Shared Spaces, Shared Lives, and the Intimacy of Communal Living: Meet Johann Jacob and Helen Kinsella

Send us Fan MailJohann Jacob and Helen Kinsella, two residents of Co-Habitat Quebec's, join me to share their community in Quebec, Canada.  I met Johann at the Canadian Evaluation Society and he and his partner graciously hosted me and another friend for dinner at their community. I was excited to learn about this way of living in community. Johann and Helen share the history of Co-Habitat Quebec's  and how the architecture of daily interactions shapes a thriving community.Co-housing communities, as I learn, are not unique in the world or even the U.S.  In this episode we learn how shared responsibilities underpin these intentional spaces, from group meals to collective cleaning.  I ask Johann and Helen about practicalities, like how the community naviagtes things like personality clashes.We reflect on the transformative power of strong community ties for personal and societal well-being. We end by discussing how communal values could be infused in our own lives. Guest BiosHelen Kinsella has lived at Cohabitat Québec for five years with her partner Marc and her two daughters aged 13 and 10. A native of Ireland, she spent 12 years living in London, working in media and for non-profit organizations, with a particular interest in feminist and environmental issues and minority rights. She speaks several languages, and currently works part-time as a community interpreter and translator for Quebec City's health and social services. She was vice-chair of the Women's Environmental Network in London, a feminist charity with a particular concern for the environmental issues that affect women and minority communities. She believes that co-housing initiatives, coupled with strong and vibrant local communities, are a crucial way to achieve healthier and more fulfilling lives.Johann Lucas Jacob holds a Ph.D in measurement and evaluation from Université Laval. He is a research professional at the Quebec’s Observatory on climate change adaptation (Observatoire québécois de l’adaptation aux changements climatiques) (OQACC), a research center dedicated to the M&E of climate change adaptation. He is also a lecturer in evaluation at the faculty of medicine of Université Laval. Johann is the author of two books, as well as fifty scientific articles and evaluative research reports.Like what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts!Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions  How Ann  can help:·        Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.·        Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.·        Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.·        Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.·        Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.·        Speak at your conference or event.Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful.   Music by Zach Price: [email protected]