Bearing It All: Friendship & Connection with Michael Blackard

Discover the power of authenticity and connection in Bearing It All's debut episode, where Kate Ginsberg and Michael Blackard explore truth, friendship, and self-growth.

The debut episode of Bearing It All features a moving conversation with Kate Ginsberg of Queen of To Do, an inspiring voice in personal transformation and self-empowerment, alongside Michael Blackard, founder of Friend'em. 

Episode 1: We All Have Truths to Bare

In this inaugural episode, Queen of To Do and Michael Blackard discuss the courage it takes to reveal one’s truths—how personal experiences shape identity, and how embracing authenticity can lead to profound transformation. Through a heartfelt conversation, they unpack the challenges of self-discovery, the fears that hold people back, and the liberation that comes with embracing one’s true self.

“The people who are wildly successful with their friends all have one thing in common—they care about the other person. It’s not about keeping score; it’s about nurturing real, heartfelt connections.”

Michael Blackard's Vision for Friendship

Michael Blackard is the visionary founder of Friend'em—a groundbreaking movement dedicated to helping adults forge genuine connections in a world grappling with loneliness. With roots in video game production, Michael transitioned from crafting digital worlds to building real-life communities, harnessing his creative background to tackle the global loneliness epidemic head-on. His passion for making life easier is evident in every aspect of Friend'em, from one-on-one coaching and free in-person workshops to his commitment to making meaningful social connections accessible for all.

Michael’s journey is defined by a candid embrace of vulnerability and authenticity. He champions the idea that being a good friend—both to others and to yourself—is essential for personal and professional success. Through his work, Michael not only challenges the status quo of how we approach relationships but also inspires entrepreneurs and everyday people alike to shed the pressure of perfection and simply “bear it all."

Key Themes on Friendship & Connection

• The power of vulnerability in fostering real connections

• The distinction between honesty and full disclosure

• The emotional complexity of sharing personal truths

• The impact of authenticity on self-identity and personal growth

• Addressing loneliness and the importance of platonic love

Introducing Michael Blackard

Kate (00:21):
Hello, hello, and welcome to our very first episode of the Bearing It All podcast! I am your host, Kate Ginsberg, founder and CEO of Queen of To Do. I am so thrilled to introduce you all to Michael Blackard. He is the founder of Friend'em, an incredible app that helps adults make friends. Michael is perhaps the most incredibly warm and enthusiastic human I have ever met, and he gives an amazing pep talk.

Michael, tell us about what brought you to this moment in your journey.

The Mission of Friend'em

Michael (00:54):
Kate, thank you so much for having me. I am so thrilled to connect and share more about Friend'em.

I’m Michael Blackard, the founder of Friend'em. Our goal is to help people make friends and be better friends with themselves. We are currently in a global loneliness epidemic. Research shows that loneliness can increase mortality rates and even damage the body more catastrophically than smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

At Friend'em, we help rebuild social toolkits, instill confidence, and foster deeper human connections. We do this through:

• One-on-one coaching – As a holistically trained coach, I help individuals understand their needs and build toward the future they strive for.

• Workshops – Many of my in-person workshops are free, and virtual ones have a nominal fee, making them as accessible as possible.

• Community building – We want to cultivate empathy, connectivity, and innovation.

The Importance of Platonic Love

Kate (03:16):
I love everything about your mission. So many people struggle with telling a friend, "I love you," because we are conditioned to reserve that for romantic relationships. But friendships deserve that level of care and appreciation too!

The Shift in Human Connection Post-Pandemic

Kate (04:16):
The pandemic really changed the way we interact with others. It made me realize that many networking events felt surface-level and transactional. That’s not how I want to show up in the world. We often present ourselves as super successful, but in reality, we’re all figuring things out as we go.

Michael (06:11):
Absolutely! And I want to say congratulations for telling your friends you love them. That is a huge step. People need to hear that appreciation. Also, I admire what you do with Queen of To Do—you give people back time in their day, reduce their stress, and allow them to focus on their goals. The impact of that cannot be understated.

Challenges & Sacrifices of Entrepreneurship

Kate (11:23):
How has building your business impacted your personal life or relationships? Were there any sacrifices you didn’t expect?

Michael (11:32):
Oh, that’s a hard one!

One of the biggest sacrifices has been my need for perfectionism and people-pleasing. I had to humble myself and admit that I don’t know everything. As an entrepreneur, I’ve had to:

• Ask for help – I used to be the one helping others, but now I need to rely on mentors and my community.

• Let go of perfection – I recently made a flyer for an event, got conflicting feedback, and had to accept that I can’t please everyone.

• Prioritize growth over vanity – I used to think looking polished was the most important thing, but now I realize that growing and learning is far more valuable.

Being a Good Friend to Yourself

Michael (21:44):
Friendship isn’t just about relationships with others; it’s about how we treat ourselves. Self-care and alignment are crucial. If something doesn’t align with your values, it will eventually drain you. We need to make decisions that align with our values and allow us to thrive. This is not selfish—it’s necessary for avoiding burnout.

People often ask if they’re making friends the "right way," but there is no right way. The key is caring about others. If you care and invest in people, the right friendships will form naturally.

Final Thoughts & Where to Find Michael

Kate (28:08):
Michael, thank you so much for joining me. This conversation has been incredible!

Michael (29:26):
Thank you! You can find Friend'em at:

• Website: www.friendem.net

• Instagram: @letsfriendem

• Eventbrite: Let's Friend’em

• Bluesky: Friend’em (posting daily Friend'em tips!)

Kate (29:36):
Thank you again for your time. I’ve loved this conversation.

That wraps up today’s episode of Bearing It All. We will be back in a couple of weeks with a new guest. Happy 2025 to everyone!

Key Takeaways:

1. Authentic friendships matter – Platonic love is just as important as romantic love.

2. Building friendships as adults is challenging but possible – It takes effort, but it’s worth it.

3. Entrepreneurship requires humility and growth – Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

4. Self-care and alignment are crucial – Be a good friend to yourself first.

5. Connections should be based on mutual care – The best friendships form when people genuinely care about each other’s success and well-being.