10 10 min max
The one-page host kit

How to host a
10 min max night

Everything you need to run your first one is on this page. Print it, or keep it open on your phone. No experience required.

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One rule: 10 minutes each.

Everything below just protects that one rule and makes the room feel safe.

The setup

Who and where

  • 6–8 people. Big enough for range, small enough that everyone shares.
  • Around a meal. Potluck, or you cook. Food lowers the stakes.
  • Your place, or rotate. Living room, backyard, kitchen table.
  • 2–3 hours. Eat, then share. No rush.
Before they arrive

Your prep, as host

  • Tell people the format when you invite them, so no one's blindsided.
  • Point them to "what to share" if they freeze.
  • Have a timer ready (your phone is fine).
  • Sort out sound + a screen if anyone wants to play something.
Run of show

How the night flows

  1. Arrive & eat (45–60 min)Just be people. Let the room warm up before anyone shares.
  2. You explain the format (2 min)One rule: ten minutes each. Feedback is opt-in. However you show up is right. Then you go first.
  3. Host shares firstGoing first sets the tone and gives everyone permission to be imperfect. Keep yours low-key on purpose.
  4. Go around, one at a timeEach person says "feedback" or "just listen," shares, and the timer runs. Gentle wrap-up as ten approaches.
  5. Let it breathe between turnsA little reaction, a laugh, a thank you. Then next person. No pressure to fill silence.
  6. Close it outQuick round of "what stuck with you," or just let it dissolve back into hanging out. Float the next date.
The feedback rule

Opt-in, every time

Before each person shares, they say one of two things:

  • "I'd love feedback" — the group can react, ask, build on it.
  • "Just listen" — the group receives it and says thanks. No notes.
Your job as host

Hold the space

  • Keep time kindly — a soft "coming up on ten" beats cutting people off.
  • Go first so no one else has to be brave first.
  • Make sure the quiet person gets their turn and isn't talked over.
  • Protect the "just listen" requests. Don't let feedback leak in.
Steal this

Invite text you can copy

Hey — I'm hosting a little thing called 10 min max on [DATE] at [TIME], [PLACE]. Here's the idea: a handful of us share a meal, then everyone takes up to 10 minutes to share something creative. Something you made, something you love, or something you found. It does not have to be impressive or finished — a song, a photo, a weird rabbit hole, a story, anything you actually care about. You decide if you want feedback or just to be heard. No pressure, no stage, just us off our phones for a night. It's potluck — bring [FOOD / A DISH TO SHARE / DRINKS]. Want in?
Keep it good

Common pitfalls (and fixes)

Someone runs long

That's what the max is for. A warm "let's land it there, that was great" keeps it fair for everyone waiting.

"I didn't prepare anything"

Send "what to share" a day ahead. On the night, the prompts there turn anyone into a sharer in two minutes.

Feedback gets critique-y

Steer it to "what I loved" over "what I'd change," unless the sharer asked for the harder version. You set that tone.

It fizzles after one night

Name the next date before people leave, and hand hosting to someone else. Rotation is what makes it a habit, not an event.

Start small. Your first one can be four friends and a frozen pizza. It doesn't have to grow into anything. A good night with people you love is already the whole win.
Send guests: what to share Back to start