The Table Where We Meet

“If you’re longing for connection–to yourself, to your people, or to the kind of community you haven’t quite found yet–this is your book. It reads like a thought provoking instruction manual for mending the parts of you that want to open again, but it also feels like sitting down with your long-lost best friend over tea. As I read, I kept nodding… omg yes, me too! I felt less alone in my quirks, my sensitivities, and how I see the world. Jess is an exceptional writer. Her stories have the warmth of an afternoon wrapped in a blanket, watching a fire with your favorite people. Her insights are invitations into a world of wonder and depth. This book is restorative on every level. I genuinely believe if everyone read it, we’d all be better for it.” – Meghan Sylvester, actor and author of The Body Positivity Journal
“In a world that has trained us to lead with our job titles, Jess Janz reminds us that the most revolutionary act is asking someone who they actually are. Drawing from her years of experience convening connection-hungry strangers, she teaches us how to find the courage we need to truly see and be seen by others. The Table Where We Meet isn’t a book about wishing for connection–it’s a roadmap for practicing it. This book is warm and humorous and insistent that we’re all carrying universes inside us that almost no one thinks to ask about. An indispensable book for an age of loneliness.” – Jonathan Merritt, author of Learning to Speak God From Scratch
“Jess Janz has a gift: she makes you remember what it feels like to be human, These pages are alive with honesty, courage, and the kind of connection we are starving for in a lonely world. The Table Where We Meet is a reminder that meaning is built in the small moments, and every person we meet could change us for the better. Jess captures these truths masterfully.” – Doug Cartwright, founder of Alchemy Coaching, speaker, author of Holy Shit, We’re Alive!
“The Table Where We Meet is a beautifully honest reflection on what it means to connect in a disconnected world. Janz’s storytelling feels effortless yet deeply felt, guiding readers through moments that are both ordinary and transcendent. It’s a book that reminds us of the quiet power of vulnerability and the courage it takes to truly see one another. Warning: this book will make you want to be a better neighbor.” – Tanner Olson, Author of Getting Through What You’re Going Through
“For as long as I’ve known Jess, she’s been wholly aligned with her purpose of bringing people together. The Table Where We Meet captures that gift on the page. It’s an invitation to slow down, to listen, and to find yourself reflected in the stories and strangers around the table. In a fast-paced world, Jess reminds us that connection is both an art and an act of courage–and this book is her most beautiful gathering yet.” – Wendell Holland, founder and chief designer, Beve Unlimited; Builder, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
“Learning how to be a host? Invaluable. Knowing how to make people feel seen, heard, and encouraged? That’s priceless. This book is fun and enlightening.” – Michael Bungay Stanier, author of The Coaching Habit

Jess Janz is an essayist, poet, and community facilitator. Her work explores themes of identity, softness, and the shared experiences that connect us.

In 2017, she established Dinner With Strangers, a widely recognized monthly event that brings together diverse individuals for shared meals and meaningful conversations in various cities across North America. She has also facilitated similar events for notable corporate clients such as Wealthsimple, The W Hotel, Staub, and Altea Active Club.

Her writing has appeared in publications like Thought Catalog and Simplify Magazine. Jess resides in Toronto, Canada, accompanied by her own company and her worries, for which she is practicing to create a comfortable space.

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