Weave the People, presented by Weaving NWA, is back with our next gathering: The Joy of Mutuality on November 15, 2025. This event is more than just a celebration; it's a day of collective brainstorming and a day dedicated to forging new connections across this region we call home.
Featuring Arkansas's own joy and happiness speaker, Kim Hodous, "The Joy of Mutuality" promises to inspire you with fresh ideas for cultivating a life filled with happiness. Together, we'll explore how to foster a joyful sense of wellbeing for one another across Northwest Arkansas. We're bringing together inspiring NWA thought leaders, grassroots leaders, and engaged citizens to boldly tackle pressing challenges and discover new ways to spark joy together. And we want YOU to be part of it!
Prepare for a day filled with thought-provoking speakers, engaged community members, delicious bites from locally owned restaurants, and activities designed to energize both your mind and body. You'll leave recharged, with a renewed sense of joy in living, working, and creating new opportunities to weave a stronger Northwest Arkansas.
Event Schedule:
9:00 am | Check-In and start your day with a light breakfast of hot coffee and pastries. This is your time to connect with others and ease into the inspiring day ahead.
9:30 am | Join us for Cultivating Joy + Mutuality. Take the opportunity to awaken yourself with gentle movement and stretches, followed by a focused visualization on joy and inspiration. We'll conclude by setting intentions for the day with reflective questions. Totally optional!
10:00 am | Welcome and framing of the day with the Weaving NWA team.
10:30 am | Get moving with What Sparks Joy/ Building Community Joy. This is a quick, fun segment featuring collective activities—from fun greetings and mirror movements to games—all designed to build a joyful community connection that you can replicate anywhere!
10:45 am | Immerse yourself in our Learning Moment: The Science of Collective Happiness. Join The Happiness Speaker, Kim Hodous, in exploring the benefits of collective happiness and the distinction between joy and happiness followed by community circles to reflect on the content and discuss what it means to experience joy.
12:35 pm | Indulge in a community lunch from Spring Street Grill (vegetarians, vegans and gluten free options available) while listening to our Joy in Mutuality panel discussion. Hear from local NWA Weaver Awardees Khalid Ahmadzai with Rumi Afghan Rugs and Amber Perrodin with the Ozark Story Project, moderated by KUAF Radio’s general manager, Clint Schaff.
1:45 pm | Experience the Joy of Mutuality/ Experiencing Joy in Community. Joy Stations led by our incredible 2025 Weaver Awardees offer a rich mix of creative expression, connection, and celebration—from stitching and journaling to poetry, dance, mindfulness, tea, and deep conversation. Each station invites participants to slow down, reflect, move, make, and share joy in community.
2:45 pm | Joy Cards! Join us for Closing Reflections as we wrap up the day, solidify our takeaways and celebrate the collective joy and mutual support we've fostered. Joy Cards help us share in a moment of personal and collective reflection.