Perspectives

In this episode we explore the evolving role of community—both online and offline—and why it’s more important than ever for our mental well-being and sense of connection.

We’re joined by:

Jacky Power – Addiction specialist, therapist, performance poet, and founder of Feeling Freedom, a space supporting those impacted by a loved one’s addiction. Jacky shares her deeply personal journey of navigating isolation, stigma, and healing, and how her creative and therapeutic work now helps others feel seen, safe, and supported.

Navine Eldesouki – Founder of Coffee With An Expat, a global community empowering expat women through meaningful, in-person and online connections. Navine speaks candidly about the often-hidden loneliness of expat life, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the balance between growing a purpose-driven community and building a sustainable business.

Key topics include:

* How online communities can bridge gaps for isolated or niche groups

* The importance of in-person connection for creating meaningful friendships

* Navigating challenges of social media, self-promotion, and group dynamics

* Why consistency and change are both vital in growing community

* The need for spaces that normalize discomfort and encourage curiosity

* How individuals can still make a difference—starting locally

🔁 “Be the community you want to have.” – Darren Rose

Whether you're creating a space, seeking one, or figuring out where you belong—this episode is for you.

As individuals who wouldn’t typically be described as shy, Jennie & I were curious to explore what it truly means to experience shyness.

We were joined by Nadia Finer, the UK’s leading Shyness Coach, host of the Shy and Mighty podcast, and author of two books on shyness, along with Laura Horton, a multi-award-winning writer and Plymouth’s first playwright Laureate (2020-23). Together, we delved into the often-overlooked topic of shyness, highlighting the importance of listening more attentively and being more observant of others' needs.

In this podcast, we hear from Faye, a Health and Wellbeing Coach at movemindset.com, Melissa, a psychologist specializing in adults and multicultural couples (mhernandez-jaczewska.com), and Loraine, a life and workplace coach with an Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Psychology.

We discuss the importance of having space in the community to share both challenges and joys, the difficulties of stepping out of your comfort zone to join a community, why community is crucial when moving to a new country, and how we might encourage more intergenerational contact.