What is a Good Life? #70 - Building & Supporting Community with Holly Penalver

On the 70th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce our guest, Holly Penalver. Holly is the founder of Indigo Volunteers, a remarkable charity that has made a significant impact on the lives of tens of thousands of refugees. By placing thousands of volunteers with grassroots partners, Indigo provides essential aid, healthcare, education, skills workshops, and vital services to refugees along the European migratory route. Having spent years in the field, working hands-on in places like Greece, Serbia, and Bosnia, she now works for the disaster relief charity ShelterBox as their Volunteer Development Manager.

In this conversation, Holly takes us on her journey of supporting and building community, inspired by the support she felt at home, to setting up Indigo Volunteers. She talks about the significance of both being willing to accept and give help, the importance of forgiving ourselves, letting go of right and wrong, the realisation that multiple things can be true at the same time, and how we are not as important as we think. Which can all help release us to do more good in the world.

Throughout this conversation, it's clear that Holly is someone who takes action when she notices something missing that could support the community. Whether it's within our communities or even in our own personal lives where we observe a lack of necessary action, there is much inspiration to draw from her energy and the perspectives shared in this episode.

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For further content and information check out the following:

- Indigo Volunteers: https://www.indigovolunteers.org/

- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
- My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/

Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs, executive team coaching programs to build trust and connection amongst executive teams or silent retreats for executive teams.

Running Order:
02:55 Podcast begins
03:55 What is going wrong with our communities

07:50 The importance of accepting help

12:25 Connection of upbringing and self-worth

18:10 The significance of forgiving ourselves

21:58 We are not as important as we think

25:38 Letting go of black and white thinking

30:01 Realising we all hold different perceptions

33:45 Being aware of what others need

39:45 The joy of feeling connected with community

43:25 Inspiration for establishing a charity

47:10 Empathy and desire to help others

51:45 Balancing family and helping others

54:55 What is a good life for Holly?