Connection From Here: Finding Community in a Changing World
Connection From Here: Finding Community in a Changing World
Podcast Description
First two episodes coming March 19!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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on navigating community building after stepping away from traditional religions, discussing themes such as secular spirituality, loneliness, and the role of non-religious chaplains. Episode examples include creating community after leaving religion and exploring the implications of the loneliness epidemic in a digital 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.
New episode out every other Wednesday!
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 of telling your story. Episode 7 of Connection from Here is about how storytelling fosters authentic community and empathy.
After finding herself on stage during an expanded state of consciousness, Mary Hoefler decided that it was about time to get writing and start talking. She found herself on The Moth stage for the first time in July of 2023 and never looked back. A 2025 Moth Grand Slam winner and a six-time StorySlam winner, Mary has also been showing up at venues all over Chicago to tell her truth. In her stories, she shares with bravery and vulnerability what it is like to feel invisible at her age and her lifelong journey of wanting to be seen and picked. Although storytelling is clearly in her DNA, it doesn’t pay the bills, so Mary spends her days as a psychotherapist, encouraging clients to find their voice, get loud, and share their own stories without any edits…because why edit who we are?!!
Topics covered:
- The complex dynamics of being raised in an immigrant community, where survival and conformity were values, but true belonging and individuality were harder to find.
- Using storytelling as a tool to reclaim one’s identity and connect with others in an authentic way.
- The difference between “fitting in” and truly finding belonging by showing up as our true, messy selves.
- Insights into finding and building community as an adult, embracing solitude, and holding space for others’ unique stories.
Watch the episode on YouTube here!
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Learn more about HopeBase at https://www.gethopebase.com/ and our community at https://hopebasecommunity.mn.co/
Connect with Mary:
Psychology Today | Mary Hoefler
The Moth Stories:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RKJl_72bxPmcSKAhNYGe_7krfbfOSYOR
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d61g9kWucRUUaVtaGM3MsPYVUlXvZrBL/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QQf70imBXDW6HXYRfDuPmgwS87OITjyU/view
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