The Temptation to be Critical: Friendships and Growth
On this episode of Seated with Strangers our Guests raise an interesting question about the importance of weak ties in building a community. Weak ties refer to acquaintances or people that one sees on occasion, as opposed to close friends. According to research mentioned in the podcast, people with weak ties tend to live more fulfilling lives and are less likely to experience depression.
Our guest on the podcast are Shertia, Sonja and Alma.
Sonja is a life alignment coach. She expressed she found that she was giving so much of myself to organize and build everything except my own life! She would set goals and never see them completed. She was trying to lose the same 40 lbs. for several years and get out of debt while doing all the things at work and with her church. It was a weird place to be because she truly was full of joy but also stressed and not fully satisfied. So, she began the journey of losing over 40 pounds and getting rid of almost 30k in debt.
Alma Joas is a future Therapist graduating from Liberty University in 2024.
Sherita Bolden, was born and raised in Decatur, Georgia. Over the past five years she’s had experience working on major motion picture movies and television shows shot in Atlanta. Her first major industry job was at Tyler Perry Studios starting out as a production assistant for a majority of the content produced there. Sherita has her own feature film under her belt, Haven.
At first, the hosts express skepticism about the research, questioning its credibility and whether it was peer-reviewed. However, they also acknowledge that having some type of relationship, even if it is a weak tie, is better than having no relationship at all. They suggest that a combination of weak ties and close friends is what truly grounds and supports individuals in life.
The importance of friendship and community is emphasized throughout the podcast. The hosts discuss how being alone and isolated can be detrimental to one's well-being. They believe that humans are built to be in community and that the first parts of civilization were characterized by living in close-knit communities. However, in modern times, people have started to live more isolated lives.
The hosts also touch on the idea that having too many close friends can be overwhelming and stressful. They joke about the pressure to constantly keep up with multiple friends and attend various events. They suggest that instead of trying to have a large group of close friends, it may be more beneficial to have a small circle of trusted individuals who truly know and understand you.
Timestamps
00:01:05 Embrace differences in friendships. 00:11:19 Respect is key in resolving conflicts. 00:12:35 Importance of listening and understanding. The timestamp in the podcast where it starts to say "Forgiveness is empowering and liberating" is 00:21:20. Forgiveness is empowering and liberating. 00:29:37 Importance of forgiveness and dialogue. 00:31:03 Having a combination of weak ties and close friends is beneficial. 00:36:03 Choose your friendships wisely. 00:41:51 Plan outings based on recuperation.
They mention the concept of auditing friendships, reflecting on who their true best friends are and investing in those relationships. They emphasize the importance of having a few solid friendships where trust and mutual support are present. This idea aligns with the notion that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to friendships.
In conclusion, the podcast highlights the significance of weak ties in addition to close friendships. While close friends provide a sense of grounding and support, weak ties still have value in one's life. Having some type of relationship, even if it is not as deep or intimate, can contribute to a more fulfilling life and help prevent feelings of isolation and depression. The podcast encourages listeners to strike a balance between having close friends and maintaining weak ties, ultimately emphasizing the importance of building and nurturing a community.
