Being Social Podcast

What does it actually mean to collaborate? Whether you're planning an event, building a community, or working with another business, a good collaboration takes more than just agreeing to work together.

This week, we're talking about what makes a collaboration work, from finding the right people and communicating expectations to dividing responsibilities, sharing expenses, and making sure everyone has a voice in the process.

We also get into some of the frustrations that can come with collaborating, like ghosting, unclear communication, and the difference between a true partnership and someone simply asking you to show up for their idea.

We share some of our own experiences working with venues and other community builders, why we don't see other social clubs as competition, and why a successful collaboration doesn't always have to be about making money.

For this week's Tell Me More, we're sharing personal goals we're working toward and what we're hoping to build next.

Follow Us

Jean

• Instagram: @commonplacesd
• Website: https://commonplacegroup.com/

Viviana

• Instagram: @sandiegogather
• Instagram: @booksandbrewsbc

Places & Brands Mentioned

• San Diego Wine Classic
• Lobby Tiki Bar
• Tequila Dos Artes
• Walkabout App
• Original 40 Brewing 
• Frenchy's Hideout
• YOU SHOULD READ Book Store

What We're Talking About

• What collaboration actually means
• Finding the right people and organizations to collaborate with
• Getting to know potential collaborators before planning something together
• Communication, expectations, and sharing responsibilities
• Ghosting and why a clear no is better than no response
• The difference between a real collaboration and simply being invited to participate
• Sharing decisions, marketing, expenses, and event responsibilities
• Working with venues and the importance of their support
• Why we don't see other social clubs and communities as competition
• Free events versus ticketed events
• Why not every community event needs to make money
• Why social media follower counts don't always tell the whole story
• Finding a fair way to divide responsibilities based on everyone's strengths

Music Credit: Original intro music created by David East.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and follow along. Share the episode with a friend and let us know what you think!

This week, we’re talking about communication in friendships and what it actually looks like to be a good communicator. From texting habits and response times to difficult conversations and social media, we’re getting into the little things that can make or break a friendship.

We discuss why being honest and open matters, when it's worth bringing up something that's bothering you, and why difficult conversations are usually better face-to-face than over text. We also debate some very important questions: Is liking a text message a response? Is a thumbs-up emoji passive-aggressive? And how long is too long to leave someone waiting for a reply?

We get into voice notes, FaceTime, group chats, social media expectations, and finding different ways to stay connected, especially with long-distance friends. Ultimately, communication looks different for everyone, but setting expectations, showing consideration, and actually using your words can go a long way in building stronger friendships.

Follow us!

Jean: @commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/
Viviana: @sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

What We're Talking About

• Why honest communication matters in friendships
• Knowing when to speak up about something that's bothering you
• Having difficult conversations in person versus over text
• Texting habits and how long is too long to respond
• Setting expectations when you're busy or not a big texter
• Voice notes, phone calls, FaceTime, and group chats
• Is liking a text message considered a response?
• Thumbs-up emojis, the dreaded "K," and other texting etiquette
• Social media expectations and why story views aren't real-life communication
• Finding ways to stay connected with long-distance friends
• Map tap https://maptap.gg/

Music Credit: Original intro music created by David East.

Like, subscribe, and follow along wherever you listen to podcasts. Share this episode with a friend and let us know your thoughts!

This week, we’re talking about social batteries and why some social situations leave us feeling energized while others make us want to go straight home and do nothing. From hanging out with friends and going to concerts to hosting events and meeting new people, we’re sharing what drains us, what recharges us, and how we know when we’ve had enough.

We get into why networking events can feel awkward, how hosting can be more stressful than just showing up, and why some of us need to plan ahead while others enjoy a last-minute invite. We also talk about picking up on other people’s emotions, needing time to recharge after a busy weekend, and why the people you’re with can make all the difference. Basically, we’re figuring out what fills our social batteries, what drains them, and how we try to find a balance.

Follow us!

Jean: @commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/
Viviana: @sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

What We’re Talking About

• What drains our social batteries and what helps us recharge
• Why some social situations are more exhausting than others
• Hosting events versus just showing up
• Networking events and meeting new people
• Picking up on other people’s emotions
• Last-minute plans, downtime, and saying no
• Weddings, concerts, house parties, and spending a whole weekend with friends

Music Credit: Original intro music created by David East.

Like, subscribe, and follow along wherever you listen to podcasts. Share this episode with a friend and let us know your thoughts!

