Why is studying modern human connection so interesting and important? What is 'the loneliness epidemic', and why are Americans lonelier than ever? (And why are we hardwired to hate the word 'loneliness'?)

Why is improving our national 'social health', that is, our strength and network of relationships, the challenge of our times?

In this foundational episode, we give you the 411 on an emerging and FASCINATING field of study-- social health-- and tease its impact on every aspect of modern American (and global) life.

00:00 Welcome, & fast facts

02:18 Jackie Intro - a therapist's perspective

05:43 Why this matters to us

10:41 Stigma & Cavemen

15:21 The opportunity & challenge before us

22:38 Reframing the problem

25:24 AI chatbots

28:13 A positive vision & call to action

In this interview, Boston College Professor of Sociology Charles Derber shares and discusses the research in his book Bonfire: American Sociocide, Broken Relations, and the Quest for Democracy

Why is the field of UX Research more important than ever? How does UX Research and human-centered design factor into the AI revolution?

In this episode we sit down and discuss why paying attention to and learning from humans is more important than ever in a world of AI.

01:04 About Katy & UX Research

04:09 The role of UX Research in AI

10:49 UXR matters more than ever

17:19 The role of Ethics in AI

26:25 Social Upskilling

30:37 The future of UXR

36:29 Final messages & takeaways

In this episode, we interview Irad Eichler, CEO of Circles, a technology company that enables people to find and join support groups for $15/month.

We discuss how to design meaningful ways for people to connect at scale, the role of hope, empathy, and belonging in communities, how AI functions into loneliness, and how to develop meaningful metrics to evaluate impact.

Circles: https://circlesup.com/

Connecting Beyond: https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/

00:00 Intro & About Circles

03:28 Designing the journey for comfort

05:10 The 167 Hour Problem

09:41 Articulating the value of groups

13:53 Introducing the concept of groups

21:30 The value of narrowly scoped groups

23:50 Advice to other founders

25:23 The risk of convenience

29:19 Using tech to scale vs. communicate

34:56 Irad's message for listeners

How will AI impact how people connect with religion, faith, and community? In this fascinating episode we talk with Jeremy Kirshbaum, CEO of Handshake, a generative AI strategy and development consultancy. ( https://www.handshake.fyi/)

00:00 Intro

02:37 About Jeremy

05:06 Why AI & faith?

08:46 Why 'faith' is an unusual domain for AI

13:53 How Rabbis received the AI Talmud

17:46 Other uses of AI in faith & meaning

21:51 How to tackle the risks AI poses

23:09 Do we need laws against media that's too appealing?

27:00 Adding friction to the path of least resistance

28:36 A bright vision of the future

In this episode, we explore the relationship between empathy, community, and mental health vis a vis social media and AI.

• How can social media lead people to hyper-focus on themselves, and what's the cost of that self-focus?
• How can AI create filter bubbles that isolate people from community?
• How does community and belonging counter some of the more dangerous risks posed by social media and AI?
• What can everyday people do to bolster their social wellness?

About Janelle:

Janelle S. Peifer, PhD, LCP, is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Richmond. She leads Peifer Psychology (peiferpsychology.com) as a speaker and consultant for higher education institutions and organizations committed to fostering environments where all individuals can thrive and reach their full potential. In addition, as a licensed clinical psychologist, she founded The Center for Inclusive Therapy + Wellness (inclusivetherapywellness.com) and leads Fleurish Psychotherapy (www.fleurishpsychotherapy.com). Dr. Peifer earned her PhD in Clinical and School Psychology at the University of Virginia Curry School of Education and is an alumna of Wake Forest University. Her research examines college student development centering on questions of identity/culture, and mental health, with a focus on complex trauma. She has contributed to over 50 public scholarship and media engagements in venues such as HBO, The Boston Globe, SELF, The New York Times, The Guardian, and Science.

