I’m lonely but where do I start?

In this inspiring episode of the hello community ® podcast with Catherine Jura, guest Marilyn Dyer reflects on how community isn’t built all at once—it’s grown, often through loss and courage. If you’ve ever felt scared to walk into a room full of strangers, or like you've lost your place in the world, this conversation will gently walk with you toward belonging.

Marilyn shares her profound journey of losing and rebuilding community multiple times throughout life—after a big move, through marriage and motherhood, as a pastor's wife for 25 years, and eventually, in widowhood. Marilyn shows that community can be grown at any age, in any place, and sometimes with just one brave first step.

· Discover how changes that seem exciting—like a big move or having a baby—can bring loss and loneliness as well.

· What does community—and the loss of it—feel like

· Ordinary moments can become extraordinary bridges. Learn how joining a group that seems interesting—i.e. a fitness group--just might be the beginning of lifelong friendships

· Deepen friendships by adding a focus, purpose, or service based activities

· Learn tips for joining new groups or activities even when it feels scary

Whatever life events have brought you to a place of isolation and loneliness, this conversation gives practical insights into overcoming the fear of starting over and cultivating connection and community. Marilyn reminds us that starting over is possible—at any age. And sometimes, it really is only hard the first time.

A Note from Catherine:

If you find this episode helpful, please share it with others so together we can build a world of connection. Thank you!

If you’d like to get the most up to date bi-weekly episodes on creating connection and community, please subscribe to this podcast.

Till next time

__________________________________________________________________

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:54 Guest Introduction: Marilyn Dyer

01:17 Defining Community

02:50 Losing and Rebuilding Community

06:08 Creating Community Through Shared Activities

09:37 Life as a Pastor's Wife

13:02 Coping with Loss and Transition

20:40 Overcoming Fear to Build Community

28:43 Final Thoughts and Resources

__________________________________________________________________

Connect with Marilyn on Facebook

Can curiosity help me when I am feeling lonely?

On this heartfelt episode of the hello community ® podcast, host Catherine Jura talks with Ellen Cosgrove about her journey of moving from loneliness to connection by being both curious and brave. Ellen’s spellbinding, wise, and funny stories of building community will take you around the globe: Belfast, Ireland, Italy, NYC, and Albany NY

• Discover how curiosity is a powerful remedy for fear, and supports connection

• Learn how loneliness requires bravery, not perfection

• Come to understand that connection requires that we be both courageous enough to ask questions and present enough to listen

• Uncover new strategies that can encourage conversation

• Learn how to use food to break barriers and spark meaningful connections through the Dinner in Dialogue initiative

This episode isn’t just about conversation—it’s about transformation. It is a tender and powerful reminder that we don’t have to be perfect to belong—we just have to be brave. Ellen’s warmth and wisdom shine throughout as she encourages us to embrace curiosity, ask questions, and listen to others as a path towards connection and community.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with others so together we can build a world of connection.

Till next time,

Catherine

PS If you’d like to get the most up to date bi-weekly episodes on creating connection and community, please subscribe to this podcast.

__________________________________________________________________

What we discuss (timestamps):

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:54 Meet Ellen Cosgrove

02:21 Ellen's Personal Journey

04:08 Professional Experience and Community Building

08:21 The Importance of Listening

12:17 Impact of COVID on Social Connections

15:58 Personal Reflections on Loneliness

18:45 Building Community and Overcoming Loneliness

20:43 Embracing Curiosity in Social Situations

21:19 The Influence of a Science Teacher Mom

21:55 The Power of Curiosity Over Fear

22:56 Using Food to Foster Connection

25:38 Creating Safe and Brave Spaces

28:33 Humanizing Everyday Interactions

33:48 Practical Tips for Building Community

37:24 Conclusion and Resources

__________________________________________________________________

Ellen’s biography:

Ellen Cosgrove, MA Founder and CEO, Community In Context Ellen Cosgrove is a trauma-informed facilitator with over fifteen years’ experience in community-building and conflict resolution. Her diverse background spans peacebuilding, advertising, non-profit management, and eating delicious food.

After working with Peace Players International on peacebuilding initiatives in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Ellen pursued her Master's in Coexistence and Conflict at Brandeis University. There, studying alongside international practitioners, she witnessed firsthand how shared meals created powerful spaces for authentic connection. This insight led Ellen to launch Dinner & Dialogue following her work with several non-profits. Her innovative bridging model leverages the transformative power of communal dining, storytelling, and active listening to cultivate social bonds, empathy, and community. Through themed conversations connecting food, life, and society, participants discover common ground.

Ellen is dedicated to creating environments where people recognize each other's humanity and develop mutual trust. She believes these intentional interventions can help heal societal divisions while fostering greater understanding. Through her company, Community In Context, Ellen now facilitates impactful community-building programs for both non-profit organizations and corporate clients.

__________________________________________________________________

Connect with Ellen:

www.communityincontext.com

www.dinneranddialogue.org

Building connection and community can feel like an overwhelming undertaking sometimes. But maybe not if it is done one smile, one conversation, one helping hand at a time.