A little pop culture moment! This week, we’re talking about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and how the friendships on reality TV can bring up some very real conversations about our own relationships. From speaking up when we’re worried about a friend to navigating boundaries, conflict, and what happens when friendships change, we’re getting into the messy parts of maintaining meaningful connections.

We talk about what it looks like to support a friend in an unhealthy relationship, how to handle disagreements without feeling like you have to pick sides, and why it can be so hard when a friend disappears into a romantic relationship. We also get into friendship fallouts, reconnecting after time apart, and the grief that can come with letting a friendship go.

Follow us!

Jean: @commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/
Viviana: @sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

What We’re Talking About

• The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
• Supporting friends in unhealthy relationships
• Boundaries, conflict, and communication
• When friendships take a backseat to romantic relationships
• Reconnecting after a falling out
• The grief of losing a friendship

Music Credit: Original intro music created by David East.

Like, subscribe, and follow along wherever you listen to podcasts. Share this episode with a friend and let us know your thoughts!

In this episode of Being Social, we’re joined by Kristin Martinez, VP of Events for the San Diego Food + Wine Festival, to talk about what goes into planning one of San Diego’s biggest food and wine events. With more than 20 years of festival history, there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes to bring it all together.

Kristin shares what it takes to coordinate hundreds of exhibitors, create memorable experiences, and make sure attendees, chefs, and sponsors all get something out of the festival. We talk about the importance of hospitality, the little details that can make or break an event, and how listening to attendees and vendors helps the festival evolve year after year.

We also get into the connections that happen behind the scenes, from chefs building relationships with each other to attendees discovering new favorite restaurants. Kristin shares how the festival is working toward its zero-waste goal through food recovery programs, battery-powered operations, and other sustainability efforts.

Plus, we talk about what makes the festival special, what Kristin is most excited about this year, and her tips for making the most of your experience, whether you're a longtime attendee or going for the first time.

Question of the Week:
What’s your favorite local event, and what makes it memorable for you?

Follow us:

@beingsocialpod

Kristin Martinez:

San Diego Food + Wine Festival: https://sandiegowineclassic.com/

Jean:

@commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/

Viviana:

@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Upcoming Events Mentioned:

• San Diego Food + Wine Festival: November 6–8, with additional events and experiences beginning November 1.
• Keep an eye on our social media for a Being Social giveaway featuring tickets to the festival!

Music Credit:

Original intro music created by David East

Don't forget to like, subscribe, follow, and share Being Social! We'll see you next week.

Politics and friendship can be a complicated combination. In this episode, we’re talking about what happens when you and your friends don’t see eye to eye politically, how much shared values matter, and when differences become too big to ignore.

We talk about whether you can be close friends with someone with very different political beliefs, how social media can make political disagreements harder, and setting boundaries both online and in real life.

We also get into having political conversations with friends and family, knowing when to speak up when someone says something offensive or discriminatory, and how asking questions can sometimes open the door to a better conversation.

With the midterm elections coming up, we talk about voting, why people sometimes don’t vote, and how making politics more accessible and less intimidating could help more people participate.

Want to register to vote or check your registration?
https://registertovote.ca.gov/

Plus, we introduce a new segment designed to deepen connections. This week’s question: How do you hope the people in your life see you?

Question of the Week:
How do you navigate friendships when you and your friends have different political beliefs or values?

Follow us:
@beingsocialpod

Jean:
@commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/events/

Viviana:
@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Upcoming Events Mentioned:

• San Diego Gather Postcard Writing + Book Swap: October 12 at Duck Foot in Leucadia.
• San Diego Gather Ballot Education Event: October 13 at AleSmith. A nonpartisan journalist will break down the propositions and help make the ballot easier to understand.

Music Credit:
Original intro music created by David East

Don't forget to like, subscribe, follow, and share Being Social! We’ll see you next week.

Friendships can change a lot when kids enter the picture. In this episode, we’re talking about what it’s like to have close friends who are parents when you don’t have kids yourself, and how those differences can affect a friendship.

We talk about the perspective that childfree friends can bring to conversations about parenting, while also recognizing that there are parts of parenthood we simply can’t understand from the outside. We get into knowing when to offer your opinion, when to keep it to yourself, and how to be supportive without overstepping.

