The Power of Having a Tribe

As far back as we can collectively remember, human beings have organized themselves into tribes. Nowadays, it may not be as obvious, but we’re also part of various tribes at different points in our lives. Your tribe is your blood, but it’s also your co-workers, your community and the people who support you online. So why are tribal groups still so important today? Because we’re social animals. Tribes reinforce our sense of purpose and belonging in the world. They diminish stress, boost self-esteem and also improve our social skills. Ever since the days when we sat around campfires and sang songs, tribes have meant life, and it’s still true today.

This is what we are going to talk about today: the power of the tribe. Until recently, most people around the planet lived in tribal societies that banded together to increase their chances of survival. And really for good reason, right? It’s been proven time and time again that people with close relations throughout their lives are generally healthier. They have stronger hearts, better immune systems. You might think that things are different today, but a recent study showed that loneliness might be a bigger killer than smoking or obesity. So the need for strong tribes is really more important today than ever. Luckily, they’re still around in the modern era. They just look a little different. 

Bryant McGill and Jenni Young McGill: Kindness, Good Manners, Simple Reminders, and Tribes

Today you will learn from leaders of an online tribal network with 12 million subscribers.  I am talking with the bestselling author, activist and social entrepreneur, Bryant McGill. He and his wife, Jenni Young McGill are running a wildly popular website, Simple Reminders.  They have founded The Royal Society of Manners, Etiquette, Kindness, and Personal Development. They also host a supportive Facebook tribe, the Royal Way. Clearly, they are making a huge difference in the world.

Their idea goes back to his Southern roots to bring back good manners and kindness to our world. We all want that. We just need simple reminders daily on how to do it. They have created a place where people can learn how to treat each other and themselves with dignity. They are digging deep. They are bringing spirituality into the picture. They’ve noticed on social media, that ‘social’ often ends up separating people. They have the opposite goal. This is why they came up with the idea of a video community, a modern-day tribe. It’s a global society with people from every country, from every race, from every religion, and every creed. While watching our interview you’ll learn exactly what the Royal Society is, how it changes and heals lives in the real world.

Susaye Green, Brooke Lillith, and Colleen Hoyles: Belonging to a Tribe

Susaye Greene, a Motown legend, also joins our conversation. She met Bryant and Jenni on MySpace and is part of their tribe. She loves that the community is judgment-free and very supportive. Susaye explains how and why this community that shares personal intimate videos has changed people. And she believes the group is changing the world.

Brooke and her mother, Colleen, also joined us sharing a difficult time in their lives when everything was spiraling down. Brooke was on a destructive path, drinking, shooting up heroin and overdosing at least 12 times. She felt she had never really belonged anywhere, and considered herself a complete outcast. That is until she joined the Royal Society. She shares how this community gave her a profound sense of being home, and how they helped to change her life around.

To hear more from our guests and learn about the Royal Way, listen to today’s episode.

Krystal Banks, Anita Sanchez, and Jason Hall

I also speak with a bail bondsman, Krystal Banks. She shares how her tribe helps those who are arrested get through the justice system, and on to becoming better citizens with job opportunities.

Anita Sanchez, Ph.D, a consultant, trainer and executive coach who’s worked with thousands of leaders and teams, talks about ancient tribal wisdom for the modern age.

Also, Slow Roll founder Jason Hall discusses building a grassroots tribe from the ground up to help revitalize a city.