What actually strengthens connection in the 2020s?

In this episode of Rediscovering Connection, I’m joined by Tristan Claridge, founder and president of the International Social Capital Association, to explore how Social Capital really works, and why understanding it can unlock more meaningful ways of connecting at work and in life.

Together, we reflect on how modern patterns of interaction shape our relationships, why social needs differ from person to person, and how connection deepens when people feel seen, heard, and understood. Rather than focusing on what’s broken, this conversation offers clarity, perspective, and several “aha” moments that help reframe how we think about Social Capital and Social Wealth today.

You’ll hear why social capital can never be transactional, how opportunities often emerge simply from knowing more about each other, and why authenticity, care, and attention are the real foundations of strong relationships.

In this episode, we explore:

✨What social capital is (and what it isn’t)
✨Why social capital only functions when social needs are met
✨How authenticity and “obs listening” strengthen connection
✨Why people often underestimate the social capital they already have
✨The difference between having access to networks and feeling socially wealthy
✨ How knowing more things about each other, creates opportunities for deepening trust, and collaboration.

This episode is especially relevant for those who want to understand connection more deeply, explore how to activate the social capital they already have, and reflect on what it takes to build socially healthy, high-trust teams in a modern, distributed world.

About Tristan Claridge
Tristan Claridge is a globally recognised expert on social capital, with over two decades of experience advancing theory, practice, and policy in the field. He is the Founding President of the International Social Capital Association (ISCA), Director of the Institute for Social Capital, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), and a Visiting Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University.

Tristan’s work focuses on developing a deeper understanding of how social capital is formed, maintained, and activated, bridging rigorous academic research with real-world application. He works internationally with researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to build social capital as a vital resource for individuals, organisations, and communities.

Find Trista

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I hope our conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life.

Subscribe now and let the magic unfold.

Love & sparkles,
✨Shelley

About Your Host

Hello you, I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

If this conversation sparked your curiosity to delve deeper, I support organisations by working with HR, L&D and People & Culture leaders to turn disconnection into measurable Social Health, using the principles of Social Wealth to build socially healthy, high-trust teams.

One way this work comes to life is through my Social Wealth Workshop. This is an interactive, strengths-based session designed for innovative leaders and teams who want to better understand how Social Wealth functions, and how it can be activated to support social health at work.

Email: shelley@communiverse.vip to request info.

Find out more at TheCommuniverse.com or find me on LinkedIn.

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