The thing that weighs heaviest the older we get? Regret . What does accepting the finitude of our own lives have to teach us about our values? Whether it's "rejection therapy" or building the muscle of saying "no," we're unpacking the art of doing nothing and the trap of convenience in favor of reclaiming our presence (especially in our ever busier world). Books and videos mentioned in this episode: Subscribe to our friend Jose's channel, all about dumbphones Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkem...
Jul 07, 2025•37 min•Ep. 44
We've been named the "Anti-Social Century," but are we truly opting out of in-person connection or have we been conditioned to retreat into isolation with our phones as companions? We're diving into how our culture may be the culprit, how we're unconsciously rewriting our sense of loneliness, and two questions that could radically reshape how you connect. Articles and videos mentioned in this episode: Becoming The Social Century, Something More Human The great friendship collapse: Inside The Ant...
Jun 23, 2025•40 min•Ep. 43
What did the ten friends we ask choose? Does spending money on others make you happier? Is $50 enough to get you out of a rut? What does budgeting reveal about our values? And what would happen if the government gave everyone $50 to spend on someone else every month? (Seriously, we did the math.) Sam & Elliot answer all of it and more. Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclusive episodes and more intimate ways of connecting. Stay Connected...
Jun 09, 2025•24 min•Ep. 42
It's creative. It's weird. It's way more meaningful than you'd expect. And it might just change how you gather. Born out of a tight budget and a desire to go deeper with the people in our life, we're uncovering how structure actually empowers people to open up, why public speaking isn’t just for big stages, and how to host your own with themes, time limits, and creative twists. Whether you're looking for affordable hangout ideas, tips on meaningful connection, or creative ways to deepen your fri...
May 26, 2025•36 min•Ep. 41
If a year can feel like just a moment, what does that say about 270 days, or our lives for that matter? By the time Elliot is 60 he calculates he'll only have had 270 days with the people he loves the very most. How can he make those 270 days feel like a lifetime? Elliot thinks he has the answer. Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclusive episodes and more intimate ways of connecting. Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot Leave us a voicemail ...
May 12, 2025•27 min•Ep. 40
Sam wakes up in a dream—and inside that dream, a quiet, powerful desire surfaces. What unfolds is a search for something deeper than happiness. Together, Sam and Elliot explore our relationship to fulfillment, the difference between chasing and building, and what it really takes to feel at home in your own life. From fuzzy dream guides to mind movies and mac n cheese, this episode asks: What’s the one feeling you might be overlooking… and why does it matter so much? Support the show by becoming ...
Apr 14, 2025•24 min•Ep. 39
Did you know Gen Zers will spend 19.2 years of their life on their phone? We might just be losing our minds to our screens, but there's something we can do about it. Digital Dementia is a real term coined in 2012 by neuroscientist Dr. Manfred Spitzer, which refers to cognitive decline caused by excessive screen use, often mimicking symptoms of early dementia like forgetfulness, mental fatigue, and attention issues. Doesn't seem possible that it could be happening to people in their 20's and 30's...
Mar 31, 2025•47 min•Ep. 38
How do you deal with jealousy in friendship and friendship breakups? We sit down with Marissa Meizz, founder of No More Lonely Friends , to talk about the reality of friendship expectations, the hardest part of maintaining friendships as an adult, and why we should treat our friendships with the same care we treat our romantic relationships. Check out No More Lonely Friends Follow No More Lonely Friends on Instagram Follow Marissa on Instagram and TikTok Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot Leav...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 37
Sounds dramatic, but every friendship, opportunity, and connection starts with a conversation. So why is talking to strangers so hard? And how can we fix it? In this episode, we’re breaking down: Why our brains make socializing harder than it is 6 simple ways to start conversations (even if you’re shy) The small talk debate: does it actually matter? What a perfect government would do about loneliness Articles we discussed in this episode: Mistakenly Seeking Solitude , Epley, N.; Schroeder, J. Ke...
Mar 03, 2025•30 min•Ep. 36
Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society . Exclusive episodes + ad free listening, and more intimate ways of connecting. We live in the Anti-Social Century—a world designed for isolation, where community has been replaced by convenience, and loneliness is at an all-time high. But if one cultural shift got us here, another can bring us out. In this episode, Elliot and Sam dive into: The hidden forces that made isolation our default Why we underestimate the power of huma...
