Prof. John Cuddeback reflects on why many students feel relationally unsatisfied in a hyper-connected world and shows how reclaiming embodied presence, intentional discernment of a few trustworthy friends, and technology-limited, silence-friendly communal spaces can restore the depth, vulnerability, and shared pursuit of the good that real friendship requires.

This lecture was given on September 23rd, 2025, at Virginia Military Institute.

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About the Speakers:

John A. Cuddeback, PhD, is professor of Philosophy at Christendom College, where he has taught for thirty years. He lectures widely on topics including friendship, fatherhood, virtue, homesteading, and household. His professional writings appear in various academic journals and books, and his book True Friendship was republished by Ignatius Press. His podcasts, blogging, and courses at LifeCraft are renowned for applying a timeless wisdom to life today.

Keywords: Bodily Presence, Discernment, Friendship, Interior Life, Intentional Friendship, Maturity, Prioritizing a Few Friends, Silence, Virtual Age Relationships, Vulnerability