Newday 2025 Seminar - 14-18s How to Human 2

·52 min·5 clips

John confesses that friendship has brought him some of his biggest happiness and also his biggest pain, including shedding tears over friendship breakups.

The episode is a recorded seminar from the Newday 2025 youth festival, part of the 'How to Human' stream for 14-18 year olds. Hosts Catherine and John begin with an icebreaker where attendees find commonalities with strangers, emphasizing making new friends. They frame the day's topic around International Friendship Day. The seminar structure involves teaching segments, discussion periods, and Q&A, aiming for a conversational, podcast-like feel. The hosts first address how to make friends, drawing on Jesus's model: he was friendly with everyone (e.g., the woman at the well), had a medium-sized group of twelve disciples, and a closest inner circle of three (Peter, James, and John). They encourage diversity in friendships and highlight shared faith as a deep connector. A key moment arises when John recounts a question from a previous year: a group of girls asked how to build friendships when their primary bond is gossiping about others they dislike. Catherine and John discuss this honestly, acknowledging it's a common sin and challenging listeners to try a day without negative talk. After a reflection period, guest James joins—John's real-life friend of 18 years. They share favorite traits about each other (thoughtfulness, confidence with strangers) and discuss how to keep friends long-term. James shares a personal story of being ghosted by a friend on his wedding day, stressing the importance of showing up. They cover themes of commitment despite distance, honesty and vulnerability (including James's struggle with depression), celebrating each other's successes to combat comparison, and navigating tough times with grace. Catherine contrasts this with the modern 'cut off toxic friends' trend, arguing it's unbiblical. The Q&A session includes practical advice on deepening friendships with open questions, handling non-Christian friends who suggest uncomfortable activities, and maintaining friendships when moving schools frequently. The episode concludes with a prayer led by Catherine, inviting the Holy Spirit's help, offering prayer for those hurt by friendships, and emphasizing Jesus as the ultimate friend who understands betrayal.

As heard by us

A lively day-two session that turns International Friendship Day into practical talk about friendship and faith.

Day two of How to Human keeps International Friendship Day grounded in a room that feels active and informal. Catherine sets the tone with a crowd check, a sweaty-arm greeting, and an icebreaker that nudges people to speak to someone they do not know or who is not from their…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a friendly nudge to talk to people you do not already know.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Newday Talks & Audio