. Bennet Omalu, Forensic Pathologist, Neuropathologist, Former Chief Medical Examiner, Professor at the University of California Davis, President of Bennet Omalu Pathology, and author of Truth Doesn't Have a Side and Brain Damage and Contact SportsSponsors:⁠https://meropictures.com⁠Learn more about the Jacquelyn social club:⁠https://www.thejacquelyn.com/⁠Get In Touch:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejacquelyn.official/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jacquelyn/⁠Email:⁠[email protected]⁠

How to keep reinvesting yourself? Not the polished way. The real, messy, seventeen-times-over kind that builds something extraordinary from nothing. Tina Reynolds is a Sacramento institution, but her real superpower is knowing that if it's not easy, fun, and popular, it won't succeed. As the founder and president of Uptown Studios, Tina has spent 30+ years transforming how businesses, nonprofits, and political campaigns connect with their communities. She was recently named Activist of the Year by the California League of Women Voters. Tina embodies what it means to keep saying yes to life, even when it breaks your heart.You'll learn:- Why donated time is the best marketing you'll never plan- How to build your own table when you're excluded from the room- Personal branding secrets that make you unforgettable - What coming out at 44 teaches you about authentic living- The difference between understanding grief and becoming a knowerPerfect for: Entrepreneurs rebuilding from setbacks, anyone starting over at any age, LGBTQ+ folks navigating coming out, caregivers and grief survivors, and activists building community through service.Guest: Tina Reynolds, Founder & President of Uptown Studios, Activist of the Year (California League of Women Voters), founding member of The Jacquelyn

What does leadership look like at the intersection of nonprofit work and elected office? Dr. Dawnté Early wears two demanding hats: CEO of United Way California Capital Region and West Sacramento City Council member. In this powerful conversation, she explains why your city council member matters more than you think, how to strike a balance when time seems impossible, and the difference between "nice" and "kind." But this isn't just about the challenges; it's about where Dante finds hope. In Sacramento's community, coming together when it matters most. From her path to becoming the first African-American elected to West Sacramento City Council to bringing her lived experience with social services to policy tables, Dawnté offers a masterclass in authentic leadership. She shares why joy is a form of resistance, how networks open doors, and her powerful mantra for navigating uncertainty: fail forward.You'll learn:- The intersection of nonprofit leadership and elected office- Why local government impacts your daily life more than you think- Leading through crisis with hope and innovation- Self-care as strategic, not selfish- The power of failing forwardPerfect for: Leaders who want to show up authentically without burning out, community organizers seeking sustainable strategies, and professionals juggling multiple high-stakes roles.Guest: Dr. Dawnté Early, CEO of United Way California Capital Region and West Sacramento City Council member

This is an episode about showing up. For your team, for other women, for your marriage, and most importantly—for yourself.Donna Lucas is a force in California politics, but her real superpower is knowing when to push and when to pull back. As the founder and CEO of Lucas Public Affairs, Donna has worked with governors, first ladies, and changemakers from both sides of the aisle. But this conversation isn't about political strategy. It's about the human side of leadership.You'll learn: - Why listening beats talking (even when you think you know the answer)- How to manage four generations in one workplace- The power of physical presence in an increasingly remote world- Why flipping your health priorities at 50 can change everything- How to stand up early in your career (and help others do the same)- Why "life is a dance" between hard work and intentional restPerfect for: Leaders navigating multi-generational teams, women building their careers while maintaining relationships, and entrepreneurs who've forgotten how to show up for themselves.This is about showing up fully, wherever you are, whenever it matters most.Guest: Donna Lucas, Founder & CEO of Lucas Public Affairs, Co-founder of SheShares, Former Chair of California Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Businesswoman of the Year (2018)Sponsors:⁠https://meropictures.com⁠Learn more about the Jacquelyn social club:⁠https://www.thejacquelyn.com/⁠Get In Touch:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejacquelyn.official/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jacquelyn/⁠Email:⁠[email protected]⁠

What if resilience isn't about fighting—but about being willing?Bobbin Mulvaney, four-time cancer warrior and co-founder of Mulvaney's B&L, has learned that healing happens when you stop resisting and start allowing. This is a story about being willing to speak openly about mental health, to build community as medicine, and to keep showing up even when the world asks too much. In this episode, Bobbin shows us what it means to be resilient.What you'll learn:- Strategies for supporting mental health in high-pressure industries- How to create parasympathetic spaces in a sympathetic world- Community care as preventive medicine for suicide- Building collaborative communities in competitive industries- Why The Jacquelyn's "downshift" matters for wellnessPerfect for: Anyone navigating health challenges, leaders in high-stress industries, mental health advocates, and anyone who needs to hear that being willing is enough.Sponsors:⁠https://meropictures.com⁠Learn more about the Jacquelyn social club:⁠https://www.thejacquelyn.com/⁠Get In Touch:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejacquelyn.official/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jacquelyn/⁠Email:⁠[email protected]⁠

