241. When Technology Makes Us Better Neighbors with Michael Wood-Lewis

When we know our neighbors, the world feels more human and much less scary. Michael Wood-Lewis is the co-founder of one simple, moderated platform that has helped rebuild trust, reduce loneliness, and strengthen communities in every town in Vermont. With 250,000 active members in a state of roughly 270,000 households, Front Porch Forum offers a hopeful model for how technology can bring us back to each other. Chapters 00:00 – Intro and Welcome 05:45 – The Power of Neighborliness 08:38 – Front Porch Forum vs Big Tech 16:00 – Real Stories of Community Connection 22:55 – Break 25:12 – Redistributing Abundance Through Community 29:23 – Why Moderation and Tone Matter Online 39:15 – Building Social Infrastructure for Communities 47:57 – Surprising Insights From Front Porch Forum Data 57:20 – Designing for Decency in Digital Spaces 01:18:38 – Why Real-Life Conversations Matter