Connecting Beyond Apps & AI

How will AI impact how people connect with religion, faith, and community? In this fascinating episode we talk with Jeremy Kirshbaum, CEO of Handshake, a generative AI strategy and development consultancy. ( https://www.handshake.fyi/) 00:00 Intro02:37 About Jeremy05:06 Why AI & faith?08:46 Why 'faith' is an unusual domain for AI13:53 How Rabbis received the AI Talmud17:46 Other uses of AI in faith & meaning21:51 How to tackle the risks AI poses23:09 Do we need laws against media that's too appealing?27:00 Adding friction to the path of least resistance28:36 A bright vision of the future

Why is studying modern human connection so interesting and important? What is 'the loneliness epidemic', and why are Americans lonelier than ever? (And why are we hardwired to hate the word 'loneliness'?)Why is improving our national 'social health', that is, our strength and network of relationships, the challenge of our times?In this foundational episode, we give you the 411 on an emerging and FASCINATING field of study-- social health-- and tease its impact on every aspect of modern American (and global) life.00:00 Welcome, & fast facts02:18 Jackie Intro - a therapist's perspective05:43 Why this matters to us10:41 Stigma & Cavemen15:21 The opportunity & challenge before us22:38 Reframing the problem25:24 AI chatbots28:13 A positive vision & call to action

In this interview, Boston College Professor of Sociology Charles Derber shares and discusses the research in his book Bonfire: American Sociocide, Broken Relations, and the Quest for Democracy

Why is the field of UX Research more important than ever? How does UX Research and human-centered design factor into the AI revolution?In this episode we sit down and discuss why paying attention to and learning from humans is more important than ever in a world of AI.01:04 About Katy & UX Research04:09 The role of UX Research in AI10:49 UXR matters more than ever17:19 The role of Ethics in AI26:25 Social Upskilling30:37 The future of UXR36:29 Final messages & takeaways

In this episode, we interview Irad Eichler, CEO of Circles, a technology company that enables people to find and join support groups for $15/month. We discuss how to design meaningful ways for people to connect at scale, the role of hope, empathy, and belonging in communities, how AI functions into loneliness, and how to develop meaningful metrics to evaluate impact.Circles: https://circlesup.com/Connecting Beyond: https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/00:00 Intro & About Circles03:28 Designing the journey for comfort05:10 The 167 Hour Problem09:41 Articulating the value of groups13:53 Introducing the concept of groups21:30 The value of narrowly scoped groups23:50 Advice to other founders25:23 The risk of convenience29:19 Using tech to scale vs. communicate34:56 Irad's message for listeners

What resources are available to help men decide if they want to become a father? Also, Andrew shares his fascinating intercontinental Tinder love story.How can men (or anyone) decide if being a parent is right for them?What are some useful frameworks to help people decide if they want to become a parent?How can you navigate perfectionism in dating apps?How cultivating ego prevents connectionEpisode links:The Dad Questionhttps://www.thedadquestion.com/Connecting Beyond Apps & AI:⁠⁠https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/connecting.beyond.podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://interfaceofus.substack.com/⁠⁠00:00 Introduction01:04 Basic research on birthrate decline02:32 Andrew's love story & journey to fatherhood19:32 The Dad Question25:56 Setting goals & defining legacy27:38 When to answer the dad question31:59 The Dad Question's resources37:40 Tackling loneliness in fatherhood41:45 Projecting a positive future44:24 One step to take today: be tactical about reflecting on goals⁠

In a more egalitarian world, what does gender polarity look like? How can you invite polarity into your life (if you want to), and how does polarity play out in app interactions?How you can identify your relationship to polarityHow to play with polarityHow to communicate as you want in online interactionsThe role of AI in self-developmentEpisode links:Maya Diamond:⁠https://www.instagram.com/mayadiamond.empowerlove/⁠ empowerlove.us/apply https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewire-your-attachment-style-with-maya-diamond/id1499735786Connecting Beyond Apps & AI:⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/connecting.beyond.podcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://interfaceofus.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠00:00 Introduction⁠⁠⁠01:34 Research on polarity in dating02:52 Maya's journey to being a coach05:16 Describing/defining polarity06:48 Polarity in a world redefining identity16:00 How tech has impacted polarity18:51 Importance of play in polarity24:04 Social media & risk tolerance26:52 AI & Dating33:28 Emotions in polarity38:32 One step to take today

