Meet Adam Schluter, founder of Hello from a Stranger.

Adam is a professional photographer who seeks — and finds — the beauty in each person he encounters. An international traveler, Adam credits his experiences around the globe for giving him insight that has shaped his worldview. He is also the founder of Monday Night Dinner, a seasonal event that brings together people from all corners of the community to enjoy music, meals and community building right in the backyard of his Coeur d'Alene home, where everyone is welcome.

1) What exactly is Monday Night Dinner?

Eight years ago, I just moved to Coeur d'Alene without knowing a single person. I had spent the last 10 months on the road and traveled over 22,000 miles with a girl I loved and thought I was going to marry. We picked Coeur d'Alene completely randomly, after driving through it and locals showing us Green Bay in Sandpoint.

We moved into my home with very little money. In fact, we didn't even have enough money to pay for the first month's rent. My landlords (before I bought the home) had to prorate the first month's rent. I got a job at 315 Martinis and Tapas and everything was starting to fall together ... But shortly after, she broke up with me and left me all alone in a town where I didn't know a single person. Then, going into the first wintertime in the Northwest, I was completely devastated ... and fell into a deep depression, feeling more and more alone each day.

When I started to question if life was worth living, I knew I had to do something to wake myself up while there was still time. I knew there were people all around but, as an introvert, I was terrified to leave my comfort zone and try to make new friendships. But I knew I couldn't go on anymore. So, I started just walking around Coeur d'Alene and saying hello to strangers. After we would have a genuine connection, I'd invite them to have dinner at my home (something they do all over the world when you really want to get to know someone). I honestly didn't think a single person would show up, but 11 people came to the first Monday Night Dinner, eight years ago, and they all sat around the table saying the same thing: "We need this too."

On July 28, we celebrated our 95th Monday Night Dinner. We have never made a penny with them and give 100% back to the community here. Everyone is supposed to bring a side dish plus $10 donation to go toward the live music; 100% of the money goes directly to the bands to support the local arts. We put all the food together to share with one another.

No politics. No business. Not a networking group. Just old-fashioned connection, when the world needs it more than ever.

2) How difficult is it to say hello to a stranger?

It's funny — if I've learned anything over so many years of doing this, I would boil it all down to just getting out of your own way. It's not hard at all to say hello to a stranger but, many times, it's our fear and ego that keep us from doing so. We want to say hello to others but we often think we have to have the right thing to say. We're terrified of being awkward or not knowing what to say. But, when it comes down to that, this is all very human. By just saying "hello" and being genuine in your conversation, you always allow others to meet you in the middle and let their guard down. No one wants a perfectly polished script when you're saying hello. They want you to make them feel it's OK for them to just be themselves. 

3) How are you feeling about the impact you are making on our community just by bringing people together, one meal at a time?

It is honestly incredibly humbling. Most people know, I moved here with almost zero money and not knowing a single person, introverted and terrified of rejection (as an artist). So, to see the impact on the community is just something I am incredibly honored to see ... But I'll be honest, it's met with a lot of imposter syndrome and self-doubt! I have always felt like it's nothing special — anyone can do this — but I am humbled every time someone shares how important the dinners are to them also. I need it just as much as everyone else.

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

That I am very much an introvert! I know it annoys people to say this, but the truth is, I spent 75%-plus of my time alone or just one-on-one with people. I can talk to people, yes, but it drains my battery, and I really need to recharge and spend time in nature to do so. When I didn't allow myself time to recharge, I would find myself feeling depressed and spread too thin to truly be there for others. But, because I am an introvert, it also gives a very authentic vulnerability that's present when I walk up and say hello to strangers! Which always allows a much more genuine connection and deeper conversation.

5) What projects/events or other interesting activities are on the horizon for you, or what would you like to accomplish in the near future?

We are actually bringing Monday Night Dinners around the world now and teaching communities how to start them in their own towns. With my Hello from a Stranger project (hellofromastranger.com), I now go to a new country each year and spend a couple weeks genuinely meeting strangers. At the end of our conversations, I invite them to have dinner with me so I can connect all the strangers I met with each other! To hopefully leave each place a little more connected after we leave. We are flying to Japan at the end of September to have a Monday Night Dinner with the locals! And we have a second book coming out on the project titled "An Introvert's Guide to Genuine Connection," featuring all the lessons I've learned by saying hello to thousands of strangers in 21 different countries so far.

I am always trying to have more roots, so also looking forward to being in Coeur d' Alene and just soaking up the summer!