Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! This year, you deserve to feel connected at the holiday table instead of bracing for awkward moments, family drama, or political side quests that derail the whole night. In this episode, I’m giving you a simple, repeatable plan for creating meaningful conversations around your holiday dinner table. You’ll learn how to set the emotional tone before anyone sits down, how to lead with connection instead of control, and the exact questions that can take y...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Well this is just chilling! I’m reacting to the Wall Street Journal piece “I Loved Being Social… Then I Started Talking to a Chatbot” by Alexandra Samuel and unpacking how daily AI chats can quietly crowd out real friendships. We’ll talk about why conversations with chatbots feel easier than talking to humans, how that “comfort” can dull our listening skills, and what guardrails help us keep tech as a tool rather than a substitute for community. I sha...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! I cannot believe we are actually here. We’ve created an AI “friend” necklace...a device that listens to your conversations all day long and claims to make you feel less lonely. In this episode, I react to the viral Friend AI Pendant, the controversial million-dollar ad campaign, and why New Yorkers are literally vandalizing the subway ads in protest. But most importantly, I explain why this kind of technology isn’t the answer to loneliness, and how it...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! When I first heard Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” I expected glitter, heartbreak, and spectacle, but what I didn’t expect were the friendship themes hiding in plain sight. In this episode, I’m breaking down the hidden emotional truths in two of her songs, “Ruin the Friendship” and “Cancelled”, and how they reveal what so many of us wrestle with as adults: fear of rejection, vulnerability, and being truly known. Special thank you t...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Friendships are supposed to feel mutual, but what if you’re always the one putting in the effort? In this episode, I share 5 ways to spot a one-sided friendship before it completely drains you. From being the only one who reaches out, to noticing if your wins go uncelebrated, these signs will help you figure out if your friendship is balanced… or if it’s costing you more than it should. The Beyond Small Talk Cohort is coming. Here’s where to learn wha...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Disagreements don’t have to end friendships. In this video, Zoe shares practical tools for how to disagree with friends without losing them. You’ll learn how to focus on the person, not the position, listen longer than you talk, and use communication strategies that lower the temperature instead of blowing things up. Friendships are worth protecting, even in a divided world. If you’ve ever wondered, “Will this be what ends it?” this episode will show...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! This is what feels like unprecedented levels of division, and something has to change, or all of our friendships and relationships will get destroyed. But what exactly can WE do? How can we craft friendships that can survive such division? In this emergency episode, I'm breaking down exactly what it will take. The Beyond Small Talk Cohort is coming. Here’s where to learn what it’s about and join the waitlist: https://shorturl.at/dKQRd Support the sho...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Have you ever been in a conversation that went from calm to defensive in seconds, and you had no idea why? Chances are, you used one of five danger words that instantly put people on edge. Most of us say them without even realizing it. But once you know what they are, you’ll start catching them everywhere… and you’ll be able to stop yourself before you make things worse. In this episode, I break down: The 5 most common words that escalate conflictWhy ...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Starting a hard conversation with a friend can feel impossible. In this video, I’ll show you the best way to start THAT talk so it doesn’t blow up and ruin your friendship. You’ll learn practical steps to ease tension, open the door for honesty, and create trust instead of defensiveness. This is Part 1 of a 2 Part series, so be sure to subscribe and turn on your notifications to get Part 2 next week! The Beyond Small Talk cohort is coming this fall! H...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! If you're "the fixer" in your relationships, you NEED to watch this episode, because I wish I had learned what I'm about to share with you much earlier in life. Being the “fixer” in your friend group can feel like a badge of honor! People come to you for advice, solutions, and insight. But what if your eagerness to help is actually pushing friends away? In this episode, I share how to shift your approach so you can be a better friend. Support the show...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Why is it so hard to find real community as an adult?! In this episode, I’m joined by my real-life friend and actual community legend Mackenzie T'eo, founder of Bag + Barre gym, and someone I literally call the “Mayor of Sewickley” (where she lives) to talk about what it really takes to build meaningful friendships and lasting community when you move to a new town, and open a brick and mortar business that is dependent on human connection! If you're...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Watching a friend go through a massive struggle is so painful, especially if there is nothing you can do to fix it. BUT, there is still a way you can help. If your friend is currently going THROUGH IT, and you want to support (or don't want to do the wrong thing and make it worse), this video is for you. This past year, I was that struggling friend, and based on my own experience of what worked and helped me, I'm sharing the top 5 steps you can take t...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Adult friendships are hard. With all the buzzwords flying around like toxic friendships, cutting people off, and protecting your peace, it’s no wonder so many of us are silently wondering when it's time to end a friendship, how to know if it's actually over, and what to do if you want to keep the friendship alive. In this episode, I’m breaking down 5 clarity-building questions that will help you figure out whether a friendship is worth rebuilding or ...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Have you ever thought about someone from your past and wondered if you should reach out and reconnect with them… but then stopped yourself because you didn’t want it to feel awkward, forced, or flat-out rejected? Then this episode is for you. Whether it’s an old friend, someone who meant a lot to you years ago, or a relationship that just faded with time, I’m breaking down exactly how to reach out in a way that’s honest, intentional, and not weird. S...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! I'll be honest, I did NOT hold back in this episode. Let me ask you a question: would you replace your best friend with AI? Mark Zuckerberg thinks you will. In this reaction episode, I'm breaking down the Wall Street Journal article, “Zuckerberg’s Grand Vision: Most of Your Friends Will Be AI.” As a creator on a mission to rebuild human connection, I unpack the unsettling trend of artificial friendships and Meta’s push to make AI therapists, AI agents...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! It happens to the best of us, but that doesn't make it any less uncomfortable. Forgetting someone's name feels quite embarrassing, and, here's how to fix it. In this episode, we are breaking down 7 different phrases you can choose from, and use when you forget someone's name! Support the show Remember, you're worth having and building rich friendships! The connection you’ve been looking for is on the way, and it all starts by being Accidentally Intent...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Struggling with social anxiety but still craving real connection? You're not alone—and this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm sharing the exact mindset shifts and practical strategies I used to break the grip of social anxiety and start forming rich, meaningful friendships—without faking it or forcing it. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed walking into a room full of strangers or anxious about starting a conversation, this episode will give you th...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! I love superhero movies, but Marvel's new Thunderbolts movie hit different. I was stunned by what the secret theme and message of the movie was all about, and I'm giving my full reaction in this episode. Support the show Remember, you're worth having and building rich friendships! The connection you’ve been looking for is on the way, and it all starts by being Accidentally Intentional. Are you ready to tackle loneliness once and for all? Download the...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Struggling to make friends? You’re not alone—and it’s not because something is wrong with you. In this episode, we’re unpacking the five sneaky reasons why you might be having trouble building close friendships, and more importantly, what to do about it. Help me (Zoe) get to know YOU (yes, you, the person behind this screen) with this quick 2-minute form . As a thank you, I’ll email you my "Asking Better Questions" guide with my 15 favorite conversat...
Hey fellow loneliness destroyer, text me! Struggling with how to make a great first impression? Want to feel more confident when meeting someone new? In this video, you’ll learn five powerful, science-backed ways to make better first impressions, boost your confidence instantly, and stop feeling awkward in social situations. Whether it’s a networking event, a first date, or a casual conversation with a stranger, these simple yet effective techniques will help you connect faster and leave a la...