In this episode of Resonance, Michael Trainer shares why your relationships tend to rise (or stall) to the level of your vision. He unpacks how bold, service-driven ideas become magnets for extraordinary people, drawing on stories from Global Citizen, hosting the Dalai Lama, and the upcoming Resonance movement. You’ll learn how to turn your vision into invitations—events, podcasts, books, and gatherings—that naturally create life-changing relationships.
When you expand your vision, you expand your relationships.
In this episode, Michael explores the idea that “your relationships will move commensurate with your vision… and the bigger your vision, the bigger your relationships.” Whether you’re called to a quiet, simple life or you feel a pull toward building something much larger than yourself, your “why” shapes who shows up in your world.
Michael shares:
How compelling vision and story helped him co-create Global Citizen and attract allies like Bill Fold (Coachella), the Foo Fighters, the Black Keys, and FedEx
The neuroscience and ancient roots of why we’re all still wired for campfire stories
How events, podcasts, and books become “relationship engines” instead of just projects
The Dalai Lama event that drew in Forrest Whitaker, Roland, and a whole constellation of unexpected collaborators
Why he doesn’t identify as an “event producer,” but continues to create events for causes bigger than himself
How Resonance is becoming a platform for human connection in an age of loneliness
A simple but powerful idea: always have an invitation in your back pocket
He closes with a beautiful story of a woman who met her husband at one of his gatherings—reminding us that when you bring people together around a meaningful vision, lives can literally change.
You’ll walk away with:
A new way to think about vision—not just as a personal goal, but as a social magnet
Practical ideas for turning your vision into platforms (podcasts, events, salons, books) that attract aligned people
Reflection questions to clarify your own “why” and the relationships you want to build