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 Thomp ... Show More
Jun 2
Built to Walk — How Modern Shoes and Weak Feet Are Holding You Back
Walking is one of the most powerful health tools we have. It improves cardiovascular fitness, boosts mood, sharpens cognition, and can even be a predictor of how well you'll age. But all those benefits depend on something we rarely think about until it starts hurting: our feet.Fo ... Show More
58m 51s
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
