Guest: Steve Gagnier, author and  motivational speaker

In a world of instant communication, we have never been so disconnected. Psychologists say loneliness has reached epidemic proportions as the technologies meant to create a global village have us pursuing relationships built on the keystroke “likes” of invisible followers.

Steve Gagnier realized we were living in a superficial world where people had learned to hide behind a fake personality according to what they felt people wanted to see rather than who they truly were. This subtle spiral of deceit as people try to maintain their carefully-constructed masks creates a fear of being discovered. How have we lost the ability to develop deep, supportive relationships?   

Drawing first from the love of our Savior and then pulling in the proven methods found in resources such as 12-step programs, Steve created C4C, or Compassion for Companions. This program provides a series of spiritual and psychological insights and reflections to help guide readers to the richest kind of friendship attainable in this life: compassionate companionship. Steve has consolidated C4C into a book, Compassion for Companions: Developing Deep Friendships in a Lonely World. The goal is for people to interact with one another in a much different way than they might have ever experienced before.

Biography: One of nine children raised by Catholic parents in Rochester, New York, Steve Gagnier never really lost his love of God, although his life followed the lure of the culture. It was a weekend at a parish retreat called Christ Renews His Parish which revolutionized his entire perspective of God and drove him to develop genuine relationships instead of superficial ones. Steve has a Master of Divinity and has been a successful businessman, author, motivational speaker, and sales trainer for many years. Recently, as a national retreat leader, he answered a call to help our troubled and lonely world to establish something we all yearn for, deep and authentic friendships. Steve and his wife, Vicki, lived for many years in Atlanta, Georgia, but now live in California. Married 41 years, they have two grown children and four grandchildren. 

Resources: 
Compassion for Companions: Developing Deep Friendships in a Lonely World by Stephan J. Gagnier
Compassion for Companions website