"Shoulder to Shoulder": Creating Connection and Purpose!

What begins as a place to work on a project can become a place to feel alive again. In this hope-filled episode of the “hello community®” podcast, Catherine Jura talks with Mark Winston and Yvette Goslin about how “Men’s Sheds” create friendship, purpose, and hope for individuals feeling lonely and isolated.

In this episode we explore:

· Why retirement, loss, and changing roles can leave individuals without connection or a clear sense of purpose: especially men

· How shared projects help friendships form naturally, “shoulder to shoulder”

· The story of a man with clinical depression who found community and said the shed gave him his life back

· How senior centers, garages, community buildings, makerspaces, and even virtual gatherings can become sheds

· Why women, families, and intergenerational relationships are vital to the Men’s Shed movement

Mark and Yvette remind us that the real magic of a Men’s Shed is not the building or the project—it is being together. The friendships formed there can strengthen emotional wellbeing, families, and entire communities. This conversation offers an encouraging—and practical--path toward belonging. Please share this episode with someone who may need a place to begin.

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Note from Catherine:

I am glad you are here! I hope you found some tips and inspiration to help you move towards the connection and community you desire!

Till next time!

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Chapters/Timestamps

00:00 All about the podcast

01:02 Meet the guests

02:50 What is a Men’s Shed?

03:35 What do people do at Sheds?

06:27 Men’s loneliness

12:50 “Shoulder to Shoulder”

13:26 Transforming loneliness: two stories

17:03 Sheds come in all shapes and sizes

22:23 Role of women in getting Men’s Sheds started

24:46 Shed’s are open to everyone

27:14 The thrill of learning something new

29:05 Maker’s Spaces and Men’s Sheds

31:20 She Sheds

33:33 Men Connecting: Mark’s closing story

35:40 Respecting our elders: Yvette’s closing thoughts

38:15 Getting a Shed started: the steps

40:00 A special closing topic: Intergenerational connections

43:47 Resources: Project Unlonely and “hello community” Facebook Page

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Biographies:

Mark Winston, is a founding director of the USMSA, has worked in the Men’s Shed movement in the US for over seven years and helped start the second Men’s Shed in Canada in 2014. His career began in corporate life in the Washington, DC area. Mark’s journey took a significant turn when he transitioned from corporate life in Washington, DC, to embark on his entrepreneurial path. Mark has been an entrepreneur for half his life and has worked as a consultant on starting new businesses and raising venture capital. Mark’s motto is: Helping others is the best thing you can do for yourself. We Are Stronger Together.

Yvette Gosline is a nonprofit executive, social worker, educator, and national advocate whose work focuses on leadership, aging, social connection, and the role “contribution” plays in helping people and communities thrive.

She serves as Chief Operating Officer of Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc. in North Carolina, where she helps lead a comprehensive network of programs including six senior centers. She also serves in national leadership with the U.S. Men’s Shed Association, advancing the Men’s Shed movement as an innovative response to social isolation and the need for meaningful connection, purpose, and contribution, particularly among older men.

One theme that has followed Yvette through almost every part of her life and career is that people flourish when they know they matter, belong, and have something meaningful to contribute.

Yvette believes that sometimes we focus so heavily on what people need that we overlook what they still have to give: a powerful part of human well-being. Much of her career has involved creating opportunities for people to remain connected, capable, and valuable to one another.

She holds a Master of Social Work degree and is a mother, foster and adoptive parent, educator, and community advocate.

Relevant links

· LinkedIn: linkdin.com/in/yvettegosline

· Brunswick Senior Resources: bsrinc.org

· U.S. Men’s Shed Association: usmenssheds.org

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Looking for more information?:

1) Find a Men’s Shed: https://usmenssheds.org/find-a-shed/

2) Project Unlonely: Interactive site with mini films; a Creativity Hub; lots of information: https://www.artandhealing.org/project-unlonely/

3) Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose. Jennifer Breheny Wallace

4) Staying Human Podcast: Ms. Wallace in conversation with Dr. Vivek Murthy https://www.youtube.com/@vivekmurthyofficial

5) “hello community” Link Tree: Facebook Page and all episode platforms http://lnk.bio/hellocommunity