From Foster Care to Success: The Power of Human Connection

Building a Better World Through Joy, Belonging and Community

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2569921/fan_mail/new] The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages |Episode 023 | Kara Stonehouse  What if joy not fear, guilt, or outrage was the key to creating lasting change? In this inspiring episode of The Belonging Podcast, host Melissa Kaye sits down with Kara Stonehouse, founder of Love Organized, to explore how communities can create meaningful transformation through belonging, collective intelligence, spiritual connection, and joy. Kara shares lessons from eco-villages around the world, the importance of conflict resolution, conscious communication, and her ambitious five-step framework for building regenerative economies and thriving communities. Topics Covered: - Belonging and human connection - Joy as a catalyst for change - Eco-villages and sustainable communities - Conflict resolution and conscious communication - Collective intelligence and leadership - Love Organized framework - Regenerative economies - Spirituality and systems thinking Whether you're passionate about leadership, sustainability, personal growth, social innovation, or community building, this conversation offers a hopeful vision for the future. Connect with Kara on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/karastonehouse/ Love Organized:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/122863923 The Hague Center: https://www.linkedin.com/company/77635540/ Webpage: http://www.loveorganized.com, Kara’s TEDxtalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejjjeruh7hE Learn More About Elev8 Villages: Website: https://www.elev8villages.org/ Download your FREE Belonging Kit: https://www.elev8villages.org/FREEkit 💭 If this episode inspires you, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE! #belongingpodcast #KaraStonehouse #communitybuilding #joy #leadership #podcast 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.  > If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org. > > Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.

A Neurosurgeon's Journey Back to Belonging

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2569921/fan_mail/new] In this powerful conversation, host Melissa Kaye sits down with Dr. Li-Mei Lin, a world-class neurosurgeon who spent decades at the pinnacle of medicine before stepping away from the operating room to explore a deeper question: What does it truly mean to belong - to yourself? Dr. Lin shares her remarkable journey from elite achievement and high-performance success to a life centered around self-leadership, inner authority, authenticity, and personal transformation. Together they explore: - Why external success doesn't always create inner fulfillment - The difference between empathy and being empathic - How high achievers often lose connection with themselves - The neuroscience behind intuition and self-awareness - Why many people stay loyal to identities and systems that no longer serve them - The courage required to leave familiar paths and answer a new calling - How to develop self-trust and inner authority - The connection between belonging, purpose, and personal growth - What self-mastery really means - Practical ways to reconnect with your authentic self Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, healthcare professional, creative, or someone navigating a major life transition, this conversation offers profound insights into creating a life that feels aligned from the inside out. Follow Dr. Li-Mei Lin Website: https://www.truewhealthness.com/mawy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlimeilin/, https://www.instagram.com/true_whealthness/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlimeilin/ Substack: https://morethanneurosurgeon.substack.com/ Learn More About Elev8 Villages: Website: https://www.elev8villages.org/ Download your FREE Belonging Kit: https://www.elev8villages.org/FREEkit Subscribe for more conversations about belonging, purpose, community, healing, and human connection. #belongingpodcast #selfleadership #personalgrowth #authenticity #DrLeeMayLin #selfmastery  #innerauthority #belonging #podcast #trending #foryou 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.  > If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org. > > Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.

