Community Case Studies

What if the real value of a membership isn’t the content — but the connection? In this episode of Community Case Studies, host Seth Resler talks with Emily and Alan Braithwaite, founders of Yellow Tuxedo and creators of the Digital Circus community. After pivoting from an outdoor events business during COVID, they began helping small business owners improve their online visibility. What started as Zoom trainings quickly evolved into a community-first space focused on support, safety, and human connection. They share: Why they keep the membership intentionally small How low-ticket access builds trust and fuels higher-ticket services The shift from content-heavy sessions to co-working and conversation Lessons learned from early mistakes — including offering too much Why community must be co-created, not controlled You’ll also hear stories of real-world connections sparked inside the community — from collaborations to friendships that began on roller coasters. At its heart, the Digital Circus exists to help entrepreneurs stop feeling alone and start moving forward — together. YELLOW TUXEDO: https://www.yellowtuxedo.co.uk/

What if creativity isn’t a “nice-to-have,” but a missing piece of wellness—and community is how you unlock it? In this episode of Community Case Studies: How Belonging Is Really Built, host Seth Resler talks with Meagan Mahaffy, founder of Art Gurl, a Brooklyn-based creative community helping people reconnect with their creativity—and with each other—offline. After a decade working at institutions like the Smithsonian and MoMA, Meagan burned out. What pulled her back wasn’t another productivity hack or wellness trend—it was simply making art for the sake of self-expression. When she couldn’t find a space where others could do the same, she created one. What started as a few workshops in the back of a restaurant quickly became a thriving, in-person community where friendships form, phones stay away, and creativity becomes a shared language. In this conversation, Meagan breaks down how Art Gurl actually works as a community—not just an audience: Why “art is wellness” is the mission that attracts the right people How low-stakes creativity acts as an ember that sparks connection and belonging Why in-person spaces create deeper trust than social media ever can How Art Gurl’s multi-stream revenue model supports the community without exploiting it What repeat attendance and member-driven evolution reveal about real engagement This episode is a powerful reminder that community isn’t built by content alone. It’s built by creating a space where people feel safe to show up, express themselves, and be seen—together. ART GURL: https://www.artgurl.org/

What if the reason your conference feels forgettable isn’t the quality of the speakers—but the lack of real connection between the people in the room? In this episode of Community Case Studies, host Seth Resler talks with Max Evjen, a museum technologist and longtime board member of the Museum Computer Network (MCN), about how one of the oldest professional communities in the museum world has quietly been getting community right for decades. MCN is a nonprofit professional community for museum workers who use technology across education, interpretation, marketing, fundraising, and collections. Its mission hasn’t changed much since the 1960s: help museum professionals grow their digital capacity by connecting them to ideas, proven practices, and—most importantly—to each other. In this conversation, Max breaks down how that mission actually shows up on the ground. You’ll hear how MCN: Prioritizes connection over content, designing conferences where relationships matter more than slide decks Clearly separates its shared mission from its business purpose, and why that clarity matters Creates embers like “I found my people,” psychological safety, and a genuine desire to contribute Uses mentorship, onboarding, and feedback loops to help members move from newcomers to leaders Engineers the conditions for serendipity—moments where unexpected collaborations lead to real-world impact You’ll also hear why MCN members repeatedly step up—volunteering time, sharing expertise, and even financially supporting the organization—not because they’re asked to, but because they believe in what the community stands for. If you’re running conferences that people attend once and never return to—or building a community that looks healthy on paper but struggles to create real relationships—this episode offers a clear model for what to do differently. Listen for how MCN designs its spaces, rituals, and feedback loops—and consider which of those ideas you could borrow for your own community.

What happens when a niche inside a niche becomes a thriving global community? When podcast editor Steve Stewart couldn’t find a place to talk shop about post-production, he built one himself—the Podcast Editors Club, which has since grown into the largest and most diverse community of podcast editors in the world. What started as a simple Facebook group for sharing tips has evolved into a thriving professional network, a business resource, and even a springboard for collaborations like the Podcast Editors Mastermind show and the Podcast Editor Academy. In this episode of Community Case Studies, host Seth Resler talks with Steve about: * How the Club carved out its niche within the larger podcasting world * The rules and rituals that keep the space focused and supportive * The difference between “lurkers” and active contributors—and why both matter * How real-world meetups and online engagement feed each other * The moments of serendipity that turn online conversations into professional partnerships Steve’s story shows how powerful community building can be when it starts with one simple goal: find your people.

