Every once in a while, something pops up in my Facebook memories that makes me smile. Today, it was a letter of recommendation from the Michigan Municipal League following a keynote presentation I delivered at its annual convention on Mackinac Island in September 2024. The letter reminded me of a wonderful experience sharing the importance of neighboring with municipal leaders who were interested in building stronger, more connected communities. The event planner wrote that my presentation exceeded expectations and was engaging, interactive, and practical. She also shared this feedback from one of the attendees: "The session on 'Neighboring' was insightful. He provided examples of how municipalities can focus on customer service. Something that resonated with me was how we can treat constituents like our next-door neighbors." I especially appreciated that comment because it captures something I believe deeply: Neighboring is not just about the people who live next d...

  In their insightful work The Lonely American , Jacqueline Olds and Richard Schwartz delve into a pressing issue of modern society: the growing epidemic of loneliness. Their analysis examines the cultural, psychological, and societal forces that drive isolation, the ripple effects of loneliness, and actionable steps to counteract its spread.  This essay highlights the core themes and findings from their discussion on December 16, 2024, as part of Neighboring 101. Understanding Loneliness Olds and Schwartz reveal that loneliness is not merely an emotional state but a societal problem with far-reaching consequences. Drawing from research and anecdotal evidence, they discuss how social isolation has increased dramatically over recent decades. For instance, a survey conducted in 1985 found that only 10% of Americans reported having no confidants, but by 2004, this number had jumped to 25%. Furthermore, the average number of close confidants fell from three to two during the same ...