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.

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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

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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.

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Connect with Ellen:

www.communityincontext.com

www.dinneranddialogue.org