245. Putting the ”Mate” Back in Teammate with Shayna Goodworth

2025-09-16

“Mateship is essentially a code of conduct that embodies friendship, equality, solidarity, and it's often forged in adversity.” “We all have something to give one another.” “Be generous with your time when you can.” Episode summary | In this episode of the Return on Generosity podcast, host Shannon Cassidy speaks with Shayna Goodworth, a yoga teacher and community builder, about the importance of generosity in both personal and professional settings. Shayna shares her journey from Australia to the United States, her understanding of mateship, and how she fosters community th...

“Mateship is essentially a code of conduct that embodies friendship, equality, solidarity, and it's often forged in adversity.”

“We all have something to give one another.”

“Be generous with your time when you can.”

Episode summary |

In this episode of the Return on Generosity podcast, host Shannon Cassidy speaks with Shayna Goodworth, a yoga teacher and community builder, about the importance of generosity in both personal and professional settings. Shayna shares her journey from Australia to the United States, her understanding of mateship, and how she fosters community through her initiative, Seagulls. The conversation delves into the healing power of the ocean, the significance of connection, and practical ways to be generous in our daily lives. Shayna emphasizes that generosity is not just about financial giving but about investing time and creating meaningful relationships.

R.O.G. Takeaway Tips |

We grow when we give.
Generosity is about being of service.
Mateship is a code of conduct that embodies friendship and equality.
Creating community is essential for combating loneliness.
Time is the most precious resource we have.
The ocean has profound healing effects on our well-being.
Mindfulness is about being aware of what's going on around us.
We all have something to give one another.
Home is where you make it, and it's in your heart.
Meditation is a crucial part of personal wellness.

Chapters |

00:00 Introduction to Generosity and Community

02:53 Shayna's Journey: From Australia to North Carolina

06:02 Understanding Mateship: Building Connections at Work

09:01 The Mateship Pyramid: Social Connections and Loneliness

12:13 Practical Ways to Be a Good Mate

14:53 Generosity in the Workplace: Personal Experiences

17:47 Seagulls Community: Women, Ocean, and Connection

22:06 Space Holding as Generous Leadership

24:52 Balancing Care for Others and Self-Care

28:05 Lessons from the Ocean: Healing and Growth

31:00 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Reflections

Guest Bio |

Shayna Goodworth has been a student of yoga since 2012 and to deepen her practice, she took part in a RYT200 hour program in the United Kingdom in 2021 and is passionate about Vinyasa, Yin & Trauma Informed styles of yoga along with meditation as a way to heal the body. Yoga is integral in her daily life and she is currently Longwave’s Yoga resident SeaGal facilitator, devoted to fostering community through a shared connection with the ocean.

Raised on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, her spiritual path began early through learning about the local environment and waterways. This instilled in Shayna a profound respect for nature and the power of place-based connection. Her vision for SeaGals at Longwave and Wrightsville Beach is rooted in this philosophy: to cultivate meaningful bonds among women and create space to ground, reflect, and honor ourselves in unity. Or simply, her mission is centered around Ocean, Women & Community. These three pillars have helped Shayna inform and hone her leadership styles of inclusion, authenticity and humility and she enters her first year as a 30 year old.

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