You’ve probably seen the photos. Dozens of people dressed in white, sitting around a massive wooden table in a forest or a sleek warehouse, looking like they’ve just discovered the secret to eternal happiness. It looks like a cult. It looks like a high-end wedding. It looks like a scene from a movie where everyone is about to drink something they shouldn't. But it’s actually The Human Gathering, an invite-only community that has become one of the most talked-about—and scrutinized—networks in the high-net-worth world.
Is it a cult? Well, that depends on who you ask and how you define the word.
Honestly, the term gets thrown around way too easily these days. If you’ve got a group of people following a charismatic leader and paying a lot of money for "transformation," the "C-word" is going to pop up. But The Human Gathering, co-founded by Joshua Wagner and Wes Chapman, occupies a weird middle ground between a business mastermind, a philanthropic circle, and a self-help retreat. It's built on the idea that the most influential people in the world are also the loneliest. They want to fix that. But the price of admission and the secrecy surrounding their "Gatherings" have raised plenty of eyebrows.
What Actually Happens at The Human Gathering?
Most people think it’s just a fancy dinner. It’s not.
The core of the experience is an annual three-day event. You won't find a public schedule. You won't see a list of speakers posted on a billboard. Everything is kept under wraps to create what the founders call "psychological safety." Basically, if you’re a famous CEO or a well-known activist, you don't want paparazzi or "networkers" hitting you up for a job while you’re trying to talk about your childhood trauma.
Participants have described the sessions as intense. We’re talking about high-stakes storytelling. Imagine being in a room with a billionaire, a human rights legal expert, and a professional athlete, and everyone is crying because they’re talking about their deepest failures. That is the "product" they are selling: authentic connection in an era of superficial digital noise.
There is a heavy emphasis on civil rights and social impact. The group has been linked to supporting causes like the Equal Justice Initiative. It’s not just about sitting in a circle; it’s about using the collective power of the room to move the needle on global issues. Or at least, that’s the pitch.
The Vetting Process is Intense (And Kind of Stressful)
You can't just buy a ticket. You have to be "vetted."
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This isn't just a LinkedIn check. The founders and their team look for what they call "character." They want people who have reached the top of their field but haven't lost their soul. Or people who have lost their soul and are desperate to find it. They claim to reject about 90% of applicants.
- Initial application via the website.
- Multiple rounds of interviews.
- A "character assessment" that goes beyond your net worth.
Critics argue this is just "exclusivity marketing" 101. By telling people they might not be good enough to join, you make them want it more. It’s a classic tactic used by everything from Soho House to elite fraternities. But for those who get in, that barrier to entry is exactly what makes the inner circle feel so valuable. They know everyone else in the room jumped through the same hoops.
The "Cult" Allegations and the Wes Chapman Controversy
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. The Human Gathering has been hit with some pretty heavy accusations over the years. Some former members and observers have pointed to the "vibe" of the group—the white clothing, the secretive nature, the devotion to the founders—as evidence of cult-like behavior.
Then there’s Wes Chapman.
Chapman’s background has been a point of contention. He’s a motivational speaker who has shared a harrowing life story about abandonment and abuse. However, investigative reports, most notably from The Daily Beast, have questioned the accuracy of some of his claims. When the guy leading your "authentic" community has questions swirling about his own biography, it creates a bit of a PR nightmare.
The organization has pushed back hard against these narratives. They argue that they aren't a religion or a cult because they don't dictate how people live their lives outside of the events. There’s no "deprogramming." There’s no cutting off your family. It’s a club. A very expensive, very emotional club.
Why Do People Pay $10k+ to Be There?
The cost is steep. Membership fees have been reported to range from $5,000 to over $10,000, and that doesn’t always include travel and lodging. For a middle-class person, that’s a used car. For the target demographic of The Human Gathering, it’s a rounding error.
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- Access: You’re in a room with people who can greenlight a movie or fund a startup.
- Vulnerability: In the "real world," these people have to be "on" all the time. Here, they can be "off."
- Legacy: Many members are at a point in their careers where they’re bored with making money and want to do something that "matters."
The Science of Belonging
There’s actually some interesting psychology behind why groups like this are exploding in popularity. Humans are hardwired for tribalism. We evolved in small groups where we knew everyone and everyone knew us. Today, we live in "megacities" but have never been more isolated.
Social scientists call this the "loneliness epidemic." It affects the wealthy just as much as anyone else—perhaps even more, as wealth can create a "moat" of isolation. The Human Gathering is essentially selling an antidote to that isolation. They use techniques like shared hardship (emotional vulnerability) and shared rituals (the dinners) to fast-track the bonding process.
It's "forced intimacy." Does it stick? Some members stay for years. Others leave after one event, feeling like they were sold a bill of goods. It’s a polarized experience.
Distinguishing Connection from Influence
One thing to watch out for is the blur between "making friends" and "making deals." The Human Gathering tries to stay away from being a "networking event," but when you put that much power in one room, business is going to happen.
If you're there for the business, you might be disappointed. The founders are very clear that "pitching" is a major faux pas. You’re there to be a human, not a CEO. But we all know that a friendship with a venture capitalist is the best "pitch" in the world. This tension is where the group gets complicated. Is it a selfless community of world-changers, or a sophisticated way for the elite to entrench their power under the guise of "healing"?
The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
Is The Human Gathering Right for You?
Probably not. And I don’t mean that to be rude.
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Unless you are at the absolute peak of your career and feeling a profound sense of "what now?", the ROI on a group like this is hard to justify. Most people can find community in local hobby groups, volunteer organizations, or even just by being more vulnerable with their existing friends.
However, if you are looking for a high-level network and have the stomach for some "woo-woo" emotional work, there are a few things you should do before applying.
- Do your homework on the founders. Read the critiques. Read the defenses. Don't go in with your eyes closed.
- Talk to a current member. Don't just rely on the marketing materials. Find someone on LinkedIn who lists the membership and ask them for a 15-minute "vibe check."
- Define your "Why." If you just want to get rich, go to a real estate seminar. If you’re actually looking for deep, uncomfortable personal growth, this might be the place.
- Audit the "White Clothing" thing. Seriously, if uniform-adjacent dress codes freak you out, you’re going to have a bad time.
How to Build "The Human Gathering" Vibes Without the Price Tag
You don't need a $10,000 membership to have deep connections. You can "hack" the best parts of these elite groups for the price of a pizza.
First, stop "networking" and start "connecting." Instead of asking "What do you do?", ask "What’s something you’re struggling with right now?" It changes the energy of the room instantly. Second, create a "no-phone" zone. The magic of these high-end retreats is that they take away the distractions.
Third, find a shared mission. The Human Gathering works because people feel they are part of something bigger. Find a local cause, get a group of smart people together, and try to solve a specific problem in your neighborhood. That "tribal" feeling comes from shared labor, not just shared conversation.
Ultimately, The Human Gathering is a fascinating case study in modern human needs. We are desperate for something real. We want to be seen. We want to be part of a tribe. And as long as those needs aren't being met by our standard social structures, people will continue to pay top dollar for a seat at the table.
The next logical step for anyone curious about high-level networking is to perform a "Digital Presence Audit." Before applying to any exclusive group, ensure your online footprint accurately reflects your "character" and professional achievements, as these are the primary data points vetting committees use to judge your suitability for the room.