A campfire lesson from inland Tanzania sets the tone for a real conversation about community, healing, and joy that travels. Erica shares a clear, no-pity update on stroke recovery and what “human speed” looks like behind the mic. Together we unpack a simple framework for support you can actually use: Spinners (generate heat), Shielders (block the wind), Breathers (guard the ember). Then we pop the hood on the nervous system—co-regulation, social baseline theory, and why presence works—and close with the art of celebrating small wins without fake sunshine.

You will hear:

• Fire from friction: why nobody makes a flame alone

• Honest recovery notes and the logistics that make recording possible

• Emoji check-ins and tiny scripts that reduce guesswork

• Science in plain language: how belonging steadies breath and brain

• Micro-celebrations that lock in learning and keep you moving

Aging Heroes Challenge: send one 🟢 🟡 or 🔴 check-in to a trusted person, then log today’s spark in your Ember Log.

Community is the tech. Joy is the fuel. Bring your ember; we will bring the windbreak.