The Support & Kindness Podcast - Episode: 5

What Do You Do When You Have Nobody to Talk To?

Content advisory

This episode discusses loneliness, isolation, and support options
(including crisis resources like 988).

Practical Ways to Find Connection

This week on The Support & Kindness Podcast with Greg and Rich, Greg Shaw and Rich talk about a feeling many people carry quietly: “What do you do when you don’t have anyone to talk to?”

As the weather turns and more of life moves indoors, it can get harder to stumble into casual connection. Greg and Rich offer a compassionate, real-world list of options ranging from AI chats and online communities, to “being a tourist” in your own city, to gratitude practices, journaling with care, and how to use 988 and warmlines safely.

This episode shares personal reflections and is not a substitute for professional advice.

In this episode, you’ll explore:

Why loneliness can feel worse in fall/winter—and why it matters
“Connection tools” when you’re alone (AI, forums, curated feeds)
Gentle, doable ideas for getting through the next hard hour
Safety options: 988, warmlines, and global directories

When the seasons change, loneliness can get louder

Greg opens with a simple truth: when it’s colder and darker, people often stay inside more and that can make isolation feel heavier. It’s not “just in your head.” Social connection is now widely recognized as a health issue, not only an emotional one.

Greg cites the U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on loneliness and social connection, saying social isolation raises the risk of early death and is as harmful as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day (HHS). The advisory compares the health effects of social disconnection to smoking. (HHS)

And still—this episode never lands on shame. It’s the opposite. Greg’s message is direct and human:

“You don’t have to be alone.” — Greg

The point isn’t that you can instantly fix loneliness. It’s that you can build a next step—one that’s safer, softer, and more supportive than spiraling alone.

Using technology as a bridge (without pretending it replaces people)

Both hosts talk about the internet as a tool, not a cure-all, but a bridge when you’re stuck at home, low on energy, dealing with disability/chronic pain, or simply don’t have someone who can pick up right now.

Greg mentions using AI chats for conversation and “idea bouncing,” and Rich shares a specific example: his wife used Google NotebookLM to simulate the feeling of a “study group” responding to her novel - solo, but still interactive. NotebookLM is positioned by Google as an AI “thinking partner” that works with your sources. (Google NotebookLM)

This can be especially helpful when:

You need a little interaction to break the silence
You want to talk through thoughts without feeling judged
You’re trying to generate ideas (writing, projects, plans) when your brain feels foggy

A trauma-informed, accessibility-friendly reminder

If you try AI tools, treat them like a support tool with boundaries. Keep it grounded, and don’t share anything you wouldn’t want stored or repeated—especially if you’re feeling vulnerable.

Finding “your people” online (interest-first, pressure-low)

Rich talks about online communities like Reddit and Discord because they can be specific: hobbies, local city communities, niche interests, and support spaces.

That specificity matters. When you’re lonely, it’s easy to believe “no one will get it.” But interest-based groups flip the script - you’re not starting from nothing. You’re starting from a shared topic.

They also mention Greg and Rich’s own GoBrunch-based peer support groups (brain injury, chronic pain, and mental health). The KindnessRX site describes these as peer support spaces (not therapy) and emphasizes accessibility and confidentiality. (kindnessrx.org)

If you’re on Hive, this section may land extra hard because a lot of what helps is simply being in a place where people reply, notice, and talk back. If you’re reading this, consider leaving a comment for someone else, even if it’s just: “I hear you.”

“Be a tourist in your own city” (especially when life feels small)

One of the most surprisingly hopeful parts of the episode is the idea of exploring your city through a visitor’s eyes using local subreddits, travel sites like TripAdvisor, or “what should I do this weekend?” lists.

Rich explains it like this:

“View your city from the eyes of somebody who’s never been there… and make you appreciate it.” — Rich

Greg adds a personal layer—how you don’t always appreciate what’s around you until it’s gone. This isn’t about forcing yourself into big social situations. It can be small:

A daytime coffee run to a place you’ve never tried
A library visit
A slow walk (or drive) to a park you haven’t seen
A museum on a quiet weekday
A local market

Accessibility note: “Exploring” doesn’t have to mean physically demanding. The most important thing is changing the channel in your brain—from stuck to curious.

