Hi, my name is Melissa Urban, and you're listening to Do the Thing, a

podcast where we explore what's been missing every time you've tried to make it

changed and make it stick.

Today I'm talking about yet another self-experiment I undertook more than six years ago

and how it once again brought unexpected benefits into every area of my life.

Today's theme is Connection. How you can transform normally mundane

social exchanges into meaningful encounters that can spark joy, spread happiness,

and leave all of us feeling more present with and connected to our fellow

humans.

I hope by exploring these just Melissa topics, you'll have your own light bulb moment and

successfully do the thing.

In today's modern world, we are all so much more connected than ever,

but more starved than ever for authentic personal connection.

Despite all the social media comments and d.ms, text messages and Marco Polo videos we send and receive each day,

we're lonely.

Technology, our overly scheduled lives, stress,

and the way social media makes it look like our lives are perfect

makes it harder than ever to seek authentic in-person social connections.

And as I figured out when I moved from New Hampshire to Utah,

it's really hard to make new friends as an adult.

What if there was an untapped resource for social engagement, something that required minimal effort from you,

that seamlessly fit into your already richly scheduled day, Something that left you feeling better about yourself in the world,

...