E31. Removing the Stigma of Loneliness - with Adam Smiley Poswolsky, Keynote Speaker & Author: Friendship in the Age of Loneliness

Ever Forward Club’s Ashanti Branch is joined by Adam Smiley Poswolsky. Adam is a person full of empathy, and his desire to build understanding for the common good comes across in this conversation. As a millennial workplace expert, his goal is to foster a sense of belonging in the digital age. Currently he is de-stigmatizing loneliness in his newest book, “Friendship in the Age of Loneliness.” (1:45) Ashanti’s introduction. (5:30) Smiley introduces himself and his work as an author and millennial workplace expert. Then he and Ashanti reflect on how their work and their relationship has evolved over time. (11:12) Ashanti and Smiley share the front of their masks. Ashanti - funny, serious, hard-working. Smiley - happy, successful, expert. (14:02) Ashanti shares the back of his mask - fear of failure, sadness, mental health. They discuss negative self-talk, downplaying one’s own work and ability, and how comparison is the thief of joy. (17:07) Smiley shares the back of his mask - lonely, sad, unsure. He shares how the pandemic has exacerbated his sadness and loneliness, and how he has always oscillated between feeling like an expert and feeling like he doesn’t have the answers. (26:01) The men discuss Smiley’s book, “Friendship in the Age of Loneliness”, as it pertains to the Covid-19 pandemic, and to Ashanti’s work with youth. They also discuss how loneliness is a subjective experience, as opposed to something that can be measured objectively. (29:37) Next, they discuss the stigma of admitting loneliness, and how an extroverted, actively social person can still be lonely. (34:50) Smiley shares how he got the nickname “Smiley” as an adolescent. They discuss how this experience made him feel a sense of belonging, and how opportunities for a sense of belonging are more available for adolescents than they are for adults. (39:30) As an expert on how the digital age has changed our society, Smiley shares his lesson for young people. (42:45) Smiley shares how to get in touch with him. --- Connect with Adam Smiley Poswolsky: Instagram: instagram.com/whatsupsmiley LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adamsposwolsky Website: smileyposwolsky.com Book: amazon.com/Friendship-Age-Loneliness-Optimists-Connection/dp/0762472278 --- Create your own mask anonymously at www.100kmasks.com If you are interested in being on the Face to Face podcast, email us at [email protected] --- Connect with Ashanti Branch: Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch --- Send in a voice message: anchor.fm/branch-speaks/message