THE 'FIFTY FIRST DATES' PROJECT: 2024, PUBLICATION DEC, 2025
What is the Fifty First Dates Project?
The Fifty First Dates Project is a collection of fifty one-off, one-hour platonic conversations between myself and fifty strangers. In February, 2024 I placed signs around Victoria inviting complete strangers to join me for a coffee. The idea was simple: I'd buy them a coffee, and we'd just chat for one hour about anything under the sun. No subject was off limits, as long as it was authentic. Why did I do it? Because I firmly believe that each interaction in life holds the potential to be a teachable moment, and each person, the teacher. By sitting down and chatting with complete strangers, I was able to learn whatever lesson wanted to present itself during each conversation, and find the commonality between us.
After each of the fifty conversations, I would snap a selfie with each participant, and go off to overthink the conversation. Eventually distilling it down to the teachable moment within, I would write a short essay based on the theme that arose during the conversation. The fifty photos, as well as the fifty essays are the contents of the first half of my second non-fiction work, tentatively titled Being Human.
By August, 2024, I had completed all 50 conversations, and met some truly incredible people - many of whom I am now blessed to call friends. I was right on track to finish the book; however, the Fifty First Dates Project somehow turned into a living work of art, shaped by each person who added their energy to it. Inspired by the conversations shared within the Fifty First Dates Project, it became clear to me that people were craving connection. Fuelled by the desire to make these conversations accessible to all, and assist others in connecting, the Fifty First Dates Project transformed into the Meet a Stranger Project - a public version of this personal project.
So, the question is: have I finished writing the book yet? Nope! While the Fifty First Dates Project itself is complete, the second half of the book is not. The second half deals with how conducting the Fifty First Dates Project changed my life. As one project begets the next in an effort to help connect people through conversation, it seems the second half of this story is still being written in real time. The story continues to grow, while the second half of the book trails along behind!
Estimated publication date for Being Human is December, 2025.
Local Press for Fifty First Dates:
Click below to view Vic News article "50 First Dates Project spawns monthly Meet a Stranger events in Victoria".
