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October 24, 2025 14 mins

Every once in a while, the universe taps you on the shoulder and says, “Here ya go … this one’s one of yours.”

That’s exactly what happened when I discovered Pete Bombaci, Founder & CEO of GenWell, Canada’s Human Connection Movement — and the man behind Talk To A Stranger Week, happening November 24–30 in Canada.

As many of you know, I’m the author of How To Talk To Strangers: Advice From a Professional Stranger Talker, so when I found out about Pete’s work, I thought, “Yup. This is my kinda guy. He won't be a stranger for long! " LOL 

Pete and I are kindred spirits with the same mission. 

To educate, empower and catalyze people in about the importance of face-to-face social connections as a proactive step that we can all take for our own health and happiness or the health and happiness of others and society.

 

The Big Truth: Human Connection Is Not Just Emotional — It’s Biological

We’ve all heard “connection matters,” but the science behind it is mind-blowing:

  • Face-to-face interaction activates nine times more brain activity than digital communication.
  • 80–90% of communication is nonverbal, so our screens simply can’t deliver what our brains and hearts crave.
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