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The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages | Founders Log #2 | Episode 011

In this special Founder’s Log, Melissa Kaye celebrates a major milestone, 10 episodes completed! She takes time to reflect on everything she’s learned about belonging, relationships, grief, leadership, and creating safe spaces.

But this time, the tables turn.

Melissa’s best friend Cassidy Patrick (aka Gurlflex) steps in to put her in the hot seat.

Follow Cassidy on Instagram @gurlflex

Together, they explore:

- What belonging really means
- Why foster youth aging out of care face a belonging crisis
- How losing a beloved dog brought belonging home
- The responsibility of creating safe spaces
- Why social media may be eroding real connection
- What designing cities around belonging could look like

You’ll hear raw vulnerability, bold dreams, laughter, and the powerful truth that:

“Belonging isn’t earned. It’s designed.”

Elev8 Villages is building more than housing. It’s building a village for youth aging out of foster care. Where belonging is protected, practiced, and intentional.

This episode isn’t just a reflection. It’s a call to start a movement.

Listen in. Reflect deeply. And ask yourself:

If we’re not creating belonging… why are we here?

This podcast exists because we believe belonging is not a luxury. It’s a human need. Every story shared here helps us imagine a world where no one has to walk alone.

Send a text

The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages with Natalie F. Masters | 010

Are we truly separate, or have we just designed our world that way? In this episode of the Belonging Podcast, Melissa Kaye sits down with Natalie F. Masters to explore how we can move from isolation to deep, systemic connection.

Natalie F. Masters (Director of Platform and Learning at nRhythm) explains why our modern institutions, from education to the corporate world, are failing us and how "Living Systems" offer a blueprint for a better future. Whether you are a leader, a community organizer, or someone looking for a deeper sense of home, this conversation provides the tools to redesign your environment for belonging.

What You’ll Learn:

✅The Myth of Separation: Why thinking we are "self-made" actually hinders our creative capacity.
✅The Forest Model: How trees communicate and share resources, and what humans can learn from "mycelial networks."
✅Designing for Conditions: Why you should stop trying to control outcomes and start shaping the environment
✅Safety & Curiosity: Why the brain cannot learn or collaborate without feeling safe first.
✅Co-Creating the Future: Understanding that you aren't just "in" a system, you ARE the system.

Featured Guest:
Natalie F. Masters is a global leader in regenerative design, helping organizations translate living systems principles into practical tools for growth and connection.

Follow Natalie F. Masters
https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-f-masters/

Learn more about With Life
https://www.withlife.net/
You can join the With Life Community for FREE

https://www.linkedin.com/company/with-life
https://www.youtube.com/@With_Life_Community

Learn more about nRhythm

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nrhythm
https://www.youtube.com/@nrhythm6004

Learn more about Capital Institute:
https://capitalinstitute.org/


Learn more about Elev8 Villages: https://www.elev8villages.org/
Download your FREE Belonging Kit Here: https://www.elev8villages.org/FREEkit

Subscribe for more conversations on building a world where everyone belongs.

#belonging #communitybuilding #leadership #ScienceOfBelonging #regenerativedesign #mentalhealth #humanconnection #ThrivingCommunities #elev8villages #podcast #trending

This podcast exists because we believe belonging is not a luxury. It’s a human need. Every story shared here helps us imagine a world where no one has to walk alone.

Send a text

The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages with Jim Morris | 009

In this powerful episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages, Melissa Kaye sits down with TEDx speaker, entrepreneur, and master human connector Jim Morris for a deeply honest conversation about love, belonging, and human connection in a distracted world.

Jim shares how belonging begins with loving yourself, why pretending to “fit in” keeps us disconnected, and how one relationship can change the trajectory of an entire life. From seasons of not belonging to discovering the courage to make bold asks, this episode explores what it truly means to come home to yourself and to each other.

Together, Melissa and Jim unpack:

• Why belonging starts with love (giving and receiving it)
• How to walk into any room and create belonging without pretending to be someone you’re not
• The moment Jim knew he didn’t belong and how love pulled him forward
• Why “We all need a Steve” (and how to be one for others)
• The power of bold asks and compassionate curiosity
• How micro-miracle moments restore hope and gratitude
• Why presence matters more than perfection in relationships
• What “Connect or Die” really means in the age of AI and distraction

This episode is an invitation to slow down, notice what truly matters, and remember that we were never meant to do life alone.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations on belonging, connection, healing, and becoming human together.

💬 Join the Conversation

Share in the comments:

What does belonging mean to you right now?
Have you had a “Steve” in your life? Or been one for someone else?

You belong here.

Follow and learn about Jim Morris:

https://humantouchmarketing.ai/

https://7minutesofimpact.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realjimmorris/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realjimmorris/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealjimmorris

MORE JIM:

Jim’s TedX talk: https://youtu.be/yQ_GUJ09FEM?si=S4uo0nW5DBXfzPrG

Impact Effect Podcast: https://youtu.be/sH6NbYudeyU?si=17A5aXaHe4JQvg1o

Learn more about Elev8 Villages: https://www.elev8villages.org/

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This podcast exists because we believe belonging is not a luxury. It’s a human need. Every story shared here helps us imagine a world where no one has to walk alone.