Cult of Generosity

Monday, June 30, 2026

Over the weekend, someone sent me a screenshot of a Reddit thread on the Dubuque subreddit. The title caught my attention immediately: "Convivium cult?" The post itself asked, "Anyone else get sort of a commune culty vibe here? Great coffee though."

I laughed.

Not because I was offended, but because it made me realize that what we're trying to build at Convivium really is unusual. In a world where so much of life revolves around transactions, speed, and individual achievement, a place intentionally built around generosity and human connection can feel a little...different.

So maybe this is a good opportunity to explain what we're really about.

At Convivium, we often say our mission is to improve life through food. But food is really just the vehicle. What we're actually trying to cultivate is generosity.

Not generosity as charity, where one person has and another lacks. Something much broader than that.

Science continues to show that generosity changes us. When we help another person, our brains release chemicals associated with happiness, connection, and trust. Giving reduces stress, strengthens relationships, and even improves physical health. Ironically, one of the best ways to improve your own life is to spend a little less time thinking about yourself.

That's a pretty countercultural idea.

We've been taught that fulfillment comes through accumulating more—more money, more followers, more accomplishments, more stuff. But maybe fulfillment isn't found in what we collect. Maybe it's found in what we contribute.

At Convivium, we believe generosity takes many forms. Money is certainly one of them, but it's only one.

A generous thought chooses grace instead of judgment. A generous word encourages instead of criticizes. A generous gift of money helps meet a need. A generous gift of time tells someone they matter. A generous use of influence opens doors for others. A generous sharing of things recognizes that we don't have to own everything forever. And perhaps most valuable of all is generous attention—the simple act of being fully present with another human being.

That's the culture we're trying to build.

These practices rooted in a belief that generosity has the power to transform both the giver and the receiver. And if enough people begin practicing generosity—in their thoughts, words, time, influence, possessions, and attention—we end up with stronger neighborhoods, healthier communities, and lives that are richer in all the ways that matter most.

So that’s the Kool-Aid we're serving around here, I hope you'll grab a glass.

Yours convivially,