Futuresteading
This is a conversation about the future. About creating a culture that values tomorrow. We reckon a slower, simpler, steadier existence is the first step - one that’s healthier for humans and the planet. We call it Futuresteading. Each week we chat to community builders, ritual makers, food growers, health wizards and environmental wisdom keepers, gathering practical advice and epic solidarity - so we can all nut this thing out together. Join our nitty, gritty, honest and hopeful convo every Monday during our 16 episode seasons. Support the pod by shouting us a cuppa >>> buymeacoffee.com/futuresteading
Futuresteading
Ep 203 Navigating community - Life in an eco village with Suzie Brown
What does it really look like to live inside the dream of community? To share walls & gardens, decision-making & dinner tables — & to raise children in a village that actually lives its values?
In this conversation, we sit down with Suzie Brown, long-time advocate for sustainable living & proud resident of the Narara Eco-Village. Suzie opens the gate & lets us wander through the realities of intentional community life — from the joy of shared purpose & spontaneous connection, to the inevitable challenges of governance, regulation & difference.
She shares how Narara’s unique decision-making structures help navigate conflict, why research & planning matter long before the first foundation is laid & what it takes to keep a community diverse, accessible, & truly alive.
This chat is as much about belonging as it is about building — about the quiet power of volunteering, the laughter that spills from community events & the deep satisfaction of knowing you’re part of something larger than yourself.
So settle in & join us as we explore what happens when a group of humans decides to live more lightly — & more together.
Pod Partners Rock: Australian Medicinal Herbs Code: Future5
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Futuresteading - live like tomorrow matters
Huddle - creating a tomorrow of togetherness
We talked about:
- How children benefit from growing up in a supportive environment
- Sociocracy allows for effective decision-making in communities
- Conflict resolution is crucial for the success of eco-villages
- Research into successful eco-villages informs best practices
- Accessibility and affordability are challenges for eco-village living
- Community events help integrate new members into the village
- Pets can be a contentious issue in community living
- Participating in an eco-village requires active engagement
- Community members are joint owners of the cooperative
- Building a sustainable community involves significant effort & collaboration
- The concept of 'pulsing' allows for shared leadership & energy levels
- Joy & fun are essential for community cohesion.
- Governance models like sociocracy help manage community dynamics
- Financial planning is crucial for the sustainability of eco-villages
- Regulatory challenges can hinder the building process in eco-villages
- Volunteering is a key aspect of community involvement
- Living in an eco-village fosters a deep sense of belonging