178: How 15 Women Have Maintained 19 Years of Unbreakable Long-Distance Community with Leslie Hepburn
Summary
Host Shannon Laco interviews friend Leslie Hepburn about maintaining their 20-year bond with the Newport Pearls, a college a cappella group. They discuss how annual retreats, diligent communication, and shared vulnerability sustain their long-distance community. The episode highlights practical strategies for navigating life transitions, resolving conflicts, and pooling resources to support one another through major events like illness and parenthood.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Zenni, K-12, and Accenture
Intro: Pairing Down and guest Leslie Hepburn
Origin story: Meeting in the college a cappella group
The creative bond of self-led music arrangements
The first retreats and realizing the friendship's depth
Navigating life transitions: Graduation and motherhood
Sponsors: Boll & Branch, Zazzle, and Quince
Logistics: How the annual retreats are organized
Financial boundaries and shared costs
Staying connected: Emails and supporting each other
Conflict resolution and accepting differences
The value of long-term community and authenticity
Outro and final sponsor messages
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