Neighbourly: Real Stories of Care and Community

Partner with work of CareImpact and Neighbourly!

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Today's question: "I'm trying to love people well, but I often feel unsure if I'm doing it right. How do I know if I'm actually helping or just trying hard and hoping?"

Your messy adviser, Johan, takes listeners on a refreshingly honest journey through the awkward hugs, casserole drop-offs, and social faux pas that come with genuinely caring for others. With a dash of humour and a generous dose of grace, Johan explores the uncertainties of loving people well—especially when it feels less like a perfect act of service and more like fumbling forward in the dark. Expect relatable stories, biblical insight, and encouragement for anyone willing to keep showing up, even when caring gets chaotic. Pull up a patio chair, grab your Summer Speedo (the short episode kind), and laugh along as you wrestle with what it really means to journey with care.

Join The CareImpact Podcast Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PgzJWfkq9/

Reach out to us! https://neighbourlypodcast.ca

Email: [email protected]

About the CarePortal: careimpact.ca/careportal

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate

Partner with work of CareImpact and Neighbourly!

https://careimpact.ca/donate

What if understanding trauma began with empathy instead of assumptions?

In this insightful conversation, Danielle from Ottawa opens up about her evolving perspective on trauma, both personally and through her work with Safe Families Canada. Guided by CareImpact’s Tim Smith, Danielle highlights why compassionate support, self-reflection, and positive experiences are so crucial for families in crisis. Her story offers practical encouragement and perspective for anyone exploring trauma care or striving to walk alongside others with greater empathy.

Join The CareImpact Podcast Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PgzJWfkq9/

Reach out to us! https://neighbourlypodcast.ca

Email: [email protected]

About the CarePortal: careimpact.ca/careportal

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate

Partner with work of CareImpact and Neighbourly!

https://careimpact.ca/donate

Today's question: How do you genuinely love the people in your life who are the hardest to be around, without faking it or losing your cool?

Your messy adviser, Johan, brings both humour and honesty to the not-so-glamorous side of caring for others—especially when that “love your neighbour” call feels more like a workout than a warm hug. Drawing from both everyday stories and biblical wisdom, the conversation invites listeners to reflect on personality clashes, emotional labour, and the challenge of real connection in community. It’s a quick but candid chat for anyone who’s ever gritted their teeth while nodding politely, offering both empathy and thought-provoking questions for your own faith journey this summer.

Join The CareImpact Podcast Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PgzJWfkq9/

Reach out to us! https://neighbourlypodcast.ca

Email: [email protected]

About the CarePortal: careimpact.ca/careportal

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate

Partner with work of CareImpact and Neighbourly!

https://careimpact.ca/donate

Today's question: How do you keep caring when nothing seems to change?

Your messy adviser, Johan, tackles that painfully honest place where caring feels a lot more like spinning your wheels than seeing fruit. From mountains of casseroles to late night prayers that echo back in silence, this Summer Speedos conversation pokes at the struggle so many face when their faithful love doesn’t come with satisfying results or even a hint of progress. With a wink and some solid biblical wisdom, Johan explores the tension between showing up with hope and the reality of not seeing outcomes. If you’ve found yourself wondering whether any of your quiet, behind-the-scenes care actually matters, this short and snappy episode is your perfect companion while you soak up a bit of summer sun.

Join The CareImpact Podcast Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PgzJWfkq9/

Reach out to us! https://neighbourlypodcast.ca

Email: [email protected]

About the CarePortal: careimpact.ca/careportal

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate

Partner with work of CareImpact and Neighbourly!

https://careimpact.ca/donate

Today's question: "I'm committed to my church. I show up. I serve. I care, but I still don't feel like I belong. What do I do with that feeling, and does it mean that I'm doing something wrong?"

Your messy adviser, Johan, dives into the familiar and sometimes awkward experience of faithfully showing up but still feeling like an outsider in your own faith community. With a blend of honesty and a wink towards the awkwardness, Johan explores why being present doesn’t always lead to genuine belonging, and why so many find themselves mentally folding chairs at the back of their own church gatherings. Along the way, you’ll hear a fresh take on the story of Zacchaeus, some surprising stats about connection in Canadian churches, and a few gentle nudges to help you notice and name those lingering on the fringes. It’s a short, punchy dose of summer encouragement for anyone who’s ever felt like a guest at someone else’s potluck—even after years of showing up.

Join The CareImpact Podcast Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PgzJWfkq9/

Reach out to us! https://neighbourlypodcast.ca

Email: [email protected]

About the CarePortal: careimpact.ca/careportal

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate

Partner with work of CareImpact and Neighbourly!

https://careimpact.ca/donate

How do we show up and care well for others when life gets messy—especially when trauma is part of the journey?