What dreams keep circling back in your life? The ones you've been too afraid to chase, too busy to pursue, or too hurt to believe are possible? This conversation might be exactly what you need to finally realize them.Sharie Wilson went from a little girl in South Central LA, teased about her teeth, silenced by a speech impediment, watching her uncle call her sister "Money Banks" while never seeing that same light in her, to building a beauty empire. But the path wasn't what anyone expected. And the work that mattered most? It wasn't the business. It was healing the hurt little girl who'd been making all her adult decisions.You'll learn:Why it only takes ONE person believing in you to change everythingHow to identify when childhood trauma is running your adult decisionsThe power of apologizing to your children and creating space for real conversationWhy generational change requires listening and taking accountabilityHow to set an intention so powerful that reality bends to meet itThe mantra that keeps her going: "You are everything and everything is you"Perfect for: Entrepreneurs who feel stuck, parents breaking generational cycles, anyone who's been told they're "too much" or "not enough," and dreamers who keep circling back to the same unrealized vision.If you've been waiting for permission to start—to launch that business, leave that situation, heal that wound, or simply believe you're worthy of the dream—consider this it. Just do it. You may fall. It may be wrong. But you'll never know until you try.Sponsors:⁠⁠https://meropictures.com⁠⁠Learn more about the Jacquelyn social club:⁠⁠https://www.thejacquelyn.com/⁠⁠Get In Touch:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejacquelyn.official/⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jacquelyn/⁠⁠Email:⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

When was the last time you laughed so hard you couldn't breathe? Or felt completely present in a moment? If you can't remember, this conversation is for you.Dr. Carlin Reaume, occupational therapist and founder of Supported Mama, knows what it's like to feel stretched thin, stuck in the go-go-go of life while losing touch with what actually brings you joy. After struggling through postpartum anxiety, she transformed her experience into her life's work: helping people redesign their daily habits to reclaim wellness, connection, and purpose.In this episode, you'll discover:The parasympathetic shift: How to move from "do more, be more" stress mode into a space where you can simply beThe art of saying yes: Why putting yourself in uncomfortable positions—with the right support—is where real growth happensTake imperfect action: The mantra that launched Carlin's business and can unlock whatever you've been holding back onOccupational self-analysis: A powerful framework to examine what fills you up, what depletes you, and what truly brings you joyThe oxygen mask principle: Why fueling your own health and well-being makes you more radiant and how community amplifies that powerCarlin shares the difference between rest and cocooning, why women facilitate play for others but rarely participate themselves, and how witnessing someone else step to their growth edge gives you permission to do the same.This isn't about adding more to your plate. It's about examining what's already there and making intentional choices about what stays and what you let be okay to release.Perfect for: Anyone feeling depleted, parents navigating transitions, people who've lost touch with what brings them joy, and anyone ready to take imperfect action toward a fuller life.Follow Dr. Carlin Reaume: ⁠@supportedmama⁠ on InstagramSponsors:⁠https://meropictures.com⁠Learn more about the Jacquelyn social club:⁠https://www.thejacquelyn.com/⁠Get In Touch:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thejacquelyn.official/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jacquelyn/⁠Email:⁠[email protected]⁠

What does it take to make everyone in a room feel like they belong? Patrick Harbison, one of Sacramento's most connected public relations experts and a founding member of The Jacquelyn, reveals the intentional practice behind creating spaces where people feel truly seen and heard.From his experience as a closeted kid who vowed never to make anyone feel invisible, to building a thriving career as Sacramento's go-to storyteller, Patrick shares how his personal journey shaped his superpower: the ability to read a room and make authentic connections.In this conversation, you'll discover:Why making people feel safe and welcome isn't just nice—it's transformativeHow to leverage your platform and audience to uplift your communityThe real story behind Sacramento's hometown pride movementWhat it means to build a brand and business rooted in genuine connectionWhy putting energy into your local community creates ripples of changePatrick doesn't just talk about community building, he lives it. Serving on more nonprofit boards than almost anyone in Sacramento, he shows us how engaging people, using your voice for good, and staying rooted in your hometown can create the kind of impact that matters.Whether you're an extrovert who thrives in rooms full of people or an introvert looking to connect more intentionally, this episode will inspire you to show up differently, for yourself, for your community, and for the connections that change everything.Perfect for: Entrepreneurs, community builders, nonprofit leaders, anyone who wants to make a bigger impact locally, and those curious about the art of authentic connection.Sponsors:https://meropictures.comLearn more about the Jacquelyn social club:https://www.thejacquelyn.com/Get In Touch:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejacquelyn.official/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jacquelyn/Email:[email protected]