What happens when you invite people to walk together and really see their city?

In this episode of How We Connected, Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey talk with Holden Minor Ringer, a Seattle community builder and transit advocate who believes walking is one of the simplest ways to fight isolation. Holden shares the story of walking more than 4,500 miles across the United States, relying on the kindness of strangers and gaining a front-row view of how cities either support or hinder human connection.

That experience inspired the Seattle Super Saunter - a 22-mile walk across Seattle that drew 300 people, even in pouring rain. Holden explains how walking creates natural, low-pressure connection, why accessibility and flexibility matter, and how the saunter model can be replicated in other cities.

This conversation is about movement, community, and the power of doing something simple together.

00:00 Introduction

04:10 Community Reflections

10:32 Meet Holden

14:41 Walking Across America

21:46 Creating the Seattle Super Saunter

29:20 Connecting Walking to Transit Advocacy

36:48 Replicating the Model

39:52 Wrap-up and Reflections

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How We Connected explores the conversations that power communities across the United States. Aaron Hurst and Charlotte Massey share what they’re building at the US Chamber of Connection and speak with leaders whose work strengthens local connection. Episodes offer human stories, practical insights, and ideas you can use in your own community.

Aaron Hurst, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, is a longtime entrepreneur focused on purpose and community. He founded Imperative and the Taproot Foundation and wrote The Purpose Economy.

Charlotte Massey, Co-Founder of the US Chamber of Connection, leads community programs nationally. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and former organizer and founder, she works at the intersection of civic life and entrepreneurship.

Connect with Us

www.chamberofconnection.org

Seattle Super Saunter

www.seattlesupersaunter.com

Holden Minor Ringer

Holden is the primary organizer for the Seattle Super Saunter. Prior to returning to Seattle in May of 2024 Holden walked across the country starting March 8th from La Push, WA and over the course of 423 days, 4,500+ miles and 20 states, completed his journey in New Haven, CT on May 4th 2024. Before his journey, Holden had walked all around the Pacific Northwest to prepare, having walked from Everett to Seattle, Seattle to Tacoma, all around Lake Washington, from Ballard to Tiger Mountain (and back), as well as from Vancouver, BC back to Seattle. To make a long story short, he's a big walker.

Heylo

https://www.heylo.com

Heylo is a community-management platform built for real-world groups of every kind, giving leaders a clean, branded home base to run events, manage members, communicate clearly, and handle payments without friction. It brings scheduling, RSVPs, waivers, announcements, topic-based chats, and membership tools into one place so clubs, teams, and interest groups can stay organized and connected without the noise of traditional social platforms.

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