Lonely in a new city even though you’re “connected” all day? We felt that tension hard, so we sat down with Gabor Catas, CEO of Friending Inc., to talk about a different kind of social app: one that’s built to get you off your phone and back into real life. Gabor shares why he helped shape the Friending App after years of moving between countries and states, and why loneliness is more common than most people admit, especially after COVID and the shift to remote work.
We dig into what makes Friending stand out in the crowded world of friendship apps and dating-style platforms. First, verified identity: the app uses Persona with ID and selfie checks to reduce fake profiles and build trust. Then, the big behavioral change: chat is limited to 10 exchanges, after which you send a friend request with a 30-day window to meet face-to-face. It’s a design choice that challenges the endless-texting loop and focuses on making friends through shared activities in your area.
We also get practical about safety and real-world meetups. Friending includes a triple-tap feature that can call the police by default, contact a friend, or alert nearby Friending users if you feel uncomfortable. You can browse people within about 50 miles using “Are You In” activity cards and tags, and Gabor paints the best-case future where you can even ping nearby players to fill out a last-minute volleyball team. Plus, there’s a fun twist: sending real coffee with a QR code message that can be text, video, or even a song.
Listen now, then subscribe, share with a friend who’s new in town, and leave a review so more people can find the show.
Want to be a guest on Straight from the Source's Mouth: Frank Talk about Sex and Dating? Send Tamara Schoon a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17508659438808322af9d2077
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