Feb 17, 2025•42 min•Ep. 35
Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society . Exclusive episodes + ad free listening, and more intimate ways of connecting. On January 30, in Denver, Colorado, we brought together 52 strangers, gave them each an equal voice and role to play, created structured rules and an atmosphere of deep engagement and we witnessed firsthand how intentional gatherings can spark meaningful connection, purpose, and belonging. We collected answers from attendees to take the segment "huma...
Feb 03, 2025•31 min•Ep. 34
A device that can read your mind… and it’s available for pre order?! Sam and Elliot talk about its potential positive applications; the return of the Humanity Is In the Comment Section segment & more. Support the show on Patreon and become a Something More Society member! We have a live event coming up very soon! Our first live podcast & gameshow is taking place at the Denver Press Club on January 30, at 6p. It’s nearly sold out so don’t wait to grab your tickets if you live in Denver an...
Jan 20, 2025•28 min•Ep. 33
In preparation for this episode, we did a 48 dopamine detox where we stayed off social media and spent as little time on our phones as possible. Now, we're sharing our dopamine menu items and challenging you to discover what makes you smile and belongs on your own dopamine menu. Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot Dive deeper with The Something More Society ! The go-to place to level up your connection, community, and collaboration. By joining The Something More Society, you’ll gain access to v...
Jan 06, 2025•33 min•Ep. 32
What scripts are shaping your life without you even realizing it? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Peck to explore how small moments—like starting a conversation or choosing kindness—can create powerful ripple effects. We talk about embracing vulnerability, navigating the tension of being "too much," and uncovering the hidden narratives that guide our decisions. Packed with insights and personal stories, this episode will inspire you to reclaim your curiosity, reframe your connections, an...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 31
From growing up in a trailer park eating ketchup soup as a child to COO of the world’s largest art dealer, John Block talks with us about imposter syndrome, fear of failure, and how to know when you’ve outgrown a friendship. Thank you so much to The Clayton Hotel & Member's Club for hosting our live podcast and sponsoring this episode! Learn more about membership or plan your next Denver stay at The Clayton HERE . Stay Connected with John Block Follow John on Instagram Learn more about Park ...
Dec 09, 2024•56 min•Ep. 30
Hanging upside down from a hot air balloon to pick cotton with some friends; a reluctant trip to New Mexico turns into 33 years of never missing the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and an induction into the Balloon Fiesta hall of fame; turning two balloon pins into 200,000 pins. We dug through our communities and connections to find some iconic characters of the worlds largest hot air balloon festival to talk to them about finding community, healthy addictions, fulfilling childhood drea...
Nov 25, 2024•50 min•Ep. 29
How does loneliness impact our health and what can we do about it? We just wrapped up The Art and Science of Connection by social scientist Kasley Killam in The Something More Society book club and we're unpacking our key takeaways, outlining how you can benefit from feeling connected in your day to day life. Sam takes us back to a research fellowship she did in 2017, reminding us that community and connection are key elements in our overall health and confidence. A 2018 study identifies "The Li...
Nov 12, 2024•52 min•Ep. 28
Self-love isn’t a quick fix; it’s a journey made up of small, intentional choices. Elliot unpacks his toughest questions with our guest, Sarah: How did she learn to embrace herself, even in difficult moments? This episode doesn’t offer a ‘perfect’ solution, but instead, explores the real steps toward self-acceptance that anyone can try. With surprising tools, and reflections from Sam, this is your invitation to start shifting self-talk from criticism to compassion—one step at a time. Finally, we...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 27
If we're in a friendship crisis, what do we do about it? We discuss data from The American Survey Center and the US Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community to better understand what it means to be in a friendship crisis. And of course, we'll never leave you high and dry. We outline 4 strategies for improving your relationships, overall life satisfaction, and longevity. If that all sounds too good to be true, don't worry-- Elliot plays an excellent dev...
Oct 14, 2024•59 min•Ep. 26
Improve your relationships by becoming a better conversationalist. We often hear complaints after a first date or catching up with a friend that the other person didn't seem invested because they didn't ask any questions. Tony Robbins says "the quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you ask" and we believe that questions hold the power to enable us to see and be seen in meaningful way. Sam walks us through 2 key strategies for tapping into the power of a question and ...
