Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time with Sheila Liming

Dr. Dan interviews Sheila Liming, the author of “Hanging Out,”  about why unstructured time is essential and why she urges us to say no to calendar invites and yes to “chilling.”  Sheila explains to Dr. Dan how simple acts of casual connection are the glue that binds us together, and how community is the antidote to the disconnection and isolation that dominates contemporary life. With constant digital access and smartphones around 24/7, our lives still aren’t connected in a meaningful way. Loneliness is an epidemic and Sheila Liming offers the cure: we need to hang out more. Dr. Dan and Sheila discuss what it means  to “hang out”; why modeling “chilling” is important for our kids to see; and how we can help future generations embrace “killing time.” Sheila Liming is an associate professor at Champlain College (Burlington, VT), where she teaches classes on literature, media, and writing. The author of two previous books, her essays have appeared in The Atlantic, McSweeney’s, The Los Angeles Review of Books, and Public Books. Follow her on Twitter.  Email your parenting questions to Dr. Dan podcast@drdanpeters.com (we might answer on a future episode). Follow us @parentfootprintpodcast (Instagram, Facebook) and @drdanpeters (Twitter). Listen, follow, and leave us a review on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Wondery, or wherever you like to listen! Don’t forget, you can hear every episode one week early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in the @WonderyMedia App. For more information: www.exactlyrightmedia.com  www.drdanpeters.com For podcast merch: www.exactlyrightmedia.com/parent-footprint-shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Make It a Great One with Dr. Dan is your weekly dose of inspiration, purpose, and practical wisdom for living a life aligned with your true self. Hosted by renowned psychologist and executive coach Dr. Dan Peters, this podcast helps you break free from autopilot and step fully into the life you’re meant to live. If you’ve ever wondered if you’re living up to your potential—or how to navigate challenges with more resilience and clarity—this show is for you. Dr. Dan combines expert insights, powerful interviews, and real-life tools to help you deepen your self-awareness, strengthen your mindset, and make a positive impact. With decades of experience guiding individuals and leaders toward lasting transformation, Dr. Dan brings heart, humor, and honesty to every episode—so you walk away feeling motivated and equipped to make each day count. Tune in to new episodes every Thursday to unlock your potential, ignite your purpose, and—most of all—make it a great one.