If you're reading this, you either know me personally or stumbled onto something that resonated. Either way, welcome.
I've lived in the Philadelphia area most of my life. And for most of that time I assumed I'd eventually leave. After living in New York and Austin I wanted something different, and Philly never quite felt like the best fit for me.
Not to say I don't have great friends here, I swear I do, and maybe some of you are reading this. But Philly never felt like a city that represented my values or was densely populated with people who shared my interests.
I have a young family now, I'm planting roots, and instead of waiting to find that community, I decided to build it.
Now more than ever I think it's important to have community and find people you can connect deeply with, kindred spirits.
We're at a strange crossroads. Health, money, and technology are all shifting at once. The noise is getting louder and things are getting more uncertain. And somewhere in the middle of all that, a lot of people are quietly asking the same questions: is there a better way to live than the default path? How can I keep improving my life? How do I find other people and families doing the same?
Those questions are worth asking. And worth finding the answer to.
That's what Sound Life Philly is. A weekly letter and a monthly gathering for people in the greater Philadelphia area who want to get offline, get connected, and build something lasting.
The first happy hour is coming in March. Details soon.
If you know someone who belongs here, forward this to them.
— Jackson
In the Meantime
I want to build the community that you and I both want. Reply to this email and tell me:
What are your favorite spots in the Philadelphia area — restaurants, bars, parks, trails, towns worth visiting? What annual events do you actually look forward to? What would make this community genuinely useful to you?
I'll read and respond to every reply.