In this very special episode of Friendless, host James Avramenko reconnects with his long-time friend and former theater colleague, Trevor Hinton. Despite the years and distance apart, their profound conversation delves into themes of vulnerability, artistic expression, and the raw authenticity that stems from truly seeing each other. They discuss the balance between the metaphysical and material worlds, the importance of community, and how anger and confidence can mold personal growth. The episode wraps up with a focus on the nuances of friendship, the importance of checking in on strong friends, and the value of showing up authentically in our relationships.

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In this very special episode of Friendless, host James Avramenko dives into an insightful and heartfelt conversation with Zazu Payne, a biomedical engineer, board game enthusiast, and self-proclaimed 'friendship guru'. Zazu shares his journey from being a self-described 'selfish guy' to someone deeply invested in building authentic connections through community and faith. They discuss the power of vulnerability, the beauty in others, and how true friendships can start in the most unexpected places. Tune in for a candid discussion on the complexities of friendship and the courage it takes to show up genuinely in our increasingly disconnected world.

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This week on a very special episode of Friendless, host James Avramenko sits down with Sam Murdock—tech wizard, board game buff, and the behind-the-scenes moderator of Codenames Live. Fresh from his adventures as a Twitch streamer (pants optional), Sam shares his journey from computer programming dropout to community builder extraordinaire. Together, James and Sam dive into the intricacies of forming genuine connections in the digital age, the irresistible chaos of live-streamed game nights, and how a simple meme or DM can sometimes be the sincerest way to show up for your friends.

They swap stories about discovering the world of board games, nurturing small social circles online and off, and keeping digital spaces welcoming in a world full of trolls. Sam also drops recommendations for indie games and deck-builders, discusses the magic (and anxiety) of playing and hosting Codenames Live, and reflects on what it really means to be a friend—spoiler: it’s often about being present in the small moments.

Tune in for tons of laughter, a few nostalgic deep cuts (Audiobooks on cassette, anyone?), and some thoughtful advice on how to be a more attentive friend, both online and IRL.

Check out Sam's work at https://nerdservice.ca

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