MONDAY NIGHT DINNERS
Bringing the World Closer Together.
One Stranger at a Time.
AN ORIGINAL DOCUSERIES
6 x 30'
Here is the 13-minute short, showcasing our format of unscripted travel encounters and intimate human life portraits. Think Parts Unknown meets Secrets of the Blue Zones.
Our approach blends thoughtful storytelling with behind-the-scenes adventure to capture its spontaneous essence. It explores unexpected aspects of new places and cultures, ultimately moving beyond Adam’s lens into the life of a stranger he meets along the way, offering a deeper look into the human experience.
The journey culminates in a shared dinner, where Adam brings together the strangers he’s met, fostering connections between people who might otherwise never have crossed paths.
The Film.
Social disconnection and loneliness are at an all-time high. Audiences are craving authenticity, emotional depth, and stories of human resilience. Monday Night Dinners offers a format that is scalable, globally relevant, and rooted in timeless human needs: belonging, conversation, and connection.
BACKSTORY
After moving to a new town, Adam Schluter went through a devastating heartbreak and was left all alone in a place where he didn't know a single person. To overcome this he decided to revive a childhood family tradition by inviting complete strangers to his backyard every Monday for dinner. With no phones, no politics, and no agenda, the only goal was real conversation. What began with 11 strangers is now 90 dinners strong—with thousands of strangers brought together by nothing more than a shared meal.
Now, in Monday Night Dinners, Adam brings this radically simple act of hospitality to cities around the world. Each episode follows his seven-day journey in a new place, meeting people from all walks of life, capturing intimate life portraits of strangers seeking genuine connection—and culminating in a dinner where strangers become something more.
“I found love here when I was so afraid to live. Thank you.”
– Misty D
AUDIENCE
Purpose.
Monday Night Dinners is a life-affirming docuseries that explores the paradox of our times: in an age of digital connection, why are loneliness, mental health struggles, and division so rampant?
In a world where we have audiences of many but communities of none we present an unashamedly sincere global search for insight through unscripted conversations and intimate portraits of the lives of strangers.
At its heart, Hello From A Stranger is a Bourdainian adventure into the overlooked beauty of everyday life. Through rejections, connections and unexpected encounters, we seek to uncover universal values that transcend cultures—reminding us of the deep, common threads that unite us. Ultimately, we are asking one powerful question:
Why does it feel like, now more than ever, we all need to relearn how to be human with each other?
The World Health Organization has declared loneliness a "global public health concern" and established the Commission on Social Connection to address this pressing issue.
71% of heavy social media users report feelings of loneliness.
(Cigna's U.S. Loneliness Index)
THE
STRANGER
THE
JOURNEY
THE
LESSON
THE
COMMUNITY
THE
CONNECTION
Each episode opens with Adam introducing the next destination and issuing a simple yet powerful invitation — not just to a dinner, but to a deeper look at what it means to belong. He begins by posing a question or provocation that sets the theme of the episode (e.g., "How is loneliness experienced first hand in different cultures?”). The audience is grounded in the emotional tone from the outset, as we prepare to uncover the stories and relationships that will eventually come to the table.
We are introduced to one or more local individuals whose lives are orbiting around the dinner to come. Their story is teased through glimpses of daily life, snippets of conversation, and reflections on the theme. These aren’t interviews — they are confessions, moments of clarity, fragments of real human experience. We begin to understand their worldview, struggles, and dreams. The visual tone stays raw and intimate, drawing us into their pace and place.
Adam begins to weave the dinner together. He meets new people, explores the location, and listens more than he speaks. Each encounter builds momentum, threading stories and strangers into a loosely held circle. Whether it's a chance meeting at a market, a neighbor offering advice, or a local cook sharing a recipe — each moment brings us closer to dinner. Behind-the-scenes challenges (some open doors, some don’t) keep the process grounded and real. This isn't a polished performance — it’s a documentary about effort, vulnerability, and connection.
We reach the inflection point. Adam circles back to the core characters. He listens deeper. There’s a quiet, cinematic intimacy in these scenes — we see people as they are, not how they want to be seen.
This is where meaning begins to emerge. Common threads are revealed. Questions posed in the beginning are echoed in conversation, now with greater clarity or contradiction. Through these micro-moments, the emotional stakes rise. Everyone knows the dinner is coming. But who will show up — and why?
The Monday Night Dinner is more than a meal. It's the heart of the episode — a sacred ritual made accessible. As guests arrive, there’s nervousness, laughter, hesitation. But then plates are passed, and stories shared.
