Have you ever been invited to a mysterious dinner where you’re not allowed to share your last name… or even what you do?

Yeah, I thought I was walking into a scam. 😅

Instead, I ended up meeting Jon Levy — New York Times bestselling author, behavioral scientist, and creator of one of the most powerful community experiences I’ve ever been part of.

In this episode of The Jasmine Star Show, Jon and I talk about:

• Why traditional business networking doesn’t work anymore
• The science of trust and connection (spoiler: it’s all about effort!)
• How to connect with influential people without “networking”
• The surprising truth about authenticity and what people actually remember
• How any entrepreneur — even without money or a big platform — can build powerful, lasting relationships

Now, I won’t lie. Jon and I have very different brains (his might be a behavioral science lab, mine is more like a string-board crime scene 😆), but that’s what makes this conversation so rich. He breaks down exactly how influence, connection, and even identity are shaped — and how YOU can use it to grow your community and business in a human-centered way.

This episode isn't about faking it or forcing it. It's about doing what humans are wired to do: belong, connect, and contribute.

And if you’ve ever felt lonely or awkward in the business world (hello 🙋‍♀️), Jon’s story of going from isolated to in-demand will give you hope and a strategy.

✨ Here’s what you’ll learn:

• What the “IKEA Effect” teaches us about trust in business
• How Jon curated a dinner series attended by Olympians, Nobel laureates, and entrepreneurs
• Why generosity and novelty open doors faster than clout-chasing
• How YOU can gather people in your community, no matter your budget

This one is personal. It’s practical. And it might just change how you think about every future business relationship.

So, grab your notebook, pour something fancy, and hit play… because sometimes you’ve gotta drink the good stuff when you can. 😉

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[04:47] What is The Influencer Dinner — and how it redefines networking

[10:44] The IKEA Effect: Why effort = emotional connection

[14:38] Is belonging actually more important than food or water?

[20:34] Your friendships shape your habits — the science behind it

[25:28] Why your superpower might not scale (and what does)

[31:43] Don’t have a big platform? Host something simple and novel

[47:57] Build trust by asking for small favors — and grow from there

[56:03] Jon’s final message: The world needs your invitation

Listen to Related Episodes:

• How to Create More Meaningful Relationships in Business
• How to Host Successful Events and Build Meaningful Connections

Connect With Jon Levy:

Jon Levy is a behavioral scientist, TED speaker, and author of You're Invited: The Art and Science of Cultivating Influence. He’s best known for curating The Influencers Dinner, where attendees cook together but can’t reveal their last names or professions. His work explores how connection, belonging, and trust drive behavior, relationships, and success.

Website: www.jonlevy.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonlevy

Book: You’re Invited

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Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!