The United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called loneliness an epidemic. Loneliness is connected to numerous health challenges including heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety. According to a Cigna survey in 2020, 61% of American adults reported feeling lonely at some point in their lives, and 36% said they felt lonely on a regular basis. Harvard researchers found that during the pandemic, 61% of Americans ages 18 through 25 self-reported being lonely frequently, almost all of the time, or all of the time, compared to 24% of Americans ages 55 through 65.

In this interview, consultant, author, and Harvard University Fellow Talia Fox discusses the extent of the loneliness problem around the world and shares her insights into how people can address loneliness and create powerful, conscious connections. Based on the research she did for her book “The Power of Conscious Connections,” Talia shares how people can conquer their loneliness by becoming more effective listeners and observers, having a clear understanding of their values and the values of others, and working to engage in a deeper, more meaningful way, even with people who may have a different system of beliefs. Finally, Talia shares how people can hone the habits necessary to create conscious connections at work and in daily life so they can live healthier, happier, more fulfilled lives.

Talia Fox is the CEO of KUSI Global, Inc. She holds an M.Ed. in counseling psychology from Howard University and she is a Harvard University Fellow. Talia is often referred to as the Jedi of Inspiration by her clients. With over two decades of experience in transforming thousands of executives from all sectors, she has become a visionary for leadership and legacy building. Her extensive background in psychology and education has given her the tools she needs to assist leaders in developing successful strategies for complex missions, ranging from defense systems to healthcare initiatives. As CEO of KUSI Global, Inc., Talia helps organizations like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Harvard University, Transunion, the National Institutes of Health, Howard University, and the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs maximize human potential by leveraging strategic intelligence and helps individuals and organizations foster connected cultures and promote conscious equity.