Coming Home
A very special book launch
This Saturday marked the official launch party for Trust Fall: How Workplace Relationships Fail Us. About 40 friends, family members, and community guests gathered in Athens, GA to celebrate the book’s release. We talked about the inspiration behind the project, my writing journey, and a few standout stories from the research. Trust Fall “cheat sheets” were passed around the room, books were signed – all unfolding over a playlist I’d pulled together just for the occasion.
The best part, though, was getting to thank all the incredible people who have supported this book. As I mention in the acknowledgements, Trust Fall carries the imprint of so many folks, from the National Science Foundation down to my dog, Sam. I’ve also been unbelievably lucky to have such strong support on the promotion side (which is truly its own project). Thank you to everyone who came on Saturday, to the volunteer launch team helping me spread the word, to Savannah Williams (an exceptionally talented UGA PR student who helped secure local coverage), to the folks who endorsed the book, and to everyone who has bought a copy. Seriously, thank you!
The location for the launch party was fitting, not just because Hendershots Coffee is a community hub in Athens and a place where I wrote at least two chapters of the book, but also because it represented a homecoming of sorts.
Growing up in small-town Georgia, and then later attending UGA only about 45 minutes away, I was anxious to leave in my early twenties: to get out and explore the rest of the world. And I did, whether it was living in places like New York City, San Francisco, and Sydney or traveling throughout Europe and the Americas.
When we decided to move back to Athens at the end of last year, we did it with a kind of heaviness. The past few years had been one disruption after another, ending with the double hurricanes—Helene and Milton—striking while we were living in, and trying to ready for sale, my in-laws’ home outside Tampa. By the time we packed the car, we were worn down.
Athens promised proximity to family. It also held something steadier for me—an old refuge, a place I’d returned to whenever life tilted off its axis. But this return felt different. After decades of moving every couple of years, I sensed it was time to build an actual home base, not just pass through one.
Saturday’s launch made that choice feel right. Over the past year, we’ve slowly folded ourselves into this community—meeting neighbors, baristas, people on the street you nod to enough times that eventually you start talking. And on Saturday they all showed up, alongside friends from past chapters of my life in New York, California, and Australia. The room filled with family, old and new friends, and even a few consequential strangers.
I have no idea if this launch marks the start of something new or the closing of a long loop, but either way, it offered a simple, steady truth: communities aren’t found all at once; they’re built, person by person, moment by moment. And I’m so grateful for every single person in mine.
A few announcements:
We’ve surpassed 100 subscribers on Work Fails, which makes this — in my view — a digital community. Thanks for being a part of it. Invite others! Subscribe here.
You or someone you know might be interested in my upcoming digital conversation with journalist Sarah Jaffe on December 9th at noon (EST). We’ll talk about the book & also how good intentions can go bad in poorly equipped workplaces. You can register here.
"communities aren’t found all at once; they’re built, person by person, moment by moment," love that. We are all so grateful for you sharing your voice, research, and wisdom! And for the occasional head nod down the street ;)