From media sessions to compelling views of D.C. — the Times staff will share their experiences attending Mediafest25 in Washington, D.C.  They captured beautiful statues and architecture. They will give you glimpses of them over the next two weeks as well as some of the people in Washington, D.C. .

If I had to sum up my experience, it would be the scary yet beautiful art of networking. Two sessions I attended changed how I see connection: Dean Nelson’s “Talking to Strangers” and Tori Espenson’s “Why It Pays to Add a Dose of Science to Non-Science Stories.”  Both offered lessons that went beyond reporting, reshaping how I communicate, listen, and take chances in real life.

Research shows we often underestimate how positive talking to strangers can be, and stepping out of my comfort zone in D.C. proved it. Pushing past my reluctance allowed me to connect authentically with others, and to learn as much from them as they learned from me. By embracing the discomfort and engaging openly, I not only enriched my D.C. experience but also saw firsthand the science behind the power of human connection.