#177: The Age of Connectors: Peter Block on Belonging, Civic Life, and the Questions That Bring Us Together

About this episode

Traci Warnberg-Lemm interviews Peter Block about the importance of connectors in building community and civic life.

"Questions bring us together. Answers keep us apart." — Peter Block What does it mean to lead change in a fractured world? In this powerful episode, Traci Warnberg-Lemm sits down with Peter Block — humble citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio and author of the newly updated third edition of Community: The Structure of Belonging — for a rich conversation about what it really takes to build civic culture, restore belonging, and activate the common good in complex times. Peter's concept of the connector — someone who brings people together horizontally, across difference and distance — offers a fresh and urgent alternative to traditional top-down leadership models. This episode is essential listening for public sector leaders, coaches, community organizers, and anyone committed to systems change from the inside out. 🎧 Tune in to: ✅ Discover why connectors — not traditional leaders — are the heart of systems change and civic life ✅ Explore how coaching questions and small group conversations can rebuild trust, belonging, and community ✅ Hear why virtual connection is a logistical convenience — but not a substitute for real community building ✅ Learn practical tools for transforming any room —…

People in this episode

Host: Traci Warnberg-Lemm

Guest: Peter Block

Topics covered

• civic culture
• belonging
• systems change
• community building
• leadership
• trust

Keywords

• connectors
• civic life
• community
• leadership
• trust
• belonging
• systems change

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Community: The Structure of Belonging

Places: Cincinnati, Ohio

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