hello community®

Catherine Jura
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hello community®

Do you wish you had more connection and community in your life? Do you wonder how to move from feeling isolated and lonely to having a sense of belonging? Welcome to hello community®, a safe space where guests share their heartfelt, relatable stories of how they create the life of connection, community, and belonging they so desire. I am Catherine Jura, your host for this podcast, and I am so glad you found us! It is my utmost hope that you feel a connection to my guests. Therefore I intentionally choose guests of varying age, sex, ethnic and cultural background as well as ability and health status. Equally important is that guests are willing to share their stories of creating connection, in a vulnerable and meaningful way. So every other week you will hear real life stories with actionable ideas that you can try out in your personal life, home, workplace, campus life, community, and beyond. I am a Community Health Educator and my life’s work has been to support others to be healthier in every way. In 2023, the US Surgeon General reported that Americans are experiencing an epidemic of isolation and loneliness. If you are experiencing a sense of not belonging, it doesn’t make you different—but it might feel that way. I understand because I have felt these feelings too. Please join us and learn how to create the life of connection, community, and belonging that you so desire. I am happy you are here! __________________________ Click the Subscribe button to receive the most current hello community® episode

Episodes

  1. The Power of Curiosity!

    2D AGO

    The Power of Curiosity!

    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. __________________________________________________________________ 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 __________________________________________________________________ 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...

    39 min
  2. Finding Community in Surprising Places!

    JUN 28

    Finding Community in Surprising Places!

    Building connection and community can feel like an overwhelming undertaking sometimes. But maybe not if it is done one smile, one conversation, one helping hand at a time. Welcome to the hello community podcast with Catherine Jura. In this deeply touching episode, we sit down with Jim Macris, who has found a lifetime of connection in everyday human interaction. In this episode: ·       Learn how Jim’s definition of community is radical in its simplicity: everyone, everywhere, is part of it. Even people he may never see again.  ·       His faith and Christian spirituality fuel his desire to listen, serve, and connect.     Service is not an obligation but an opportunity to build connection and community ·       His acts of kindness range from helping strangers at the grocery store to starting a conversation with the often overlooked in our society ·       He proves that age  isn’t a barrier to meaningfully contributing to the world Whether you're struggling with isolation or wondering how to find purpose in your day-to-day life, Jim’s wisdom will remind you that reaching out—however small—can create profound connection. Tune in for a soul-filling story that proves community can be found in the most surprising places. 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 episodes, please subscribe to this platform. ______________________________________________________________ What We Discuss: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:11 The Epidemic of Loneliness 01:31 Meet Jim Macris 02:39 Jim's Philosophy on Community 03:55 The Impact of COVID-19 12:22 Volunteering and Helping Others 20:14 Jim's Reflections on Life and Community 30:18 Closing Thoughts and Resources ________________________________________________________________ Jim’s biography: Born in 1940 Jim’s career includes motion picture theatre management, FM radio announcer, sales rep. and general manager of a local Muzak office, Lutheran Liturgical and Preaching Deacon. Jim is proud of his granddaughter who is a family counselor in Boulder Colorado. ________________________________________________________________ You can find Jim on Facebook

    34 min
  3. Keep Rolling On: From Loneliness to Connection!

    JUN 14

    Keep Rolling On: From Loneliness to Connection!

