By Patrick Kadian
When I first joined FIGT, I was looking for connection. Like many of us, I’ve spent years moving—16 countries and counting—raising a family while navigating unfamiliar cultures and systems. FIGT gave me a space where I felt seen. But as I got more involved, especially through the Membership Team and our WhatsApp community, a question kept coming up: What if connection itself was the product?
Recently, I decided to test that idea. I launched my first Moai—a 10-session community group focused on connected parenting. We’ve only had one session so far, but it already felt like something meaningful. People showed up open and ready to share. It wasn’t about being an expert. It was about being willing to show up with each other.
The Moai concept comes from Okinawan culture—small groups formed for mutual support over a lifetime. In the FIGT context, I see it as a low-pressure, high-impact way to build community in motion.
It’s not a webinar or a workshop. It’s a chance to bond, grow, and be real—together.
What Makes a Moai Work?
A Moai is:
- At least 10 sessions long (weekly, biweekly, or monthly)
- Based on a shared interest or experience
- Focused on peer connection, not polished performance
- Free to join, easy to host, and deeply human
You don’t need to be a coach, author, or speaker. You just need a topic that matters to you and a willingness to hold space. Parenting, baking, journaling, moving with teens—it’s all fair game. What matters is that people come together and feel less alone.
Why This Matters—for Everyone
For FIGT, Moais offer a simple, scalable way to deepen connection outside of a once-a-year event. They create rhythm, accountability, and warmth. They offer members—old and new—something real to engage with.
For business members, Moais are also an ideal space for product development. You can:
- Test a workshop or coaching model
- Refine book ideas through live group discussion
- Experiment with journaling prompts, reflection exercises, or recipes adapted to local ingredients around the world
- Pilot mini-courses, online tools, or asynchronous content
- Or simply observe what resonates before scaling an idea
For individual members, Moais are a fun, low-pressure way to connect with others and learn from this wise, diverse, and generous community. No branding. No expectations. Just real people in real conversation.
Want to Try One?
You don’t need permission—just support from an affiliate.
If you're curious, reach out. I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned from the first session—and learn from you too. Whether your focus is parenting or poetry, sourdough or downward-facing dogs, someone in FIGT is probably hoping to talk about it.
Because maybe connection isn’t just a perk of FIGT. Maybe it’s the product.
About the Author:
Patrick Kadian has spent nearly 30 years living across 16 countries, raising a family while navigating the joys and challenges of international life. With an MBA and a background in disaster relief and economic development, he now focuses on expat family resilience and well-being. Patrick blends Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), Child & Adolescent Development Coaching, and Hypno-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to support globally mobile parents. He is an active member of Families in Global Transition (FIGT), where he coordinates weekly updates and recently launched a 10-session Moai on connected parenting. His work is grounded in both evidence and lived experience—helping families build connection and confidence, wherever they are in the world.
