Love of a Stranger
The Ancient Greek Art and the Heart of Hospitality
Mid-November 2026 · Thought Leader Academy Publishing
About the Book
Synopsis copy pending. 3-4 paragraphs covering the book’s premise, Stephanie’s personal connection to philoxenia, and what readers can expect.
[Pull-quote line — pending synopsis draft]
“At Modern Elder Academy (MEA), we talk a lot about the wisdom that comes with age, but Stephanie Vlahakis reminds us of something even older and more essential: the wisdom of welcome. Stephanie weaves together her own stories, and those of others, as someone who has been quietly living this philosophy for decades without quite knowing its name, until Greece gave it back to her. In an era where we are more disconnected than ever, from ourselves, from one another, and from a shared sense of belonging, Love of a Stranger is a reminder that the most transformative thing we can offer another human being costs nothing and requires only presence: the willingness to stop, to see, and to welcome. Read this book. Then go talk to a stranger.”
— Chip Conley, MEA Founder and Chairman, Joie de Vivre Hospitality Founder, NYT Best-Selling Author, Speaker
“In this deeply hopeful book, Vlahakis offers us a practical path forward, drawing on a historic practice from Ancient Greece reimagined for our modern world. She reminds us of what we’ve known all along: the way forward is through community, service, and love. More than a charming and inspiring read this book is an antidote to the disconnection of our time.”
— Sara Connell, Best-selling author of The Download, speaker, and Founder of Thought Leader Media