Bridging Communities: How Failure Changes You – Embracing Vulnerabilities and Transformation

What if failure isn’t the end of the story, but the start of a better one? 

Join us for the autumn edition of Bridging Communities as we get honest about failure: what it costs us, what it teaches us and how it reshapes who we become.

On LinkedIn and in our professional lives we are surrounded by highlight reels: the launches, the wins, the tidy success stories. Behind almost every meaningful change is a setback, a wrong turn, or an idea that didn’t work. Failure is uncomfortable, often lonely and rarely talked about openly. Yet it’s also where some of our most important growth begins, if we’re willing to sit with the vulnerability it brings.

 

Together, we’ll explore: 

• What failure really teaches us and why we hide it

• How vulnerability and openness can turn a setback into transformation

• Real stories from people who’ve stumbled, learned, and come back stronger

• What it feels like when things fall apart, and how you rebuild

Whether you’re leading an organisation, building something new, or navigating a personal or professional crossroads, this event is for you. Expect honest conversation, fresh perspectives, and space to reflect — plus the chance to connect with others who understand that growth and discomfort often go hand in hand.

 

What to expect 

· Light refreshments (drinks and canapés)

· Three inspiring speakers sharing their experiences of failure and transformation

· Facilitated networking

· A warm, welcoming event — whether you love or loathe networking, we promise you’ll leave having made some new connections.

 

Who’s it for? 

This event is open to all sectors – we want as many different perspectives as possible in the room! Whatever your industry and background, come along – our Bridging Communities events are designed to help you step out of your siloes, connect with others and spark ideas.

 

Agenda

17:30: Arrivals and networking

18:00-19:30:  Hear from our speakers

19:30: Networking

20:00: Close

 

Meet our Speakers;

Catia Vasconcelos

Catia is a leadership coach, facilitator and organisational culture consultant with over 20 years of experience working across the UK and Brazil. The Findhorn Foundation is where her personal development journey began in the late 90s, and since then her path has taken more twists and turns than she ever planned for, between her native Brazil, Ireland, Portugal and Scotland.

Catia helps leaders build alignment and shape the culture around them. Her work explores what happens beneath the surface of organisations – the patterns, relationships and assumptions that influence how people communicate, make decisions and respond when things don’t go to plan.

Her approach draws on practical leadership tools, Nonviolent Communication and a systemic perspective, with a focus on creating greater clarity, trust and room for new possibilities.

Catia brings a lived understanding of failure, both through her work with organisations and through her experience of starting over in different countries and building a professional life across two continents.

 

More speakers to come!

 

Our Collaborators 

• ESEN

• Flexible Working Scotland

• Catalysing Connections

• Dechomai

• Bobb-AI

• Firstport

• Edinburgh Can B

• Creative Edinburgh

• Black Professionals Scotland

• Proud Futures

If you would like to become a collaborator, please reach out to The Melting Pot team.