What if the secret to building a thriving event community started with something as simple as sharing a slice of pie? When event producer Valentina Ruffoni noticed how isolating freelance event work could be, she baked up something new — literally. She founded the PIE Network (People in Events), a global community where event professionals connect, collaborate, and swap ideas over a slice of pie. In this conversation with host Seth Resler, Valentina shares how she turns one-off events into ongoing relationships by designing intentional moments of connection—because real community doesn’t happen by accident. You’ll hear: * Why networking shouldn’t just mean “drinks and loud music.” * How to create experiences that keep people engaged before, during, and after an event. * The simple, low-cost activities that make attendees feel they belong. What happens when you treat your members as co-creators instead of an audience. This episode is a delicious look at how community-building principles come to life in the event world—and why sometimes, the best way to solve problems is to share a little pie.

What happens when bestselling authors build spaces for readers, not just audiences? International bestselling novelist Karen Dionne, author of The Marsh King’s Daughter and The Wicked Sister, joins host Seth Resler to talk about The Back Room—a thriving online community she co-founded for readers and writers. Born out of the pandemic, The Back Room re-creates the intimacy of in-person book events using Zoom breakout rooms that let fans meet authors face-to-face. Karen shares how she and co-founder Hank Philippi Ryan engineered a digital space that feels human, fun, and safe—and how it continues to flourish five years later. The Back Room Website: https://the-back-room.org/

How does a community of creatives grow from a college film festival into a global talent network? Vi Andrews, Community Lead at Ideas United, manages a worldwide community of storytellers—photographers, filmmakers, designers, and more—who share a mission to use creativity for social impact. What began as Campus Movie Fest at Emory University has evolved into a thriving pipeline that connects emerging talent with brands like Delta, Starbucks, and Lenovo. In this episode of Community Case Studies: How Belonging Is Really Built, host Seth Resler learns how the IU Community balances intimacy with scale, designs welcoming onboarding experiences, and creates feedback loops that empower members to shape the space themselves. Vi also shares how senior creatives mentor newcomers and how members increasingly generate opportunities for one another—proof that the community is alive and self-sustaining. This is a powerful example of how shared purpose, storytelling, and collaboration can fuel a community’s growth. Ideas United Website: https://ideasunited.com/

What happens when a radio station hands the mic to the community it serves? At WYSO, the public radio station in Southwest Ohio, storytelling is a collaborative effort. Through the Eichelberger Center for Community Voices, the station trains local residents—many with no prior media experience—to produce stories that air alongside professional journalism. The result? Programming that truly reflects the diverse voices of the region. Will Davis, Director of the Center, joins Seth Resler of Community Marketing Revolution to share how this innovative approach to content creation is rooted in community-building principles—and how empowering everyday people to share their stories strengthens both the station and the community it serves. WYSO Website: https://www.wyso.org/ NEENAH ELLIS SPEECH: https://www.pmja.org/neenah-ellis-leo-c-lee-speech

A thriving music scene starts with a strong sense of community—and in Milwaukee, it often starts at the Grace Weber's Music Lab. This arts and music education program serves high school and middle school students, offering more than just lessons—it offers connection. At the heart of the Lab is Britney Freeman-Farr, a.k.a. B-Free, a local artist and educator who now serves as its Director. In this episode, B-Free joins Seth Resler of Community Marketing Revolution to share how the Lab cultivates community through mentorship, performance, and student-led collaboration. She explains how the program’s mission—empowering young people to express themselves and support each other—translates into real-world community-building principles in action. GRACE WEBER'S MUSIC LAB: https://www.gwmusiclab.com/

What does it actually take to build a real community—not just a social media following or a membership list, but a sense of genuine belonging? In Community Case Studies, we go beyond theory and dive into real-world examples. Each episode spotlights a different group—nonprofits, festivals, clubs, coworking spaces, online forums, and more—and explores how they apply time-tested community-building principles to bring people together. Hosted by digital strategist and community consultant Seth Resler, this podcast is your behind-the-scenes look at what’s working (and what isn’t) in the field of community. Whether you're launching a new initiative or strengthening an existing one, you’ll walk away with practical insights, proven tactics, and plenty of inspiration. Real stories. Real people. Real belonging.