In this milestone 150th episode of Dear Nina, we’re diving deep into friendship and community with siblings and co-directors Rebecca Davis and Pete Davis, the team behind the Netflix documentary Join or Die: A film about why you should join a club and why the fate of America depends on it.

Inspired by the groundbreaking work of political scientist Robert Putnam (Bowling Alone), Join or Die explores the powerful link between social connection, the health of our democracy, and our mental and physical health on an individual level.

If you’ve been feeling stuck, isolated, or unsure where to begin when it comes to finding your people and more meaning in your life, this episode is a place to start.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Why so many people feel they don’t have enough friends or diverse friendships.
• The difference between community and friendship--and why we need both.
• What “social capital” actually means and why it affects everything from your mental health to the quality of your local government.
• Why loneliness isn’t just a personal issue, it’s a civic one.
• How we went from a culture of joiners to one of solo scrollers, and how we can change that.
• Practical tips on joining or starting something meaningful, even if you're intimidated.

LINKS & RESOURCES

• Watch the film: Join or Die
• Host a screening in your community! Find out how on the film’s website.
• Listen to previous episode mentioned #135: The Hyperlocal Friendship Challenge
• Also #138: The Neighborhood Village and How Community is Different From Friendship: with Seth D. Kaplan

Meet Rebecca Davis & Pete Davis, co-directors and co-producers

Rebecca Davis was a senior producer with NBC News for nearly a decade, where her work focused on social movements, environmental and economic justice, and community innovators.

Pete Davis is a writer and civic advocate and a former student of Robert Putnam's. He is the author of Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in An Age of Infinite Browsing. He is the co-founder of the Democracy Policy Network, a policy organization focused on raising up ideas that deepen democracy.

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