What happens when stress doesn’t just affect individuals—but entire communities?

In this episode of Restored, I sit down with sociologist Dr. Seth Abrutyn, whose research explores how collective stress, cultural trauma, and social pain shape mental health, belonging, and the survival of communities over time.

Drawing from his book Life Under Pressure and his work on collective and cultural trauma, Seth helps us understand why communities under prolonged pressure—whether schools, neighborhoods, minority groups, or institutions—can begin to fracture, lose trust, and struggle to care for their people.

Seth's article that inspired this episode: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21568693231213088

More about Seth: https://sethabrutyn.com/

If this episode stirred something in you, you’re invited to share your story.

Music: $50 to Breathe & I Am a Man Who Will Fight for Your Honor by Chris Zabriskie