Trailer

The most important conversation you can have to strengthen your relationships is the conversation you have with yourself. We know that loneliness is detrimental to our health and happiness, and we've already looked at some practical ways we can engage others in conversation. If we really want to build deeper connections, though, we need to have a little sit-down chat with ourselves. We may be fostering some attitudes and assumptions that are keeping us isolated and cut off from the people around us. Join us as Meredith Gudger-Raines gives us some gentle nudges to get off the couch and get connected. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode of Already All Around, we begin a six-week series on loneliness and isolation, and what we can all do to strengthen our social connections and friendships. The Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has declared loneliness to be an epidemic, affecting one in every two Americans, to the detriment of their mental and physical health. Dr. Murthy's office has published a thorough, accessible, and practical report to call Americans to action. On the Already All Around podcast, we're answering the call to action! Host Meredith Gudger-Raines will walk us through the report, talk to others about their experience with loneliness and community, and offer some practical advice from her community building experience in congregations. Together, we can end loneliness and create communities where everyone can find their place. Links: The Surgeon General's Advisory Report on Loneliness and Isolation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remember in 2020 when we all kept saying, "These are really challenging days"? Aren't these still challenging days? Are there other kinds of days available? In this week's episode, we reflect on the relationship between struggle and joy. Is joy something we can only have by ignoring the crises around us? Or is there another option? What is the meaning of Toi Derricotte's phrase "Joy is an Act of Resistance" to help us see an alternative to days of struggle alone. I also give out another Goodness and Love Award! To nominate someone for the (made up and not very prestigious) Goodness and Love Award, email me at [email protected]. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this inaugural episode of the Already All Around podcast, host Meredith Gudger-Raines reflects on gifts and lessons from Seattle Pride 2023. Walking in the Pride parade as the pastor of an LGBTQ+ inclusive congregation led to some moments of joy, some of laughter, and some of pain and regret. We also give out our first Goodness and Love Award and solicit your stories from people who deserve a made-up award for showing the power of love. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Already All Around podast. Your host, Meredith Gudger-Raines, will try to tell the truth about the harsh world we live in, and also about the goodness and love that is already all around. Join us! We need you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.