What do we owe each other in an age of artificial intimacy? This episode dives into Tricia Friedman's interactive ethics exercise, Table for One?, which uses the metaphor of an AI companion restaurant — a venue where diners are paired with a conversational AI — to surface hard questions about safety, manipulation, dependency, privacy, and shifting social norms.

What the Resource Is: An interactive tool that walks participants through 5 ethical dilemmas. For each, you choose one of four stances (allow with disclosures, pilot with evaluation, allow with safeguards, or do not allow), rate your confidence, and reflect using the D.I.N.E. framework:

• D – Direct impact: who is affected now?
• I – Indirect effects and unintended consequences
• N – Next-generation norms and long-run drift
• E – Evidence gaps and what data is missing

Why It Matters: AI companions are already here. This exercise moves the conversation beyond "is this cool or creepy?" into structured ethical reasoning — ideal for educators, leaders, and families trying to navigate companion AI thoughtfully.

Check out the resource:

https://triciafriedman.com/table-for-one-ethics-of-ai-companionship/

Join Tricia this March with AAIE:

https://www.aaie.org/leadership-learning/future-foresight-community

In this conversation, Sandra Magsamen discusses her approach to creating children's literature that emphasizes connection, love, and emotional intelligence. She shares insights into her creative process, the importance of feedback from readers, and how her work aims to foster self-love and connection between caregivers and children. Magsamen also reflects on her artistic journey, the role of perseverance, and the significance of storytelling in shaping lives.

SANDRA MAGSAMEN is the author and illustrator of many books for young children, including the picture book When I Grow Up I Want to Be Me, as well as a number of bestselling novelty titles, including Everybody Goes Nighty-Night, named a Best Board Book of 2018 by The Children's Book Review; Baby Love; I Love You, Little Pumpkin; and Peek-a-Boo, I Love You. As an artist, an art therapist, and a mom, she uses her creativity to remind people to express themselves and connect with others. Her lifestyle brands, products, and books are sold worldwide. Visit her at sandramagsamen.com

Chapters

00:00 The Heart of Connection in Children's Literature
02:48 Love as an Action: The Role of Caregivers
05:34 Impactful Feedback: Stories from Readers
08:31 The Power of Objects and Books in Shaping Lives
11:06 Curiosity and Creativity: Fueling the Artistic Journey

Join Tricia Friedman to learn more about Companion AI this Sunday with TRC:

https://technologyreadiness.org/workshops/

Use special promo code 'ShiftingSchool' to get 20% off registration

This week, Tricia speaks with Julie Menanno about her new book, Secure Love, and what it actually takes to build emotionally safe, lasting relationships in a hyperconnected world.

The conversation begins with an unexpected cultural lens: Jim and Pam from The Office. What makes their dynamic feel healthy? Friendship first. Slower pacing. Emotional safety before performance. From there, the episode moves into deeper territory.

Julie challenges the fast, simplified narratives about relationships that dominate social media. Instead of labeling partners as villains or diagnosing from afar, she argues for a more nuanced frame. Most relational breakdowns are rooted in blocked needs. Fear. Shame. Unresolved grief. When emotional safety collapses, behavior follows.

Julie Menanno is a trailblazing therapist, author, educator, a masterful interpreter of Attachment Theory, and an Architect of Emotional Connection who is continually working to bridge the gap between complex psychological concepts and everyday struggles. As a revolutionary force in the world of relationships, Julie's work has transformed the way we understand emotional intimacy and human connection. Julie is the creator of The Secure Relationship. This platform has reached millions worldwide, with a mission to dismantle the barriers that keep people from experiencing the joy of deeply connected, secure relationships. In a world increasingly disconnected by technology and societal pressures, Julie stands as a guiding light, reminding us that love and connection are not just desires but essential human needs and with every conversation, every session, and every word, Julie transforms lives, one secure relationship at a time. Follow Julie on IG @thesecurerelationship or her website

Key themes explored:

• Why "friendship first" can reduce pressure in dating
• How social media rewards oversimplified explanations of relational pain
• The appeal of labeling versus the work of nuance
• Naming fear before walking into a room
• Why conflict is not a failure but a developmental process
• How repeated safe conversations reshape nervous systems
• Emotional literacy as leadership
• Self-connection as the prerequisite for connection with others

Learn with Tricia and the TRC this Sunday:

https://technologyreadiness.org/workshops/