Curating your inputs: your feed affects your mood (and the algorithm learns from you)

Rich shares how he intentionally cleaned up his social media feeds:

“It took a while to get rid of the toxic things on social media… but I’ve got a pretty positive feed now.” — Rich

Greg connects that to how algorithms work:

“If you respond to negative stuff, negative stuff will come at you.” — Greg

That’s a powerful (and very practical) mental health strategy: protect your attention.

Try a simple “feed reset” plan:

Unfollow/mute what spikes anxiety or anger
Follow more accounts that support your values (art, animals, kindness, calming education)
Save/share content that genuinely helps—so your platforms learn what you want
Keep a “comfort folder” of posts that reliably calm you down

Rich also mentions light, niche entertainment, such as clever music and video mashups, as a form of “low-pressure connection.” Sometimes that’s not avoidance; it’s survival.

Safety and support: 988, warmlines, and global directories

Greg repeatedly comes back to safety first - not in a scary way, but in a steadying way.

988 (U.S.)

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for people experiencing suicidal crisis or emotional distress, including times when you just need someone to talk to. (988 Lifeline)

Greg’s practical tip is to say plainly what’s true for you (for example, that you’re not planning to harm yourself) and ask for support anyway. And it’s also fair to name a common fear: “Will they automatically send someone?” In reality, 988 is designed to help without involving emergency services unless there’s imminent risk, and some guidance notes that fewer than 2% of calls require connection to 911/emergency services. (National Council for Mental Wellbeing)

Warmlines (non-crisis support)

Warmlines are often described as peer-run lines that provide emotional support before a situation becomes an emergency, distinguishing them from crisis hotlines. (NAMI)

Outside the U.S.

The episode references Find A Helpline, a global directory intended to connect people with free, confidential support options by country and topic. (FindaHelpline)

If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, please reach out to a trusted person or local emergency/crisis services right away.

Key Takeaways

Loneliness often worsens seasonally, but it’s not a personal failure; it’s a real health and community issue. (HHS)
“Connection” can start small: an online community, a hobby thread, or one supportive conversation.
Tech can be a bridge (AI, forums, curated feeds), especially when mobility, pain, or anxiety makes in-person connection harder.
Curating your social media isn’t shallow - it’s mental hygiene. What you engage with trains your feed.
Gentle routines (gratitude jar, future-self emails, careful journaling) can help you get through hard days without spiraling.
Safety matters: 988 is there for emotional distress, warmlines can help before crisis, and global directories exist if you’re outside the U.S. (988 Lifeline)

Resources & Links Mentioned

Checked and working as of Dec 17, 2025.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) - Call/text/chat 24/7 for emotional distress or crisis support. (988 Lifeline)
Find A Helpline - Global directory of free, confidential helplines by country/topic. (FindaHelpline)
NAMI: “Warmline” explainer - What warmlines are and how they differ from hotlines. (NAMI)
Meetup - Find virtual or local interest-based groups and events. (Meetup)
Google NotebookLM - Document-based “thinking partner” used for idea bouncing. (Google NotebookLM)
FutureMe - Send an email/letter to your future self (as Greg mentions). (futureme.org)
KindnessRX Support Groups - Current weekly schedule and group descriptions. (kindnessrx.org)
KindnessRX Events & Schedule - Where to find the latest meeting links and updates. (kindnessrx.org)

Closing thoughts (and a question for Hivians)

This episode is a reminder that loneliness is not something you have to “earn” your way out of. Sometimes the bravest thing is simply choosing one next support: a safer feed, a warm conversation, a small outing, a peer group, or a helpline when you need it.

If you feel comfortable: What helps you most when you don’t have anyone to talk to?

Even a short comment might be exactly what someone else needs to read today.

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