How To Cultivate Intentional Community with Lauren Donahue

In this heartfelt episode, Lauren Salaun sits down with Lauren Donahue, a storyteller, adventurer, and relationship builder who has spent her life fostering meaningful connections. With a background in sports media and a deep passion for community, Lauren has navigated profound experiences—including egg donation, personal loss, and the transformative Camino retreat—that have shaped her perspective on faith, resilience, and personal growth.

Together, they explore themes of surrendering to God’s plan, overcoming feelings of unworthiness, and cultivating gratitude for life’s simplest pleasures. Lauren opens up about her emotional journey of freezing her own eggs, the unexpected relationships formed through her six egg donations, and how this experience reshaped her view of family, purpose, and faith. She also shares her lifelong dream of becoming a sports reporter, her mother’s initial resistance to her choices, and the lessons she has learned about trusting life’s direction.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the power of community and self-discovery, particularly through Lauren’s transformative experience on the Camino retreat. She shares how this spiritual pilgrimage became a teacher and provider, helping her navigate grief, personal loss, and the pursuit of a more peaceful, intentional life.

From handling negativity and criticism with humor and grace to embracing faith and resilience in the face of adversity, this episode is packed with wisdom on living with intention in 2025, no matter the chaos that unfolds.

Key Takeaways

• Every conversation has the potential to change lives.
• Surrendering to God's plan can lead to unexpected shifts.
• Feelings of unworthiness can hinder our connection with God.
• Surrounding ourselves with supportive people is essential.
• Redirecting negative thoughts helps us regain our purpose.
• Gratitude for simple things enhances daily life.
• Assuming the best can reduce unnecessary anxiety.
• Criticism is best handled with love and humor.
• Being positively delusional can lead to better outcomes.
• Personal experiences shape our understanding of faith and connection.