Building Connection in Lonely Times: Celine McGee and The Compliment Squad

In an era of unprecedented social isolation and loneliness, one Philadelphia engineer is combating disconnection one compliment at a time. Celine McGee, who works in corporate telecommunications by day, has spent over a decade approaching strangers with genuine compliments and cards that say "pass it on"—creating what she calls the Compliment Squad. What started with a single compliment during a neighborhood walk has evolved into a grassroots movement challenging our collective fear of talking to strangers. Celine shares how she overcomes the vulnerability of approaching people she's never met, why creating connection matters more than perfection, and how small acts of courage can create butterfly effects of kindness. In this conversation, we explore the crisis of loneliness affecting our communities, practical strategies for overcoming social anxiety, and why sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply tell someone their shoes look cool. Whether you're an introvert wanting to connect more or someone who believes we need more human interaction in our increasingly digital world, this episode offers both inspiration and practical tools for building courage through everyday connection. What You'll Learn: How to overcome fear of talking to strangers — Practical strategies for approaching people you don't know with genuine compliments Building everyday courage through small acts — Why starting with simple compliments can help you develop confidence in all areas of life Creating community connection in isolated times — How one person's small initiative can ripple out to create meaningful change Navigating social anxiety with purpose — Turning awkwardness into opportunities for authentic human connection Sustaining passion projects alongside demanding careers — Strategies for keeping personal missions alive when corporate work drains your energy Key Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 4:30 - The origin story of the Compliment Squad 11:45 - Overcoming the vulnerability of approaching strangers 18:20 - How compliments can bridge social divisions 24:15 - Katie's wisdom: "If you haven't been punched in the face, you're fine" 28:45 - Enlisting amplifiers to grow the movement 33:00 - Courage practices for connection Key Takeaways: For anyone struggling with social connection: Compliments are one of the lowest-barrier ways to break the ice and create authentic moments with strangers For those managing fear of rejection: Research shows that even imperfect compliments land well—the intention matters more than perfect execution For community builders: Creating movements doesn't require perfection or grand gestures; it starts with doing more of what already feels good and inviting others to join you Featured Quote: "If you haven't been punched in the face so far, you're fine. So my point is like I compliment a lot of people I've never seen before or spoken to, and it's fine. So people shouldn't be scared just to give a compliment in any setting." — Celine McGee (quoting her friend Katie) Resources & Links: Follow the Compliment Squad on Instagram: @compliment_squad Connect with Celine to learn more about bringing compliment initiatives to your community About Celine McGee: Celine McGee works in corporate America's telecommunications industry, specializing in procurement and relationship building. With a background in engineering, she brings analytical thinking to her professional work and creative courage to her passion project: the Compliment Squad. For over a decade, Celine has been approaching strangers in Philadelphia with genuine compliments and cards that invite recipients to "pass it on," creating ripples of kindness and connection in an increasingly isolated world. About Your Host: Aransas Savas is a wellbeing and leadership coach who helps people build courage and create meaningful impact in their lives. With 20+ years of behavioral research experience partnering with companies like Disney, Weight Watchers, and Best Buy, she hosts The Uplifters Podcast, featuring people doing brave things in their communities and lives. Aransas combines research rigor with personal warmth, exploring how we can all develop the courage to do the things that matter most. Connect with Aransas: Instagram: @aransas_savas Podcast Instagram: @the_uplifters_podcast TikTok: @theuplifterspodcast Facebook: Aransas Savas Website: theuplifterspodcast.com YouTube: @theuplifterspodcast LinkedIn: Aransas Savas Keywords: overcoming social anxiety, building courage everyday, connecting with strangers, combating loneliness, social isolation solutions, kindness movement, Philadelphia community building, compliment practice, building confidence, human connection, grassroots activism, everyday courage, social bridge-building, vulnerability practice, community connection strategies, corporate professional passion projects, engineer entrepreneur, kindness activism, stranger connection, social courage building