The table becomes a stage for release, revelation, and reconnection. A warm, visual crescendo.
The viewer, like the participants, is reminded of something simple yet profound: being seen and heard over a shared meal is one of the most human things we can offer each other.
As the table clears, we hear quiet reflections from the guests and Adam. What did the dinner change, if anything?
There’s no forced resolution — only small shifts. People leave with full hearts, and sometimes full plates for the road. Adam journals a final thought, linking the theme of the episode to a broader human truth.
The door closes. The table is reset. The next Monday Night Dinner awaits.
THE
INVITATION
THE
STRANGERS
THE
THREAD
THE
HEART
THE
DINNER
THE
REFLECTION
EPISODIC ARC
Each episode opens in an intimate, behind-the-scenes interview where Adam and the interviewer explore a new question. This sets up the episode themes but doesn’t answer anything directly. The journey ahead and life portrait of a new stranger will come to provide this. Some core themes include; connection, authenticity, trust, mental health, vulnerability, community and life offline.
We offer a teaser intro to our stranger, hear their voice and get a sense of their headspace and lens on the world. We have no idea who this person is yet but will slowly learn through their ways of thinking, seeing and interacting with the world.
Through beautiful visuals of their everyday life and connections we start to feel their world and hear more fragments of wisdom in voice over.
We zoom out and rewind to follow Adam’s journey to meeting the stranger. Amidst sensory bursts of cultural textures, faces and local life we build an immersive sense of our new location. We see BTS moments of failed approaches to strangers, reminding viewers that this is all real. Adam’s spontaneous process itself is an ongoing mystery in the show that we return to. Who is this guy and why do people open up to him so quickly and deeply?
We join the dots as Adam meets our stranger. They share in a deep, natural conversation that starts to collectively address some of the themes set out in the intro. We transcend back into the lens of our stranger's life. Through an intimate portrait of their daily life we get to walk a mile in their shoes. We benefit from that first-person realness and cultural exchange so absent in our dopamine drenched and curated digital lives.
Our stranger's story will embody a life lesson which in turn challenges and evolves Adam’s own lens on life. Ultimately our series advocates for the radical simplicity of listening to each other fully instead of fast and extreme judgement. Audiences will come to rediscover and appreciate that what is most human and important in life really is these simple passing opportunities for meaningful connection. Chances we shouldn't let pass us by.
Each episode will deep dive on the life of one stranger but Adam meets many more along the way. In the finale, we see Adam pull together a community dinner to which he invites everyone he's met. This legacy of his Mom's famous Monday Night Dinner tradition captures the importance of leaving each place he visits a little more connected than before. We hear final reflections from people on the positive impact such simple acts like this can have on a community.
Monday Night Dinners is designed to be an ongoing docu-series rooted in ritual, connection, and food as a gateway to belonging. Each episode travels through the lives of strangers and communities, culminating in a dinner that brings everyone together.
WHY ADAM?
Adam Schluter has spent over eight years independently exploring the dying art of genuine human connection – unfunded. It’s not a trick or special skill—he’s an artist, not a psychologist—driven by the intrinsic value of something he believes the world is losing.
He’s been published multiple times in National Geographic and given a TEDx talk on it so his spontaneous and intuitive approach belies the emotional intelligence required to actually do what he does so naturally.
Adam’s lens on life is both curious and compelling. However, it’s his ability to hold space for others in a way that enables people to candidly share their own perspectives with us that is so powerful. In listening radically to each other in a respectful and undivided space people are able to share their beautiful, humanizing vulnerability and wisdom with us.
In capturing this seemingly dying art of genuine connection, we aim to celebrate something we all need as humans – real face-to-face community.
CORE TEAM
Our unobtrusive production approach on Hello From A Stranger has been developed over 8yrs to reflect the unscripted essence of the show and also to respect the space people need to share their lives in such candid ways.
EP / CO-DIR / HOST:
ADAM SCHLUTER
Adam is an award-winning photojournalist who has traveled to 21 countries documenting spontaneous conversations with strangers through his project Hello From A Stranger. His TEDx talk and global photography projects focus on making meaningful connections without screens. Monday Night Dinners is the natural evolution of his mission: bring the world closer, one stranger at a time.
