Belonging -- On Purpose
What if home began with people rather than paperwork?
I sit down with community matchmaker and ecovillage tour leader Cynthia Tina to explore why humans are wired for belonging and how intentional communities offer a practical antidote to isolation. From reversing the housing script—meeting neighbors first, then sorting logistics—to redefining success through shared meals, work parties, and mutual aid, this conversation reframes home as a web of care.
Cynthia shares stories from visiting around 200 communities worldwide and building her own Vermont home with many hands. We unpack the full spectrum of options—income-sharing communes, cohousing neighborhoods with private homes, urban co-ops, and sustainability-focused ecovillages—and what truly makes them thrive: frequent, high-quality interactions and clear agreements. We also talk about fit and safety: how to vet communities, recognize healthy governance, and avoid guru dynamics or projects running on vague promises.
In an age of deep isolation, the solutions here aren't theoretical; they are daily and embodied. Choose the garden chat over the endless scroll. Choose neighbors you know over anonymous walls. If the village is calling, start with one step and let connection do the rest. If this resonated, follow the show, share with a friend, and leave a review to help others find their way home.
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Cynthia Tina helps people discover intentional community living for better housing, health, and happiness. She has visited more than 200 intentional communities around the world and resides in a Vermont ecovillage in her self-built natural home. Her speaking, businesses, and consultancy have contributed to the growth of numerous community-led housing projects.
She is the founder of CommunityFinders, which offers guidance for people seeking to join intentional communities, and the founder of Ecovillage Tours, which leads immersive trips to communities worldwide. Her forthcoming book, Intentional Community, is a practical guide to joining and thriving in community. Begin your journey with a short quiz to discover which type of community is right for you: https://communityfinders.com/quiz
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