This honest conversation features Tim Smith, CareImpact’s lead trauma care trainer, as he sits down with Stacy, a quietly courageous mom and educational assistant in Winnipeg. Stacey opens up about her journey into understanding trauma, both through personal experience and her challenging work in Winnipeg’s inner city. She discusses the ongoing, non-linear process of learning trauma care, the importance of presence and patience, and how showing up for others—and ourselves—can be transformative. This exchange is a heartfelt reminder that becoming trauma-informed is not about mastering a checklist, but about embracing continual learning, community, and compassion on the long road toward healing and care.

Join The CareImpact Podcast Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PgzJWfkq9/

Reach out to us! https://neighbourlypodcast.ca

Email: [email protected]

About the CarePortal: careimpact.ca/careportal

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate

Partner with work of CareImpact and Neighbourly!

https://careimpact.ca/donate

Today's question: “I used to be someone people could count on, but lately, I just don't have it in me. Am I failing if I pull back?”

Your messy adviser, Johan, tackles this real (and slightly crispy) dilemma in a way only he can— with snack references, biblical throwbacks, and gentle reminders that hitting the wall doesn’t mean you’re not caring enough. Get ready for a short but meaningful conversation about what burnout really looks like, why boundaries matter, and how stepping back might actually honour your heart to serve. Perfect for those late-night Google searches about burnout—or anyone who secretly wishes for a nap and a rotisserie chicken.

Join The CareImpact Podcast Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PgzJWfkq9/

Reach out to us! https://neighbourlypodcast.ca

Email: [email protected]

About the CarePortal: careimpact.ca/careportal

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate

Partner with work of CareImpact and Neighbourly!

https://careimpact.ca/donate

Today’s question: “I want to help, but sometimes I wonder if I’m actually trying to take control. How do I know if I’m truly supporting someone or just making it about me?”

On this quick-and-punchy Summer Speedos edition of Journey With Care, your messy adviser, Johan, wades into the blurry waters where compassion turns into subtle micromanaging. With a dash of wit and a generous serving of honesty, the conversation explores how our well-meaning efforts to lighten someone’s load can sometimes accidentally become a full-scale project takeover. Drawing on a familiar biblical tale, relatable stories, and Johan’s signature charm, listeners are invited to reflect on the difference between genuinely supporting others and colour-coding their healing process. Settle in for a candid, good-natured look at navigating care, boundaries, and that fine line between being helpful and being the bossy friend in a cardigan—perfect for your summer stroll or lazy day in the sun.

Join The CareImpact Podcast Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PgzJWfkq9/

Reach out to us! https://neighbourlypodcast.ca

Email: [email protected]

About the CarePortal: careimpact.ca/careportal

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate

Partner with work of CareImpact and Neighbourly!

https://careimpact.ca/donate

Today’s question: “I care deeply about others, but sometimes I feel bitter or resentful when I help. I don’t want to stop caring, but how do I keep going without feeling used or invisible?”

Your messy adviser, Johan, dives right into this all-too-relatable conundrum of invisible labour and emotional weightlifting for those who always find themselves signing up to bring snacks—and end up planning the whole event. With a good dose of humour and biblical honesty, this Summer Speedos conversation pulls back the curtain on caregiver burnout, punch-cards for serving too often, and the quiet ache of feeling unnoticed even while carrying the load for everyone else. Whether you’re coordinating volunteers or just trying to keep a group chat alive, tune in for encouragement and the reminder that your care doesn’t go unseen, even if you occasionally whisper "you’re welcome" to a thankless room of empty chairs.

Join The CareImpact Podcast Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PgzJWfkq9/

Reach out to us! https://neighbourlypodcast.ca

Email: [email protected]

About the CarePortal: careimpact.ca/careportal

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate

Partner with work of CareImpact and Neighbourly!

https://careimpact.ca/donate

Today’s question: “How do I know when to step in and help, and when to step back?”

Your messy adviser, Johan, gets real about the awkwardness we all feel when that pang of responsibility hits—especially when responding to needs in our circles but feeling unsure if we’re actually the “right” person for the job. With a little help from the story of Moses (yes, the famously reluctant helper) and a good dose of Canadian self-doubt, Johan invites us to examine what really qualifies us to care for others. If you’ve ever hesitated over the reply button or wished someone just a little more qualified would show up, this Summer Speedos conversation is sure to leave you both encouraged and entertained.

Join The CareImpact Podcast Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PgzJWfkq9/

Reach out to us! https://neighbourlypodcast.ca

Email: [email protected]

About the CarePortal: careimpact.ca/careportal

DONATE! Help connect and equip more churches across Canada to effectively journey well in community with the most vulnerable: careimpact.ca/donate