RELEVANT WORK
National Geographic: Hello From A Stranger articles
TED Talk: Hello From A Stranger
EP / CO-DIR / PRODUCER:
MATTHEW FARMAN
Matt is an award-winning UK-based documentary Director/DP with 15+ years of experience telling human-centered stories around the world. Known for his intimate, cinematic style and minimal footprint, Matt specialises in capturing raw, emotional narratives in remote and challenging environments. He is also the founder of Unearth Studio, a production company focused on crafting globally resonant, story-driven films.
RELEVANT WORK
NBA Hoop Cities (Sky) (Dir/Cam; Paris, Lithuania, Istanbul) v/awards
NatGeo: Connecting Cultures (DP) various awards
Mama Shamsa (Co-director/DP) Cannes Dolphin
CINEMATOGRAPHER:
JACK WADE
Jack Wade has been the lead cinematographer on Monday Night Dinners since its inception. His ability to connect with contributors and develop connections is also critical to the developed and tested approach of the team. Moving into production, Jack will lead the camera department as DP and work closely on music and post production.
RELEVANT WORK
Hello From A Stranger. All shoots to date.
Best Defense Foundation: D-Day 80th Anniversary
LOGLINE
In a world desperate for real human connection, NatGeo published photojournalist and TedX speaker, Adam Schluter travels around the world into the lives of complete strangers before inviting them together for one simple, transformative family tradition: Monday Night Dinner.
“Thank you so much for creating Monday Night Dinners. The first time I came here, I was all alone. I had so many losses in life and I was the only person left… I thought ‘What could go wrong if I went to a Monday Night Dinner?’ And it ended up being the best decision I have ever made. You have created such a profound sense of community and helped me to feel and recognize that none of us are alone.”
- Kristen W.
OVERVIEW
Format: Docuseries
Length: 30 minutes per episode
Episodes: 8 x Season 1
Genre: Human Interest / Social Impact / Travel
Tone: Intimate, Inspiring, Hopeful, Grounded
Location: Global (one city per episode)
Status: In active development
Producers: HFAS LLC + Unearth Studio Ltd
Host: Adam Schluter
Co-Creators: Adam Schluter + Matt Farman
Audience.
Based on the diverse themes and subjects we believe Hello From A Stranger can have broad audience appeal. Below are some of the key demographics and our reasoning for their interest.
FAMILIES
16+
HEALTH / WELLBEING
16-35
ADVENTURE / TRAVEL
25-50
GEN Z / SOCIAL
16-24
MILLENNIALS
25-40
GEN X
41-56
INTERESTS: Multi-generational values/lessons, emotional support, identity, inclusivity and community connection.
APPEAL: Family-friendly but thought provoking content that broaches issues families struggle to discuss directly.
INTERESTS: Emotional well-being, therapy, human connection, mental health, mindfulness.
APPEAL: Educational and inspiring insights into how travel supports mental health, acceptance and empowerment.
INTERESTS: Experiential travel, personal transformation, new cultures, human connection.
APPEAL: Meaningful travel experiences that foster personal connection and self-discovery.
INTERESTS: Identity, inclusivity, mental health, social connection.
APPEAL: Visually appealing content that addresses mental health, inclusivity and marginalised voices and sub-cultures.
INTERESTS: Wellness, mental health, travel, personal growth.
APPEAL: Authentic stories about self-discovery and emotional healing through travel and connection.
INTERESTS: Midlife transitions, reflection, mental health, community.
APPEAL: Generational wisdom, mental well-being and connection during life changes through travel.
Q&A.
Hello From A Stranger is an agile concept with scope to pivot and pursue a diversity of subject matter. The heart of the show lies in protecting its focus on unscripted, cultural exploration and helping tell genuine stories that carry positive life lessons around connection and community.
CONCEPT: Exploring culture, community, connection and life lessons through conversations with unsung heroes of the everyday. Parts Unknown meets Secrets of The Blue Zones.
THEMES: Loneliness, connection, community, emotional well-being, belonging, offline life.
TONE: Real, honest, vulnerable, provocative, curious.
STYLE: Spontaneous, unscripted, adventurous, behind-the-scenes.
FORMAT: Observational meets participatory documentary. Unscripted meets travelogue.
STRUCTURE: Episodic series or single feature, thematically organised with serialised arc.
EPISODES: 6part S1. Potential to pivot to single feature documentary.
POTENTIAL: Multi series potential, inexhaustible adaptability in themes, subjects and locations.
MARKET: See AUDIENCE section.
HOOK: Real, unscripted, spontaneous and provocative stories that break down social taboos, stereotypes and divisions.
