Founder, CEO, and content creator Liv Schreiber is no stranger to the New York City social scene. In a world where screen time often replaces real connection, finding genuine community—especially in New York—can feel harder than ever. After experiencing that disconnect firsthand, Schreiber set out to bring people together, launching Camp Social and Hot & Social with a shared mission: helping people build meaningful, intentional relationships, whether friendly or romantic. Liv sits down with Spotlight to talk community-building in the digital age, taking risks, and why showing up IRL still matters. Read the full interview below.
SPOTLIGHT: We’re more connected online than ever—yet loneliness feels louder than ever. Why do you think real-life community is having such a major moment right now?
SCHREIBER: Because digital connection is convenient but it isn’t nourishing. Real life is having a comeback because people are realizing: you cannot heal loneliness or have real fun with “haha so true” comments and sending TikTok’s at 1 a.m. and repetitive going out plans with the same people day after day after day.
We’ve built lives optimized for speed, comfort and convenience, and in the process, we’ve lost presence, texture, and shared experience. People are realizing that community doesn’t happen in comment sections or Instagram captions, no matter how witty they may be. Real life is having a renaissance because the nervous system is asking for something more human. Wifi connection can’t give you a hug.
SPOTLIGHT: Camp Social started as a personal fix for your own NYC loneliness. When did you realize this wasn’t just your story—but something so many people were craving?
SCHREIBER: When I shared that I wanted to go back to camp for a weekend and thousands of women said, “This is me.” On paper, many of us have full lives, careers, social circles. And yet there’s a quiet loneliness no one talks about, a true craving for adventure, for belly-laughing fun. I realized I hadn’t uncovered a niche problem. I’d named a collective one.
Everyone was like, “Wait. You too? You also don’t have the MOST fun in adulthood that you COULD be having?” That was the click. Not a business idea click. A we are all in the same boat pretending we’re not click.
There’s no timeline on friendship, on where and when you can meet a new girlfriend in life. I had and have great friends in NYC, but I was lonely out of pure want for more connection, more experience, more new friends. People don’t look up and meet anymore, and I’m helping solve that.
SPOTLIGHT: A lot of people show up to your events completely solo. What do you say to someone who wants to come but is scared to take that first step?
SCHREIBER: Every meaningful chapter of your life begins with a moment of courage that feels slightly uncomfortable. Coming solo is encouraged because it’s a declaration that you’re willing to choose your future over fear. 99% arrive solo, 100% leave as friends.
I renamed “alone” to “solo”. It just feels more empowering, like a choice. I love that.
Being scared to do something solo is not a sign you shouldn’t do it. It’s a sign you’re about to upgrade your life. Your heart beating fast is your body’s inner applause. Come to Camp Social + Hot and Social!
SPOTLIGHT: You’ve turned community-building into a thriving business without losing its soul. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about growing something so personal at scale?
SCHREIBER: You cannot automate care and passion. You can scale systems, but not sincerity. For example, I write a weekly newsletter for 60,000 subscribers, sharing where to go and what to do in NYC and beyond- with friendship and dating tips. At one point, I hired a copywriter to help me get the emails done more efficiently, but quickly realized- you cannot outsource passion and your voice.
Other people may try to replicate the “sauce” when you have a great idea, brand, or company, but they won’t have the same recipe. Also, writing that newsletter is the highlight of my week, and I get to interact with so many customers and friends!
SPOTLIGHT: As we head into 2026—with Camp Social launching earlier than ever and Galentine’s Cowgirl weekend on the horizon—what excites you most about the future of IRL connection?
SCHREIBER: We’re moving into an era of intentional togetherness. People don’t want vague plans anymore. They want meaningful, designed experiences that become part of their story. I’m excited that we’re making community something you invest in, prioritize, and build with the same care as any other part of a beautiful life.
I’m excited that we’re making it normal again to want community on purpose. To design your life around connection instead of hoping it just happens between emails. We launch Camp Social on February 1st, with a weekend in June (5-7) and August (21-23). Every age is represented. Our oldest camper last year, Gail. was 85!
For a fun girls night out to meet girlfriends, Galentine’s night is going to be 200 women of all ages at Desert Five, my favorite country bar, on February 12. Bloom is sponsoring and we’re going to have a live band, line dancing, and a mechanical bull. And, you can come solo or with friends. Sign up to join here.
