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Bearing It All: Friendship & Connection with Michael Blackard

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The debut episode of Bearing It All features a deeply moving conversation with Queen of To Do, an inspiring voice in personal transformation and self-empowerment, alongside Michael Blackard, founder of Friend'em. Known for her commitment to authenticity and growth, Queen of To Do shares her journey of embracing vulnerability, overcoming fear, and stepping fully into her truth. Through candid storytelling, she explores how the power of openness can create meaningful connections and foster true self-acceptance. Meanwhile, Michael sheds light on the global loneliness epidemic and how Friend'em is making an impact in helping people foster friendships and deeper connections.

 

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.

Key Themes Discussed:

  • 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

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their journey: What truths have remained unspoken? What fears prevent full self-expression? And what possibilities arise when one chooses to be seen for who they truly are?

 

Introduction

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!

Michael (03:30):
Absolutely! Friend'em aims to shift that mindset by helping people build deeper connections in their friendships, business casual relationships, family relationships, and even their day-to-day interactions. Platonic love is just as important as any other form of love.

 

The Shift in Human Connection Post-Pandemic

Kate (04:30):
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 (11:02):
Michael, pick a number between 1 and 10 for our questions segment.

Michael (11:08):
Three!

Kate (11:36):
How has building your business impacted your personal life or relationships? Were there any sacrifices you didn’t expect?

Michael (11:44):
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.

Kate (14:32):
Yes! And let’s talk about how hard it is for recovering perfectionists and people-pleasers. I struggled with this too, especially as a CEO. I had to learn that hiring help—like a bookkeeper—early on is crucial. It saves so much stress in the long run.

 

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.

Kate (22:31):
Yes! 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.

Michael (25:58):
Exactly. 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 (27:56):
Michael, thank you so much for joining me. This conversation has been incredible!

Michael (29:18):
Thank you! You can find Friend'em at:

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.

Subscribe & Stay Connected

Stay tuned to Bearing It All for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more. If you found value in this episode, consider subscribing and leaving a review to help amplify these important conversations.

 
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