Connection From Here: Finding Community in a Changing World
Feeling disconnected? In today's world, building a genuine community can feel harder than ever, especially for those of us who have stepped away from religion. Join mother-daughter duo Ashley and Michele Perry, co-founders of HopeBase, as they explore the evolving landscape of connection and community in the Connection from Here podcast. Ashley, a former pastor turned secular chaplain and Gen Z thinker Michele, explore secular spirituality, answer the big questions about belonging, interview fascinating guests, and share real stories of how people are (and aren't) finding community in these changing times. We're returning in October!
Episodes
In this season finale of Connection from Here, hosts Ashley and Michele Perry take a heartfelt look back at the season, exploring the universal search for community, belonging, and meaning. Through their own reflections and memorable moments from past guest conversations, they unpack the lived experiences, personal stories, and lessons that connect us all, even in times of change and uncertainty.
Topics covered:
- How s...
How does true community shape our sense of self, resilience, and purpose in a rapidly changing world?
This week on Connection From Here, host Ashley Perry welcomes guest host Rhiana Wiggins and changemaker, Bryony Schwan. Bryony shares her powerful journey from a community-rich childhood in Zimbabwe, through international moves, to spearheading innovative organizations such as Women’s Voices for the Earth and the Biomimic...
What does it mean to truly listen—both to ourselves and to others?
This week on Connection From Here, hosts Ashley Perry and Rhianna Wiggins sit down with Daniel Weinshenker, founder of EchoStory and a pioneer in digital storytelling. Together, they explore how sharing and witnessing stories creates authentic connection in a world where traditional community spaces can feel scarce or out of reach.
Daniel’s 2...
Are you searching for an authentic community and deeper connection in today’s ever-changing world?
This week on Connection From Here, host Ashley Perry sits down with longtime friend, author, and mom of four, Anna MacArthur. Together, they explore what it means to build intentional, supportive communities, both as parents and people looking for belonging beyond traditional institutions.
Anna shares insights from her debut...
Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of religious trauma and self-harm.
One of the most important pillars of a good community is being able to show up as your whole self, being welcomed and accepted as such. But for many of us, it takes time to find this type of community for ourselves, and we go through a lot of heartache in the process. Today’s guest, Reverend Robert Arnáu, is no stranger to this journey an...
True belonging isn’t just about being surrounded by people and fitting the mold– it’s about being seen and valued for who we truly are, imperfections and all. Today’s guest discovered this enlightenment when she embraced her voice, shared her story, and found community along the way. This week on the podcast, Mary Hoefler joins us for a vulnerable and empowering conversation about belonging, authenticity, and the power o...
We talk often on the podcast about how, long ago, community was built based on geography. Now that this is no longer the case, it’s up to us to get creative about how we find – and sometimes build – the communities we are a part of. Renowned author, humorist, and climate activist Andrew Boyd joins the podcast this week to explore how community, ritual, and a willingness to hold both grief and hope can help us navigate ch...
When you open your mind up to what it takes to build a community, you start to find lessons everywhere you look. Take improv classes, for example. Improv isn't just about laughs & quick wit; it's a tool for teaching us about connection. When Michele dipped her toes into improv, she didn't expect it to reveal so much about building a community. That’s why in episode 5 of Connection from Here, we discuss...
Content Warning: This episode has brief mentions of religious trauma.
We’ve made it abundantly clear that finding connection in community is important. However, the unspoken part is that finding the right fit in a community is the most important consideration. Rhiana Wiggins learned this the hard way after her search for belonging brought her into a group that was not authentic to her being. She joins us on the podcast t...
In a world where the word “community” is a term thrown around as frequently as your morning coffee order, how do we define genuine connection? More importantly, where can we find it beyond the conventional spaces of the past? In Episode 3 of Connection from Here we are talking about the essential elements of true community.
This week, we’re reflecting on the vast changes in how we perceive and establish community and ans...
As more and more people are stepping away from religion, we are introduced to the rising concept of “spiritual, not religious.” In short, this means that the human quest for meaning, purpose, hope, and spirituality doesn’t have to be confined within the boundaries of religious beliefs, opening us up to a world of possibilities. In episode 2 of Connection from Here, we dive deeper into what this means and the role that no...
The loneliness epidemic is more than just a feeling of isolation; it’s a health crisis. 50% of Americans say they experience measurable levels of loneliness on a daily basis. Humans are creatures of community, so why do we feel so alone? Episode 1 of Connection from Here is about creating community after leaving religion: finding new paths to connection.
This week, we’re exploring this diminishing feeling of connect...
Feeling disconnected? In today's world, building a genuine community can feel harder than ever, especially for those of us who have stepped away from religion. Join mother-daughter duo Ashley and Michele Perry, co-founders of HopeBase, as they explore the evolving landscape of connection and community in the Connection from Here podcast.
Ashley, a former pastor turned secular chaplain and Gen Z thinker Michele, expl...
Popular Podcasts
Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com