Today’s guest is life coach Brenda Bloczynski, who reached out to us to share about a friendship group she’s a part of with her church. It began as a “favorites” group that met via Marco Polo – a video messaging mobile app – right at the pandemic’s start. They shared favorite kitchen gadgets, make-up lines, hacks, etc.

Over time, it grew to become so much more. After lockdown, the women began meeting for regular dinners, breakfast clubs, and girls’ weekends. When one member was diagnosed with cancer, the rest gathered behind to support her.

Digital connection is “at our fingertips” all the time, but Brenda’s story shows us that what’s important is how we USE these tools. Hers is a beautiful example of how something so simple can grow into a flourishing, supportive community.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• Brenda’s story of how the Marco Polo group started and grew into what it is today – and how much of its success derives from being PRESENT with other people
• How people are often scared of big groups – but if you feel the magic of a group, you often want to bring others in so they can feel it too
• There is no “equal exchange” in friendship – and why instead, we should think about nourishing our friends using our natural gifts 
• How, as adults, society really champions the “catch-up” friends – but here, Brenda found a group of women to DO LIFE with as it happens, day by day.
• Group vacations, which are often most successful when you can break up and come back together at various points
• How Brenda’s friend group rallied around one of the members who was diagnosed with cancer

Resources & Links

Connect with Brenda on her website or on Instagram.

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