Something More Human

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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• Leave us a voicemail here! 
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Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society. Exclusive episodes + ad free listening, and more intimate ways of connecting.

We live in the Anti-Social Century—a world designed for isolation, where community has been replaced by convenience, and loneliness is at an all-time high.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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• Leave us a voicemail here! 
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Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society. Exclusive episodes + ad free listening, and more intimate ways of connecting.

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.

Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot

• Leave us a voicemail here! 
• Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!
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A device that can read your mind… and it’s available for pre order?! Sam and Elliot talk about its potential positive applications; the return of the Humanity Is In the Comment Section segment & more. Support the show on Patreon and become a Something More Society member! 
 
We have a live event coming up very soon! Our first live podcast & gameshow is taking place at the Denver Press Club on January 30, at 6p. It’s nearly sold out so don’t wait to grab your tickets if you live in Denver and want to experience something truly unique and exciting! Tix: somethingmorehuman.co/nighttimesecretsociety

Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot

• Dive deeper with The Something More Society! Exclusive mini episodes + ad-free listening, and the opportunity to connect directly with us and fellow listeners.
• Leave us a voicemail! https://somethingmorehuman.co/mail 
• Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!
• Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

In preparation for this episode, we did a 48 dopamine detox where we stayed off social media and spent as little time on our phones as possible. Now, we're sharing our dopamine menu items and challenging you to discover what makes you smile and belongs on your own dopamine menu.

Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot

• Dive deeper with The Something More Society! The go-to place to level up your connection, community, and collaboration. By joining The Something More Society, you’ll gain access to vibrant community chat channels, our monthly Book Club, exclusive mini episodes + ad-free listening, and the opportunity to connect directly with us and fellow listeners.
• Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!
• Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

What scripts are shaping your life without you even realizing it? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Peck to explore how small moments—like starting a conversation or choosing kindness—can create powerful ripple effects. We talk about embracing vulnerability, navigating the tension of being "too much," and uncovering the hidden narratives that guide our decisions.

Packed with insights and personal stories, this episode will inspire you to reclaim your curiosity, reframe your connections, and live your life like a story worth telling.

Pick up Chris' brand new book, ACTive Communication: How to Command Any Audience in Your Business and Your Life HERE!

Follow Chris on Instagram & visit his website

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Looking for a way to support the show and find community while you're at it? Support our Patreon, The Something More Society to level up your connection, community, and collaboration. You'll gain access to exclusive mini episodes, chat channels, our monthly book club, ad-free listening, and the opportunity to connect with us and our other supporters!

Grab yourself some "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!

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From growing up in a trailer park eating ketchup soup as a child to COO of the world’s largest art dealer, John Block talks with us about imposter syndrome, fear of failure, and how to know when you’ve outgrown a friendship.

Thank you so much to The Clayton Hotel & Member's Club for hosting our live podcast and sponsoring this episode! Learn more about membership or plan your next Denver stay at The Clayton HERE.

Stay Connected with John Block

• Follow John on Instagram
• Learn more about Park West Gallery

Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot

• Dive deeper with The Something More Society! The go-to place to level up your connection, community, and collaboration. By joining The Something More Society, you’ll gain access to vibrant community chat channels, our monthly Book Club, exclusive mini episodes + ad-free listening, and the opportunity to connect directly with us and fellow listeners.
• Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!
• Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

Hanging upside down from a hot air balloon to pick cotton with some friends; a reluctant trip to New Mexico turns into 33 years of never missing the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and an induction into the Balloon Fiesta hall of fame; turning two balloon pins into 200,000 pins. We dug through our communities and connections to find some iconic characters of the worlds largest hot air balloon festival to talk to them about finding community, healthy addictions, fulfilling childhood dreams of flying on the tops of trees. Truly a cast like no other.

Sam and I have been attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for nearly three decades, and it never gets old. Never. If you’ve never been to the festival, here’s your sign.

Christmas gift: check! Shop for you new favorite game or puzzle at Puzzled! A truly special thanks to some of our favorite people and a one of a kind small business, located in the heart of Old Town, Albuquerque. In an increasingly digital world, Puzzled brings the tangible joy of puzzles and the communal experience of shared problem-solving with handcrafted games you won’t find anywhere else.

Use code SMHPodcast for 10% off at Puzzled

Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot

• Dive deeper with The Something More Society! The go-to place to level up your connection, community, and collaboration. By joining The Something More Society, you’ll gain access to vibrant community chat channels, our monthly Book Club, exclusive mini episodes + ad-free listening, and the opportunity to connect directly with us and fellow listeners.
• Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!
• Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

How does loneliness impact our health and what can we do about it? We just wrapped up The Art and Science of Connection by social scientist Kasley Killam in The Something More Society book club and we're unpacking our key takeaways, outlining how you can benefit from feeling connected in your day to day life.

Sam takes us back to a research fellowship she did in 2017, reminding us that community and connection are key elements in our overall health and confidence.

A 2018 study identifies "The Liking Gap," how we systematically underestimate how much people actually like us.

Elliot reminds us that limiting beliefs can hide in plain sight and how he's tackling his own. 

Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot

• Dive deeper with The Something More Society! The go-to place to level up your connection, community, and collaboration. By joining The Something More Society, you’ll gain access to vibrant community chat channels, our monthly Book Club, exclusive mini episodes + ad-free listening, and the opportunity to connect directly with us and fellow listeners.
• Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!
• Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

Self-love isn’t a quick fix; it’s a journey made up of small, intentional choices.

Elliot unpacks his toughest questions with our guest, Sarah: How did she learn to embrace herself, even in difficult moments? This episode doesn’t offer a ‘perfect’ solution, but instead, explores the real steps toward self-acceptance that anyone can try. With surprising tools, and reflections from Sam, this is your invitation to start shifting self-talk from criticism to compassion—one step at a time.

Finally, we wrap up with Sarah sharing her favorite 3 questions to learn more about yourself and the people around you. Pause the episode after each question and share your answers with us!

Stay Connected with Sarah Smyth
Sarah is the incredible visionary behind the brand Raw & Rebellious and host of the Raw Intentions podcast. 

• Shop Raw & Rebellious & Follow them on Instagram
• Listen to Raw Intentions & Follow the show on Instagram
• Follow Sarah on Instagram

Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot

• Dive deeper with The Something More Society! The go-to place to level up your connection, community, and collaboration. By joining The Something More Society, you’ll gain access to vibrant community chat channels, our monthly Book Club, exclusive mini episodes + ad-free listening, and the opportunity to connect directly with us and fellow listeners.
• Grab your "IF NOT LOVE THEN WHAT" hat, your new favorite tea & shop our other merch!
• Follow us on Instagram & TikTok