Rent-a-friend schemes. Paying for cuddles. Bizarre relationships with our Alexa devices - all speak to an epidemic of loneliness we’re living through. 

Tim Samuels sits down with Noreena Hertz, esteemed economist and writer, to discuss her latest book, The Lonely Century - which notes that being lonely can be as bad for your health as smoking. Noreena calls for an urgent redesign of cities, big tech to be reigned in and suggests actions we can all take to feel part of a warm community.

Brilliant Brains is a deep, deep - no holds - dive into the minds of some of the most fascinating thinkers out there.

Find all the shows at karmacist.com/podcast.

Music by Natureboy - remixed by Mudd.

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