Finding your Third Place with Randy Hawthorne

A Game of Chance | Show NotesEpisode: The Third PlaceGuest: Randy Hawthorne, VP of Community Engagement, Downtown Lincoln AssociationEpisode OverviewMarianne sits down with her longtime friend Randy Hawthorne to explore the concept of the third place, the social environments that are neither home nor work where people can simply show up, be themselves, and belong. What starts as a conversation about community quickly becomes something more personal, touching on the loneliness epidemic, the role of technology and AI in our social lives, the power of shared experiences, and how intentionality can help us build the connections we are quietly craving.About Randy Hawthorne(Full bio linked below)Randy Hawthorne is the Vice President of Community Engagement at the Downtown Lincoln Association. He is a longtime community builder, entrepreneur, and connector who founded The Foundry, a coffee shop intentionally designed as a third place. Randy lectures at UNL and works closely with the next generation of leaders through programs like Launch Leadership.What We CoverWhat a third place is and why most of us do not have oneHow Randy built The Foundry around the concept without knowing the termThe difference between a third place and a favorite placeWhy busyness became a status symbol and what it is costing usThe loneliness epidemic and how most of us do not recognize we are in itWhat AI is doing to our need for human connectionWhy shared experiences are the foundation of real relationshipsWhat young people are doing that is giving Randy hopeHow homes can become gathering placesPractical ways to set community goals for yourselfQuotable Moments"A third place is where you can be yourself.""Shared experiences are key to community.""90% of life is showing up.""Water cooler conversations fill your soul."Books and Resources MentionedThe Art of Gathering by Priya ParkerBowling Alone by Robert PutnamWhen by Daniel Pink (referenced in passing)The movie Her (referenced in conversation about AI and connection)Chapters00:00 Introduction02:26 Understanding the Concept of Third Places09:09 Finding Your Third Place11:56 The Impact of Community Engagement20:34 The Loneliness Epidemic and Its Ramifications28:23 The Role of Technology in Connection31:54 The Importance of Shared Experiences38:13 Creating Community in a Digital Age45:15 The Role of Sports in Community Building51:14 Home as a Third Place57:44 Setting Community Goals for ConnectionConnect with Randy Hawthornehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/randyhawthorne/9:33 AM