3rd Space Bucharest

What happens when 25 people in Bucharest buy tickets to something that isn’t networking… isn’t dating… and isn’t dinner?In this episode, I break down the very first paid 3rd Space Bucharest event — what worked, what surprised me, what flopped (yes, the QR code), and why shared learning and small group conversations changed the energy of the room.From breakfast icebreakers to mini TED-style talks about Cuba, Mexico, and entrepreneurship… to an unexpected karaoke finale — this is the behind-the-scenes story of building intentional connection in a city that doesn’t always make it easy.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to create real connection among strangers in Bucharest, this one’s for you.Interested in joining a 3rd Space Bucharest event? Get on our waitlist at https://forms.gle/HQApbV4cHzAKDXUB7

Most adults have two places in their lives:Home.Work.And that’s the problem.Somewhere along the way, we lost our third place—the space where people gather just to connect, talk, learn, and feel human again.In this episode, I’m announcing the launch of 3rd Space Bucharest and sharing why I believe in-person connection matters more than ever—especially in a world obsessed with screens, swipes, and Slack messages.Get our newsletter:https://3rdspacebucharest.substack.comGet on the waitlist for the next 3rd Space event in Bucharest: https://forms.gle/HQApbV4cHzAKDXUB7

I used to think social media was just “networking” — Twitter, LinkedIn, Bumble — all ways to connect, build opportunities, maybe even meet someone new. And sure, they worked… I booked podcast guests, grew my network, even got my agency off the ground through them. But here’s the truth: they also hijacked my attention, stole time from my kids, and gave me anxiety I didn’t even know I had.In this episode, I break down how I realized I was addicted to the dopamine loops of these apps, why I quit, and the practical steps I took to reclaim my focus, my peace, and my real-life connections.If you’ve ever found yourself checking your phone 20 times an hour, refreshing for likes or swipes, this one’s for you.

Sometimes the stuff you think will make you happy—a fancy watch, a new promotion—ends up collecting dust. But the wild, “you’re not qualified” ideas? Those are the ones that change you. In this episode, I share how chasing a crazy hunch with fitness trackers led to the most fulfilling project of my life—and why I’m now tackling something even bigger: loneliness.

What happens when you sign up to have dinner with five total strangers? In this episode, I share my experience with Timeleft, from the great conversations that turned into real friendships… to the guy who wouldn’t shut up, the plastic surgeon who revealed men are secretly getting butt lifts, and the German cat-sitter who hacked his way into living in 30 countries. It’s awkward, hilarious, and surprisingly life-changing.

Most people think icebreakers are cheesy—and yeah, they usually are. But when they’re done right, they’re the cheat code for turning a stiff room full of strangers into an actual party. In this episode, I break down how I use icebreakers at my cocktail parties to get people laughing, talking, and actually enjoying themselves. Plus, why a $5 harmonica might be the best party tool I own.

Harvard spent 85 years studying happiness and came to one clear conclusion: relationships keep us healthier, happier, and living longer. In this episode, I talk about how that study changed the way I live—why I started hosting cocktail parties, organizing annual guys’ trips, and being more intentional about my friendships. Along the way, I share some hilarious (and painful) stories—like cracking a rib mountain biking in Colorado—and why investing in relationships is the best ROI you’ll ever get.---------------Connect with me:Personal homepage: ⁠ericmelchor.com⁠Newsletter: ⁠Connectionswitheric.substack.com

Most meetups suck. You show up, there’s a long table, no host, no energy, and you end up talking to some guy about sailing when you don’t even know how to swim. That’s why I started running cocktail parties differently. No chairs, funny little guest bios, name tags—boom, suddenly strangers are laughing, mingling, and actually enjoying themselves. This episode is about how a few tiny changes can turn a dead room into a night people talk about for weeks.---------------Connect with me:Personal homepage: ⁠ericmelchor.com⁠Newsletter: ⁠Connectionswitheric.substack.com

So I went to Lisbon, asked a bunch of strangers on LinkedIn for recommendations, and then invited them all to a cocktail party in my Airbnb. Ten people showed up. No fancy venue, no catering—just some wine, chips, and a Bluetooth speaker. And you know what? It worked. Instead of being another tourist wandering around with Google Maps like a dope, I kicked off the trip with real people, real stories, and some laughs. Sometimes the best way to discover a city isn’t in a guidebook—it’s with a corkscrew.---------------Connect with me:Personal homepage: ⁠ericmelchor.com⁠Newsletter: ⁠Connectionswitheric.substack.com

