You send out party invitations and… crickets. Or worse — a wall of “maybe” and no-shows. Are parents today just too busy, too anxious, or too uninterested to connect? Justin and Kylie tackle the growing epidemic of “commitment-phobia” among modern parents and uncover why it’s harder than ever to build the village our kids desperately need. From loneliness to overload to digital distractions, you’ll learn the real reasons parents opt out — and four surprisingly simple ways to bring connection back.

If you’ve ever wondered why it feels like you’re parenting alone — and how to change that — this is the episode you need.

KEY POINTS:

Why today’s parents avoid social commitments (and it’s not just post-COVID).
The collapse of “enforced proximity” and accidental connection.
Why loneliness is now a public health crisis.
How treating community like a marketplace keeps us isolated.
The role of emotional overload and overstimulation.
4 actionable ways to rebuild your village — one parent at a time.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:

"Other people matter. The community you’re craving already exists — it’s just hiding behind the same fears and overwhelm you’re feeling."

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Submit your tricky parenting questions here

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

Create low-stakes, frequent opportunities for connection — coffee catch-ups, quick chats at pick-up, or a casual park playdate.
Focus on contribution: ask “What can I give?” instead of “What’s in it for me?”
Schedule digital downtime daily — put your phone down and reclaim your mental space.
Don’t fear rejection. Keep showing up. Start with one parent and build from there.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 046 | Cities: Wayne Gordon & Chris Horst