Your Neighbourhood Show

Episode 1: Building Connection and Finding Belonging with Mary and John

In the inaugural episode of Your Neighborhood Show, host Carolyn welcomes her dear friends Mary and John to discuss the vital role of connection in our lives. Through personal anecdotes of moving across communities and fostering relationships, they explore how disconnection can be a natural part of life and how we can overcome it.

From the kindness of strangers to their work with organizations like Servas and Sailability, Mary and John demonstrate the power of building supportive networks. This episode is a heartfelt dive into the importance of belonging and practical ways to create inclusive spaces for yourself and others.

Episode 2: Deb's Journey of Resilience, Community, and Joy

In this heartfelt episode, host Carolyn dives into a meaningful conversation with Deb, a Brisbane local whose life journey exemplifies resilience, courage, and the power of connection. Together, they explore stories of childhood, community, personal struggles, and triumphs, touching on themes like mental health, loneliness, and the importance of building support networks.

Deb shares how transformative life events shaped her path, from working on a remote cattle station at 16 to navigating single motherhood while training as a nurse, and ultimately finding joy and connection in her community. This episode is a moving reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the importance of seeking help when needed.

Episode 3: Terry Fitzpatrick's Journey Through Community and Purpose

In this heartfelt episode of Your Neighborhood Show, host Carolyn delves into the extraordinary life of Terry Fitzpatrick, a leader in the St. Mary's in Exile community. Terry shares his deeply personal journey from growing up in a tightly-knit family in Toowoomba, Australia, to becoming a nurse, entering the priesthood, and later transitioning into social justice work. He reflects on the challenges of finding purpose, navigating connection and disconnection, and embracing his role as a father while honoring his spiritual calling.

Episode 4 -The Journey to Connection with Marty Richards

In this episode of Your Neighborhood Show, Carolyn sits down with Marty Richards, the owner of Blackstar, a vibrant cafe in West End, Brisbane. Marty shares his deeply personal journey from feeling disconnected as a child to building meaningful connections through community work, spirituality, and entrepreneurship. Marty opens up about his early struggles with loneliness, his transformative spiritual awakening as a teenager, and the intentional communities that shaped his path. He reflects on the joys and challenges of starting Blackstar and how he rebuilt the business during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaning on the relationships he had cultivated over the years.