

One Man's Impossible Quest — To Make Friends in Adulthood
10 snips Apr 21, 2021
Billy Baker, a journalist and author of "We Need to Hang Out: A Memoir of Making Friends," dives into the pressing issue of male loneliness. He shares his personal quest to forge friendships in middle age, emphasizing the unique challenges men face. Discussing the 'men's shed' movement, Billy highlights the importance of shared activities for building connections and encourages embracing social risk. Discover his insights on rekindling old friendships and the intentionality needed to navigate adult relationships.
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Male Loneliness
- Men are suffering from high loneliness due to a lack of social connection.
- Loneliness is a perception where desired social connections don't match actual connections.
Health Consequences of Loneliness
- Loneliness significantly increases the risk of various health problems, including heart disease, cancer, and premature death.
- It's even healthier to eat junk food with friends than healthy food alone, highlighting the importance of social connection.
Billy's Friendship Realization
- Billy Baker realized his own lack of close friendships after an editor asked him to write about male loneliness.
- He hadn't budgeted time for friendships, relying on his wife and kids' activities for social interaction.