Something More Human

The thing that weighs heaviest the older we get? Regret. What does accepting the finitude of our own lives have to teach us about our values? Whether it's "rejection therapy" or building the muscle of saying "no," we're unpacking the art of doing nothing and the trap of convenience in favor of reclaiming our presence (especially in our ever busier world). Books and videos mentioned in this episode: Subscribe to our friend Jose's channel, all about dumbphonesFour Thousand Weeks by Oliver BurkemanSupport the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclusive episodes and more intimate ways of connecting.Stay Connected with Sam & ElliotLeave us a voicemail here! Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

We've been named the "Anti-Social Century," but are we truly opting out of in-person connection or have we been conditioned to retreat into isolation with our phones as companions? We're diving into how our culture may be the culprit, how we're unconsciously rewriting our sense of loneliness, and two questions that could radically reshape how you connect. Articles and videos mentioned in this episode:Becoming The Social Century, Something More HumanThe great friendship collapse: Inside The Anti-Social Century, Big ThinkThe Anti-Social Century, The AtlanticSupport the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclusive episodes and more intimate ways of connecting.Stay Connected with Sam & ElliotLeave us a voicemail here! Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

What did the ten friends we ask choose? Does spending money on others make you happier? Is $50 enough to get you out of a rut? What does budgeting reveal about our values? And what would happen if the government gave everyone $50 to spend on someone else every month? (Seriously, we did the math.)Sam & Elliot answer all of it and more.Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclusive episodes and more intimate ways of connecting.Stay Connected with Sam & ElliotLeave us a voicemail here! Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

It's creative. It's weird. It's way more meaningful than you'd expect. And it might just change how you gather.Born out of a tight budget and a desire to go deeper with the people in our life, we're uncovering how structure actually empowers people to open up, why public speaking isn’t just for big stages, and how to host your own with themes, time limits, and creative twists.Whether you're looking for affordable hangout ideas, tips on meaningful connection, or creative ways to deepen your friendships, this episode is your invitation to grab some friends and host your own PowerPoint party. Leave us a voicemail here and tell us how it went!Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclusive episodes and more intimate ways of connecting.Stay Connected with Sam & ElliotGrab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

If a year can feel like just a moment, what does that say about 270 days, or our lives for that matter? By the time Elliot is 60 he calculates he'll only have had 270 days with the people he loves the very most. How can he make those 270 days feel like a lifetime? Elliot thinks he has the answer. Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclusive episodes and more intimate ways of connecting.Stay Connected with Sam & ElliotLeave us a voicemail here! Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

Sam wakes up in a dream—and inside that dream, a quiet, powerful desire surfaces. What unfolds is a search for something deeper than happiness. Together, Sam and Elliot explore our relationship to fulfillment, the difference between chasing and building, and what it really takes to feel at home in your own life. From fuzzy dream guides to mind movies and mac n cheese, this episode asks: What’s the one feeling you might be overlooking… and why does it matter so much?Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclusive episodes and more intimate ways of connecting.Stay Connected with Sam & ElliotLeave us a voicemail here! Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

Did you know Gen Zers will spend 19.2 years of their life on their phone? We might just be losing our minds to our screens, but there's something we can do about it. Digital Dementia is a real term coined in 2012 by neuroscientist Dr. Manfred Spitzer, which refers to cognitive decline caused by excessive screen use, often mimicking symptoms of early dementia like forgetfulness, mental fatigue, and attention issues. Doesn't seem possible that it could be happening to people in their 20's and 30's but it can, and it is.Elliot admits he's addicted to his phone and shares a recent story about a lapse in memory that made him realize just how serious the problem really is. Sam and Elliot share their theory on connection being the antidote, and how spaces like The Company in Denver that are organically creating the kind of environment that can get us off our screens, help us to recover cognitively, and return to real life.Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclusive episodes and more intimate ways of connecting.Stay Connected with Sam & ElliotLeave us a voicemail here! Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok Articles we discussed in this episode:Understanding Digital Dementia and Cognitive Impact in the Current Era of the Internet

How do you deal with jealousy in friendship and friendship breakups? We sit down with Marissa Meizz, founder of No More Lonely Friends, to talk about the reality of friendship expectations, the hardest part of maintaining friendships as an adult, and why we should treat our friendships with the same care we treat our romantic relationships. Check out No More Lonely FriendsFollow No More Lonely Friends on InstagramFollow Marissa on Instagram and TikTokStay Connected with Sam & ElliotLeave us a voicemail here! Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

Sounds dramatic, but every friendship, opportunity, and connection starts with a conversation. So why is talking to strangers so hard? And how can we fix it?In this episode, we’re breaking down:Why our brains make socializing harder than it is6 simple ways to start conversations (even if you’re shy)The small talk debate: does it actually matter?What a perfect government would do about lonelinessArticles we discussed in this episode:Mistakenly Seeking Solitude, Epley, N.; Schroeder, J. Keep Talking: (Mis)understanding the hedonic trajectory of conversation, Kardas, M.; Schroeder, J.; O'Brien, E.Stay Connected with Sam & ElliotLeave us a voicemail here! Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok 

Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society. Exclusive episodes + ad free listening, and more intimate ways of connecting.We live in the Anti-Social Century—a world designed for isolation, where community has been replaced by convenience, and loneliness is at an all-time high. But if one cultural shift got us here, another can bring us out.In this episode, Elliot and Sam dive into:The hidden forces that made isolation our defaultWhy we underestimate the power of human connectionWhat would a perfect government do to rebuild community?The small, radical ways you can push backWe’re not just talking about a better world—we’re building it. Join us.Read the article we discuss in The Atlantic by Derek ThompsonStay Connected with Sam & ElliotLeave us a voicemail here! Grab your "A Little More Humani-tea" & shop our other merch!Follow us on Instagram & TikTok We need your help! Please take a moment to fill out this survey. Your feedback enables us to continue to make the show better. We appreciate you!