Here at Only7Seconds, we have sparked a conversation about loneliness and in this episode, we get to discuss broadening and shifting that conversation to one regarding social health. 

One of our scientific advisory board members, Kasley Killam, who is a social health & connection expert along with the Social Health Labs Founder, came on the podcast to share about her new book “The Art and Science of Connection,” where she breaks down what it means to be proactively building and strengthening your social health. 

For more information on Kasley and where to purchase her book, go to: www.kasleykillam.com

In preparation for Global Loneliness Awareness Week (GLAW), June 10-June 16, 2024, we decided to bring on guest, colleague, and friend Jillian Kornmeier, who is the executive director for The Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness (CESIL) in addition to the Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC).

In this episode, Jillian discusses ways in which we can promote socially healthy communities, the influence of technology and the role it plays in the loneliness epidemic, as well as why conversations around social connection matter. 

For more information on what Jillian and her team are doing and attend the virtual GLAW event: click here

*The following story contains content around suicide & mental health struggles that may be sensitive to some viewers.

Meet Lorie, the final storyteller of season 2 for the I Know Lonely Project. Whewwww, we know all of these have been incredible, but this last one is one you don’t want to miss.

When her story took a different direction than she expected, Lorie found herself alone at the darkest point in her life. A friend reaching out with a simple message during a moment of crisis ended up changing the trajectory for her. She also shares about the loneliness in being “the strong friend” and how she’s discovered the safety of relationships with people who do care. Her hope is that her story will give others hope that there is light even when you can’t see it.

To watch Lorie's video & and access resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.only7seconds.com/lorie

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Learn more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠I Know Lonely Project⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.

Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music written & produced: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dash8

Meet Abbi Hamlin, our season 2 storyteller for the I Know Lonely Project this month. As a middle school athlete, Abbi struggled with a severe eating disorder. Through her journey, she shares about the power of friendships in her story and how connecting with the right therapist changed her healing journey.

Now, Abbi works as a sports nutritionist specifically with women and she gets to use her story to share hope and healing with others.

To watch Abbi’s video & and access resources: ⁠⁠⁠www.only7seconds.com/abbi

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Learn more about the ⁠⁠⁠I Know Lonely Project⁠⁠⁠ here.

Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Music written & produced: ⁠⁠⁠Dash8

Meet Tyler Bjork, our season 2 storyteller for the I Know Lonely Project this month. Understanding the deep hurt that comes from bullying and feeling unseen, Tyler shares his story of loneliness. His story explains how where we feel seen, where we feel accepted and where we feel belonging are often the places we can be the most authentic. For him, that was spaces like theatre, choir, and performing arts and getting involved in Special Olympics. Connection thrives in spaces where we know we belong and Tyler’s story is an inspiring reminder to pursue places of belonging by showing up authentically.
As a part of the I Know Lonely Project, here are a few of the ways you can engage with Tyler’s story:


▶️ Watch this short video


🎙️ Listen to his podcast episode (check the last episode!)
💬 Access resources


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www.only7seconds.com/tyler

Meet Tyler Bjork, our season 2 storyteller for the I Know Lonely Project this month. Understanding the deep hurt that comes from bullying and feeling unseen, Tyler shares his story of loneliness. His story explains how where we feel seen, where we feel accepted and where we feel belonging are often the places we can be the most authentic. For him, that was spaces like theatre, choir, and performing arts and getting involved in Special Olympics. Connection thrives in spaces where we know we belong and Tyler's story is an inspiring reminder to pursue places of belonging by showing up authentically.

To watch Tyler's video & and access resources: ⁠⁠www.only7seconds.com/tyler

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Learn more about the ⁠⁠I Know Lonely Project⁠⁠ here.

Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Music written & produced: ⁠⁠Dash8

Meet Kevin Berthia, the first storyteller of 2024 for season 2 of the I Know Lonely Project. As a survivor of 22 suicide attempts, depression and a battle over mental health has always been a deep part of Kevin’s story. His journey hasn’t been an easy one, but Kevin lives life with hope. Kevin shared something really powerful in his podcast, he said “I think that we don’t understand the void that we each fill in that world. There’s something that you bring to the world that nobody else can bring. And as long as you’re not bringing it, that void is not being filled.”
And as we kick off a new year, we hope his story reminds you how much YOU MATTER to the world. And that no matter how dark it gets, there’s always HOPE. Your story isn’t over yet.
As a part of the I Know Lonely Project, here are a few of the ways you can engage with Kevin’s story:
▶️ Watch this short video
🎙️ Listen to his podcast episode for a candid and more in-depth conversation (available on all streaming platforms)
💬 Access the resources
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You can access all of this for free on our website: www.only7seconds.com/kevin

Meet Kevin Berthia, the first storyteller of 2024 for season 2 of the I Know Lonely Project. As a survivor of 22 suicide attempts, depression and a battle over mental health has always been a deep part of Kevin’s story. His journey hasn’t been an easy one, but Kevin lives life with hope. Kevin shared something really powerful in his podcast,  he said “I think that we don't understand the void that we each fill in that world. There's something that you bring to the world that nobody else can bring. And as long as you're not bringing it, that void is not being filled.”

And as we kick off a new year, we hope his story reminds you how much YOU MATTER to the world. And that no matter how dark it gets, there’s always HOPE. Your story isn’t over yet.

To watch Kevin's video & and access resources: ⁠www.only7seconds.com/kevin

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Learn more about the ⁠I Know Lonely Project⁠ here.

Connect with us on social media: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Music written & produced: ⁠Dash8

As Only7Seconds has heavily shifted our focus to youth, we wanted to bring on one of our partners to share a perspective on why youth belonging is critical to making change in the youth loneliness epidemic.

Our guest today is Erich Boltz from The Center For Educational Effectiveness (CEE). CEE develops and delivers quality surveys, data tools and services that catalyze community, district, school, and individual growth.

For more on this collaborative conversation, our team joined CEE on their podcast, you can listen to Eric Driessen & Luke Wall chat with the CEE team here.

Learn more about CEE and the work they do at www.effectiveness.org

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Learn more about ⁠⁠Only7Seconds⁠⁠

Connect with us on social media: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

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Music written & produced: ⁠⁠Dash8

It's quite fitting the first story we share after our announcement about our focus shifting to youth & young adults over the next 3 years is a story from a teenager! Meet Apuroopa Kavikondala. As an ambitious high school student, Apuroopa is a 5x self-published author and mental health advocate. In her story, she shares about her experience with friendships and some of the lessons she's learned so far. One of the biggest lessons she's learned recently is how friendships change and evolve over time and how that's totally okay. She also shares how her strong family relationships have been a grounding force for her as she's explored her passions. Her joy, honesty, and passion are inspiring to us all. This is her story.

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To watch Apuroopa's video, see the full show notes, and access resources: ⁠www.only7seconds.com/apuroopa

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To learn more and support the I KNOW LONELY Project: ⁠click here⁠.

Connect with us on social media: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Music written & produced: ⁠Dash8