5 Things / Bubble World
Sometimes I envision all of us walking around in invisible protective bubbles, like that old movie “The Boy in the Bubble.”
Each one contains our lived experiences, our traumas, the stuff that shaped us. We're just out here, moving through the world, bouncing into each other. Sometimes those bounces hurt.
Sometimes we pop someone's bubble without even knowing it. They pop ours. Suddenly, we're both triggered and standing in what I can only describe as messy trauma soup.
Nobody wants that.
Here's what I've learned: we can choose to be more intentional. We can learn to move through the world in a way that keeps other people's bubbles intact – and protects our own.
That's the whole point of the ARC Method®. Ask. Respect. Connect. When we lead with curiosity instead of assumptions, we stop colliding and we start connecting.
It's not always easy. So we built a game to demonstrate. As a 5 Things reader, you get first access to Bubble World — our new game for practicing exactly this. Play Bubble World (beta) here. Note, this is not great on mobile, yet!
When you bounced into someone's bubble recently, even unintentionally, what would asking one better question have changed?
I’m cheering you on-
Bernadette
This Week's Good Vibes:
In the Netherlands, “A Beautiful Mess” provides paid job training for asylum seekers and refugees through restaurants and cafés. The initiative spans three cities, expects €5m in turnover in 2026, and has around 300 people in training programs. Even those who don’t speak Dutch can participate. Employment is one of the fastest routes to stability, and newcomers are often blocked by language gatekeeping and informal hiring bias. ♐️ Pay trainees and design roles that do not require fluency on day one.
Neurodiversity hires get the mic
The Ability Machine launched in Nashville as a creative agency “powered by neurodiverse minds,” with creatives with and without disabilities. The business grew out of a nonprofit that teaches creative services to adults with disabilities. Disabled talent is too often funneled into low-wage, low-mobility work, and this places disabled creatives in revenue-generating, client-facing roles. ♐️ Build pathways to paid, portfolio-building work, not just “programs.”
Ikea keeps DEI on
Ikea U.S. doubled down on DEI in its 2025 annual summary citing a pay-parity difference of 0.14% and a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. It also said it will open 10 new U.S. stores this year. When DEI gets politicized, consistency is the point. Public metrics and continued investment reduce bias in pay and advancement, especially for workers most likely to be underpaid. ♐️ Stay the course! We’re paying attention.
Ireland pays artists to create
Ireland is making its Basic Income for the Arts scheme permanent, funding 2,000 eligible artists at €325 per week in the 2026–2029 cycle. Artists with fewer financial safety nets are disproportionately pushed out of creative careers. A guaranteed floor reduces gatekeeping by wealth and gives more people real time to make work, not just survive. ♐️ Fund creators with unrestricted support, then measure equity in who can stay.
QR codes, less station stress
Amtrak piloted a QR-code assistance system at Chicago Union Station and Los Angeles Union Station so passengers with disabilities can join a virtual queue and request help to reach their train. The tool captures train details and location so Red Cap staff can be dispatched efficiently. Amtrak says some trains can have around 30 people requesting support. This is a practical shift from “ask around” to a clear, trackable access pathway. ♐️ Build accessibility into customer support processes.
Good Vibes to Go:
If you haven’t watched any of the Paralympics, please do! I’m inspired by the athletes’ determination. This is the last weekend. You can watch clips on NBC/Peacock.