Lifestyle Unplugged Podcast with Monica and Lauren

Why is making friends as an adult so awkward? In this episode, we talk about everything from an unexpected Yellowstone encounter to the real challenges of building friendships and community later in life. We dive into social clubs, community events, icebreakers, and the importance of creating consistent opportunities for connection. Plus, why “community connectors” matter more than ever in today’s...

Join Lauren and Monica as they share insights on event planning, community engagement, and personal growth. Discover practical tips for managing stress, fostering connections, and celebrating successes in the world of lifestyle manageme.

In this lively episode of Lifestyle Unplugged, Monica and Lauren explore managing difficult personalities in community settings, emphasizing the importance of processes, communication, and leadership support. They share real-life stories, practical strategies, and insights to empower lifestyle directors and community managers.

Last week, we hit a major milestone: our very first in-person recording! While we ran into some technical hurdles that affected the audio quality, the energy and insights from the conversation were too good to keep under wraps. Instead of leaving this on the cutting room floor, we’re releasing a special two-part series featuring Amanda Travers, NAHB Silver Award Winner for Lifestyle Director of th...

Last week we ran into some technical challenges, and the audio quality from our first in-person recording wasn’t quite what we had hoped for. As with many firsts, there are always a few lessons along the way. Rather than let anyone miss the really good content, we decided to do something a little different and release a two-part series featuring our conversation with Amanda Travers, NAHB Silver Aw...

In this engaging conversation, Chris Dorociak shares his extensive experience in real estate consulting, particularly focusing on lifestyle communities. He discusses the evolution of these communities, the importance of market research, and how to quantify the value of lifestyle. The conversation highlights the role of lifestyle directors in creating connections among residents and the special ele...

A clip from the episode released on Feb. 9, 2026.

In this episode of Lifestyle Unplugged , Monica and Lauren dive into the real-world challenges and wins of being Lifestyle Directors in community management. From juggling packed schedules to designing engaging resident events, they unpack what it truly takes to lead with clarity, creativity, and confidence. The conversation covers productivity hacks, resident engagement strategies, and why clear...

What do you do when something doesn’t go as planned? You pivot. In this episode of Lifestyle Unplugged , Monica and Lauren dive into the reality of missed marks, events that didn’t land, and plans that fell flat—and how those moments often become the foundation for something even better. We talk about how to recognize when it’s time to shift direction, why “failure” is often just feedback, and how...

In this episode, Monica and Lauren discuss their recent experiences, including a trip to Disney World, and share insights on event planning and community engagement. They explore various ideas for celebrating Valentine's Day, emphasizing inclusivity and creativity in event planning. The conversation highlights the significance of attention to detail in hospitality and the value of building str...

Lauren’s headed to Disney World, so we talk event-planner “magic” before pivoting into a practical egg hunt playbook for community connectors. From inclusive “Eggapalooza” framing and age-group timing to entertainment add-ons (petting zoos, DJs, games, face painters) and smart ops (pre-stuffed eggs, rain plans, bounce house insurance), this episode is packed with ideas to make your spring event or...

Monica and Lauren welcome Anne-Marie Baird, Brighton’s Director of Property Management, to discuss what real partnership between lifestyle and management looks like. They break down the “gas pedal vs. brake” dynamic—balancing creative events with rules, budgets, legality, and risk. Anne-Marie shares practical tips for handling HOA questions during events, building trust with residents, and reducin...

Monica Hollins and Lauren Brown kick off 2026 by recapping key takeaways from their two-part conversation with architect and author Kevin Ervin Kelley. They explore how lifestyle and resident experience professionals can design events like a movie—creating intentional “scenes” from the first impression to the closing moment—so residents feel welcomed, connected, and clear on purpose. They share pr...

Part 2 of our three-part series with author and architect Kevin Ervin Kelley moves from philosophy into practical insight, focusing on how meaning, storytelling, and experience shape truly successful communities and brands. In this episode, Kevin joins Monica Hollins and Lauren Brown to explore why storytelling matters and how understanding what your community genuinely cares about should guide ev...

Part 1 of our three-part series with author and architect Kevin Ervin Kelley takes listeners deep into the heart of what makes places truly meaningful. In the first 45 minutes of our conversation, Kevin joins Monica Hollins and Lauren Brown to explore the philosophy behind Irreplaceable and the art of designing spaces that bring people together. We discuss why storytelling belongs in architecture,...

In this conversation, Monica and Lauren discuss the joys and challenges of the holiday season, particularly focusing on Thanksgiving. They share personal experiences, tips for creating magical moments for families, and the importance of community connections. The conversation also touches on the stress of traveling during the holidays, engaging activities for residents, and fun games to enhance th...

In this conversation, Monica Hollins and Lauren Brown discuss the importance of understanding market demands and the role of developers in managing these expectations. They emphasize the need for a clear vision of community offerings that align with realistic goals. Takeaways Markets can consume you. It's important for your developer or board to know your role. Consider what your community wan...

No one plans for disaster—but every great leader plans for the unexpected. Monica and Lauren break down practical steps for developing crisis management plans, training volunteers, and maintaining open lines of communication. From safety education to transparency under pressure, this episode is a must-listen for anyone managing people, programs, or communities.

Join Monica and Lauren as they explore how to create meaningful, inclusive events for residents of all ages — from toddlers to retirees. In this episode, they share insights on understanding your community’s demographics, engaging teens to foster a sense of ownership, and discovering why many 55+ residents love participating in events designed for children. Whether you’re part of a lifestyle team...

Join Lauren and Monica as they sit down with Brooke Cagan, Events and Activities Director for Heritage Bay Golf and Country Club discuss how she curates food and beverage events for her membership.

Join Monica and Lauren as they catch up with each other, discuss past episodes, volunteers, and so much more!

Join Lauren and Monica as they sit down with Bill Overton, PCAM — veteran community manager, industry leader, and contributing author to CAI’s Managing Mental Health. In one of the most personal conversations yet, Bill opens up about his own mental health journey, sharing honest reflections on resilience, burnout, and the importance of normalizing wellness in leadership. Together, they explore wha...

Beyond the Event: Building Clubs That Connect explores how clubs become the heartbeat of thriving communities. Join us as we sit down with Lifestyle Directors Bethany Nelson and Jennifer Flores, to uncover strategies, success stories, and creative approaches to building clubs that foster connection, purpose, and lasting engagement beyond one-time events.

Join Monica and Lauren as they discuss how to create an atmosphere that allows residents to meet before they close and gives them the chance to move in next door to a new friend.

Lauren and Monica sit down with the developer of Rancho Sahuarita, Jeremy Sharpe, and Lifestyle Director, Jasmine Creason. Join them as they discuss the development and activation of a community 25 years in the making, with more still to come.