Dr. Kiffer Card is a dedicated researcher focused on the social and environmental factors that shape our human health and wellbeing.

Kiffer is the Scientific Director for the Canadian Alliance for Social Connection and Health, the Director of Research for GenWell and serves as an Assistant Professor within the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University.

In this episode of Rediscovering Connection, we explore the genetic roots of loneliness and social connection, the potential of psychedelic medicine as a game-changer, rejection sensitivity, positive gossiping, the power of friendship groups, and self-determination theory for successful relationships.

Drawing on our personal experiences, and decades of research in the realm of social connection and relationships, we share practical strategies for combatting loneliness and enhancing connection with friends, neighbours and co-workers.

This was one of my favourite conversations so far on this Podcast and I am glad to be able to share it with you.

Find Dr. Kiffer Card on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiffercard/
https://casch.org/cscs
https://genwell.ca/

Discussed on the podcast:

The new recommended Canadian Social Connection Guidelines
https://www.socialconnectionguidelines.org/en

Unveiling the 2022 Canadian Social Connection Survey: A Webinar with Dr. Kiffer Card https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teWOEeCXl_4

Human Connection Conference, Vancouver November 4th - 6th, 2024
https://www.humanconnectionconference.org/speaker
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Episodes You Might Enjoy:

#6 - Dr. Robin Dunbar - The Science of Connection and Friendship
https://youtu.be/cPT5SyQ7OgA?si=DUYO7zZRSKwYPqcm

#7 - Dr Robin Dunbar -  Building Community in the Modern Workplace  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUsKHCNmfPA&t=0s

#5 – Richard Bartlett  – Community Building On and Offline:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3Eu-r69YH0&t=0s

✨✨✨

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I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life and work.

Subscribe to stay part of the conversation.

Hello - I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist, researcher, and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

My work explores how our social connections and social capital shape social health, leadership, and our experience of modern work and life. Grounded in research with remote and hybrid leaders, I support leaders and organisations to activate their social capital in ways that strengthen connection, trust, and sustainable performance - creating the conditions for people to experience Social Wealth.

One way this comes to life is through Social Wealth Training - Social Wealth Training - relational design for the future of work. These interactive sessions support leadership teams who recognise that connection cannot be left to chance.

To learn more:
 ✉️ [email protected]
 🌐 TheCommuniverse.com
🔗 LinkedIn

To hear when new episodes drop, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or explore recent episodes.

Eben Pingree is the CEO and co-founder of Kinsome, an innovative app designed to connect children and their grandparents, no matter the distance. 

Inspired by his own family's struggles with Alzheimer's, Eben reveals how Kinsome facilitates audio interactions to help grandparents get to know their grandchildren - and vice versa. 

This episode is ideal for parents of 6 - 11 year old's, who live away from their grandparents, and want them to build a relationship.

About Eben Pingree:

Eben has founded several companies in the Consumer Social space, while also serving in Product leadership roles at several successful tech startups in the Boston area.  He lives in downtown Boston with his wife and three young children in the same building as his parents and his younger brother's family. This intergenerational compound serves as a major source of inspiration for his vision for Kinsome.

Find Eben Pingree on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/eben-pingree-1711647/
Website http://www.kinsome.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092012386435
https://www.instagram.com/be_kinsome/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/bekinsome/posts/?feedView=all

---

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I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life and work.

Subscribe to stay part of the conversation.

Hello - I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist, researcher, and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

My work explores how our social connections and social capital shape social health, leadership, and our experience of modern work and life. Grounded in research with remote and hybrid leaders, I support leaders and organisations to activate their social capital in ways that strengthen connection, trust, and sustainable performance - creating the conditions for people to experience Social Wealth.

One way this comes to life is through Social Wealth Training - Social Wealth Training - relational design for the future of work. These interactive sessions support leadership teams who recognise that connection cannot be left to chance.

To learn more:
 ✉️ [email protected]
 🌐 TheCommuniverse.com
🔗 LinkedIn

To hear when new episodes drop, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or explore recent episodes.

Christina Marz is a holistic psychologist living in Ecuador. Originally from Bavaria in Germany, Christina promotes the connection to horses for emotional healing and personal development. We talk about fighting imposter syndrome to launch an international school, why AI copy has no sparkle, and how horses read human intentions and feed our intuition. 

This episode is ideal for coaches, therapists and horse lovers. 

About Christina Marz:

Inspired by her own childhood experience Christina Marz has created an international school for Horse Guided Empowerment® and shares her ideas as a speaker, author and mentor.

Find Christina Marz on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/marzmethod/
Website https://christinamarz.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/marzmethod
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/ChristinaMarzRing/featured

---

---
I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life and work.

Subscribe to stay part of the conversation.

Hello - I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist, researcher, and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

My work explores how our social connections and social capital shape social health, leadership, and our experience of modern work and life. Grounded in research with remote and hybrid leaders, I support leaders and organisations to activate their social capital in ways that strengthen connection, trust, and sustainable performance - creating the conditions for people to experience Social Wealth.

One way this comes to life is through Social Wealth Training - Social Wealth Training - relational design for the future of work. These interactive sessions support leadership teams who recognise that connection cannot be left to chance.

To learn more:
 ✉️ [email protected]
 🌐 TheCommuniverse.com
🔗 LinkedIn

To hear when new episodes drop, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or explore recent episodes.

Emilia Salhotra is a HR and Digital transformation leader based in the UAE. Originally from Metro Detroit, Emilia has been leading complex digital transformations in Dubai for the last 7 years. We talk about the challenges of keeping hybrid teams connected, AI use cases - in HR, digital etiquette tips for global teams, and using technology to foster connections - in our personal and professional lives.

