Why does modern life feel so disconnected? In this episode, Cara Stern sits down with journalist and Scout leader Harrison Lowman to talk about the decline of community in Canada, and what it takes to rebuild it.

From scouting and volunteering to neighbourhood pubs, churches, and “third spaces,” they explore why strong communities don’t happen automatically, how urban design shapes social connection, and why so many people feel isolated despite living closer together than ever before. They also discuss parenting, trust, loneliness, suburban life, condo living, and the importance of showing up for your neighbours.

Topics covered:

• Why people feel more isolated today
• The decline of volunteering in Canada
• How urban design affects community
• Why “third spaces” matter
• Parenting, support systems, and “the village”
• High-trust vs low-trust societies
• How scouting builds community and leadership
• What it takes to know your neighbours again

Subscribe for more conversations on housing, cities, policy, and the future of Canada.

Chapters:

00:00 Why Community Is More Than Good Urban Design
02:22 Scouts, Service, and Teaching Kids to Contribute
04:04 Why Modern Life Makes Community Harder to Build
07:47 Third Places, Neighbours, and High-Trust Communities
11:55 A Surprise Pie and the Power of Trust
14:55 Finding Community Through Volunteering and Shared Purpose
17:17 You Have to Be a Villager to Have a Village
19:34 Can We Design Communities That Bring People Together?

Research/links:

» Volunteer wellbeing: what works and who benefits? 

https://whatworkswellbeing.org/resources/volunteer-wellbeing-what-works-and-who-benefits/ 

Exploring the Effects of Volunteering on the Social, Mental, and Physical Health and Well-being of Volunteers: An Umbrella Review - PMC 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10159229/

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

Produced by Meredith Martin

Funded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/