#99 - Parasocial Activity

Apparently, Penguins are ahead of the curve on friendship! They do this act called pebbling where they literally bring little pebbles one by one back as a show of affection to their little ones. Pebbling in human form refers to little signs of love or affection that are gifted to a friend or a loved one that you think they would enjoy. So when you think your just being funny sending your friends & family little videos and tweets and memes you find online you're actually pebbling!   Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter    

It’s our 100th episode and Karo and Matt welcome a very special guest – the freakin’ Surgeon General of the United States! Dr. Murthy and the guys discuss the epidemic of loneliness, the importance of showing up for your friends, and who pays for margaritas when he goes out for drinks after work in DC. The Surgeon General also officially deputizes Karo and Matt as Chief Friendship Officers of the United States! Learn more about Dr. Murthy at surgeongeneral.gov Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter

Chappell Roan is speaking out against toxic fan behavior, so Karo and Matt are discussing parasocial friendships – one-sided relationships between a civilian and a celebrity. When is it harmless fandom, and when does it cross the line? Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter

Let's face it, we've all been in this situation. When you have a friend that just won't respond to your text, won't ever make plans, basically would never speak to you again if you didn't put in the work, it can be super frustrating. And you ask yourself, why are you putting up with this. We explore why this happens and what should you do about it! And if this is even a friendhsip at all?? Also, we discuss why sometimes you are the person doing this and how you can be a better friend.     Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter

Karo and Matt welcome special guest Anna Goldfarb! Called “the New York Times’ friendship correspondent,” Anna's reporting has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Vox, and more. Her new book, “Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections,” explores the nuances of navigating adult friendships in a hyperfluid society. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter

Let’s be honest—whether you’re joining a fraternity or a country club, you're essentially paying to make friends. But aren’t we all doing that in one way or another? From gym memberships to couples' dinners and mommy-and-me classes, forming and maintaining friendships often involves some level of spending. In this episode, we dive into the hidden (and not-so-hidden) costs of socializing and share some tips on how to make friends without breaking the bank! Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter

Karo and Matt discuss how to handle what they’ve coined “The SAD Sixty” – the roughly 60 days from Labor Day to Halloween when social plans are sparse and Seasonal Affective Disorder is rampant. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of building genuine connections at work, especially in today's world of remote and hybrid setups, where colleagues are often spread across the globe. With fewer opportunities for face-to-face interactions, it's harder to find those you can be open and vulnerable with. But socialization is essential, so we’re sharing some tips to beat the office blues and foster better connections, no matter where you are. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter

We learn (or should learn) financial literacy in school, but no one teaches you friendship literacy. Karo and Matt offer some advice for the Class of 2024 on how to make friends in the real world. They also discuss which pill they would take in The Matrix and why Matt’s work records are sealed by the Warren Commission. Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter

Matt and Karo discuss Matt's favorite guru James Clear and how some of his principles can be applied to friendship. It's not just about the end result - aka more or healthier friendships, it's about the daily, weekly, monthly process we put in place so we don't even have to sweat the outcome.   Watch this episode on YouTube! Get MOTY merch at manoftheyearpodcast.com Man of the Year on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Matt Ritter on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter Aaron Karo on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter