Whitney Pennington-Rogers

Well, one thing that really struck me in reading your book is really the diversity of people who you've encountered who have chosen to sort of pursue these types of relationships.

It seems to really transcend everything from race, gender, age, sexuality, all types of identifying factors.

Although you do see that the

different identifying factors people have impact the way that those involved navigate these sorts of relationships.

So I'm curious to know, as we sort of look to the future, how you see some of this changing as the demographic makeup of our world continues to evolve.

Well, you mentioned tech earlier and how that wasn't really a big part of how you approach this.

But as we're thinking to the future, I'm interested to hear your perspective on how you think tech will impact the nature of, I guess, all relationships, but these sort of platonic partnerships, as you say.

A lot of people say that tech might lead us to retreat from each other more and spend more time away from other humans interacting less with one another.

How do you see this changing?

And so much that you've shared here in terms of tips for people developing these relationships has been around being vulnerable and really putting yourself out there.

And Renee A asked how you can attempt to connect with people without seeming needy.

So what are, I guess, some of the ways you get over some of those feelings in doing that?

Well, Raina, as we wind down this conversation, and I sort of open by talking about the time of year that we're entering the holiday season, and this is a time for a lot of people that can magnify connection and also loneliness.

So what are some ways you think we all can broaden our sense of family and the relationships that sustain us as we go into this period of the year?

So many great ideas here.

And Raina, I feel like we could keep talking for ages.

We've reached the end of our time, unfortunately.

And thank you to the members who submitted questions that we didn't get to.

This has been wonderful.

Thank you so much for the gift of your time and your insight, Raina.