Stephan van de Ven

Writing

Writing as a practice of thinking in public, about community, connection, and the knowledge systems we’re building alongside.

Published

Community as Praxis

Community isn’t a product you build. It’s a practice you hold. What changes when you stop asking “how do I grow this?” and start asking “what does this need from me right now?”

Building for Plurality

When a community attracts more types of people than it was designed for, something shifts. That’s not a problem — that’s a signal. On the move from builder to conditions holder.

The Network Is the Note

A detailed note is powerful, but a linked note is alive. The same is true for people. A stand for connection, and for building the spaces where it can actually happen.

In progress

Three more pieces queued for 2026, all part of the “Guarding the Space” series:

  • “The Three Layers of Authentic Connection”, the knowledge / network / empathy model, fully worked.
  • “Warmth Before Work”, why the temperature of a room sets the ceiling for everything else.
  • “When a Tool Becomes a Prosthesis”, what I’m learning from building a personal knowledge OS in public.

Follow along

New pieces are published here first. I also share them on LinkedIn — if something lands, reply by email or book a conversation.