Most people think a party starts when the first guest walks in. Wrong. It starts a week earlier—with the little stuff you do to get people excited. I’ll share how I used tricks from my podcast days (like playing guests’ favorite songs or sending goofy videos) to make cocktail parties in my shoebox apartment unforgettable. Spoiler: it’s not about the wine, the food, or the venue—it’s about the pre-game.---------------Connect with me:Personal homepage: ⁠ericmelchor.com⁠Newsletter: ⁠Connectionswitheric.substack.com

Everyone stresses over the wrong things when they throw a party—the food, the cocktails, the venue. I don’t. My living room is the size of a shoebox, my “catering” is a bowl of peanuts, and half the guests don’t even drink. And yet people walk out saying it was one of the best nights they’ve had in months. In this episode, I share why engagement—not food, not booze—is what makes a party unforgettable.--------------Less than 100% satisfied with your social life? Just got knocked down by a breakup or divorce? Cool—let’s do something about it. I’m creating a discussion group limited to 100 people. Several people have already signed up. Don't be left out.⁠Get on the waitlist⁠---------------Connect with me:Personal homepage: ⁠ericmelchor.com⁠Newsletter: ⁠Connectionswitheric.substack.com

Your marriage ends, you’re devastated, you’re lonely… what do you do? Most people crawl under the covers or drown themselves in Netflix. Me? I started throwing cocktail parties. And it worked. What began as a weird experiment to fight isolation turned into nights full of laughter, wild conversations, and new friendships. In this episode, I share how hosting parties pulled me out of depression, why they beat dating apps and awkward networking events, and how chips and cocktails ended up being the cheapest therapy I’ve ever tried.--------------Less than 100% satisfied with your social life? Just got knocked down by a breakup or divorce? Cool—let’s do something about it. I’m creating a discussion group limited to 100 people. Several people have already signed up. Don't be left out. Get on the waitlist ---------------Connect with me:Personal homepage: ericmelchor.comNewsletter: Connectionswitheric.substack.com

Free nights, no dishes, no bedtime stories—sounds like freedom, right? Wrong. It’s a trap. I got on Bumble, went on a bunch of dates, and realized I wasn’t building a life, I was wasting one. Separation gives you time, but unless you give that time a goal, it turns into Netflix, bad dates, and distractions. In this episode, I talk about how I ditched the swipes and started building something real.--------------Less than 100% satisfied with your social life? Just got knocked down by a breakup or divorce? Cool—let’s do something about it. I’m creating a discussion group limited to 100 people. Several people have already signed up. Don't be left out. ⁠Get on the waitlist⁠ ---------------Connect with me:Personal homepage: ⁠ericmelchor.com⁠Newsletter: ⁠Connectionswitheric.substack.com

Separation sucks, but you know what sucks more? Only seeing your kids on alternating weekends like you’re some kind of visiting uncle. Screw that. I got an apartment two streets away, and now I’m basically running a shuttle service between my place, their mom’s place, and the school. Breakfast, school runs, going to the park after school, Mario Kart, —whatever it takes.Look, I’m not saying I’ve got it figured out. Half the time I feel like I’m just bribing them with ice cream so they don’t notice Dad’s not around some nights of the week. But here’s the deal: separation doesn’t have to mean being a part-time parent. It just means showing up—even when it’s messy and sometimes awkward.--------------Less than 100% satisfied with your social life? Just got knocked down by a breakup or divorce? Cool—let’s do something about it. I’m creating a discussion group limited to 100 people. Several people have already signed up. Don't be left out. ⁠Get on the waitlist⁠ ---------------Connect with me:Personal homepage: ⁠ericmelchor.com⁠Newsletter: ⁠Connectionswitheric.substack.com

Five years ago, I was living the American Dream: six-figure salary, nice house, two new cars, fancy daycare for the kids. Fast forward to today—I’m in Romania, separated, speaking broken Romanian at the grocery store, and throwing cocktail parties just to make friends. How the hell did that happen?This episode is the story. COVID hit, I lost my job, daycare shut down, and my newborn wouldn’t sleep more than 20 minutes. So what do you do? You move halfway across the world to Romania, obviously. Cheaper cost of living, family support, safer schools. Sounds great on paper… until you realize you’re basically Michael Keaton in Mr. Mom—except with worse pay and no one clapping at the end.So yeah, this is me—telling the story of how I went from cushy Houston marketing exec to expat dad winging it in Bucharest. It’s messy, it’s funny, and hopefully, it makes you feel a little better about your own life choices.--------------Less than 100% satisfied with your social life? Just got knocked down by a breakup or divorce? Cool—let’s do something about it. I’m creating a discussion group limited to 100 people. Several people have already signed up. Don't be left out. ⁠Get on the waitlist⁠ ---------------Connect with me:Personal homepage: ⁠ericmelchor.com⁠Newsletter: ⁠Connectionswitheric.substack.com