This episode marks Rose Claverie’s conversation with Sunny Bates for the Harvest Series.

Recorded at Harvest in Kaplankaya, they come together to explore a question that feels increasingly urgent in our modern world: what does real connection truly mean?

In this thoughtful and expansive dialogue, Sunny Bates challenges transactional networking and reframes connection as an act of generosity, curiosity, and courage. Reflecting on community, asking, and vulnerability, this episode is a powerful reminder that human connection remains one of our most essential tools.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Harvest

00:29 – What makes a connection extraordinary

01:14 – Sunny Bates’ work and background

01:53 – Networking without discomfort

02:30 – Shyness, asking, and vulnerability

03:48 – Becoming a connector from childhood

05:12 – Why people fear uncomfortable personalities

06:00 – Giving generously and transformation

06:10 – How travel reshaped connection

07:31 – Networks, generosity, and ripple effects

08:25 – Introverts, extroverts, and curiosity

09:29 – Managing energy and meaningful interactions

10:39 – Hiring, trust, and deep evaluation

12:08 – Approaching busy or guarded people

13:53 – When connection becomes transactional

15:02 – Personal mission and alignment

16:05 – Rejection, fear, and asking again

17:25 – Phones, avoidance, and modern disconnection

18:46 – Advising TED and building communities

20:26 – Sustaining engaged communities

22:02 – Connection as political resistance

24:14 – Regretful connections and responsibility

28:24 – Courage, motherhood, and career risk

32:14 – The courage to ask

32:54 – Closing reflections

You can follow us on Instagram at @HarvestSeries or @rose.claverie for updates.

Watch our podcast episodes and speaker sessions on YouTube: Harvest Series.

Credits:

Sound editing by: @lesbellesfrequences
Technician in Kaplankaya: Joel Moriasi
Music by: Chambord

Harvest Series is produced in partnership with Athena Advisers and Capital Partners

Harvest Series Founders: Burak Öymen and Roman Carel

Connection in Practice: Serendipity, Reciprocity and Community-Building