How the technology we consume and tools we use impact our attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, secure), and how to cultivate better attachment styles.How tech developers' insecure attachment styles are built into their platformsHow to cultivate secure attachment with our technologyHow to use AI to improve your attachment style without becoming emotionally reliant upon itEpisode links:Reema Rana:https://www.instagram.com/reemaranaheals/Connecting Beyond Apps & AI:⁠https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/connecting.beyond.podcast/⁠⁠https://interfaceofus.substack.com/⁠00:00 Introduction01:01 Research on attachment styles03:18 How tech impacts attachment07:01 AI relationships: too safe?11:48 Habit forming tech & attachment13:44 Building resilience 18:09 Individualism & attachment26:49 Secure attachment at scale32:03 Takeaways & one step to take today

Why AI relationships represent a major temptation, why to resist it, and how to set strong boundaries. Including:The impact of AI relationships on childhood developmentWhy AI relationships are like breathing through a strawWhy emotional numbing via smartphone use leads to skills atrophyEnvisioning a positive future where connecting in real life is the cool thing to doEpisode links:Leanne | Mindful Techhttps://www.youtube.com/@RebootingConnectionConnecting Beyond Apps & AI:⁠https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/connecting.beyond.podcast/⁠⁠https://interfaceofus.substack.com/⁠00:00 Introduction02:08 Research on AI relationships03:55 How Leanne got into AI06:37 Building resilience against AI dependency14:48 The risk of AI on childhood17:51 The power of oxytocin18:40 Choosing AI or reality23:01 How AI impacts self-image27:01 Nobody should own reality33:59 The role of community36:49 Social norms & media addiction40:29 Media as diet42:26 A positive future44:57 One thing you can do today

Exploring the return of structured in-person dating communities with Jennifer Mann, CEO and founder of Meet at the Mirror, an Austin-based intentional dating community.How in-person dating communities are a remedy to dating app fatigue and design problemsWhy investing in community is worth it compared to the 'instant results' promise of dating appsParadox of choice & the shopping mindset in apps vs. real-life connectionThe value of community beyond just finding your significant otherHow to find the right communities for youEpisode links:Meet at the Mirror:https://www.meetatthemirror.com/ https://www.instagram.com/meet.at.the.mirror/Connecting Beyond Apps & AI:https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/connecting.beyond.podcast/https://interfaceofus.substack.com/00:00 Intro01:01 Research on dating apps02:31 What is Meet at the Mirror?04:22 Investing in community09:38 Marketing a non-dopamine based dating solution12:44 Balancing play & learning19:31 Growth vs. Accepting yourself24:33 Scaling in-person dating 32:41 How to find community35:21 How to take risks

In this episode, we explore the relationship between empathy, community, and mental health vis a vis social media and AI. How can social media lead people to hyper-focus on themselves, and what's the cost of that self-focus?How can AI create filter bubbles that isolate people from community?How does community and belonging counter some of the more dangerous risks posed by social media and AI?What can everyday people do to bolster their social wellness?About Janelle:Janelle S. Peifer, PhD, LCP, is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Richmond. She leads Peifer Psychology (peiferpsychology.com) as a speaker and consultant for higher education institutions and organizations committed to fostering environments where all individuals can thrive and reach their full potential. In addition, as a licensed clinical psychologist, she founded The Center for Inclusive Therapy + Wellness (inclusivetherapywellness.com) and leads Fleurish Psychotherapy (www.fleurishpsychotherapy.com). Dr. Peifer earned her PhD in Clinical and School Psychology at the University of Virginia Curry School of Education and is an alumna of Wake Forest University. Her research examines college student development centering on questions of identity/culture, and mental health, with a focus on complex trauma. She has contributed to over 50 public scholarship and media engagements in venues such as HBO, The Boston Globe, SELF, The New York Times, The Guardian, and Science.00:00 Intro & research02:53 The connection b/w empathy & happiness06:10 The cost of hyperindividualism08:08 How social media leads to self-focus13:20 How we're driven by pain & pleasure15:25 How empathy can be misdirected21:04 Community costs commitment24:40 Idealized self-view in social media28:59 How to become less individualistic31:10 Using AI as a stepping stone