418: How to grow your inner circle

05/30/19 • 40 min

On this week's episode of Humanize Me, Bart Campolo answers this question:

"I just read an article saying that, like me, the average American has just one close friend, and 1 in 4 of us have none at all. I want to fight the 'loneliness epidemic' and have decided to make a really big effort to seek out more meaningful connections. Over the years, I've been letting my average friendships naturally die in order to concentrate on finding people with whom I more deeply connect, but potential soulmates are hard to find. Where do I find new close friends?"

Takeaways: Some places, some people, some periods of time, lend themselves better than others to making friends; don't let 'average friendships' die but 'frack' them for deeper connections; the best friendships are often forged with average people by those with the skills to do it; join groups; be bold and strike early while the stakes are low.

All eight sessions of long-form conversation between Bart and his famous evangelical father, Tony Campolo, recorded for the film Leaving My Father’s Faith, are now available to Patreon supporters (become one easily) at BartCampolo.org/Campolo-Sessions.

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Humanize Me is hosted by Bart Campolo and is produced by John Wright at JuxMedia.com.

Previous Episode

417: Dave Warnock is dying out loud

'I’m in no hurry to exit this world. I love this world, I love life, I love people, I love community, I love humanity, I love conversations, I love sex, I love all the things that make life good. I love a good cigar, I love to have my bourbon, I love a good meal, I love seeing a sunset at the ocean.' - Dave Warnock on Humanize Me. Dave is a former pastor turned humanist who earlier this year was diagnosed with ALS. In response to his diagnosis, a community of secular people rallied around Dave, and they believe his story and attitude is an inspiration. We agree!

Next Episode

419: Restoration after tragedy, with Dr. Kate Wiebe

When a tragedy happens, people tend to run from the pain. Dr. Kate Wiebe runs toward it. Kate is the founder and director of the Institute for Trauma and Growth, which started with a focus on faith communities and has since expanded. When a mass shooting, disaster or other tragedy strikes, Kate and her team deploy to teach leaders restorative strategies for personal and group growth. In this episode, Bart Campolo talks with Kate about what she's learned about trauma and crises, why people don’t go to counseling, collective trauma, the bond of survivors, healing, the role of faith and (even secular) spirituality, being heard, resiliency and more.