On Parasocial Relationships, Echo Chambers & the Future of Connection
Subscribe to the Self-Centered Podcast Hub for deeper dives & episode updates
Hi folks! If you missed my last Bright Spot Bulletin, I shared something I’ve been building quietly for the past two years: a new podcast called Self-Centered.
It’s a project I’m co-creating with Olivia Owens, and it sits at the intersection of everything we explore here—self-awareness, cultural systems, and the stories we inherit and internalize. We think of it as part investigation, part reflection, and part gentle unraveling of the patterns that shape how we relate to ourselves, each other, and the systems we move through.
This week’s episode, Rebuilding Connection in a Fractured Reality, goes straight into territory many of us feel but rarely name:
The rise of parasocial relationships
The collapse of shared truth
Why we confuse discomfort with harm
How miscommunication becomes identity
and what it takes to rebuild connection in a world that rarely gives us time to listen
We sat down with Sophie Beren (Founder of The Conversationalist) and Matt Klein (Head of Foresight at Reddit, Author of ZINE) to unpack how echo chambers form, how algorithms become narrators, and why so many of us are navigating relationships through old survival strategies that no longer fit.
It’s one of my favorite conversations we’ve had so far because it made Olivia and me confront our own habits—how we anticipate instead of ask, how we soften or armor up depending on the room, and how much of connection is actually co-creation, not chemistry.
Because Self-Centered will have more frequent updates, I’m keeping that project separate from Where Light Lives. So, if you want:
Deeper dives into topics like this
Episode breakdowns
Behind-the-scenes notes
Early access to content & other fun things to come
👉 Subscribe to the Self-Centered Podcast Hub here: https://aselfcenteredpod.beehiiv.com
If you prefer just the monthly-ish Bulletins and Case Studies, you’re in the right place. This Substack will stay focused on leadership, culture, innovation, and the bright spots worth paying attention to.
Either way, thanks for being here, and don’t hesitate to message me with feedback, reflective thoughts, or ideas sparked by what I’ve been sharing!
Big hug,
Tori