Welcome to the hello community podcast with Catherine Jura.

In this deeply touching episode, we sit down with Jim Macris, who has found a lifetime of connection in everyday human interaction.

In this episode:

·       Learn how Jim’s definition of community is radical in its simplicity: everyone, everywhere, is part of it. Even people he may never see again.

 ·       His faith and Christian spirituality fuel his desire to listen, serve, and connect.     Service is not an obligation but an opportunity to build connection and community

·       His acts of kindness range from helping strangers at the grocery store to starting a conversation with the often overlooked in our society

·       He proves that age  isn’t a barrier to meaningfully contributing to the world Whether you're struggling with isolation or wondering how to find purpose in your day-to-day life,

Jim’s wisdom will remind you that reaching out—however small—can create profound connection. Tune in for a soul-filling story that proves community can be found in the most surprising places.

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with others so together we can build a world of connection.

Till next time,

Catherine

PS If you’d like to get the most up to date episodes, please subscribe to this platform.

______________________________________________________________

What We Discuss:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:11 The Epidemic of Loneliness

01:31 Meet Jim Macris

02:39 Jim's Philosophy on Community

03:55 The Impact of COVID-19

12:22 Volunteering and Helping Others

20:14 Jim's Reflections on Life and Community

30:18 Closing Thoughts and Resources

________________________________________________________________

Jim’s biography:

Born in 1940 Jim’s career includes motion picture theatre management, FM radio announcer, sales rep. and general manager of a local Muzak office, Lutheran Liturgical and Preaching Deacon.

Jim is proud of his granddaughter who is a family counselor in Boulder Colorado.

________________________________________________________________

You can find Jim on Facebook

Have you been wishing for a path to building community but don’t know where to start? On this inspiring episode of hello community®, Shameka Andrews, shares with host Catherine Jura, how she journeyed from a life of isolation to a life of global connections: one step, one book, one bus ride, one friendship at a time.

· Shameka’s story is a masterclass in uncovering how your current life may actually be guiding you towards the connections you desire

·   Discover how social media--when used with discernment and balance—can lead to a global community of friends

·   Shameka offers strategies on using boundaries to create a community that is nourishing—and not draining

·   Learn how using a gratitude journal can be part of a comforting spiritual life

·   Shameka shares how important it is to admit, ask for, and accept help: including therapy

Shameka has used a wheelchair for mobility her whole life—and this indeed impacts her daily life--but nevertheless she has blossomed into a traveling, dancing, vibrant women who revels in community building. Her spunk is captured in her contribution to the title of this podcast-- “Keep Rolling On: From Loneliness To Connection!”

If you found this episode helpful please share it with others

Subscribe to “hello community ®” podcast for more bi-weekly stories of connection and belonging

________________________________________________________________

What we discuss (timestamp):

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

01:21 Meet Shameka Andrews

02:35 Shameka's Early Life and Challenges

05:46 The Power of Books and Education

09:24 Discovering Social Media and Building Connections

15:41 Spirituality and Community

29:16 The Importance of Boundaries

36:26 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

________________________________________________________________

Shameka’s biography:

Shameka Andrews is the community outreach coordinator for the Self Advocacy Association of NYS she also the founder of Disability Empowerment Consulting where she provides disability workshops on self-care, self-advocacy and disability awareness

In 2006 she won the title of Ms. Wheelchair NY, and she has been the coordinator of the program since 2013. 2017 she wrote her first children’s book butterfly on wheels

She serves on the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Developmental Disability Advisory Council for OPWDD and the NYS Human Rights Disability Committee

Follow and Contact Shameka at:

Email: [email protected]

YouTube--https://www.youtube.com/@shamekaandrews

FB-- https://www.facebook.com/ShamekaLAndrews

Instagram--https://www.instagram.com/disabilityempowered/

Linkedin--https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

Books Shameka Has Written: 

Buy the book

Butterfly on Wheels 

https://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Wheels-Shameka-Andrews/dp/1535605634

Could I possibly be lonely? On this deeply moving episode of hello community®, host Catherine Jura talks with Andrew Barnes on how he came to recognize loneliness within himself and the steps he has taken to re-build connection.

• Andrew realizes that although he appears to “have it all” on the outside he is silently struggling on the inside 
• Discover how isolation can disguise itself as something useful
• Small moments matter: During an unexpected conversation with a stranger, Andrew realizes how disconnected—and lonely—he has been feeling
• Learn about the three types of loneliness and how Andrew uses this knowledge to uncover possibilities
• Follow Andrew’s story as he re-builds the life he once loved: meaningful connection with others and a life of purpose

Andrew’s story isn’t about dramatic life changes—it’s about how even one conversation can awaken your inner world. Let Andrew’s powerfully vulnerable story remind you that a life of connection begins with honesty.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:22 Meet Andrew Barnes

02:37 Andrew's Journey in Human Services

05:33 The Revelation of Loneliness

08:34 Understanding Different Types of Loneliness

10:39 The Impact of a Simple Conversation

16:15 Moving Forward and Finding Purpose

24:30 Final Thoughts and Resources