In today's episode, Laurel Nicholson is joined by her friend and colleague Matthew Currin, CEO and founder of Convene Communities, for a conversation about resilience and the communities that people truly need when life hits a rough patch.

Matt shares his remarkable background as a pilot across a variety of exciting fields—but explains why his deepest calling has always been convening people around shared stories. He reflects on the defining loss that shaped Convene’s vision, the tragic death of his close friend in a helicopter crash, and how this devastating event eventually grew into his broader mission of helping people find connection and support through life’s hardest seasons.

Throughout their discussion, Laurel and Matt explore the difference between offering information and building genuine community—especially in contexts surrounding caregiving, family dynamics and end-of-life preparation. This episode offers encouragement for anyone navigating hardship, reminding listeners that their story matters and that no one has to carry the weight of hardship alone.

(00:00) Welcome and Introducing Matthew Currin and Convene Communities
(02:52) Loss, Grief, and the Birth of Convene
(07:05) From Aviation to Everyday Life
(11:27) How Laurel and Matt Met and Why the Mission Aligned
(12:54) Building a Christian Doula Community That Lasts
(28:58) Matt’s Cancer Diagnosis and Facing the Unknown
(38:33) Choosing Hope, Purpose, and Perseverance
(39:25) Don’t Give Up on Your Story

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