What Actually Builds Friendship?

The percentage of people reporting no close friends increased 5-fold between 1990 and 2021..

I feel it. Most everyone I talk to does too. And yet — no one talks about it. That's about to change.

Maybe you've felt it too. The sense that everyone around you seems to have their people already figured out. That friendships are somehow supposed to happen on their own, but they just... don't. That you're already out there meeting people, and still something is missing...

As a loneliness and connection researcher, I can say that it's NOT just you--it's an epidemic. And at this event, it becomes a conversation.

Join us for an evening on finding and cultivating real connection. 💙

This is a part-social, part-educational event! You'll hear a 15-minute talk and take part in guided, small-group discussions — the kind where you actually learn something and meet someone worth knowing.

You'll walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of how proximity and intention drive connection more than almost anything else
• Real stories from real people, shared in a room that makes it safe to be honest
• Actionable steps you can use this week toward building the relationships you actually want

"The experiences that make us feel the most alone, and even isolated, are often the most universal experiences." -Brené Brown

Suggested age: 20s-40s

~Loose Plan~
Intro ⁘ 5m
Absurd Icebreaker ⁘ 5m
Hear my Personal Story ⁘ 5m
Journaling ⁘ 5m
Hear Main Talk ⁘ 15m
Q+A ⁘ 10m
Small Group discussion ⁘ 10m
Journaling (optional) ⁘ 5m
Small Group sharing ⁘ 20m
Takeaways (optional) ⁘ 5m
Social hour/feedback ⁘ 5m - end

Why?
• Washington D.C. named "Loneliest city in America" when measured by the percentage of single-person households (48.6%)
• Addressing mental health stigma and promoting open dialogue about loneliness are essential steps towards fostering inclusive communities and supportive environments (Kehinde 2024)

Getting there, parking, etc
• Metro: Get off at East Falls church on orange line + 20m walk
• Car: Street parking and two free lots

About the organizer - Michael Lin, PhD, MS
Michael Lin earned his PhD in Applied Mathematics from Arizona State University, where he studied how information spreads through social systems. After moving to San Francisco, and feeling a loneliness he hadn’t expected, he began exploring a deeper, more personal question:
How do we connect better with others?
Since 2023, Michael has been sharing what he’s learned on his YouTube channel, breaking down human connection and offering practical ways to build more meaningful relationships.
Today, he speaks on these topics, helping others move from isolation toward genuine connection.
If you’re interested in having him speak at your event or organization, please reach out!

YouTube: Complex Objects https://www.youtube.com/@complexobjects
Instagram: @thesocialcircle @complex_objects
Meetup.com: The-Social-Circle https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-nihgttao/events/