Women Lifting Women: How Supportive Circles Shape Our Wellbeing

24th April 2025

Episode 67

The communities we create and join profoundly shape our health, happiness, and sense of self. Julie and Catherine explore this transformative power of human connection through their own experiences with various groups – from choir singing to wild swimming, motherhood circles to business networks.

They share their parallel journeys from identifying primarily with male friendships in their younger years to discovering the irreplaceable value of women's circles as they matured. The conversation weaves through touching anecdotes about how communities provide validation and support, particularly during challenging life transitions. One standout metaphor emerges from their choir experience – how initially chaotic learning sessions transform into goosebump-inducing harmony, mirroring how communities help us create something beautiful from collective effort.

The hosts don't shy away from addressing the flip side: isolation's devastating impact on mental and physical wellbeing. They discuss the intentionality required to build and maintain meaningful connections, referencing the adage that "you are the sum of the five people closest to you." This leads to thoughtful reflection on knowing when certain relationships have served their purpose, contrasted with those special friendships that can be instantly rekindled after years apart.

Perhaps most compelling is their passionate advocacy for women supporting women – creating spaces where authenticity and vulnerability are welcomed rather than judged. In a culture often focused on competition, they champion communities that empower rather than diminish.

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