Over 20 years, in 30 countries and with 100s of communities, CORMAC RUSSELL has been a leading figure in the field of 'Asset-Based Community Development', or ABCD. But what is it? Why is it important? And what can we learn from it? Cormac has been sharing some of his stories and experiences.

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TOM CHAPMAN is founder of the Lions Barber Collective: an international network of barbers who are providing a space - and listening ear - to men around the world, so they can talk about their mental health.

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Last year, the Thomas Reuters Foundation named India "the worst country in the world" in which to be a woman. HELEN MORGAN has spent the last four years in the country's rural north, where she trained community workers on gender violence and counselling skills. Upon returning to her home in New Zealand, she joined us to reflect on her experiences, and to tell us why - despite the headlines - she found considerable cause for hope.

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PEARCE GODWIN once worked at the heart of power in the United States political system. But as his country became more and more divided by politics, he set out for a new challenge. In this interview, he tells us why he launched the "Listen First Project", and how each time we make an effort to sincerely listen to people with whom we disagree, we help improve the health of our society as a whole.

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What if the best way to impact a community is simply to listen to its members? That's the idea behind SALT - a tool and lifestyle for having better conversations in a community. BOBBY ZACHARIAH is a social worker from the city of Pune in India. In this episode, he tells us how SALT changed not only a Pune community, but also a corporation.

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Syria's refugees have fled a regime that denied them the opportunity to gather and talk freely as a community. When they arrive in a new country, what's it like to try and become part of a new community? In Manchester UK, The Rethink Rebuild Society is a pioneering Syrian community group that is tackling this question. MUSTAFA ALACHKAR is from the group, and he's been telling us more.

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How does a community's faith impact its health? A complex question requires a great mind, so we found one. Professor ANDREW TOMKINS OBE is an expert on faith and health, and a trustee for our network.

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FIONA DUNKLEY is a trauma therapist and counsellor who has helped people and communities affected by war, terrorism and sexual violence. Drawing on experiences described in her new book - Psychosocial Support for Humanitarian Aid Workers - she tells us about the importance of community and its values in helping people overcome trauma.

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When ASSAD SERHAL set out on a career to protect bird habitats in his native Lebanon, it led him to discover and resurrect an ancient tribal practice called 'Hima'. In this podcast, we hear how his work with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon is using the 'Hima' approach to bring nature and community closer together across the Middle East.

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How can an elderly lady on a bench improve a community's wellbeing? 'The Friendship Bench' is a response to Zimbabwe's mental health crisis, but it's an idea that's been replicated as far away as New York City. In this episode we hear from a pioneer of the project, Clinical Psychologist at the University of Harare, RUTH VERHEY.

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