Finding Our Friends Again with Shannon George

We all know that person from high school who seemed infinitely connected — the one everyone knew, everyone liked, and who somehow managed to be everywhere at once. For Tara, that person was her dear friend and former swim-team co-captain, Shannon Douglass (now George).

Tara and Tina invited Shannon to talk about connection as part of this season’s theme, but what unfolded was a conversation about something even more universal — reconnection. Shannon opens up about the ways we can lose touch with friends through family obligations, time constraints, and life transitions, and how hard it can be to rebuild those bonds later in life.

Like so many of us in midlife, Shannon realized, “We’re all looking for our friends again.” Hearing someone so outgoing and social talk about loneliness and rediscovery is both comforting and eye-opening — a reminder that even the most connected among us can feel disconnected at times.

The conversation is both hopeful and deeply encouraging. Shannon shares the small, intentional steps she’s taking to make new connections and rekindle old ones, showing that sometimes all it takes is a simple “yes” to an invitation or an unexpected moment of courage.

Highlights include:

• The trap of thinking “I’m going to have more time” as we get older

• The importance of having local friends separate from family

• The patience and persistence it takes to build lasting friendships

• The many forms of service and how they foster connection

• Shannon’s discovery of Impact 100 and community giving

• Friendship rituals that keep relationships alive

• How easy it can be to reach out — and how hard it can be to actually do it

• The different stages of readiness for reconnecting

• The ways Shannon keeps in touch with her (many!) non-local friends

• The beauty of saying yes to the moment, the person, the invitation

• The power of surprising yourself

Through laughter, honesty, and plenty of real-life wisdom, this conversation reminds us that friendship isn’t about having it all figured out — it’s about continuing to show up and say yes.