Sep 30, 2024•37 min•Ep. 25
What if the key to a fulfilling life isn't found in achievement, but in connection? In this episode, we sit down with Dan Harris , former ABC News anchor and renowned meditation advocate, to explore the power of deep relationships, the inner struggles we all face, and how mindfulness can change the way we live. Dan opens up about his infamous 2004 panic attack on live TV, and how it set him on a journey to redefine his relationship with stress, anxiety, and the constant chatter of the mind. He s...
Sep 16, 2024•50 min•Ep. 24
How to get people to care about your projects? People can only be as excited about something you're working on as YOU are. We uncover the ideas behind manufacturing your own hype and what that looks like from artists to entrepreneurs to 9-5ers. Elliot says "don't take the wind from the sails of the boat that you built." I also share with Elliot the power behind recognizing moments of transition and momentum in your life, how to leverage that momentum to go to the next level, and attempt my best ...
Sep 02, 2024•37 min•Ep. 23
From being all alone in a new city to navigating the intense spotlight of The Bachelor Season 20, Ben Higgins faced the most Googled breakup of 2017. In this candid conversation, Ben opens up about the challenges of separating his identity from 'Ben the Bachelor' and the pitfalls of social media, including the comparison and envy that can come with it. He shares how a friend's life-changing advice led him to shift his focus from fame to a higher purpose. Join us as Ben answers tough listener que...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 22
Sam says, "Not allowing your friends to help robs them of the joy of being a great friend" and I felt that. Asking your friends for help is easier said than done. When was the last time you explicitly asked your friend to help you with something related to your relationships, mental well being, professional development, creative expression? Sam and I talk about how we feel compelled to lie even to the best of our friends and why; I tell a story about some of my best friends and the concept of ho...
Aug 05, 2024•37 min•Ep. 21
Action creates clarity, failure is a rite of passage, don’t let perfect be the enemy of good! During her mindset coaching sessions around the time our podcast was just forming, Sam, inspired by her coaching, asked me, 'If I told you that episode 20 was where we figured it out, how fast would you fail through the first 19 to get there? If you apply that anywhere in your endeavors, only good things can come from that. Plus some of Elliot’s existential ruminations, failed southern accents, and Sam’...
Jul 22, 2024•34 min•Ep. 20
How do your relationships and community change when you experience growth and success in entrepreneurship? We sat down with our new friend Anna Zesbaugh who owns not one, not two, but three successful businesses in Denver and discuss imposter syndrome, ego inflation, and transforming relationships. If you're in the Denver area, you can knock out three birds with one stone and experience a Hooch Booch craft cocktail inspired hard kombucha, or a functional beverage and our personal favorite, the C...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 19
Announcing The Something More Society! We’ve noticed the social fabric of our society wearing down and believe the best way to heal it is through intentional connection and community where art, voice, and written words are celebrated. Our mission with Something More Human has always been to create a movement and a space where this is possible. We’re creating the community we think society is in need of. There is no community without YOU and it means the world to us to have your support. We’d lov...
Jul 01, 2024•8 min
If we can’t talk surface level stuff and then go realllyyy deep, we don’t want it. Amanda dives into the mindset of meeting people and making friends, why all human connection starts with a connection to self, and why curiosity is a lost art. You'd think we've known Amanda for a long time but this was our first time meeting her! Connect with Amanda Instagram Amanda's podcast, Just Mands The Podcast, on Apple and Spotify Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot Grab your "IF NOT LOVE THEN WHAT" hat, ...
Jun 24, 2024•58 min•Ep. 18
The answer seems obvious enough. But, do we really? Elliot tells Sam all the time of his dreams and visions of the future, but so often gets in his own way of achieving them. Together, we break down the reason for that. We talk about how to get out of your own way, transcend your Upper Limit, and find the things you’ve been looking for your whole life, starting today… RIGHT NOW! Grab your new favorite tea from New Mexico Tea Company HERE Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot Shop our brand new me...
Jun 10, 2024•52 min•Ep. 17
Overcoming the loss of her mother and son to suicide and her husband whose death she believes was from a broken heart, Dr. Kimberly Harms flew to us from Minnesota to discuss how. We discuss the sneaky feelings of guilt and shame in the journey of grief and how to leverage your community during mourning. Kim is the author of "Are You Ready? How to Build a Legacy to Die For" and shares the ways we can prepare the inevitable passing of our loved ones. *DISCLAIMER* This episode discusses triggering...
May 27, 2024•48 min•Ep. 16
