Face-to-face socializing in America has declined by more than 20% nationwide. Among some groups, like young adults and unmarried men, the drop is closer to 40%.
But strangely, this hasn’t led to the loneliness epidemic that you hear so much about. Instead, we’re seeing a new phenomenon: rising aloneness without rising loneliness.
Today on the show, Derek T ... Show More
Jan 20
How Football Took Over America — and Could Collapse
American football is so big — so braided into our weekends, our language, and our culture — that it can be hard to see it clearly as a whole.In his new book, Football, Chuck Klosterman helps us see the game from unexpected angles, and argues that football isn’t just a sport, it’s ... Show More
57m 40s
Jan 13
Money and Meaning — What Faith Traditions Teach Us About Personal Finance
We usually think of money as something very practical, concrete, and secular; we earn it, save it, spend it, and crunch the numbers behind it. But money is never just about money: it reflects our values, our priorities — and even our spiritual life.My guest today, Tom Levinson, k ... Show More
45m 20s
Jan 6
Strong, Conditioned, and Ready for Anything — How to Become a Hybrid Athlete
For decades, fitness culture has tended to break people into two categories: you’re either a strength guy or an endurance guy. You lift heavy or run far — but not both.But my guest today says you don't have to choose; you can excel at both modalities and be ready for anything.Ale ... Show More
59m 16s
Jan 2025
‘The Anti-Social Century’: America’s Epidemic of Solitude—and How to Fix It
My new feature for The Atlantic magazine is called "The Anti-Social Century." It's a long article that revolves around a simple point: Americans are now spending more time alone than ever. This surging solitude is changing our personalities, our politics, our culture, and our rel ... Show More
1h 10m
Jul 2025
How to Deal with Loneliness and Build Meaningful Connections
What if loneliness isn't something to fix, but something to listen to? On this episode, Haesue sits down with Case Kenny, writer and podcast host of New Mindset, Who Dis? to unpack what loneliness really teaches us when we stop running from it. Case opens up about the profound di ... Show More
47m 1s
Sep 2023
Loneliness Across the Globe: A Life-Span Approach
Did you know that loneliness is different from social isolation? Psychologists define loneliness as a subjective concept which is related to one’s own expectations. In this episode, Under the Cortex hosts Samia Akther Khan, PhD candidate from King’s College London, whose research ... Show More
16m 26s
May 2025
People are Lonelier than Ever. Enter AI.
Over the last few decades, our relationships have become increasingly mediated by technology. Texting has become our dominant form of communication. Social media has replaced gathering places. Dating starts with a swipe on an app, not a tap on the shoulder.And now, AI enters the ... Show More
43m 34s
Sep 2025
329. The psychology of the male loneliness epidemic
In this episode we break down the growing conversation around the “male loneliness epidemic”: what’s true, what’s misleading, and what the research actually says. This is a complex and controversial topic, but one that deserves a clear, evidence-based perspective. Why has lonelin ... Show More
51m 22s
<p>Is social media to blame for the teen mental health crisis? It's complicated!</p><p><em>Thanks to </em><a href='https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262047357/behind-their-screens/'><em>Emily Weinstein</em></a><em>, </em><a href='https://amyorben.com'><em>Amy Orben</em></a><em>, ... Show More
