Rebuilding Community: Lessons in Trust, Service & Positivity

In this heart-opening episode of The YAM Podcast, I sit down with Chloe, Sapna, and Meg to explore the essential values that help rebuild and strengthen a connected, uplifting community. Together, we dive into the power of kindness, trust, service, and gratitude—and how these qualities shape our relationships, both within families and in the world around us.

Through personal stories and lived experiences, Chloe, Sapna, and Meg share how focusing on what’s good, avoiding negativity, and showing up for others can transform communities into spaces of genuine support and belonging.

In This Episode, We Explore:

🔹 Avoiding Gossip & Backbiting – How choosing kindness over criticism fosters trust
🔹 Magnifying the Good – Why seeing and celebrating virtues in others changes everything
🔹 Service & Giving – The power of generosity in building strong relationships
🔹 Trust & Vulnerability – Creating safe spaces for openness and healing
🔹 Joy in Giving & Gratitude – How appreciation fuels deeper connections
🔹 Shared Rituals & Lifelong Habits – Practices that strengthen bonds and inspire growth

This conversation is an invitation to reflect, connect, and bring more love and light into your own circles. Whether you’re looking to strengthen friendships, deepen your spiritual practice, or simply be a more present and supportive person, these insights offer a powerful roadmap for positive change.

🎧 Tune in and join us as we reflect, grow, and continue the journey together.

Here are the qualities I summarized of what it takes to build a community

1. Avoiding Backbiting and Gossip Focus on the good in others.

Refrain from speaking negatively about others, even in private conversations (e.g., with spouses or about children).

Hold each other accountable to these principles.

2. Magnifying the Good

Actively look for and highlight the virtues and positive qualities in others.

When discussing challenges (e.g., parenting struggles), balance them with reminders of the good.

3. Accountability and Mutual Support

Create a space where members hold each other accountable to shared values.

Offer encouragement and reminders of each other’s strengths during difficult moments.

4. Service and Giving Engage

in acts of service as a community (e.g., donation drives, tree planting, baking for others).

Teach children the value of service and giving, fostering a sense of purpose and connection to the wider world.

5. Focus on Light and Positivity

Meditate on and discuss the concept of "light" (inner light, divine light, etc.).

Encourage members to be a "light" for others by embodying virtues and spreading positivity.

6. Vulnerability and Trust

Foster an environment where members feel safe to be vulnerable and share their struggles.

Build trust by maintaining confidentiality and offering nonjudgmental support.

7. Shared Learning and Reflection

Study and reflect on spiritual or philosophical teachings together.

Apply these teachings in daily life and share personal experiences of growth and challenges.

8. Grace in Communication

Speak about others, including family members, with grace and kindness.

Avoid venting or airing grievances in ways that magnify faults.

9. Community Rituals and Practices

Incorporate shared rituals, such as meditation, prayer, or recitation of mantras (e.g., lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu).

Use these practices to remind members of their interconnectedness and higher purpose.

10. Celebrating Virtues

Create opportunities to celebrate and acknowledge acts of kindness, virtue, and growth (e.g., through WhatsApp groups or in-person sharing).

Encourage a culture of appreciation and recognition.

11. Focus on the Bigger Picture

Regularly remind members (and children) that life is about more than individual concerns.

Cultivate a sense of responsibility for the well-being of others and the world.

12. Intentional Effort and Consistency

Recognize that building a positive community requires ongoing effort, study, and practice.

Commit to continuous growth and improvement, both individually and collectively.

13. Inclusivity and Respect for Diversity

Welcome members from different religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.

Create a space where diverse perspectives are respected and valued.

14. Modeling Behavior for Children

Demonstrate the principles of the community in interactions with children.

Teach children to embody virtues, practice service, and focus on the good in others.

15. Joy in Giving

Emphasize the joy and fulfillment that come from giving and serving others.

Encourage members to find happiness in contributing to the well-being of the community and beyond.

16. Regular Reflection and Feedback

Periodically reflect on the group’s dynamics and practices.

Seek feedback from members to ensure the community remains aligned with its values and goals.

17. Shared Vision and Mantras

Use shared mantras or affirmations (e.g., lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu) to reinforce the group’s mission and values.

Regularly revisit the group’s purpose to stay aligned.

18. Encouraging Lifelong Habits

Aim to instill lifelong habits of virtue, service, and positivity in both adults and children.

Create experiences that help members internalize these values.

19. Team Spirit and Collaboration

Foster a sense of unity and teamwork through shared projects and activities.

Encourage collaboration and mutual support among members.

20. Gratitude and Appreciation

Cultivate a culture of gratitude by regularly expressing appreciation for one another.

Highlight the positive impact of each member’s contributions.

Our Origin Story

The YAM Podcast was born from 31 interviews with women across 12 countries and 25 cities, originally for a project called The Mama’s Daily Comfort Toolkit. These conversations provided deep insights into what brings comfort and connection, inspiring both the podcast and the Yoga Avec Moi Membership Portal (currently on pause).

Today, The YAM Podcast continues this mission by featuring authentic stories, expert insights, and heartfelt discussions on spirituality, motherhood, and personal growth.