Mind & Life

Jim Coan – Our Social Baseline

Listen Later

In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and affective neuroscientist Jim Coan. Jim is a leading researcher on how social connection impacts our minds, brains, and bodies, and he's also pushing the boundaries of impactful science communication. This conversation covers many topics, including:

  • studying relationships and emotions in the brain;
  • how a confusing research finding changed his career;
  • how holding hands impacts our bodies and minds;
  • understanding energy regulation and prediction;
  • social baseline theory;
  • the prefrontal cortex and self-regulation;
  • implications for the default mode network;
  • social support as energetic resources for the body;
  • effects of hand holding on pain processing;
  • introversion and social support;
  • the two things all his students must memorize;
  • the costs and benefits of social interactions;
  • implications for loss of relationship;
  • sense of self, belonging, and the importance of supporting others;
  • communicating science through comics;
  • and surviving—even flourishing—through climate change.

    • Full show notes and resources

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Mind & LifeBy Mind & Life Institute
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7
    • 4.7

    4.7

    274 ratings

    More shows like Mind & Life

    View all
    The One You Feed by Eric Zimmer

    The One You Feed

    2,563 Listeners

    Tara Brach by Tara Brach

    Tara Brach

    10,521 Listeners

    Tricycle Talks by Tricycle: The Buddhist Review

    Tricycle Talks

    372 Listeners

    The Wisdom Podcast by The Wisdom Podcast

    The Wisdom Podcast

    328 Listeners

    Untangle by Untangle

    Untangle

    815 Listeners

    Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

    Good Life Project

    3,290 Listeners

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

    1,865 Listeners

    Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield by Be Here Now Network

    Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield

    1,475 Listeners

    Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg by Be Here Now Network

    Metta Hour with Sharon Salzberg

    697 Listeners

    Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein by Be Here Now Network

    Insight Hour with Joseph Goldstein

    953 Listeners

    On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

    On Being with Krista Tippett

    10,173 Listeners

    10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

    10% Happier with Dan Harris

    12,719 Listeners

    Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

    Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

    2,504 Listeners

    Living Myth by Michael Meade

    Living Myth

    996 Listeners

    The Way Out Is In by Plum Village

    The Way Out Is In

    1,327 Listeners