At our Wellbeing Retreat recently one of the participants sighed to me, “Carrie, my students are here physically, but mentally, they’re checked out.” Managers say the same about their teams. This is the epidemic of our times: disengagement.

Gallup calls it “quiet quitting.” People show up, but they’ve lost their spark. Stress, fatigue, and disconnection mean motivation disappears. For leaders, parents, and organisations alike, this is costly — in creativity, retention, and culture.

The Campfire We Forgot

Human beings thrive around connection. Think of ancient campfires — places of story, laughter, and belonging. Modern workplaces and families have lost many of these rituals. The Engagement Spell invites us to bring them back.

A Story from the Field

During a leadership retreat, I introduced a simple gratitude exchange. Each person shared one thing they valued about a colleague. At first, awkward silence. Then tears. Then laughter. By the end, the group felt more connected than in years of working together. One participant told me later, “That five-minute ritual changed how I see my team.”

Daily Hack: Gratitude Share

At the end of a meeting, or around the dinner table, ask: “What’s one thing you’re grateful for today?” It takes 90 seconds. But over time, it builds trust, positivity, and belonging — the antidote to disengagement. What a gift we have at our fingertips!