From Cities to Countryside: Why Redesigning Rural Spaces could hold the Key to Healthier Living | 004

Liandra Vianna's Journey towards Sustainable Rural Development & Tourism   In this episode, I speak with one of my former Mentees, Liandra Vianna, about her unique, non-linear career journey - from architecture, operations, and UX design to rural development and sustainable tourism.   Born in Rio de Janeiro and now living in Lisbon, Liandra opens up about how city life sparked her passion to address the mental and social toll of urbanization. She highlights the loneliness epidemic in crowded cities and the hidden costs of being disconnected from community - in comparison to smaller villages.   In her thesis, Liandra explored the demographic desertification of rural towns and how decentralizing people and resources could revive these spaces. Through touching field experiences in Italy and Portugal, she uncovers the barriers - such as lack of opportunity and funding - that prevent people and small businesses from thriving in rural areas. We also discuss systemic challenges, including governmental neglect and short-term political interests.   This episode offers a powerful reminder that small towns have significant potential - if given the chance and attention. Tune in for an honest and hopeful discussion on how reimagining rural life can lead to a more balanced and sustainable lifestyle - a stepping stone towards social regeneration.     💡 HIGHLIGHTS of this Episode ✨ Why and how Liandra is shifting from UX design to sustainable rural development ✨ About mental health challenges caused by urban living and isolation ✨ Learn about the concept of “demographic desertification” and its global impact ✨ Hear real stories from small towns in Portugal and Italy about barriers to entrepreneurship ✨ Explore ideas for how rural areas can become thriving, connected communities again   👋 ABOUT Liandra Vianna (she/her) Brazilian Operations Strategist and Experience Designer, passionate about rural development and sustainable tourism. She moved to Portugal 4 years ago to study how a designer's mindset and a systems-thinking approach could help boost rural development in demographic deserts across Europe.   🔗 CONNECT & follow Liandra's work 👉 LinkedIn   📚 RESOURCES to dive deeper ➡ The Lonely Century - Noreena Hertz ➡ The Biology of Belief - Bruce Lipton ➡ Rural Move - Organisation on Rural Entrepreneurship in Portugal that Liandra is associated with ➡ FELLA - Organisation on Rural Female Entrepreneurship in Germany that Pia's former Mentors founded     *** You want to experience the same transformative mentoring program as Liandra to pivot your career? ⬇️ Join the next cohort, today! 💕 🔔 Next Group Mentoring for #ImpactJobSeeker starts on April 1st ❗ 🔍 This is the program: https://impacthills.com/impactjobseeker-group-mentoring/ 👉 Sign-up here (limited spots!)   **** 💌 CONNECT & engage with Pia Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to follow and support each other’s work. 🤗   If you consider yourself an #impactjobseeker or aspiring #impactpreneur at the beginning of your journey, jump on my Newsletter “Impact Insights” where I regularly share tools and best practices from my work as a sustainability consultant and system change facilitator. 🤓⚖   For daily insights “behind the scenes” and event updates, join the extended community on the @work.with.impact Instagram account. 🧐💓   Take care of yourself and others! Pia 🤍   P.S. You can also watch this Episode on our YouTube Channel to see our faces 👋😊   #SustainableLiving #RuralDevelopment #DemographicChange #UrbanVsRural #Urbanism #SocialInnovation #SustainableTourism #CommunityBuilding #EnvironmentalJustice #LonelinessEpidemic #LifeBeyondCities #DigitalNomads #RuralBusiness #Entrepreneurship