Connected Hearts: Carlsbad Community2026-08-11T20:00:30-07:00

Connected Hearts Carlsbad

Real. Meaningful. Fun.

A community for women in North County San Diego where personal growth, authentic friendships, and shared joy come together to make life richer – and fully your own.

The Rhythm of Connected Hearts

The signature gathering is the heartbeat of Connected Hearts, where we come together monthly for personally facilitated evenings.

Between gatherings, members stay connected through a virtual Connection Call, an Unplugged social get together, and a one-on-one Heart-to-Heart. Each takes place once a month and all are completely optional.

Together, these touchpoints create a natural rhythm that gives relationships the time and space to deepen.

How to Know if Connected Hearts is Right for You

Something has shifted for you recently, whether it’s a move, a divorce, an empty nest, a career change, or you’ve just reached a point where you want something more from this season of your life.

You’ve probably tried to put yourself out there before. Maybe it was a Meetup group, a Facebook community, or a casual social event. Sometimes you met wonderful people. Sometimes you didn’t. Maybe you left feeling like everyone already knew each other, or you met people but never really had the chance to get to know them. Whatever the reason, you’re not looking for another version of that.

You’re looking for something that’s surprisingly hard to find in one place: genuine connection, personal growth, and fun.

You’re not looking for group therapy, and you’re not looking for a purely social hangout either. Most places make you choose between the two.

You’re naturally curious. You enjoy learning, exploring new ideas, and growing – not because you’re chasing self-improvement, but because you’re interested in living life well.

You’re kind. You’re real, even when it would be easier not to be. You’re open to letting people get to know you, and genuinely interested in getting to know them. You bring good energy into a room and appreciate being around women who do the same. And you understand that real friendships aren’t built by dropping in once – they’re built by showing up consistently.

If that sounds like you, you’ll feel right at home here.

How to Know if Connected Hearts is Right for You

Something has shifted for you recently, whether it’s a move, a divorce, an empty nest, a career change, or just reaching a point where you want something more from this chapter of life.

You’ve probably tried to put yourself out there before. Maybe it was a Meetup group, a Facebook community, or a casual social event. Sometimes you met wonderful people. Sometimes you didn’t. Maybe you left feeling like everyone already knew each other, or that the connections never went beyond the surface. Whatever the reason, you’re not looking for another version of that.

You’re looking for something that’s surprisingly hard to find in one place: genuine connection, personal growth, and fun.

You’re not looking for group therapy, and you’re not looking for a purely social hangout either. Most places make you choose between the two.

You’re naturally curious. You enjoy learning, trying new things, and growing – not because you’re chasing self-improvement, but because you’re genuinely interested in living life well.

You’re kind. You’re real, even when it would be easier not to be. You already know how to bring good energy into a room. You’re simply looking for a place that gives that energy back. And you understand that meaningful friendships aren’t built by dropping in once – they’re built by showing up consistently.

If that sounds like you, you’ll feel right at home here.

What You’ll Experience at a Gathering

While each gathering has its own theme, every evening follows a consistent structure designed to help you fully enjoy the experience.

Through engaging experiences, honest conversation, and moments of reflection, each gathering creates the kind of evening that’s enjoyable in the moment and stays with you long afterward.

  • A Warm Welcome: Gentle openings that make it easy to arrive, settle in, and feel at ease.

  • A Moment to Reset: A brief centering moment to help you leave the day behind and become more present.

  • An Inspiring Main Event: Together, we explore a relatable topic through a coaching lens, followed by a thought-provoking conversation that goes somewhere.
  • Shared Joy: A playful element that brings everyone together through laughter and lightness.

  • A Heart-Centered Close: A heartfelt ending that leaves you feeling optimistic and uplifted.

Our consistent flow is the canvas; the changing monthly themes are the art. No matter the theme, you’ll leave with something valuable to carry into your everyday life – whether it’s a fresh perspective, a practical takeaway, or simply feeling more like yourself again.

Why Membership Matters

Connected Hearts was created as a membership community because one wonderful evening can leave you feeling inspired, but it’s the consistency of gathering month after month that allows trust to grow, conversations to go deeper, genuine friendships to take root, and you start to notice yourself evolving, too (in a good way). We believe becoming a better friend to yourself doesn’t just make life richer, it makes you a better friend to others, too.

Consistency is also the difference between attending an event and belonging to a community.

Nothing Beats Real Life. Screens can keep us in touch, but they can’t replace the feeling of sharing space and experiencing the energy and connection that only happens in person.

