“Loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day—and social connection may be the real key to living to 100.” — Ken Stern 

Key Links & Resources 

In this episode of AGE BETTER, I’m joined by Ken Stern—former CEO of NPR, founder of the Longevity Project with Stanford, and author of the brand-new book Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives. His groundbreaking research reveals that the real secret to longevity isn’t diet, exercise, or genetics—it’s our social connections. 

We explore what the U.S. can learn from the world’s longest-lived societies, why intergenerational communities thrive, and how purpose and engagement can add years to your life. Ken also shares why loneliness has become a public health crisis, and what we can do to build stronger social ties for a healthier, happier future. 

Why listen? 

This conversation will inspire you to think differently about aging—and about the relationships that matter most. 

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