We also talk about the reality of having different lifestyles, expectations, and priorities in a friendship, and how you can still show up for each other even when your lives look very different. Sometimes being a good friend means offering a different perspective, and sometimes it means just listening.

Plus, we talk about putting yourself out there, how much we’ve grown socially, and why creating judgment-free spaces where people can connect and be themselves is such an important part of friendship.

Question of the Week:
How do you navigate friendships when you and your friends have very different lifestyles or priorities?

Follow us:

@beingsocialpod

Jean:

@commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/

Viviana:

@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Upcoming Events Mentioned:

• Books & Brews Oktoberfest Meetup: October 2 at La Mesa Oktoberfest.
• Books & Brews Author Event: October 15 featuring San Diego author Lizzete S. Tupas and her book Always on a Tuesday. Location to be announced.
• Books & Brews / AFSP Walk: October 17 in Liberty Station. Register to participate in person or virtually and support suicide prevention awareness and fundraising.

Music Credit:

Original intro music created by David East

Don't forget to like, subscribe, follow, and share Being Social! We'll see you next week.

Making a new friend is one thing, but how do you turn that first connection into an actual friendship? We’re talking about what happens after meeting someone you click with, from following up and making plans to figuring out how much effort to put into a new connection.

We discuss the importance of reciprocity, overcoming the fear of rejection, remembering names, using calendars and reminders, and being intentional about staying in touch. We also talk about friendship “levels,” treating friend dates like dating, and knowing when to keep trying or let a connection naturally fade.

Whether you meet people through events, social media, mutual friends, or a shared interest, building friendships takes initiative. Sometimes you have to be the one to send the invite or make the next move.

Question of the Week: What’s one thing you do to turn a new connection into a friendship?

Follow us:

@beingsocialpod

Jean:

@commonplacesd + https://commonplacegroup.com/

Viviana:

@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Upcoming Events Mentioned:

• Commonplace Spanish Club: September 28 in Oceanside.
• Girls Who Paddle Witch's Paddle: October 4.
• San Diego Gather Rancho Bernardo Beer Festival Meetup: October 3.
• San Diego Gather Oktoberfest Meetup: October 2 at La Mesa Oktoberfest.
• San Diego Gather Crafting Event: October 22.
• Books & Brews October Book Club: October 15.

Music Credit:

Original intro music created by David East

Don't forget to like, subscribe, follow, and share Being Social! We'll see you next week.

This week on Being Social

This week on Being Social, we're talking about friendship and money, and why spending time with your friends doesn't have to be expensive.

We’re sharing our own experiences with splitting bills, navigating different financial situations, and figuring out how to be thoughtful about what our friends can comfortably spend. We talk about why it can be difficult to be upfront about money, how to say “that’s not in my budget right now,” and why being honest can actually strengthen a friendship.

We also get into the expectations that can make friendships feel expensive, from happy hours and dinners to planning outings with friends who may be in different stages of life. Plus, we talk about resentment, nickel-and-diming, paying people back, and how different approaches to money can affect a friendship.

And of course, we share some of our favorite low-cost and free ways to spend time together, including walks, picnics, beach days, sleepovers, game nights, book clubs, library trips, and finding free events in your community. Because friendship is about the time and experience, not how much money you spend.

Question of the week:
What’s your favorite way to spend time with friends that costs little to no money?

Music Credit:
Original intro music created by David East

Follow us:
@beingsocialpod

Jean:
@commonplacesd

Viviana:
@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc

Resources Mentioned:
Ramit Sethi: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/iwt-about-us/

This week on Being Social, we're talking about bridesmaids, bachelorette parties, and all the friendship drama that can come with weddings.

We’re sharing our own wedding experiences, including how many bridesmaids we had and whether we’d make the same choices today. We talk about choosing your bridal party, friendship fallouts, and what it really means to be a good bridesmaid.

We also get into bachelorette party expectations, from destination trips and themed outfits to how much is too much to ask your friends to spend. Plus, we debate whether it’s okay to say no to being a bridesmaid and whether you even need official bridesmaids at all.

And of course, we wrap things up with a rapid-fire round covering destination vs. local bachelorettes, bouquet tosses, wedding favors, photo booths, and more.

Question of the week:
Would you say yes to being a bridesmaid if you knew it was going to cost you a lot of money and time?

Music Credit:
Original intro music created by David East

Follow us:
@beingsocialpod

Jean:
@commonplacesd

Viviana:
@sandiegogather + @booksandbrewsbc