Don’t Do That: Don’t Chase Recognition; Be Worth Knowing with Chris Schembra
Summary:
Are you chasing achievement but still feeling disconnected?
On this episode of Don’t Do That, Kelly Waltrich welcomes Chris Schembra, founder of 7:47, a company rooted in one simple but transformative concept: human connection through gratitude. Chris shares how a bowl of pasta and one powerful question sparked a global movement bringing people together in meaningful ways.
This conversation explores how marketers, leaders, and founders can ditch performative storytelling and instead build real community, uncover deeper “whys,” and lead with vulnerability. From emotional intelligence to overcoming burnout, this is a masterclass in building purpose-driven connections.
Kelly and Sara cover:
00:00 – What is 7:47 and how pasta sparked a movement
01:15 – From Broadway dreams to disillusionment and disconnection
03:30 – Loneliness, gratitude, and the birth of the first 7:47 dinner
06:45 – The life-changing question: “Who have you not thanked?”
10:00 – Kelly opens up about the unspoken support of her husband, Steve
18:00 – How brands uncover their “why” through story, not pitch
22:00 – Why community > content in the age of AI
24:00 – The three-act framework for building connection
31:00 – How to AI-proof your career: EQ, conflict resolution, and relationships
38:00 – “Man in the Hole”: Why your toughest moments create your best stories
45:00 – The real difference between being known and being worth knowing
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Connect with Chris Schembra
About Our Guest:
Chris Schembra is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, and one of the leading voices on the power of gratitude and human connection in the workplace.
In a world where over half the workforce feels lonely and nearly 8 out of 10 people are disengaged at work, Chris offers a radical but refreshingly simple idea: the key to thriving isn’t pushing people harder, it’s helping them feel seen, appreciated, and connected.
He’s the creator of the 7:47 Gratitude Experience™, a framework used by hundreds of companies like Google, Microsoft, IBM, Dell, Citi, and even the U.S. Navy to build trust, deepen relationships, and create cultures of belonging. Over the past decade, Chris has facilitated more than 750 transformative experiences, helping thousands of professionals slow down, reconnect, and rediscover what truly matters.
Known as “The Gratitude Guru” by USA Today, Chris is also the author of Gratitude and Pasta and Gratitude Through Hard Times. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, Forbes, Fast Company, and more, and he serves on the Executive Board at Fast Company and as a Founding Member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council.
Whether through a question, a story, or a plate of pasta, Chris’s mission is clear: to help people unlock human potential, one meaningful moment at a time.