Episode 9

full
Published on:

2nd Feb 2026

The Surprising Path to My New Friend!

Have you been wanting a new friend but are not sure where to begin? Welcome to this fun and inspiring episode of “hello community®” where host Catherine Jura and Autumn Welch-Degaske share the amazing story of how an unexpected friendship began between them—two women separated by nearly 40 years in age, yet connected in many surprising ways.

In this episode:

· Discover how a chance meeting at a community co-op sparked an intergenerational friendship

· Learn how courage and curiosity can support a new friendship

· Come to understand why “dual commitment to trying” is important

· Learn why navigating boundaries and “oops and ouch” moments require mutual respect

· Explore how finding a community may be the first step to a new friendship

This conversation is an invitation to step beyond your comfort zone and say yes to connection. A new friendship may be a single brave moment away.

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!

If you found this episode helpful please share it with others, so together, we can build a world where everyone has the connection and community they need and want!

If you would like to be updated on new episodes please subscribe.

Last but not least, reviews are really important for getting the word out about “hello community®”! We sure would appreciate your thoughts: thank you!

Till next time!

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Chapters/Timestamp

00:00:00 Introduction to Hello Community

00:03:00 Autumn and her journey to finding a new community

00:08:30 Catherine’s journey to loneliness

00:09:40 The surprising path to meeting each other

00:15:00 Brunch confirms the new friendship

00:16:20 The journey of friendship: building connection

00:23:15 Resources and support for building connection and community

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Autumn’s biography:

Autumn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY New Paltz (2017), Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling from University at Albany (2019), and a certification as a Grief Informed Professional. She currently works as a school-based trauma therapist at a victim assistance program.

Outside of her work, she can be found working out, running, perusing the farmers market, travelling near and far, and bagging groceries at Honest Weight Food Co-op.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/autumn-welch-degoski-lmhc-cgp-7b07a1154/

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Looking for more information?

· “hello community” link tree takes you in one click to our Facebook Page and all our episode platforms http://lnk.bio/hellocommunity

· Project Unlonely http://www.artandhealing.org/project-unlonely/

· Findhelp.org https://www.findhelp.org/

Findhelp.org can support your efforts to find the resources you need by using your zip code: health care, food pantries and meal programs, housing, financial assistance, and much more!

Show artwork for hello community®

About the Podcast

hello community®
Creating Connection and Community
Do you wish you had more connection and community in your life? Do you wonder how to move from feeling isolated and lonely to having a sense of belonging? Welcome to hello community®, a safe space where guests share their heartfelt, relatable stories of how they create the life of connection, community, and belonging they so desire. I am Catherine Jura, your host for this podcast, and I am so glad you found us!

It is my utmost hope that you feel a connection to my guests. Therefore I intentionally choose guests of varying age, sex, ethnic and cultural background as well as ability and health status. Equally important is that guests are willing to share their stories of creating connection, in a vulnerable and meaningful way. So every other week you will hear real life stories with actionable ideas that you can try out in your personal life, home, workplace, campus life, community, and beyond.

I am a Community Health Educator and my life’s work has been to support others to be healthier in every way. In 2023, the US Surgeon General reported that Americans are experiencing an epidemic of isolation and loneliness. If you are experiencing a sense of not belonging, it doesn’t make you different—but it might feel that way. I understand because I have felt these feelings too.

Please join us and learn how to create the life of connection, community, and belonging that you so desire.

I am happy you are here!
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