Episode Summary:
Social media used to feel like a town square—where conversations sparked, communities formed, and ideas spread.
But lately?
It’s more like a noisy marketplace of ads, outrage, and algorithms pushing us toward division.
Lauren Hug, author and advocate for digital kindness, joins Bernie to discuss what has gone wrong and how we can fix it.
They explore how social media still has the power to build real communities if we choose to use it differently.
This episode is about reclaiming the internet for authentic conversations instead of doomscrolling.
It covers everything from setting boundaries in digital spaces to finding others who want to connect.
If you're wondering how to make social media feel human again, this episode is for you.
Timeline Highlights:
[00:03] – Running a coworking space means wearing too many hats—how the Community Builder Cohort can help.
[00:55] – What is digital kindness? Lauren shares why we need to see social media as an extension of real human connection.
[01:38] – Twitter changed Lauren’s life and why she believes digital spaces still have potential.
[02:26] – Social media used to feel like a gathering place. Now, it’s just noise. What happened?
[03:59] – The three most significant problems with how we see social media today.
[05:19] – Why must we stop treating social media like an ad platform and use it like a community space?
[07:09] – How to use social media in a way that feels good and serves your community.
[09:52] – The biggest mistakes people make when building community online.
[13:29] – Storytelling vs. marketing—why “telling your story” doesn’t have to mean selling something.
[18:14] – The Buffy the Vampire Slayer test—what social media moments bring people together?
[20:32] – There are more of us than them. Why Lauren believes social media is still worth saving.
[24:06] – The power of posting positive stories from coworking and community spaces.
[26:50] – What we can learn from Jon Alexander’s book Citizens about reclaiming digital spaces.
[29:09] – Social media isn’t dead—it’s just waiting for the right people to use it differently.
Links & Resources:
- - on Substack
One more thing
Coworking brings communities together, helping people find and share their voices.
Each episode of the Coworking Values Podcast explores the core values driving coworking: Accessibility, Community, Openness, Collaboration, and Sustainability.
These values aren’t just ideas—they shape the spaces where we gather, work, and grow.
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