Why Our Friendships Stall (and How to Fix It)

Why does it feel harder than ever to get together with our friends? Why does every "we should hang out soon!" in a group text feel destined to peter out before it actually happens?

In this episode, we explore the modern “friendship recession" that started during the pandemic and hasn't changed back.

We discuss:

• the surprising finding that the quantity of one's friendships matters at least as much as the quality
• how to set the bar for in-person gatherings a little lower
• why having three old friends is good, but bringing new people in migh be even better
• practical ways to build more connection into everyday life

Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:

• Kathleen Walsh for The Cut: "I Should Be Allowed to Cold-Call My Friends”
• Erica Pandey for Axios: Americans of all ages are spending less time socializing
• Derek Thompson for The Atlantic: The Anti-Social Century
• Russell Contreras for Axios: 15,000 churches could close this year amid religious shift in U.S.
• Daniel A. Cox for Survey Center on American Life blog: Yes, Having More Friends is Better
• Daniel A. Cox for Survey Center on American Life newsletter: America’s “Friendship Recession” Is Weakening Civic Life
• H.K. Collins, et. al. for the Proceedings of the Natural Academy of Sciences: Relational diversity in social portfolios predicts well-being

What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables.

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