Hola, hola! Welcome to Casa Cinco, a weekly newsletter curating connection.

Are you building or investing in human connection? See the bottom of this email and connect with Casa Cinco.

This week I’m reflecting on a big question at Casa Cinco, sharing human connection on the big screen, and encouraging you to unplug. Happy reading!

Here’s to connecting,

Andy

A BIG QUESTION AT CASA CINCO

How many of us have ever debated going sober while drinking a few glasses of wine? (no, this isn’t the big question at Casa Cinco).

It can’t just be me. As humans, we must admit we’re pretty bad at taking care of ourselves.   

Despite having the cognitive ability to understand what habits are detrimental to our health and what habits support it, we still take the easy way out. Who has the time, money, or energy to keep up?

This is where I see a massive opportunity for companies: make it easy for people to make better choices. To adopt better habits. To live more fully.

What does this have to do with curating connection?

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, Surgeon General of the U.S., wrote a book I’m currently devouring called Together: Loneliness, Health, and What Happens When We Find Connection. Expect more on it soon.

Often asked what the role of technology is in the loneliness epidemic, Dr. Murthy reminds us that online interactions can, and should, enable offline connection. Technology should serve, as opposed to replace, human connection.

However, the challenge is stark. For the most part, dating apps left users more disconnected than ever. Social media exposed a side of humanity we shouldn’t be proud of. Friendship apps still feel cringe to most. Self-care apps fail to embrace social wellness. And how any of this will change with AI… well, TBD.

It isn’t necessarily that technology has failed us, but that we’ve failed to use technology for connection.

So, I ask you: how can we better use technology as a tool for human connection?

This is a big questions I’ve set out to answer with Casa Cinco, and I am thankful to share this journey with you.

The inspiration for you is: while I seek out answers, use technology to enable connection - not hinder it.

Here are a few tools for connecting with yourself, others, and the planet:

CONNECT WITH YOURSELF

Headspace: I’ve talked about the benefits of meditation before here. I personally use Headspace every single day and find it intuitive, personable, and effective. Whatever the app, the key is that you remember to check in with yourself daily.

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Gratitude Plus: From the author of BuildBetter, Gratitude Plus enables you to share gratitude with your favorite people as a way to reduce stress, boost happiness, and deepen relationships. Think journaling, but together.

CONNECT WITH THE PLANET

Koomoot: I use this every time I go for a hike with friends - it allows me to find, plan, and share my routes. Surprised by the streets Google Maps can recognize? You won’t believe the paths here...

Have others in mind? Please share! Reply to this email and let’s chat.

WEEKLY CURATION

PEOPLE

• 🎥Daddio: Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn on human connection (question: has anyone come across a documentary on this topic?)

• 💭Simon Sinek, Adam Grant, and Brene Brown sit down for an unscripted conversation and the result is exactly what you'd expect

• 👗As a sneak peak into this month’s deep dive, here’s David Senra’s Founders episode on Brunello Cucinelli

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑The rise of the experience economy: making memories and friendship bracelets

• 🔁What is circularity? Moving from products to services, what that means for productivity, and the industries that will benefit the most

• 🍌Barnanas: Upcycling bananas for snacks from smallholder farmers in Latin America to the shelves of your favorite U.S. grocers

PLACES

• 🚀The next frontier in employee engagement: from experiences to transformation 

• 🍗In London this summer? Disney+ and Mob Kitchen are teaming up on The Bear's food truck 

• 🌳Unplugged: Off the grid cabins to switch off and recharge

CONNECT WITH CASA CINCO

Are you an entrepreneur or investor interested in human connection?

Join others like you by replying to this email with the subject line “MEMBER” and connect with the Casa Cinco network.

We’ll talk soon. Thank you for joining me at Casa Cinco.

Did a friend send this your way? Sounds like they know you. Subscribe here.

Was this marked as spam? ChatGPT that thing and take me to your main inbox.