would you like to meet me?
I’m Jess Janz, a tender-hearted writer, community facilitator, and the creator of Dinner With Strangers.
I started Dinner With Strangers in 2017 with my friend Ryan at his hair studio to invite people who didn’t know each other to get past small talk and get inspired by each other’s stories. Since then, I’ve hosted over 50 dinners (which is over 900 people and counting), plus dinners for Altea Active Club, The W Hotel, Staub, and Wealthsimple.
My writing focuses on the collective ache that binds us all together (which makes me super fun and chill to talk to at parties!) I host a monthly writing workshop called In Good Company and host Poetry Club through my Substack community.
i’m currently…
Writing my book! More details to come in the coming days….
Hosting at least two dinners a month in Toronto, as well as taking a limited amount of corporate/ private dinners. Want me to facilitate an event for your group? Send me a note!
Looking for companies, makers, and creatives who want to collaborate & partner together. Start the conversation here.
find me here.
My writing can be found on my Substack, as well as in June 2022’s edition of Simplify Magazine, Free Verse Revolution, In Parentheses, and Thought Catalog (x2). I’ve also been a guest on Bonnie Weeks’ podcast YogaStrong, Rachel Freemon Sowers Live, the Spoke Podcast with Jonny McCormick, The Better Questions with Claire Giovino, This Juicy Life, and What Matters Most.