RELEVANCE: Turning of tide against social media and its side effects. Demand for honest, apolitical stories that celebrate importance of community. Celebrating humanness against the backdrop of the rise of AI.
AUDIENCE & APPEAL: See AUDIENCE section; travel/adventure, health&wellbeing, mental health, families 16+, gen-z/social, millennials, gen-x.
PLATFORMS: All major streaming and broadcast platforms.
SUITABILITY: High demand for original documentary content across platforms.
CONCEPT
TONE & STYLE
FORMAT
STRUCTURE
MARKET
HOOK
AUDIENCE
PLATFORM
COMPARISON
DIFFERENTIATION
ACCESS
TALENT & LOCATIONS
RISKS
STRATEGY
BUDGET
PROGRESS
COMPARRABLES: Parts Unknown, The Long Way Round, Louis Theroux, The Me You Can't See, Humans of New York, The Social Dilemma, Street Food, Rennervations.
DIFFERENTIATION: Proudly less "produced" whilst still being raw, human and unscripted. Thematically adaptable concept. Provides real and relatable sense of social vulnerability and empowerment.
HFAS IS NOT: Rick Steves' Europe, The Me You Can't See, Humans of New York, Yes Theory, Fearless and Far, Michael Palin, Rennervations.
ACCESS: Full access to existing footage from past 8yrs. Key initial talent clearances, subject to onward usage, platforms etc.
TALENT: Key talent onboard. Additional talent brought on in journalist/fixer dynamic.
LOCATIONS: Journalist/fixer production workflow for locations and talent due to spontaneous, unscripted format.
CHALLENGES: Maintaining anonymity/discretion to protect authentic approach.
RISKS: Unknown, caucasian male host, unscripted/spontaneous format. Minimal pre-existing social following.
MITIGATION: Viewers POV transcends the hosts. 8yrs testing of production workflow. Proven success. Relatively low budget concept and approach ie. lower financial risk. Social media anonymity is a positive ie. proof of authentic intention.
PROGRESS: We have enough for 30-40mins. There is considerable archive but the majority needs to be shot in the new/current style.
WHAT'S NEXT: Pitch to Networks/Streamers for series or bridge financing for completion of episode 1/pilot. Discuss pivot to single feature doc.
BUDGET: Get in touch to find out more.
TIMELINES: Get in touch to find out more.
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Narrative Arc.
DRIVE: Who is Adam, where is he, what is he doing and why? Backstory, purpose, process.
THEMES: Mental health, family, role models, vulnerability, connection and community.
STRANGERS: Hanshi and Dinal.
LOCATION/CULTURE: Worldwide, NY/East Brooklyn.
LESSON: Community empowerment through vulnerability & importance of role models.
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In a world overwhelmed by digital “connection,” why are loneliness, mental health struggles, and division more rampant than ever? Hello From A Stranger explores this paradox, asking: What can we learn from the lives of others that might guide us toward a more genuinely connected future?
The film is a global journey in search of human wisdom, revealing the universal values we share despite our differences. By meeting people where they are, in the world as it is, we’re reminded of the deep, common threads that unite us. At its heart, the documentary poses one powerful question:
Why does it feel like we all need to relearn how to be human with each other again?
Our core team has a background in working on award-winning travel, sport and humanitarian documentaries. Below are some key examples of relevant work.
Relevant work.
Hello From A Stranger LLC and Unearth Studio Ltd have collaborated to develop, co-create and co-produce Monday Night Dinners as an original docuseries concept. Unearth Studio is an independent production house working on award-winning human stories that resonate with global audiences. Everything is produced to broadcast/cinema standards on Netflix approved cameras. Specialising in human-centred storytelling, Unearth's approach is to listen well, capture honestly and seek the positive. This tried and tested approach, along with high production values in agile crew footprints has been key to cultivating the spontaneous, unscripted essence of the show.
PRODUCTION
MONDAY NIGHT DINNERS | AN ORGINAL DOCUMENTARY
© HFAS LLC & UNEARTH STUDIO LTD 2025 (COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE)
Each episode will deep dive on the life of one stranger but Adam meets many more along the way. In the finale, we see Adam pull together a community dinner to which he invites everyone he's met. This legacy of his Mom's famous Monday Night Dinner tradition captures the importance of leaving each place he visits a little more connected than before. We hear final reflections from people on how this simple tradition connects a community in important and positive ways.