Cheryl Dillon, Founder

What Members are Saying

Connected Hearts has reinforced for me that there is a community of support, friendship, and laughter out there if you open yourself up to it. Participating is like receiving a superhero cape, it makes me feel brave, but also wrapped in comfort and warmth. It’s also reminded me of what I value in myself and in my friendships: authenticity, kindness, and strength of character.
Annette W., Carlsbad

I immediately knew I was in the right place when I started having genuine conversations with people and realized everyone was just being themselves. Nobody was trying to impress anyone. The women were welcoming, sincere, and kind.

Brigitte A., Carlsbad

Connected Hearts gives me opportunities for self-growth and reflection while also getting to know genuine, kind women. I love that there are several opportunities each month to get to know people on a deeper level, and that the gatherings are guided, so I don’t have to worry about what to say or how to move a conversation forward.

Amy B., Oceanside

Fun, uplifting evenings that leave me with that special feeling that lingers after getting together with a group of great women for the kind of talking and laughing you do when you get together away from work, family, etc. You get to be the self that perhaps others don’t get to see out of the usual context.

Melissa F., Vista

What’s Included in Membership

Membership includes everything below, with additional experiences and opportunities added as our community continues to grow.

  • Signature Monthly Gatherings: A reserved seat at our signature, guided in-person gatherings in Carlsbad.
  • Virtual Connection Calls: Stay connected between gatherings with optional online Connection Calls to reflect, celebrate wins, and continue the conversation.

  • Connected Hearts Unplugged: Casual, member-only outings where friendships naturally deepen through beach walks, coffee chats, and other local get-togethers.

  • A Beautiful Welcome Gift: A curated member package designed to welcome you into the circle.

  • Bring a Guest: Members receive guest passes to introduce other wonderful women to the community.

  • Exclusive Invitations & Early Access: Be first in line for future Funderful Experiences – special events, retreats, and more.

  • Member Coaching Rate: Preferred member pricing on private coaching with Cheryl.

  • Your Voice Matters: Help shape future themes, experiences, and the direction of our community.

Start With a Guest Experience

Come meet the members, experience a gathering, and see for yourself what makes Connected Hearts feel so special. If it feels like home, you’ll be invited to join.

No pressure. No sales pitch. Just a Funderful evening.

The Details:

  • Monthly gatherings in Carlsbad
  • Typically the first or second Tuesday of the month
  • 6:00 – 8:00 PM
  • Exact location shared after registration
  • Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are provided

Upcoming dates are listed on the registration page.

FAQs

How is Connected Hearts different from a free social group?2026-08-03T13:20:37-07:00

Free casual social groups are built on good intentions, but without commitment, attendance becomes inconsistent and the dynamic can drift, sometimes into the very cliques and surface-level interactions you were hoping to leave behind. And someone always has to do the work of planning, coordinating, and hosting, which can become a burden in itself.

Connected Hearts is different because everyone here has chosen to invest in showing up consistently. That’s what gives trust time to build, conversations room to deepen, and relationships time to take root.

But consistency is only part of the equation. There’s also nothing to organize, host, or coordinate.

As a Certified Life Coach and trained event planner, I personally design and facilitate every aspect of the member experience – from the way new members are welcomed to the gathering flow, the opportunities between gatherings, and the culture we cultivate together. The result is an experience that makes it easier to feel included, participate with confidence, and build the kinds of relationships that make life richer.

What if I show up and feel awkward or like I don’t belong?2026-07-31T15:07:34-07:00

If you’re feeling that way, you’re in very good company. Almost every member has told me they felt some version of the same thing before attending their first gathering.

The difference is that Connected Hearts isn’t the kind of place where you have to figure it out on your own. Every gathering follows a welcoming, guided flow, so you’re never left wondering where to go, what to do, or how to join in.

Most women tell me that within the first few minutes, they realized they can relax, let their guard down, and simply enjoy being there.

What if I’m worried I won’t be able to commit to every month?2026-08-06T15:48:01-07:00

Our gatherings follow a regular schedule, so most women find it’s actually easier to protect than something that moves around. You put it on the calendar and it’s just part of your month.

That said, life happens, and no one is expected to attend every gathering. While we encourage members to come regularly because that’s how relationships naturally deepen over time, there are no attendance requirements or pressure if you occasionally need to miss one.

Connection Calls, Unplugged social get-togethers, and one-on-one Heart-to-Hearts keep you connected between gatherings. And because the same women come back every month, you can pick right up where you left off.

What we do ask is that, when you join, you make a genuine commitment to showing up whenever you can – because your presence matters to the women in the room, and theirs matters to you. That consistency is what makes this community feel different from everything else you’ve tried.

 

So… am I paying for friends?2026-07-31T15:00:58-07:00

No. You’re investing in an experience and a community that creates the conditions where genuine friendships can naturally grow.

Many women happily invest in a gym, yoga, or Pilates membership because those experiences provide structure, expert guidance, and a supportive environment that help them improve their physical health. Connected Hearts was created with a similar philosophy in mind.

