Why Our Friendships Stall (and How to Fix It)

Why does it feel harder than ever to get together with our friends? Why does every "we should hang out soon!" in a group text feel destined to peter out before it actually happens?

In this episode, we explore the modern “friendship recession" that started during the pandemic and hasn't changed back.

We discuss:

the surprising finding that the quantity of one's friendships matters at least as much as the quality

how to set the bar for in-person gatherings a little lower

why having three old friends is good, but bringing new people in migh be even better

practical ways to build more connection into everyday life

Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:

Kathleen Walsh for The Cut: "I Should Be Allowed to Cold-Call My Friends”

Erica Pandey for Axios: Americans of all ages are spending less time socializing

Derek Thompson for The Atlantic: The Anti-Social Century

Russell Contreras for Axios: 15,000 churches could close this year amid religious shift in U.S.