WEEK 1 ON THE ROAD: CONNECTION

The Zoon Garden Team has officially hit the road – and they’re off to a rocking start. “This week numerous friends and family have asked me how the team has bonded, often thinking there would be confrontation or a lack of cohesion,” says author Jordan O’Donnell. “The reverse has happened.”
 
Putting eighteen people together – many of whom didn’t know one another beforehand – and driving across America during a pandemic sounds like a recipe for conflict. Yet already, the team reports a feeling of instant closeness, even as they practice social distancing.
 
“Everyone appears to have become near instant best friends,” says O’Donnell. “The majority of the team has received nicknames, inside jokes are plentiful, and vast portions of our time are spent laughing and goofing like old friends.”
 
Although drawn together by a politically and emotionally charged mission, the Zoon Garden Team reports already feeling at home with one another. Lena Corrado, the team’s Videographer and Content Creator, emphasizes the safe, connected conversations that the environment has provided. “Spending so much time together, talking is inevitable,” she says. “Those later nights around the campfire, posing questions and having fun debates or interesting arguments has really made us feel closer and connected in very little time.”
 
As of today, the team is stationed in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are enjoying the artistic atmosphere,  educating each other, and, get this: some of them are seeing fireflies for the first time. They’ve also enjoyed moments of gentle connection, friendship, and inspiration. Grace Tierney, the group’s Media and Marketing Specialist, noted a wonderful moment with Jonah Baker, the team’s Creative Director.
 
“Jonah told me this morning that I can do anything,” says Tierney. “He then proceeded to list 5 
things that I can do. This list included: cartwheeling, putting together a strong playlist, 
cooking dinner, managing social media, and making funny faces. This insight made me 
feel really happy and good about myself!”
 
Cuteness overload, right? We love to see it. Keep your eyes open as Zoon Garden enters a city near you – next week, the team is hitting Nashville, Tennessee!