Something More Human

Sometimes your brain tricks you into thinking you didn't have a great year. But what if you really did? We're kicking off 2026 by making the case for documenting your life and opting for analogue in a digital world. We're sharing our annual tradition for facing the facts of how we spent the last 12 months and how it shapes what we want out of the next 12 months.  This is your permis...

The most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one you have with yourself. But how do you deepen it (or even get started)? Our thoughts, self-concept, emotional habits, and belief systems shape the quality of every connection we have. Ryan Fila walks us through internal navigation and how to reach the end of your life with a sh*t eating grin. This conversation is a masterclass in curiosit...

What if freedom and fulfillment came from being bad at things on purpose? What if you let yourself suck at something… and still loved doing it? We're exploring the art of meandering; embracing hobbies, conversations, and careers that don't follow a straight line in order to uncover what it means to live a life rooted in curiosity, not productivity Bonus: maybe you'll finally sign up...

This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes (and one that feels especially relevant during the holidays). We're diving into five essential qualities to look for in the people closest to you and what it really means to cultivate a strong inner circle. This conversation will make you reflect on who’s in your corner and why that matters now more than ever. Support the show by b...

What if the fear of rejection is really just the fear of being seen ? A simple question at a brewery set off a chain of events that reshaped an entire evening during our recent anniversary trip. We're unpacking how practicing Rejection Therapy can lead to unforgettable connections, unexpected joy, and a more confident approach to life. From Sam's unapologetic strategy for accepting rejec...

Going to the party is arguably more important than self-care for your overall health. Okay, but what does that mean? We're uncovering the urge to bail, balancing rest with connection, and how to show up with intention. Plus: creative ways to host unforgettable gatherings, showing up as the best guest, how to be a “villager,” and why Google Calendar might be the ultimate relationship tool. Sup...

"The Company" is redefining what connection looks like in adulthood and absolutely changed the way we felt about moving to a city where we knew no one and felt immensely lonely. Ivan and Livvy Ruiz-Knott are fellow married friends and co-founders (2 of 3) of "The Company."  What started as a few friends gathering in a living room is now something much bigger: a space of connect...

How the tables have turned! Today's guest is none other than SMH co-host, Samantha Archuleta. We're digging into the reality of marrying young, what legacy really means to a 20-something, and unpacking how Sam seems to make life her b*tch in every possible way (if you know Sam, you know).   Elliot reminds us that even when you feel like you know everything there is to a person, there&apo...

This week's guest is none other than SMH co-host, Elliot Archuleta. With all that's going on in the world, we're reminded how crucial it is to sit with one another and exchange perspectives. We hope that you steal these questions and learn more about even your closest friends (or spouse!).  Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclus...

What if the most radical thing you could do… was invite someone to dinner? We sit down with executive director of Longer Tables (and host of the Mile Long Table!), Tim Jones, to get real about the deep seated fears holding us back from connection. From everything you need to know to successfully set your own table and extend an invitation to Tim's top questions for meaningful conversation, we...

Ever left a social gathering feeling empty because no one asked you a single question? Today I'm swapping Elliot for guest co-host Amanda Fowler and we get real about the conversational give-and-take, why curiosity is the ultimate connection fuel, Amanda's top tips for being a good house guest, and why storytelling is timeless. Plus, Amanda teaches me about MILF Etiquette.  Watch our fir...

You committed to an event and when the day comes... you really don't want to go. Why do we say no to connection, even when we want it most? From attending the Mile Long Table in Denver to peer pressuring our future selves, we're getting real about the emotional resistance to social events and why (and how) to go anyway. Whether you're unsure what to do in a room full of strangers or...

The thing that weighs heaviest the older we get? Regret . What does accepting the finitude of our own lives have to teach us about our values? Whether it's "rejection therapy" or building the muscle of saying "no," we're unpacking the art of doing nothing and the trap of convenience in favor of reclaiming our presence (especially in our ever busier world).  Books and...

We've been named the "Anti-Social Century," but are we truly opting out of in-person connection or have we been conditioned to retreat into isolation with our phones as companions? We're diving into how our culture may be the culprit, how we're unconsciously rewriting our sense of loneliness, and two questions that could radically reshape how you connect.  Articles and vid...

What did the ten friends we ask choose? Does spending money on others make you happier? Is $50 enough to get you out of a rut? What does budgeting reveal about our values? And what would happen if the government gave everyone $50 to spend on someone else every month? (Seriously, we did the math.) Sam & Elliot answer all of it and more. Support the show by becoming a member of the Something Mor...

It's creative. It's weird. It's way more meaningful than you'd expect. And it might just change how you gather. Born out of a tight budget and a desire to go deeper with the people in our life, we're uncovering how structure actually empowers people to open up, why public speaking isn’t just for big stages, and how to host your own with themes, time limits, and creative tw...

If a year can feel like just a moment, what does that say about 270 days, or our lives for that matter? By the time Elliot is 60 he calculates he'll only have had 270 days with the people he loves the very most. How can he make those 270 days feel like a lifetime? Elliot thinks he has the answer.  Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society and gain access to exclusive...

Sam wakes up in a dream—and inside that dream, a quiet, powerful desire surfaces. What unfolds is a search for something deeper than happiness. Together, Sam and Elliot explore our relationship to fulfillment, the difference between chasing and building, and what it really takes to feel at home in your own life. From fuzzy dream guides to mind movies and mac n cheese, this episode asks: What’s the...

Did you know Gen Zers will spend 19.2 years of their life on their phone? We might just be losing our minds to our screens, but there's something we can do about it. Digital Dementia is a real term coined in 2012 by neuroscientist Dr. Manfred Spitzer, which refers to cognitive decline caused by excessive screen use, often mimicking symptoms of early dementia like forgetfulness, mental fatigue...

How do you deal with jealousy in friendship and friendship breakups? We sit down with Marissa Meizz, founder of No More Lonely Friends , to talk about the reality of friendship expectations, the hardest part of maintaining friendships as an adult, and why we should treat our friendships with the same care we treat our romantic relationships.  Check out No More Lonely Friends Follow No More Lonely...

Sounds dramatic, but every friendship, opportunity, and connection starts with a conversation. So why is talking to strangers so hard? And how can we fix it? In this episode, we’re breaking down: Why our brains make socializing harder than it is 6 simple ways to start conversations (even if you’re shy) The small talk debate: does it actually matter? What a perfect government would do about lonelin...

Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society . Exclusive episodes + ad free listening, and more intimate ways of connecting. We live in the Anti-Social Century—a world designed for isolation, where community has been replaced by convenience, and loneliness is at an all-time high. But if one cultural shift got us here, another can bring us out. In this episode, Elliot and Sam...

Support the show by becoming a member of the Something More Society . Exclusive episodes + ad free listening, and more intimate ways of connecting. On January 30, in Denver, Colorado, we brought together 52 strangers, gave them each an equal voice and role to play, created structured rules and an atmosphere of deep engagement and we witnessed firsthand how intentional gatherings can spark meaningf...

A device that can read your mind… and it’s available for pre order?! Sam and Elliot talk about its potential positive applications; the return of the Humanity Is In the Comment Section segment & more. Support the show on Patreon and become a Something More Society member!    We have a live event coming up very soon! Our first live podcast & gameshow is taking place at the Denver Press Club...

In preparation for this episode, we did a 48 dopamine detox where we stayed off social media and spent as little time on our phones as possible. Now, we're sharing our dopamine menu items and challenging you to discover what makes you smile and belongs on your own dopamine menu. Stay Connected with Sam & Elliot Dive deeper with The Something More Society ! The go-to place to level up your...