Fun fact: Davide is a huge sports nerd and an especially devoted Olympics fan. In this episode, he shares what it's been like following his country's teams and athletes while living abroad. This sparked a conversation between him and Stella on the themes of belonging, patriotism, nostalgia, levels of identity, language, and connection.

In this episode, we mention four types of trauma: emotional, chemical, electromagnetic, and separation from Nature. From there, we explore how to reconnect with the natural world, no matter where we live or what our lifestyle is like. We noticed through our wandering that there's much overlap between the ways we relate to nature and healthy human connections.

Davide and Stella talk through a web of thoughts on charity, volunteering, the gift economy, generosity, privilege, and whether or not giving builds community.

In this episode we check in with updates on what's been happening in these past few months. We talk about buying and renovating a house, making big decisions as a couple, learning when is best to compromise within one's context, and our dreams of what community could be when spaces that foster it are accessible to all.

Stella and Davide interview Gary - aka G - on community, contribution, competition, belonging, and social media.

This bonus episode was inspired by a question Davide asked in our interview with Hayley and Katie (Season 3 Episode 6).

Tune in for an introduction to polyvagal theory (including a quick overview of the ventral vagal, dorsal vagal, and sympathetic nervous system responses) and our take on why understanding this theory can support us in forming connections and building communities.

RESOURCES

A book that unexpectedly changed our lives when we read it earlier this year was Waking Up to the Dark: The Black Madonna's Gospel for An Age of Extinction and Collapse. Our thoughts on light and its impact on the human body and psyche mentioned in this episode are tied deeply to this book. We highly recommend it.

Although neither of us have read Call of the Wild: How We Heal Trauma, Awaken Our Own Power, and Use it for Good yet, it's at the top of our list! We really respect the work of Kimberly Ann Johnson and have no doubt that this book, like all she shares, is incredibly valuable.

To learn more about polyvagal theory, check out the Polyvagal Institute.

Hayley and Katie join us today for tea and a thoughtful conversation. Tune into this episode on community and belonging to hear our interviewees' perspectives on the queer community, connective virtual spaces, Swifties, and how symbols and labels can help you find your people.

Tune in for this conversation on community, culture-shaping, and belonging where Davide and Stella interview Cecio.