E31. Removing the Stigma of Loneliness - with Adam Smiley Poswolsky, Keynote Speaker & Author: Friendship in the Age of Loneliness
- Author
- Ashanti Branch - Taking Off The Mask
- Published
- Tue 30 Mar 2021
- Episode Link
- https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/branch-speaks/episodes/E31--Removing-the-Stigma-of-Loneliness---with-Adam-Smiley-Poswolsky--Keynote-Speaker--Author-Friendship-in-the-Age-of-Loneliness-ett52h
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.
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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
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If you are interested in being on the Face to Face podcast, email us at [email protected]
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Connect with Ashanti Branch:
Instagram: instagram.com/branchspeaks
Facebook: facebook.com/BranchSpeaks
Twitter: twitter.com/BranchSpeaks
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashantibranch
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