May 26, 2025

Hope That Transforms Community: A reflection on our conversation with Dr. Chan Hellman

Hope That Transforms Community: A reflection on our conversation with Dr. Chan Hellman

In this episode, hosts Peter, Josh, and Malissa discuss their conversation with Dr. Chan Hellman about the science of hope. They explore how hope requires goals, agency, and willpower—elements that can be shared within community. The hosts emphasize that the church is uniquely positioned to foster hope, especially for those in survival mode. They highlight that true hope isn't just believing things will improve, but actively participating in that improvement while supporting others. The conversation illustrates how intergenerational relationships allow people to "borrow hope" from others when they have none of their own, reinforcing the podcast's theme that while our journeys are individual, we walk paths that others have traveled before gleaning knowledge and hope from their experiences.