Welcome to Friendless!

Episodes

9
Oct. 29, 2024

Refocusing Jurassic Park's Feminist Lens (with special guest Hannah McGregor)

This week on a very special episode of "Friendless", join host James Avramenko as he sits down with the insightful Hannah McGregor, author and co-host of the popular podcast "Material Girls." Hannah, who penned "Clever Girl," shares her feminist analysis of Jurassic Park, diving into her unique perspective on the beloved classic. In this in-depth conversation, Hannah opens up about her personal journey moving to Vancouver and the challenges she faced in building a community from scratch amidst ...
8
Oct. 22, 2024

Halloween Spook-tacular!

๐ŸŽƒ Spooktacular Halloween Special ๐ŸŽƒ In this chilling Halloween special of Friendless, host James Avramenko dives deep into the eerie world of horror movies and books, sharing his favourite spine-tingling picks and answering listener questions. From his personal "Mount Rushmore" of horror films to freshly-released gems like "The Substance" and "Oddity", James explores the genre's creativity and its platform for marginalised voices. He also highlights psychological thrillers like "I Saw the TV Glo...
7
Oct. 15, 2024

How Do Adults Make Friends?

In this very special episode of Friendless, host James Avramenko tackles the age-old question: How do adults make friends? James shares his experiences at a speed dating event, where he delved into various fascinating topics like dietetics, bird watching, biology, and insectology, highlighting the joy of listening to people speak passionately about their interests. He emphasizes the importance of speaking confidently about oneโ€™s own passions without fearing judgment and stresses that if someone...
6
Oct. 8, 2024

Building Lasting Connections (with special guest Keira Daniels)

In this very special episode of "Friendless," host James Avramenko welcomes back a beloved guest, Keira Daniels. Their conversation is a delightful blend of humour, introspection, and valuable life lessons on aging, friendships, and staying connected. James and Keira kick things off with a humorous exchange about planned bed days, setting the tone for a lively and candid discussion. Keira shares insights from her partner, emphasising the importance of understanding others in conflict without as...
5
Oct. 1, 2024

The Imp of the Perverse (September Wrap-Up Special)

In this very special episode of Friendless, host James Avramenko marks his one-year sobriety milestone by delving into his journey of self-discovery, emotional regulation, and the importance of building a robust support system. James opens up about the pivotal moments that led him to embrace sobriety, including dealing with intense emotions, the struggle of social isolation, and the critical role of harm reduction. James shares insights into his coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness and mantra...
4
Sept. 24, 2024

Building Online Communities (with special guest Tim Riel)

In this very special episode of "Friendless," host James Avramenko sits down with Tim Riel (@nerdincorrect) to explore the intricate world of community building, the realities of adult friendships, and the importance of small, thoughtful gestures in maintaining connections. Tim, a dedicated board gamer, comedian, and host of Codenames Live, opens up about managing his busy schedule filled with various projects. They discuss the myriad challenges and joys of friendship, particularly how adult re...
3
Sept. 17, 2024

Feeling Like a Fraud? Let's Talk Imposter Syndrome

In this week's episode of Friendless, host James Avramenko kicks off a fresh deep dive series by opening up about a topic close to his heart: Imposter Syndrome. Drawing from his personal experiences and professional teaching background, James demystifies imposter syndrome by exploring what it truly is, its common triggers, and the various ways it manifests. He shares relatable anecdotes, personal battles with imposterism, and insightful classifications of the syndrome's different forms. Emphasi...
2
Sept. 10, 2024

i feel that way about garlic too (with special guest jaz papadopoulos)

In this very special comeback episode of Friendless, host James Avramenko welcomes back the talented poet and writer, jaz papadopoulos. jaz shares their rich experiences and profound journeys from studying critical theory to thriving in a queer feminist community, and eventually entering an MFA program. Together, James and jaz delve into the intricate process behind Jazโ€™s verse novel "i feel that way too" from its organic beginnings to its polished final form. The conversation shifts to discus...
1
Sept. 3, 2024

Virgo Season Has Arrived! (Season 7 Preview!)

In this exciting sneak peek into Season 7 of "Friendless", host James Avramenko returns revitalised from his summer holiday, ready to dive deep into personal growth, friendship, and community. Celebrating Virgo season and his 37th birthday, James reflects on his nearly 11 months of sobriety and the transformative journey he's been on over the past year. Join James as he opens up about his summer experiences, the struggles he faced, and the profound lessons he learned in self-acceptance and per...