In this episode of Table Pancakes, Katherine and Shelbi tackle the age-old debate: Should we leave the house? And if so… where to? From membership clubs to finding Cheers-like community spots, we explore how our social habits have evolved and what creating meaningful connections in today’s world means.

Finding Comfort (or Inconvenience) in Third Places

• The rise of membership clubs as built-in communities—but at a cost (inspired by The Stanza Podcast episode Exclusivity Sells featuring Annabel Schwartz).
• The pandemic, economic shifts, and changing priorities have redefined where (and how) we spend our time, money, and energy.
• The role of social media in shaping restaurant culture—creating both friction and rare, exceptional dining experiences.

Overcoming Strange Places and Unfamiliar Faces

• The search for “Cheers” spots that feel like home, with a low barrier to entry for meeting people.
• Finding common ground (hobbies, interests, goals) when navigating new spaces and social circles.

Balancing Fringe Friends and Solo Time

• Juggling the need for alone time with maintaining casual friendships (inspired by Business Insider’s America Is Facing a ‘Fringe Friend’ Crisis by Juliana Kaplan).
• Adapting to a world where more people live far from family, making friendships and chosen communities more critical than ever.

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