As a Certified Life Coach and event planner, I provide that same structure, expert guidance, and supportive environment for something that’s just as important, but many of us struggle to prioritize: our social well-being.

The friendships that form here aren’t what you’re paying for – they’re one of the most meaningful outcomes of investing in your social well-being, growing naturally in the culture of the community.

What if I’m an introvert?2026-07-31T15:33:52-07:00

You’re in wonderful company. Many of our members describe themselves as introverts. Because every gathering follows a thoughtful, guided flow, you never have to compete for attention or figure out how to join in. Most introverts say it’s the most comfortable social experience they’ve had in years because there’s nothing to perform. You just show up and let the evening carry you.

 

Is there an age range for members?2026-07-17T10:22:07-07:00

I’ve always had friends decades older than me and decades younger – to me, real connection isn’t about someone’s age matching mine. In Connected Hearts, what matters far more than your number of times around the sun is your energy, openness, and approach to life.

The topics we explore each month aren’t tied to a particular age – they’re relevant no matter where you are in life. The bottom line is this is a community for women who want to live fully. A place to continue to grow as a person, not to dump or just pass a pleasant evening. There’s no set age range for Connected Hearts, though if it matters to you, most members right now are in their 50s and 60s.

Why is Connected Hearts a membership instead of drop-in events?2026-08-03T14:05:06-07:00

Connected Hearts is designed to create deeper connection – and that’s difficult to create in a constantly changing drop-in environment. When the same women gather consistently over time, conversations go deeper, it feels easier to be yourself, and relationships have the time and space to grow.

But consistency is only part of the equation. Connected Hearts has also been intentionally designed to make it easy for women to feel welcomed, included, and comfortable participating from the very beginning. Every part of the experience – from our monthly gatherings to the opportunities between gatherings – works together in a way that simply isn’t possible with occasional drop-in events.

Each gathering builds on the last, while virtual Connection Calls, Connected Hearts Unplugged, and optional Heart-to-Heart pairings help relationships continue to deepen between gatherings.

At the same time, we understand that some women prefer a little more flexibility as they get to know the community, which is why we also offer limited flexible participation options for women who aren’t quite ready for full membership.

 

Who is this NOT right for?2026-07-31T15:12:48-07:00

To keep this a space focused on personal relationships and well-being, Connected Hearts may not be the right fit if you’re looking for:

  • A Casual Drop-in Social Group: Connected Hearts is built around consistency. The same women keep showing up month after month, because that’s how trust builds and friendships naturally deepen.
  • Business Networking: While we celebrate each other’s successes, our primary goal is heart-centered connection. If your main objective is to pitch a product or build a lead list, this isn’t the space for you.
  • Surface-Level Only: Connected Hearts is designed for those who want to move past small talk. You never have to share more than you’re comfortable with, but curiosity and a willingness to engage are part of what makes the experience so rewarding.
  • Divisive Topics: To ensure our space remains a sanctuary of peace and positivity, we do not discuss politics or other polarizing subjects. We are here to focus on what connects us, not what divides us.
What types of themes might be explored in these gatherings?2026-07-16T16:17:54-07:00

Our monthly themes are always fresh and relevant. Some are playful, others are deeply reflective.

Upcoming and past themes include:

  • Becoming Your Own Best Friend: Learning to treat yourself with the same kindness, patience, and loyalty you’d offer a treasured friend – because the most important relationship you have is the one you have with yourself.
  • How to Be the Friend You Seek: Exploring the small but powerful habits that turn good intentions into the kind of friendship that actually lasts.
  • The Confidence to Speak Up: Finding your voice and communicating with clarity and confidence.
  • The Gift of Self-Compassion: Simple practices to silence your inner critic and boost your everyday joy.
  • The Hidden Power of Fun: Why play and lightheartedness aren’t frivolous – they’re crucial.
What is the investment for membership?2026-06-19T10:13:00-07:00

We share full pricing details after your guest experience because Connected Hearts is one of those things that’s difficult to fully understand from a website. The best way to know whether it’s the right fit is to experience a gathering for yourself, meet the women, and get a feel for the community.

Most women know pretty quickly whether it feels like something they’d like more of in their lives. If it does, we’ll provide all membership details, pricing, and options so you can make an informed decision.

Do you have community guidelines?2026-08-03T14:22:59-07:00

Yes. All members agree to our Connected Hearts Promise – a simple set of values that shape the kind of community we want to cultivate together. These shared commitments help ensure our gatherings stay positive, supportive and easy for everyone to feel included. These shared commitments help create the welcoming, inclusive culture that makes Connected Hearts feel different from many other groups.

Your First Connected Hearts Experience Awaits

Reading about it is one thing. Experiencing it is something else entirely.

Come see what happens when women gather with openness, curiosity, and a desire for something more real.

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