An Afternoon on Vanderbilt’s Campus and the Conversations That Follow

Recently, I had the privilege of walking 3.5 miles with Amy Huffman through Vanderbilt University’s campus for Dialogue Miles™.

It was one of those beautiful, sunny days. There were students having lunch on the lawn, small group conversations, and prospective students walking the campus. Amy and I connected as part of my ongoing effort to spread Intentional Human Connection through Dialogue Miles™.

We found common ground quickly, from our New England roots, to the challenge of educating kids, the emotional toll of losing loved ones to dementia, and a shared drive to engage people in honest dialogue.

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Reflections from the Walk

• Time isn’t fixed.
  When we care enough, we make space for what matters.

• Enthusiasm sparks dialogue.
  Energy is contagious. Leadership often starts there.

• Shared experience builds trust.
  When someone like us goes first, others tend to follow.

• Environment matters.
  Creating space and giving students or teams options for new ideas increases the likelihood of real engagement.

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What stood out most was how naturally the conversation unfolded. There’s something about walking, being present, and removing structure that allows people to show up more fully.

Thanks, Amy, for the walk, the insight, and the momentum. Looking forward to continuing the conversation.