Every election season we hear politicians promise to invest in infrastructure. They talk about roads, bridges, water systems, broadband, and electrical grids. Those investments matter. Communities cannot thrive without them. But I wonder if we have overlooked another kind of infrastructure that may be just as important. It is the infrastructure of relationships. Think about your own neighborhood. If a storm knocked out the power tonight, who would you check on? If you had a medical emergency, which neighbor would notice something was wrong? If a new family moved in next door, who would introduce themselves first? These questions have very little to do with concrete or asphalt. They have everything to do with connection, belonging and community trust. For decades we have assumed that neighbor connectnos would simply happen on its own. Yet modern life has quietly worked against it. Longer commutes, busy schedules, garage doors that close with the push of a button, and digital entertainme...

Dr. Emily Smith’s The Science of the Good Samaritan: Thinking Bigger about Loving Our Neighbors is a thoughtful exploration of the psychology and social science behind compassion, empathy, and helping others. Drawing on a wide range of research, Smith demonstrates how our brains, environments, and habits influence whether we notice and respond to the needs of those around us. The book is well-researched and offers practical insights for anyone seeking to become more attentive and compassionate. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to translate scientific research into practical application. Smith highlights how busyness, distraction, and the “bystander effect” often keep people from noticing opportunities to help others. She also emphasizes that intentional habits of slowing down, paying attention, and practicing empathy make us more likely to respond when someone is in need. These findings are valuable reminders that loving our neighbors requires more than good intenti...

  At a time when many Americans are searching for belonging, struggling with loneliness, or feeling increasingly disconnected from the people around them, our next guest on Neighboring 101 is helping lead a national conversation about how we rebuild human connection in everyday life. I am excited to welcome Aaron Hurst to Neighboring 101 on June 25, 2026. You can subscribe to Neighboring 101 with a one-time fee of $50 which gives you access to all past classes and calendar reminders of upcoming sessions. You can see our video with Aaron on YouTube . Aaron is the creator of the U.S. Chamber of Connection , an organization devoted to strengthening relationships and rebuilding the social fabric of America. Their work focuses on one of the defining challenges of our time: the growing epidemic of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection that is impacting neighborhoods, workplaces, civic life, and even our personal health. For many people, loneliness is no longer just an individual s...

  The New York Times column “Why Americans Are Afraid of Their Neighbors” (written by Jessica Grose and printed May 26, 2026) explored something many people feel but rarely stop to examine: Americans have slowly been taught to distrust strangers, including the people living right next door.   The article traces this fear back to the “stranger danger” campaigns of the 1980s, when highly publicized child abductions and sensationalized media coverage convinced many parents that danger was everywhere. I lived through "stranger danger" and remember those campaigns. The column makes an important point. While those fears were understandable, the messaging often exaggerated the actual risk. The article notes that missing child statistics were frequently misleading and that most harm to children does not come from strangers at all. Over time, however, the cultural lesson stuck: strangers are dangerous, neighbors are unknown, and safety comes from isolation rather than connection ...

For generations, Americans have liked to believe we are a nation of good neighbors. We tell stories about borrowing sugar across the fence, keeping an eye on one another’s homes, and gathering on front porches after dinner. Many people still assume those habits are alive and well. But recent research suggests something deeper is happening beneath the surface: the idea of neighboring is quietly fading from everyday American life.  A recent article from the American Enterprise Institute examined new survey findings showing that Americans increasingly define being a “good neighbor” not by engagement, but by distance. In other words, many people now believe the best neighbors are quiet, private, and uninvolved. Younger adults especially tend to see neighboring less as relationship-building and more as respectful separation.  That should concern us. Privacy is important. Boundaries matter. No one wants neighbors who are intrusive or disrespectful. But when neighboring becomes litt...

In the quiet neighborhood of Maple Hollow, the residents lived in parallel lives—friendly enough to wave or exchange small talk but rarely venturing deeper. This changed when Rosa Alvarez, a teacher with a knack for bringing people together, decided to apply the principle of learning her neighbors' gifts and talents. It started one Saturday when Rosa noticed Mr. Patel struggling with his lawn mower. She offered help and soon learned he was a retired engineer who loved tinkering with machines. That same week, she struck up a conversation with her next-door neighbor, Lily Chen, a passionate gardener whose backyard overflowed with vibrant vegetables and flowers. Across the street, Jamal, a college student, shared that he had a talent for organizing events and often helped coordinate campus fundraisers. Rosa saw an opportunity to unite her community. She hosted a "Talents and Trades Meet-Up" in her front yard, inviting neighbors to share their skills and needs. Over cookies a...

  As Missouri Good Neighbor Week approaches (September 28–October 4), we’re inviting you to do something simple, powerful, and maybe even a little uncomfortable: turn off your social media. Even better? Delete the app for the week.  In an age of scrolling, likes, and endless notifications, we’ve grown comfortable with digital “connection”—but often at the expense of real, in-person relationships. This year, let’s flip the script. Instead of posting about kindness, go live it. Instead of liking a neighbor’s post, knock on their door. This week is the perfect opportunity to break free from the online bubble and step into the real world of community, conversation, and compassion. Why unplug? Social media is a fantastic tool, but it can also become a crutch. We feel like we’re connected to everyone, while actually interacting with no one.  Studies show that spending too much time online can lead to isolation, anxiety, and decreased empathy. Missouri Good Neighbor Week offers ...

  By embracing the "Idea Friendly Method," small towns and neighborhoods are discovering a new, empowering way to spark change—without waiting for permission, funding, or elaborate planning. Developed by Deb Brown and Becky McCray, this method encourages everyday people to take initiative and create momentum for community transformation in simple, organic ways. At its heart, the Idea Friendly Method has three key steps: gather your crowd , build connections , and take small steps . It’s not about committees, formal structures, or gatekeeping. Instead, it begins with whoever shows up and whatever resources are already in hand. A standout example of this philosophy in action comes from a small town in Kansas. There, a single folding table set up on Main Street became the beginning of a citywide tradition. What started as a modest dinner shared among a handful of neighbors grew into an annual potluck that now spans the length of Main Street. People bring food, folding chairs, an...