The Hidden Power of Nature | Belonging, Identity and Healing

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2569921/fan_mail/new] The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages | Frankie Edwards | Episode 21 What happens when humans lose connection with their body, nature, community, and their true sense of belonging? In this deeply emotional and inspiring episode of the Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages, host Melissa Kaye sits down with Frankie Edwards, a nature-based nervous system specialist and founder of Abundance World. Frankie shares their powerful journey growing up in Newfoundland, navigating identity, belonging, elite athletics, grief, concussions, healing, nervous system regulation, and reconnecting with nature. This conversation explores how modern life disconnects us from ourselves and why returning to community, embodiment, mindfulness, and the natural world may be one of the most important forms of healing today. In this episode, you’ll discover: - The true meaning of belonging - How nature calms the nervous system - Forest bathing and mindfulness practices - Healing trauma through embodiment - The emotional impact of losing identity - Queer identity, authenticity, and community - Why humans crave connection and safety - The science behind awe, grounding, and mental health - How nature creates emotional regulation - Powerful reflections on healing and self-acceptance Frankie also shares practical ways to reconnect with yourself through nature, water rituals, grounding practices, and mindfulness techniques that anyone can start today. Follow Frankie: IG https://www.instagram.com/thefrankchapter/ and TIKTOK https://www.tiktok.com/@abundance_world website: https://abundanceworld.today/ If you’ve ever felt disconnected, unseen, overwhelmed, or out of place, this conversation offers hope, healing, and a reminder that you belong. 🌿 Watch until the end for one simple daily practice that can help restore inner peace and emotional grounding. Learn More About Elev8 Villages: Website: https://www.elev8villages.org/ Download your FREE Belonging Kit: https://www.elev8villages.org/FREEkit 💭 If this episode inspires you, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE! #belonging #naturehealing #mentalhealth #forestbathing #mindfulness #healingjourney #podcast  #nervoussystemhealing #selfhealing #communityhealing #foryou 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.  > If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org. > > Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.

Why Belonging Matters in Politics and Leadership

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2569921/fan_mail/new] The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages | Liana Cassar | Episode 20 In this insightful episode of the Belonging Podcast by Elevate Villages, host Melissa Kay sits down with Liana Cassar, former Peace Corps volunteer in Costa Rica and current advisory board chair of the Oasis Leadership Network. Together, they explore the powerful connection between leadership, democracy, belonging, and community. Liana shares her experiences serving as a community development worker with the Peace Corps, her journey through public service, and the important work Oasis Leadership Network is doing to support women and gender-expansive legislators across the United States. This inspiring conversation explores: • What belonging truly means in leadership • The challenges women face in politics • Power “with” vs power “over” leadership • Creating inclusive communities and democracy • Why representation matters in government • How leaders can create spaces where everyone feels seen • Supporting women legislators through resilience and community If you’ve ever wondered how we can build stronger communities, healthier leadership, and a more inclusive democracy, this episode offers hope, wisdom, and practical insight. Learn more about Liana’s work: https://www.oasisleadershipnetwork.org/ Learn More About Elev8 Villages: Website: https://www.elev8villages.org/ Download your FREE Belonging Kit: https://www.elev8villages.org/FREEkit 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about belonging, leadership, healing, community, and personal growth. 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.  > If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org. > > Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.

What Is Ethical Leadership? And Why It Matters More Than Ever

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2569921/fan_mail/new] The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages | Episode 019  Guest: Rebecca Justus, Ethical Leadership Coach and Mentor In this episode, we explore one of the most important and often misunderstood topics of our time, Leadership. But not just leadership… 👉 Ethical Leadership Melissa sits down with Rebecca Justus, a coach and mentor in ethical leadership, to unpack what it truly means to lead with integrity, intention, and care in today’s complex and divided world. 💡 In this conversation, you’ll learn: What leadership really means (and why most people get it wrong) The difference between leadership and ethical leadership Why leadership often turns into control or harm How power changes people (and how to stay grounded) The role of curiosity in great leadership How to create safe spaces and belonging in teams What inclusive leadership looks like in real life This episode will challenge the way you think about influence, power, and responsibility. Follow Rebecca Websites: https://www.rebeccajustus.com/ https://www.reproductiveautonomy.org/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/therebeccajustus/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-justus/ If you lead in any way, at work, in your community, or even in your family, this conversation is for you. This podcast is made possible by the generosity of our patron: Deana Laughlin.  Thank you Deana!! Learn More About Elev8 Villages: Website: https://www.elev8villages.org/ Download your FREE Belonging Kit: https://www.elev8villages.org/FREEkit 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.  > If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, rate, or share the show with someone who might need it today. To learn more about the movement we’re building (or to get involved) visit Elev8Villages.org. > > Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Belonging Podcast by Elev8 Villages - where belonging becomes a place we build together.