    Have you been wishing for a path to building community but don’t know where to start? On this inspiring episode of hello community®, Shameka Andrews, shares with host Catherine Jura, how she journeyed from a life of isolation to a life of global connections: one step, one book, one bus ride, one friendship at a time. · Shameka’s story is a masterclass in uncovering how your current life may actually be guiding you towards the connections you desire ·   Discover how social media--when used with discernment and balance—can lead to a global community of friends ·   Shameka offers strategies on using boundaries to create a community that is nourishing—and not draining ·   Learn how using a gratitude journal can be part of a comforting spiritual life ·   Shameka shares how important it is to admit, ask for, and accept help: including therapy Shameka has used a wheelchair for mobility her whole life—and this indeed impacts her daily life--but nevertheless she has blossomed into a traveling, dancing, vibrant women who revels in community building. Her spunk is captured in her contribution to the title of this podcast-- “Keep Rolling On: From Loneliness To Connection!” If you found this episode helpful please share it with others Subscribe to “hello community ®” podcast for more bi-weekly stories of connection and belonging ________________________________________________________________ What we discuss (timestamp): 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:21 Meet Shameka Andrews 02:35 Shameka's Early Life and Challenges 05:46 The Power of Books and Education 09:24 Discovering Social Media and Building Connections 15:41 Spirituality and Community 29:16 The Importance of Boundaries 36:26 Final Thoughts and Contact Information ________________________________________________________________ Shameka’s biography: Shameka Andrews is the community outreach coordinator for the Self Advocacy Association of NYS she also the founder of Disability Empowerment Consulting where she provides disability workshops on self-care, self-advocacy and disability awareness In 2006 she won the title of Ms. Wheelchair NY, and she has been the coordinator of the program since 2013. 2017 she wrote her first children’s book butterfly on wheels She serves on the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Developmental Disability Advisory Council for OPWDD and the NYS Human Rights Disability Committee Follow and Contact Shameka at: Email: disabilityempowered@gmail.com YouTube--https://www.youtube.com/@shamekaandrews FB-- https://www.facebook.com/ShamekaLAndrews Instagram--https://www.instagram.com/disabilityempowered/ Linkedin--https://www.linkedin.com/feed/ Books Shameka Has Written:  Behind the smile: 15 Women Who Survived the Storma...

    43 min
  4. I Didn't Know I Was Lonely!

    MAY 28

    I Didn't Know I Was Lonely!

    Could I possibly be lonely? On this deeply moving episode of hello community®, host Catherine Jura talks with Andrew Barnes on how he came to recognize loneliness within himself and the steps he has taken to re-build connection. Andrew realizes that although he appears to “have it all” on the outside he is silently struggling on the inside Discover how isolation can disguise itself as something usefulSmall moments matter: During an unexpected conversation with a stranger, Andrew realizes how disconnected—and lonely—he has been feelingLearn about the three types of loneliness and how Andrew uses this knowledge to uncover possibilitiesFollow Andrew’s story as he re-builds the life he once loved: meaningful connection with others and a life of purpose Andrew’s story isn’t about dramatic life changes—it’s about how even one conversation can awaken your inner world. Let Andrew’s powerfully vulnerable story remind you that a life of connection begins with honesty. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:22 Meet Andrew Barnes 02:37 Andrew's Journey in Human Services 05:33 The Revelation of Loneliness 08:34 Understanding Different Types of Loneliness 10:39 The Impact of a Simple Conversation 16:15 Moving Forward and Finding Purpose 24:30 Final Thoughts and Resources

    26 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

Do you wish you had more connection and community in your life? Do you wonder how to move from feeling isolated and lonely to having a sense of belonging? Welcome to hello community®, a safe space where guests share their heartfelt, relatable stories of how they create the life of connection, community, and belonging they so desire. I am Catherine Jura, your host for this podcast, and I am so glad you found us! It is my utmost hope that you feel a connection to my guests. Therefore I intentionally choose guests of varying age, sex, ethnic and cultural background as well as ability and health status. Equally important is that guests are willing to share their stories of creating connection, in a vulnerable and meaningful way. So every other week you will hear real life stories with actionable ideas that you can try out in your personal life, home, workplace, campus life, community, and beyond. I am a Community Health Educator and my life’s work has been to support others to be healthier in every way. In 2023, the US Surgeon General reported that Americans are experiencing an epidemic of isolation and loneliness. If you are experiencing a sense of not belonging, it doesn’t make you different—but it might feel that way. I understand because I have felt these feelings too. Please join us and learn how to create the life of connection, community, and belonging that you so desire. I am happy you are here! __________________________ Click the Subscribe button to receive the most current hello community® episode

Information

  • Creator
    Catherine Jura
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Catherine Jura
  • Show Website
    hello community®

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