Purposeful Connection: Why Engagement Is Harder (and More Important) Than Ever

Podcast Description

In this off-the-cuff episode, Duane Brumitt and Allie Alberigo dive into the real challenges of engaging students, parents, and staff as 2025 winds down. They get honest about the struggle to drive buy-in for events, the shifting nature of community, and why purposeful connection is more critical than ever for martial arts schools. Expect candid stories, practical strategies, and a reminder that you’re not alone in facing these hurdles.

Key Takeaways

Engagement Isn’t What It Used to Be: Getting students and families to show up for events—even free ones—takes more effort than ever. The days of automatic buy-in are gone.
Society Has Changed: Families are busier, more isolated, and often prefer staying in. Retail, dining, and even martial arts events are feeling the shift.
Purposeful Connection Is Everything: It’s not enough to just announce events or programs. Owners need to actively create meaningful, personal connections with students, parents, and staff.
Staff Buy-In Matters: Your team needs to communicate with energy and consistency. One-off announcements aren’t enough—everyone has to be on the same page, pushing the same message.
Parents Need Tools: Most parents want to help, but don’t know how. Give them simple, actionable ways to support their kids’ progress and stay engaged.
Commitment Is a Two-Way Street: From black belt contracts to event participation, getting families to commit and follow through requires both structure and empathy.
Communication + Community: These are the two pillars of a thriving school. Consistent, mission-driven communication and a sense of belonging keep people invested.

Action Steps for School Owners

Audit Your Connection Points: List every way you connect with students, parents, and staff. Which work? Which need improvement?
Make Engagement Personal: Move beyond generic announcements—use praise, specific invitations, and one-on-one check-ins.
Train Your Team: Make sure every staff member knows how to communicate the mission and create excitement, not just pass along info.
Support Parents: Offer simple guides or meetings to help parents reinforce goals at home (not just emails they’ll forget).
Set Clear Commitments: Be upfront about expectations and commitments, and reinforce them regularly (with grace and flexibility).
Celebrate Wins and Connections: Recognize participation, effort, and progress—publicly and privately—to build momentum.