Max Pete
Community Strategist · Coach · Writer · Speaker
I'm Max Pete. I help people and organizations build real connection, whether that's a community that actually drives business results, a coaching relationship that helps you figure out what comes next, or just honest writing about the stuff most people are afraid to say out loud.
Everything I do comes back to one thing: helping people feel like they're more than enough.
I've been a freelancer, a community lead, a designer, a strategist, a speaker, and always someone who listens first. Laid off. Hired back. Burned out. Reignited. Through all of it, one thing stayed the same:
Connection. Care. Community.
I build spaces where people can actually be themselves, I write about the stuff people are usually afraid to say out loud, and I remind people they don't need to hustle to be worthy. Because we're all already enough.
I've built and led communities for companies like Square, Sprout Social, and Creative Mornings. I recently bought my first home in South Philly with my wife. Big fan of dogs, coffee, and walkable cities.
Whether you're a company, a creator, or just someone figuring out your next chapter, I keep things clear, low-pressure, and collaborative. I'll meet you where you are.
Free tools I've built around the things I write and coach on.
"If you're building a community, talk to Max before you do anything else. He was a critical guide as I built The Escapee Collective and still is today. He shaved months off my learning curve. Highly recommend with no hesitation."
"I leave each coaching call with Max feeling a greater sense of clarity, focus, and calm. By applying his vast freelancing experience to my career, he helped me tap into my strengths and close a massive client just a few days after our first session."
"I'm so grateful that a former freelance network brought Max into my world. I learned more from him in an hour than I have anywhere else. He's an expert connector — and a trusted advisor."
"He led a much-needed overhaul of outdated nurture programs, including gamification, ranking systems, and member recognition, breathing new life into the community experience. He also reinvigorated new member onboarding, ensuring members felt welcomed, motivated, and engaged from day one."
"Max has a warm and friendly approach to coaching, like an angel on your shoulder, nudging you to do the things you say you want to do for yourself. He's encouraging and is flexible with the time he offers to support you."
I speak on the messy, meaningful parts of community, career, and identity. The stuff we don't talk about enough. Honest and heartfelt, not just frameworks, though I have those too. I try to make every room feel like a real conversation, whether we're on Zoom or in person.
- Community & Connection — Building with care, human-first spaces, community burnout, community as a business strategy
- Career & Identity — Squiggly career paths, identity after layoffs, leading with empathy, letting go of hustle culture
- Self-Worth & Showing Up — You are more than your job title, quiet leadership, making peace with the in-between
Talks
Podcasts
I write about what it means to build community with care, find peace in the in-between, and trust that you're already enough. Real conversations about the stuff people are usually afraid to say out loud.
Read my Substack — new posts on community, career, and the stuff most people are afraid to say out loud.
If any of this resonated, reach out. Just a real conversation to see if working together makes sense.