The Bobby Bones Show: Feeling Things Episode: "Socializing is No Longer Optional, The Question That Helps Relationships & More" Date: February 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and lively episode of Feeling Things with Amy and Kat, the hosts dig into the importance of human connection, maintaining social ties as adults, and simple tools to support mental and emotional well-being. Centered around listener engagement, the conversation covers unique gift ideas (like the “blessings jar”), actionable relationship communication strategies, and the psychological and cognitive benefits of intentional socializing—especially as we get older. With humor and vulnerability, Amy and Kat share personal stories and listener wisdom, making this episode both thought-provoking and practical for anyone navigating relationships and adult friendships.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Engagement: Email from Kari about Generosity & the Blessings Jar

[04:06 - 05:14]

• Summary:
  Amy reads an email from a listener named Kari, who shares a life lesson: “never suppress a generous thought.” That principle sparks a discussion about the blessings jar – a jar filled with handwritten notes of encouragement from friends and family.
• Notable Quote:

  "The blessings jar is sort of a gift that keeps on giving... any time the receiver needs to dip in, it's like they’re receiving thoughtful, kind words again." — Amy [05:10]

2. How to Create a Blessings Jar

[06:05 - 10:14]

• The blessings jar can be DIY with colored cardstock or purchased online.
• Amy and Kat recount gifting and receiving these jars, and how reading the notes helps during tough times.
• Amy reads several notes from her own jar, sharing how they make her feel—describing both the awkwardness and the comfort.
• Notable Quotes:

  “You make others feel less alone in their own struggles, which is very healing.” — Brittany [08:27]
  “You are changing lives every day with the vulnerability you share.” — Kat [10:05]

3. Socializing as Cognitive Maintenance, Not Just Entertainment

[12:45 - 15:17]

• Amy brings up advice from a geriatric psychologist: after 40, socializing becomes less about entertainment and more about “cognitive maintenance.”
• The analogy is made to brushing your teeth—you don’t wait to feel inspired, you just do it.
• Social interaction needs to become a planned, habitual priority—“like your monthly mortgage payment.”
• Amy shares a local example: a monthly “moms club” in her town that organizes gatherings.
• Notable Quote:

  "We need to force interactions with the same discipline that we use for our mortgage payment... Plan a gathering so you don't fall behind." — Amy [13:15]

4. Overcoming Barriers to Socializing and Making it Routine

[19:01 - 21:41]

• Kat and Amy discuss their personal reluctance to go out, even for fun local events, and the inertia that comes with getting older or busy.
• They brainstorm ways to make socializing easier: game nights, bunko, or even doing things at home.
• The importance of “sprinkling in” social activities, not giving up on cozy nights in.
• Notable Quotes:

  "It's easy to just want to stay home, be tired, and cozy up, but that's where isolation can slowly become the default." — Amy [20:54]
  "Sprinkle in some social interaction... not going to take away comfy clothes, but don't make isolation the default." — Kat [21:41]

5. Health, Hormones & Booking That Appointment

[26:07 - 29:23]

• Amy shares her decision to switch doctors after realizing she wouldn’t even recommend her own gynecologist.
• Both hosts talk about the resistance to making necessary medical appointments and the tendency to let months slip by.
• Amy talks candidly about the “meh” feeling of perimenopause, lack of whimsy, and the role hormones play in joy and energy.
• Notable Quotes:

  “There aren’t that many days a month I just feel awesome — maybe you aren't having experiences that…” — Kat [26:07]
  “I'm not miserable, but I don’t feel joy. It's just a meh feeling. I want to have whimsy!” — Amy [29:23]

6. Doctor Relationships & Medical Advocacy

[35:05 - 39:02]

• Kat explains her experience of losing a long-time doctor, struggling with a replacement who was dismissive, and the importance of finding a new, supportive healthcare provider.
• Both encourage others not to settle when it comes to their own care, and discuss the added challenges for women in healthcare settings.
• Notable Quotes:

  “If you have a doctor you dread seeing, then you’re not going to get the care you deserve.” — Kat [37:24]
  “Why am I going somewhere I wouldn’t recommend to my friend?” — Amy [26:48]

7. Listener Voicemail: “What Do You Need?” as a Relationship Tool

[41:39 - 42:53]

• Tracy from Denver calls in to share her strategy for communicating with her adult daughter: always ask “Are you calling for advice, or just to vent?”
• Amy and Kat praise the power of that simple question as a way to respect boundaries and avoid unwanted advice.
• Notable Quotes:

  "We established that I would ask: Are you calling for advice, or are you calling just to vent?... She got what she needed, and I gave her what she needed, without stepping on her toes." — Tracy (voicemail) [41:39]

8. Creating Community & Listener Connection

[43:12 - 45:02]

• Amy and Kat riff on what to call their listener group (“community” vs. “club” vs. “flock” vs. “feelers”), playfully debating the right term.
• The sense of mutual support and shared wisdom among listeners is highlighted.
• Notable Quotes:

  "We appreciate y’all sharing your nuggets of wisdom... That’s what helps us feel connected." — Amy [43:12]

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• On never suppressing a generous thought:

  "The blessings jar is kind, thoughtful, generous, but anytime you need to dip into it... it's like a jar full of friends not suppressing a kind thought." — Amy [05:10]

• On making socializing a discipline:

  "Socializing after 40 is no longer entertainment, it's cognitive maintenance." — Amy [13:10]

• On feeling awkward yet grateful for affirmation:

  “You make others feel less alone in their own struggles, which is very healing.” — Brittany [08:27]
  “I know you don’t think you’re famous, lol, but that is one of the ways you bless us all. You are you all the time, even when it’s hard and scary.” — Kat to Amy [09:06]

• On adult inertia and friendship maintenance:

  “Once a month, you need to do something with friends.” — Amy [25:04]

• On doctor/patient fit:

  “If you have a doctor you dread, you won’t get the care you deserve.” — Kat [37:24]
  “If you feel ‘meh’ about your doctor, make the call now. Time will pass anyway.” — Amy [27:58]

• On relationship communication:

  “Are you calling for advice, or just to vent?” — Tracy (voicemail) [41:39]

Important Segments with Timestamps

• Blessings Jar gift idea [03:18-10:14]
• Socializing as maintenance, not optional [12:45-15:17]
• Breaking out of the hermit habit in adulthood [19:01-21:41]
• Health checkups and advocating for yourself [26:07-29:23, 35:05-39:02]
• Listener voicemail: Communication tool for relationships [41:39-42:53]
• Community & listener connection [43:12-45:02]

Tone and Style

Throughout the episode, Amy and Kat maintain their signature tone: warm, vulnerable, relatable, and humorous—with occasional self-deprecating jokes and candid moments about mental health, social struggles, and adulting. They foster a sense of inclusion, making listeners feel like part of an ongoing, collective conversation.

Takeaways

• Never suppress a generous thought—simple kindnesses, like a note in a blessings jar, can have lasting impact.
• Socializing is not just for fun—it’s key to maintaining mental and cognitive health as we age.
• Be intentional with relationships—ask loved ones what they need, instead of defaulting to advice-giving.
• Advocate for your own well-being—in social life, health, and relationships, don’t settle or delay taking action for yourself.

Join the Conversation

Amy and Kat invite listeners to share feedback, episode ideas, and what their group should be called—club, community, flock, or “feelers.” To contribute, email heythere@feelingthingspodcast.com.

Have the day you need to have!

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