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.

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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

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