Explain It to Me cover image

Explain It to Me

Why is it so hard to make new friends?

Dec 4, 2024
Join Allie Volpe, a Vox senior reporter who focuses on friendship, and Keren Landman, MD, also from Vox, as they tackle the tricky terrain of making friends as adults. They discuss the isolation many feel in post-pandemic life and the importance of shared values. Discover practical strategies for initiating connections, the art of small talk, and even how to navigate friend-making apps. With personal anecdotes and relatable advice, this conversation is packed with insights to help you break down barriers to friendship!
44:37

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Navigating adult friendships necessitates intentional efforts to connect, especially after the social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Utilizing friendship apps and participating in community activities can significantly enhance the chances of meeting like-minded individuals for meaningful connections.

Deep dives

Struggles of Making Friends Post-Pandemic

Navigating adult friendships can be particularly challenging, especially following the social isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many individuals, like Claire, feel a sense of loneliness and struggle to connect with new people after returning to normalcy. The concept of the 'Seattle freeze' highlights the difficulty of forming connections in certain environments, where people may seem friendly but seldom follow through on plans. This shift in social dynamics emphasizes the need for intentional efforts to build friendships and find a sense of community.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode