"We will all be hit with a level of adversity, and many listeners probably already have. How do we use that to fuel us and to inspire us to keep moving forward? How do we use that to find meaning in our lives, to find that energy so that we can continue forward.”

We are so excited to welcome Daniel Gospodarek to the show! Daniel is a licensed certified social worker in private practice in Colorado, and he is also living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

In this heartfelt conversation, Daniel shares his experience following a car accident that changed the course of his life forever. He shares the ways that accepting the truth of this new reality helped his own healing journey and the ways others can take a similar approach. Daniel is truly living alchemy every day, as he incorporates support and advocacy for the TBI community into his professional life.

From our guest

My name is Daniel Gospodarek, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Denver, Colorado. I sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) going into my senior year of high school that nearly took my life. This directed me to the 'helping profession.' My TBI needed immediate medical attention and I continue the recovery process to this day. I started my private practice which focuses on trauma/PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, and TBIs to support and empower those who experience these challenges live the lives they desire.

https://www.revitalizementalhealth.com/

IG: @revitalize_mentalhealth https://www.instagram.com/revitalize_mentalhealth/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069066712379

This amazing conversation with Carrie Allen explores the importance of community and the impact of capitalism, among other things, on our ability to form and maintain meaningful connections.

In this episode, Carrie and Courtney discuss the importance of community and the challenges of building and maintaining connections in today's society. They explore the idea that community happens in inconvenience and that true community requires effort and support.

They emphasize the simplicity of belonging and provide concrete steps for individuals to start building community in their lives. They also discuss the importance of consistency and finding the right fit for community engagement.

The conversation highlights the power of curiosity in forging new friendships and concludes with a call to continue the journey of community.

Takeaways

• Community happens in inconvenience and requires effort and support.

• Belonging is a simple yet essential aspect of community.

• Concrete steps to building community include identifying existing communities to participate in and taking small actions to connect with others.

• Consistency is key in building and maintaining community connections.

• Finding the right cadence for community engagement is important, as different communities have different cycles.

• Active participation and curiosity are essential in forging new friendships and connections.

• The journey of community is ongoing and requires continuous effort and learning.

About our guest
Carrie Allen is a visionary community builder and advocate, renowned for her transformative insights into the importance of genuine, interconnected communities. Drawing from her personal journey, she inspires us to remember the significance of true community and connections in various aspects of life, from parenthood to entrepreneurship to the core essence of being human. Her wisdom urges us to rethink our roles within communities, rediscover the magic of authentic connections, and actively foster empowering, uplifting environments. As the founder of The Human Array, Carrie brings over 20 years of community-building experience to create connected and conscious spaces for living, growing, and creating, where she empowers individuals to embrace authenticity and contribute to thriving, uplifting communities.

Find Carrie online at The Human Array or on Instagram!

"Whenever we've talked about community of care, it's really been talking about how the systems have been built against us and how we're pushed to be independent, very productive.

And “self-care” is a form of just putting a bandaid on yourself when that's really not a way to have longevity within any sort of field; especially in something where you're caring for other people.”

We have arrived at our final episode of Season 3 and so we made sure to make it extra special! Courtney is joined by student affairs professionals Julie Olson Rand and Alyssa Klenotich to discuss all the ways #selfcare is a less effective strategy than a community of care.

The timing of this feels especially relevant - the hectic pace of the holidays and the imminent arrival of “New Year’s Resolutions” (if you’re into those sorts of things!). As we move forward, Julie and Alyssa offer this perspective that shows us where true wellbeing, healing, and support can take root in our frazzled lives.

About our guests:

Julie Olson Rand (she/they) serves as the Associate Director for Access Programs at the University of Minnesota. Prior to beginning her role at the U of MN, she served as Director for Student Accessibility & Accommodations at St. Catherine University.

Her previous experience includes over ten years as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter and an educator in the ASL interpreting program at St. Catherine University, overseeing students during their internships.

Julie is an alumni of the University of Minnesota, where she earned a B.A. and M.Ed. She also holds a post-baccalaureate certificate from St. Catherine University in ASL Interpreting. Julie currently serves on the Board of Directors for ThinkSelf, a Deaf-led non-profit serving the Deaf community with advocacy and education programs.

In her free time, Julie enjoys making beaded jewelry and doing hot yoga. Julie lives in Minneapolis with her partner and three children.

Check out her jewelry work at https://www.instagram.com/abel_and_jule/

Alyssa Klenotich (She/Her) serves as the Associate Director of Disability Services at Macalester College. She previously was introduced to Julie at St. Catherine University where she served as the Assistant Director of Student Accessibility and Accommodations.

Prior, she received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Winona State and her masters degree in college counseling and student development from St. Cloud State University, which was rooted in helping skills with a lens of social justice.

During that time she worked with students on academic warning and probation along with completing her thesis exploring students with disabilities experiences with faculty members.

She currently lives in the suburbs of Minnesota with her two dogs.

We will be taking a short break over the next few weeks to rest and finish prepping for Season 4! You can expect new episodes in January. In the meantime watch for some of your favorite and most listened to episodes during our Pragmatic Winter Replay.

Contact the show at courtney@shineandsoar.com with guest suggestions, topic ideas, and other feedback.

Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe wherever you are listening. Create YOUR community of care by sharing this episode!