Shari Leid Flips The Box To Find Belonging One Meal At A Time

This week on Speaking of Travel we welcome Shari Leid, a connection coach, friendship expert, and creator of Table For 51. A former litigator turned champion of belonging, Shari spent a year traveling to all 50 states, sharing a meal with 50 strangers. What she discovered is simple yet profound: breaking bread isn’t just about food. It is about lowering walls, opening hearts, and finding common ground, even in a divided world. From her earliest days in a cardboard box to building a table for connection, Shari’s journey is proof that belonging can be created one meal, one conversation, one courageous step at a time. Along the way, she met people whose stories stayed with her and she shares these moments of love in hardship, wisdom in the everyday, and the reminder that people see what they’re looking for. At a time when loneliness is at epidemic levels, her message is both urgent and uplifting. You do not have to travel the country to make a difference. You can start with one invitation, one table, and the intention to connect.