We are living in a heavy time. Isolation and loneliness are commonplace. We feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. We long for community yet don't always see a way to find it amidst the hardship and vitriol coming at us from all sides.

Today's guest is here to offer us insights, steps and hope when it comes to letting ourselves feel the discomfort of our feelings while also embracing the need for community in our lives. Shannan Martin and Jessica discuss:

⚫︎ The importance of feeling awkward when it comes to making connections

⚫︎ How to connect to your real life neighbors (even the ones you don't agree with)

⚫︎ Why counterweights are vital in order to survive the world right now

⚫︎ Holding multiple feelings at once

This is a powerful conversation for anyone who desires to feel more grounded and connected wherever they are in the world right now.

Shannan Martin, best-selling author of Start with Hello, The Ministry of Ordinary Places, and the popular Substack, The Soup, is a voracious reader, a wannabe-gardener, a news-geek, a justice-fighter, and a thrift store-stalker. She and her family live as grateful neighbors in Goshen, Indiana, where Shannan is on staff at the local community kitchen. Her forthcoming book, Counterweights: An Essential Practice for Holding Hope in a Heavy World, releases in Spring of 2026.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

⚫︎ Shannan Martin substack: https://shannanmartin.substack.com/

⚫︎ Order Counterweights here

⚫︎ Shannan on Instagram: www.instagram.com/shannanwrites

⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more:
http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com

⚫︎ Jessica’s UNLIMITED community and app with daily workouts for muscle strength:
http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com/unlimited

⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast

⚫︎ YouTube workouts:
https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates

⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram:
http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates


Jessica Valant Pilates app:
Apple IOS - https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r
Google - https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp

Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition.