A conversation about rebuilding connection in a disconnected world

The pandemic changed how people meet, work, date, and socialize. For many, the screen became the default place for interaction — but convenience did not always lead to deeper connection.

In this episode, Dapper Don speaks with Gabor Kadas about the loneliness epidemic, the difficulty of building friendships as an adult, and the thinking behind Friending: an app designed to help people move from online discovery to real-world connection.

The conversation begins with Gabor’s personal experience of living across multiple countries and rebuilding social circles from scratch. Language barriers, cultural differences, remote work, and post-pandemic habits all shaped his view that modern technology should not keep people endlessly scrolling — it should help them meet safely in real life.

Why Friending is different

Most social and dating platforms are built to keep people engaged inside the app. Friending takes the opposite approach: the goal is to help users get off the app and meet in the real world.

From endless chat to real activity

One of the strongest parts of the interview is the discussion around “endless chat.” Many apps allow conversations to continue indefinitely without helping people take the next step. Friending is built around the belief that connection becomes meaningful when people actually share real experiences.

Gabor explains that Friending limits chat and encourages users to send a Friending request — essentially a real-life meet request. The purpose is simple: stop the loop of “What are you doing?” messages and create a path toward coffee, jogging, tennis, dinner, hiking, museum visits, or other activities.

Are You In cards

The episode also introduces Friending’s “Are You In” cards. These cards help users express what activities they enjoy — such as jogging, soccer, tennis, hiking, or other local interests — so the app can help match people around shared activities nearby.

• Users can list activities they are interested in.
• They can discover others nearby with similar interests.
• Activities can be planned in advance or started in real time.
• The focus remains on doing something together, not just chatting.

Safety, trust, and verification

Safety is a major theme in the conversation. Gabor explains that Friending’s verification is handled by Persona, a third-party verification provider. Friending does not need to directly process or store the user’s identity documents; instead, the app receives confirmation that verification was completed.

This matters because meeting people offline requires more trust than simply messaging online. Friending’s approach is to build the community from the beginning around verified users, rather than trying to add verification later after a platform has already grown.

Deplug events and the future of offline connection

Another important part of the episode is the discussion around Deplug events: real-world gatherings where people intentionally put their phones away. The idea is to create environments where people can be fully present, talk face-to-face, and experience social interaction without the constant pull of notifications.

Gabor explains that not everyone will be ready for that kind of change immediately. But for people who feel tired of screen-based loneliness and want to rebuild their social lives, Deplug-style events can offer a meaningful reset.

The message is clear: technology can help people find each other, but it should not replace the human experience of being together.

Friending’s mission: helping people leave their comfort zone

Toward the end of the interview, the conversation returns to a simple but powerful point: Friending can offer tools, activities, and suggestions — but people still have to participate.

Loneliness is not solved by downloading an app alone. It is solved by taking real steps: showing up, meeting people, trying activities, leaving the comfort zone, and choosing real connection over passive scrolling.