About 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!
Season Review: Reflections on Community, Connection, and Belonging
Send us a text 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 sharing and listening to real experiences fosters empath...
23 Jul 2025
The Power of Collective Effort: Lessons in Belonging and Activism With Bryony Schwan
Send us a text 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 Biomimicry Institute. Together, they discuss the complexity...
9 Jul 2025
The Power of Being Heard: How Stories Create Safe Spaces for Authentic Connection with Daniel Weinshenker
Send us a text 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 25 years of experience helping people narrate their journeys—whether ...
25 Jun 2025
Why Safe Community Matters: Parenting Diverse Children with Openness and Grace with Anna McArthur
Send us a text 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 book, Hope for Moms: It's Tough Out There, But So ...
11 Jun 2025
Finding Real Community: Healing and Authenticity Beyond Religious Trauma with Reverend Robert Arnáu
Send us a text 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 and joins us to share his story of surviving conversion the...
28 May 2025
How Storytelling Fosters Authentic Community and Empathy with Mary Hoefler
Send us a text 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...
14 May 2025
Finding Belonging Through Chosen Family, Rituals, and Activism with Andrew Boyd
Send us a text 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 change, loss, and activism in powerful, life-affirming ways....
30 Apr 2025
What the Fundamentals of Improv Can Teach Us About Community Building
Send us a text 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 what the fundamentals of improv can teach us about community building! ...
16 Apr 2025
Finding Your Place: The Difference Authentic Community Can Make with Rhiana Wiggins
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 this week to share her story of her search for connection, reflectin...
2 Apr 2025
Finding Belonging: The Essential Elements Of True Community
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 answer the question: what does genuine community look like? Topics c...
19 Mar 2025
The Role of Non-Religious Chaplains in Today's World
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 non-religious chaplains play in today’s changing world. Topics cove...
19 Mar 2025
Creating Community After Leaving Religion: New Paths to Connection
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 connection, digging into the decline of traditional community spaces like rel...
5 Mar 2025
Welcome to Connection from Here
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, inte...
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