Building Connection and Fighting Isolation with Sara Horak

In this inspiring and heartfelt episode, Shelly O’Neal sits down with Sara Horak, creator of The Know Your Neighbor Game, to explore how one simple idea sparked a movement toward connection, empathy, and mental wellness. What began as a way to help her children make friends has now grown into a nationally recognized social-emotional learning tool used in schools, workplaces, and homes across the country. Sara shares how her journey as a mom, entrepreneur, and advocate for mental health led her to design a game that helps people, of all ages, rediscover the joy of genuine human connection. She opens up about the personal stories behind the game’s creation, the heartwarming moments that affirmed her mission, and why kindness and small acts of compassion can change lives.Together, Shelly and Sara discuss how isolation affects emotional health, why connection is essential to wellness, and how laughter and curiosity can bridge differences. They also touch on simple daily habits that strengthen both mental and physical well-being, from walking and yoga to mindful acts of kindness.Whether you’re an educator, parent, leader, or simply someone craving deeper connection, this conversation is a powerful reminder that one person, and one moment of kindness, can truly make a difference.Key Takeaways:Connection heals. The Know Your Neighbor Game creates meaningful engagement that helps combat isolation.Small actions matter. Even one kind gesture can change someone’s day, or life.Laughter unites us. Humor and play are powerful tools for building trust and community.Wellness is a daily practice. Simple habits like walking, meditation, and gratitude strengthen overall well-being.Kindness multiplies. Paying it forward creates ripples of positivity that extend far beyond ourselves.Everyone can make a difference. You don’t have to save the world, just start with one person, one moment, one starfish.___Host Shelly O’Neal is a therapist, substance abuse professional, and Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist. She is an entrepreneur, owner of two companies, along with being the founder of a non-profit that assists children and families dealing with issues such as abuse, addiction, trauma, and suicide.Shelly is the founder and CEO of a healthcare company with several locations in Kentucky. Her company provides both mental health and psychiatric medical services to children, teens, and adults in Kentucky.SO Wellness, is located in Nashville, Tennessee and focuses on helping both individuals and companies develop wellness programs to improve employee mental health and corporate wellness.Shelly addresses the needs of C-Suite individuals and high-profile clients. She has been featured on various media outlets including ABC’s WKM, NBC’s WSMV-4, MorningLine and Yahoo! Finance along with publications such as Authority Magazine, Medium Magazine, and Bellevue City LifestyleLearn more about Shelly and SO Wellness on her website: shellyonealwellness.com Connect with her online: https://www.instagram.com/shellyonealwellness/https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-o%E2%80%99neal-39a310aa/ ___Sara Horak is the creator of The Know Your Neighbor Game, a social-emotional learning and team-building tool that fosters connection, communication, and belonging across classrooms, companies, and communities. What started at her family’s kitchen table has become a nationwide movement promoting kindness and conversation.Connect with Sara and explore The Know Your Neighbor Game:knowyourneighborgame.comInstagram: @knowyourneighbor_game