00:00 Intro & research

02:53 The connection b/w empathy & happiness

06:10 The cost of hyperindividualism

08:08 How social media leads to self-focus

13:20 How we're driven by pain & pleasure

15:25 How empathy can be misdirected

21:04 Community costs commitment

24:40 Idealized self-view in social media

28:59 How to become less individualistic

31:10 Using AI as a stepping stone

What resources are available to help men decide if they want to become a father? Also, Andrew shares his fascinating intercontinental Tinder love story.

• How can men (or anyone) decide if being a parent is right for them?
• What are some useful frameworks to help people decide if they want to become a parent?

• How can you navigate perfectionism in dating apps?
• How cultivating ego prevents connection

Episode links:

The Dad Question

https://www.thedadquestion.com/

Connecting Beyond Apps & AI:

⁠⁠https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/connecting.beyond.podcast/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://interfaceofus.substack.com/⁠⁠

00:00 Introduction

01:04 Basic research on birthrate decline

02:32 Andrew's love story & journey to fatherhood

19:32 The Dad Question

25:56 Setting goals & defining legacy

27:38 When to answer the dad question

31:59 The Dad Question's resources

37:40 Tackling loneliness in fatherhood

41:45 Projecting a positive future

44:24 One step to take today: be tactical about reflecting on goals

⁠

In a more egalitarian world, what does gender polarity look like? How can you invite polarity into your life (if you want to), and how does polarity play out in app interactions?

• How you can identify your relationship to polarity
• How to play with polarity

• How to communicate as you want in online interactions
• The role of AI in self-development

Episode links:

Maya Diamond:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/mayadiamond.empowerlove/⁠

empowerlove.us/apply

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewire-your-attachment-style-with-maya-diamond/id1499735786

Connecting Beyond Apps & AI:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/connecting.beyond.podcast/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://interfaceofus.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Introduction

⁠⁠⁠01:34 Research on polarity in dating

02:52 Maya's journey to being a coach

05:16 Describing/defining polarity

06:48 Polarity in a world redefining identity

16:00 How tech has impacted polarity

18:51 Importance of play in polarity

24:04 Social media & risk tolerance

26:52 AI & Dating

33:28 Emotions in polarity

38:32 One step to take today

How the technology we consume and tools we use impact our attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, secure), and how to cultivate better attachment styles.

• How tech developers' insecure attachment styles are built into their platforms
• How to cultivate secure attachment with our technology
• How to use AI to improve your attachment style without becoming emotionally reliant upon it

Episode links:

Reema Rana:

https://www.instagram.com/reemaranaheals/

Connecting Beyond Apps & AI:

⁠https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/connecting.beyond.podcast/⁠

⁠https://interfaceofus.substack.com/⁠

00:00 Introduction

01:01 Research on attachment styles

03:18 How tech impacts attachment

07:01 AI relationships: too safe?

11:48 Habit forming tech & attachment

13:44 Building resilience

18:09 Individualism & attachment

26:49 Secure attachment at scale

32:03 Takeaways & one step to take today

Why AI relationships represent a major temptation, why to resist it, and how to set strong boundaries. Including:

• The impact of AI relationships on childhood development
• Why AI relationships are like breathing through a straw
• Why emotional numbing via smartphone use leads to skills atrophy
• Envisioning a positive future where connecting in real life is the cool thing to do

Episode links:

Leanne | Mindful Tech

https://www.youtube.com/@RebootingConnection

Connecting Beyond Apps & AI:

⁠https://www.connectingbeyondpodcast.com/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/connecting.beyond.podcast/⁠

⁠https://interfaceofus.substack.com/⁠

00:00 Introduction

02:08 Research on AI relationships

03:55 How Leanne got into AI

06:37 Building resilience against AI dependency

14:48 The risk of AI on childhood

17:51 The power of oxytocin

18:40 Choosing AI or reality

23:01 How AI impacts self-image

27:01 Nobody should own reality

33:59 The role of community

36:49 Social norms & media addiction

40:29 Media as diet

42:26 A positive future

44:57 One thing you can do today