We've been named the "Anti-Social Century," but are we truly opting out of in-person connection or have we been conditioned to retreat into isolation with our phones as companions? We're diving into how our culture may be the culprit, how we're unconsciously rewriting our sense of loneliness, and two questions that could radically reshape how you connect. 

Articles and videos mentioned in this episode:

• Becoming The Social Century, Something More Human
• The great friendship collapse: Inside The Anti-Social Century, Big Think
• The Anti-Social Century, The Atlantic

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What did the ten friends we ask choose? Does spending money on others make you happier? Is $50 enough to get you out of a rut? What does budgeting reveal about our values? And what would happen if the government gave everyone $50 to spend on someone else every month? (Seriously, we did the math.)

Sam & Elliot answer all of it and more.

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It's creative. It's weird. It's way more meaningful than you'd expect. And it might just change how you gather.

Born out of a tight budget and a desire to go deeper with the people in our life, we're uncovering how structure actually empowers people to open up, why public speaking isn’t just for big stages, and how to host your own with themes, time limits, and creative twists.

Whether you're looking for affordable hangout ideas, tips on meaningful connection, or creative ways to deepen your friendships, this episode is your invitation to grab some friends and host your own PowerPoint party. 

Leave us a voicemail here and tell us how it went!

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If a year can feel like just a moment, what does that say about 270 days, or our lives for that matter? By the time Elliot is 60 he calculates he'll only have had 270 days with the people he loves the very most. How can he make those 270 days feel like a lifetime? Elliot thinks he has the answer. 

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Sam wakes up in a dream—and inside that dream, a quiet, powerful desire surfaces. What unfolds is a search for something deeper than happiness. Together, Sam and Elliot explore our relationship to fulfillment, the difference between chasing and building, and what it really takes to feel at home in your own life. From fuzzy dream guides to mind movies and mac n cheese, this episode asks: What’s the one feeling you might be overlooking… and why does it matter so much?

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Did you know Gen Zers will spend 19.2 years of their life on their phone? We might just be losing our minds to our screens, but there's something we can do about it. Digital Dementia is a real term coined in 2012 by neuroscientist Dr. Manfred Spitzer, which refers to cognitive decline caused by excessive screen use, often mimicking symptoms of early dementia like forgetfulness, mental fatigue, and attention issues. Doesn't seem possible that it could be happening to people in their 20's and 30's but it can, and it is.

Elliot admits he's addicted to his phone and shares a recent story about a lapse in memory that made him realize just how serious the problem really is. Sam and Elliot share their theory on connection being the antidote, and how spaces like The Company in Denver that are organically creating the kind of environment that can get us off our screens, help us to recover cognitively, and return to real life.

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Articles we discussed in this episode:

• Understanding Digital Dementia and Cognitive Impact in the Current Era of the Internet

How do you deal with jealousy in friendship and friendship breakups? We sit down with Marissa Meizz, founder of No More Lonely Friends, to talk about the reality of friendship expectations, the hardest part of maintaining friendships as an adult, and why we should treat our friendships with the same care we treat our romantic relationships. 

Check out No More Lonely Friends

Follow No More Lonely Friends on Instagram

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Sounds dramatic, but every friendship, opportunity, and connection starts with a conversation. So why is talking to strangers so hard? And how can we fix it?

In this episode, we’re breaking down:
Why our brains make socializing harder than it is
6 simple ways to start conversations (even if you’re shy)
The small talk debate: does it actually matter?
What a perfect government would do about loneliness

Articles we discussed in this episode:

• Mistakenly Seeking Solitude, Epley, N.; Schroeder, J. 
• Keep Talking: (Mis)understanding the hedonic trajectory of conversation, Kardas, M.; Schroeder, J.; O'Brien, E.

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We live in the Anti-Social Century—a world designed for isolation, where community has been replaced by convenience, and loneliness is at an all-time high. But if one cultural shift got us here, another can bring us out.

In this episode, Elliot and Sam dive into:
The hidden forces that made isolation our default
Why we underestimate the power of human connection
What would a perfect government do to rebuild community?
The small, radical ways you can push back

We’re not just talking about a better world—we’re building it. Join us.

Read the article we discuss in The Atlantic by Derek Thompson

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On January 30, in Denver, Colorado, we brought together 52 strangers, gave them each an equal voice and role to play, created structured rules and an atmosphere of deep engagement and we witnessed firsthand how intentional gatherings can spark meaningful connection, purpose, and belonging. We collected answers from attendees to take the segment "humanity is in the comment section" to the next level, sharing real responses from real people in the room on topics like loneliness, purpose, inspiration, and one rule or law for a better society. 

Learn more about The Denver Press Club. 

Visit Somebody People in Denver. They made the dinner at our event in Denver possible, and might just be the best vegetarian restaurant in all of Colorado.

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