In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and affective neuroscientist Jim Coan. Jim is a leading researcher on how social connection impacts our minds, brains, and bodies, and he's also pushing the boundaries of impactful science communication. This conversation covers many topics, including:
- studying relationships and emotions in the brain;
- how a confusing research finding changed his career;
- how holding hands impacts our bodies and minds;
- understanding energy regulation and prediction;
- social baseline theory;
- the prefrontal cortex and self-regulation;
- implications for the default mode network;
- social support as energetic resources for the body;
- effects of hand holding on pain processing;
- introversion and social support;
- the two things all his students must memorize;
- the costs and benefits of social interactions;
- implications for loss of relationship;
- sense of self, belonging, and the importance of supporting others;
- communicating science through comics;
- and surviving—even flourishing—through climate change.
Full show notes and resources