746. 1 in 2 Americans Is Struggling with Social Connection. Here's What Nonprofits Can Do About It - Aaron Hurst
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About This Episode
1 in 2 American adults is struggling with social connection, and fewer than 20% are thriving. Aaron Hurst, the social entrepreneur behind the Taproot Foundation and the pro bono movement, says that's why volunteering and giving are collapsing, and why nonprofits hold the key to reversing it.
Guest co-host Susan McPherson, author of The Lost Art of Connecting, joins us to dig into the US Chamber of Connection's Six Points of Connection report, the first national index of its kind.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why the sector doesn't have a philanthropy problem or a volunteer problem. It has a social connection problem.
The six points of connection every person needs, and the one the data says matters most
Why your nonprofit should start measuring connection outcomes now, before the funding arrives
You'll walk away seeing your organization for what it already is: connection infrastructure for your community. 🩵
Episode Highlights:
(4:07) Aaron's origin story and journey to where he is today
(7:34) "What do you most want in the world?"
(12:30) The Six Points of Connection report
(15:48) 1 in 2 Americans is struggling, and philanthropy is feeling it
(18:19) Nonprofits as connection infrastructure
(19:20) Start capturing connection outcomes now
(22:24) Why loneliness shuts down empathy
(25:27) One good thing: hope
Meet Aaron: The Social Entrepreneur Rebuilding America's Civic Infrastructure for Connection
Aaron Hurst is Founder and CEO of the US Chamber of Connection, which uses behavioral science to rebuild the civic infrastructure for everyday connection in American communities. He founded the Taproot Foundation, pioneering the $15 billion pro bono service movement, co-founded Imperative, and wrote The Purpose Economy. His current work started at his own dinner table, where he hosted eight strangers every two weeks to talk about connection. Explore the US Chamber of Connection's reports, webinars, and measurement tools at chamberofconnection.org.
Guest Co-Host: Susan McPherson is a serial connector, angel investor, and author of The Lost Art of Connecting. She is the founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy at the intersection of brands and social impact.
Powerful Quotes
"We're saying, oh, we're having a philanthropy problem. The reality is, we're having a social connection problem, and these are all symptoms of that." -Aaron
"The quality of our lives is basically determined by relationships, and yet we treat that as a side dish when it's the entree." -Aaron
"If you're not talking to people, no one's asking you." -Aaron
"Whatever it is you most want in the world is what you need to give." -Aaron, sharing a challenge from a Modern Elder Academy instructor
"Connection as a field is disconnected, which is kind of ironic." -Aaron
"Just because we're a nonprofit doesn't mean that we have the best scores." -Aaron
"The nonprofits that are able to capture that story in numbers and narratives are the ones that are going to really be able to see substantial changes in support." -Aaron
"People who don't have that baseline need for social connection met are not in a position to trust anybody." -Aaron
"Pickleball is the answer." -Aaron
"They're going to be looking for a place to belong, and if we don't create healthy ones, they're going to go to the unhealthy ones." -Aaron
"Without connection, it's impossible to build trust." -Susan
"What the world needs is hope." -Aaron
Resources Mentioned
Six Points of Connection Report: the first national index measuring where social connection is breaking down, based on a representative sample of 2,000 U.S. adults
Connection measurement recommendations: low-cost ways for nonprofits to capture connection outcomes, available on the Chamber of Connection website
Taproot Foundation: founded by Aaron; pioneer of the pro bono service movement
Imperative: co-founded by Aaron; technology supporting connection and purpose in the workplace
The Purpose Economy by Aaron Hurst
The Lost Art of Connecting by Susan McPherson
Modern Elder Academy: Chip Conley's organization in Baja, Mexico, where Aaron's connection work began
Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this episode, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.com