This episode is ideal for global leaders navigating digital change and seeking to enhance team cohesion.

About Emilia Salhotra:

Emilia Salhotra is a digital transformation and change leader with a proven track record across diverse industries and global markets. As Senior Director at e&, Emilia leads HR digital transformation, change management, and employee experience initiatives. With a strong foundation in management consulting, Emilia has driven successful strategies and programs across sectors such as Oil & Gas, Government, and Telecommunications.

Find Emilia Salhotra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliaallen/

---
I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life and work.

Subscribe to stay part of the conversation.

Hello - I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist, researcher, and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

My work explores how our social connections and social capital shape social health, leadership, and our experience of modern work and life. Grounded in research with remote and hybrid leaders, I support leaders and organisations to activate their social capital in ways that strengthen connection, trust, and sustainable performance - creating the conditions for people to experience Social Wealth.

One way this comes to life is through Social Wealth Training - Social Wealth Training - relational design for the future of work. These interactive sessions support leadership teams who recognise that connection cannot be left to chance.

To learn more:
 ✉️ [email protected]
 🌐 TheCommuniverse.com
🔗 LinkedIn

To hear when new episodes drop, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or explore recent episodes.

Join us for a compelling episode of Rediscovering Connection with Seth Kaplan, a leading expert on fragile states and Professor of International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.

We delve into the art of building resilient neighborhoods through active community involvement and local volunteerism. Seth shares profound insights on the role of embodied relationships and social capital, drawing from his extensive research and personal experiences.

This episode is perfect for anyone considering where they want to put down roots or wondering how to integrate into their community, with practical insights on building your social wealth locally. During our interview, Seth discusses the importance of thinking local vs. national, being intentional about your place, and understanding thick vs. thin societies.

About Seth Kaplan

Seth Kaplan is the author of "Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society One Zip Code at a Time", and a leading expert on fragile states, who consults for international organizations as well as country governments and NGO's.

Find Seth Kaplan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethkaplan28/ 

---
I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life and work.

Subscribe to stay part of the conversation.

Hello - I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist, researcher, and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

My work explores how our social connections and social capital shape social health, leadership, and our experience of modern work and life. Grounded in research with remote and hybrid leaders, I support leaders and organisations to activate their social capital in ways that strengthen connection, trust, and sustainable performance - creating the conditions for people to experience Social Wealth.

One way this comes to life is through Social Wealth Training - Social Wealth Training - relational design for the future of work. These interactive sessions support leadership teams who recognise that connection cannot be left to chance.

To learn more:
 ✉️ [email protected]
 🌐 TheCommuniverse.com
🔗 LinkedIn

To hear when new episodes drop, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or explore recent episodes.

Sotos Poulimnos is a Director at Sun Life, and an expert in global talent management, learning, and transformation.

This episode is perfect for leaders and anyone interested in understanding how workplace culture is shaped by people and their sense of belonging, rather than physical office spaces.

During our interview, Sotos discusses the rise of hybrid work models, the impact of the pandemic on work-life balance, and the dangers of strict return-to-office mandates. He shares insights on the benefits of remote work, employee incentives that can attract and retain high performers, and the influence of corporate giants.

About Sotos Poulimnos

Sotos Poulimnos is a passionate talent management professional with rich cross-industry experience and a track record for leading complex transformations. As a Talent Transformation Leader, Lifelong Learning Architect, and DE&I Advocate, Sotos excels in full project lifecycle management, stakeholder engagement, and team coaching. He is deeply invested in the intersection of learning, leadership, and the bottom line, helping organizations lead significant transformations in their work, workforce, and workplace.

Find Sotos Poulimnos on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sotospoulimenos/

---
I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life and work.

Subscribe to stay part of the conversation.

Hello - I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist, researcher, and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

My work explores how our social connections and social capital shape social health, leadership, and our experience of modern work and life. Grounded in research with remote and hybrid leaders, I support leaders and organisations to activate their social capital in ways that strengthen connection, trust, and sustainable performance - creating the conditions for people to experience Social Wealth.

One way this comes to life is through Social Wealth Training - Social Wealth Training - relational design for the future of work. These interactive sessions support leadership teams who recognise that connection cannot be left to chance.

To learn more:
 ✉️ [email protected]
 🌐 TheCommuniverse.com
🔗 LinkedIn

To hear when new episodes drop, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or explore recent episodes.

Nim de Swardt is an Intergenerational Connection Expert, Speaker, Connection Facilitator, Writer and Advisor who co-founded a conversation card deck, named RE-CONNECT.

This episode is perfect for facilitators, and anyone wanting to deepen their conversations and discover the benefits of age diversity in our friendships.

During our interview, Nim reveals that connecting across generations, no matter what age you are, can improve your health, she shares personal stories that highlight the mutual benefits of these connections, why RE-CONNECT was born and how it's now making waves at conferences. 

About Nim de Swardt

Nim de Swardt is an advocate for intergenerational friendships and social connection. 

After growing up in a tree house in North Queensland, Australia, Nim lived in four continents and traveled to over 64 countries, before returning and settling back home in Australia. 

Website: https://www.nimdeswardt.com
https://www.reconnect.global/  (use code 'SHELLEY' at checkout)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nimdeswardt/

---
I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life and work.

Subscribe to stay part of the conversation.

Hello - I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist, researcher, and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

My work explores how our social connections and social capital shape social health, leadership, and our experience of modern work and life. Grounded in research with remote and hybrid leaders, I support leaders and organisations to activate their social capital in ways that strengthen connection, trust, and sustainable performance - creating the conditions for people to experience Social Wealth.

One way this comes to life is through Social Wealth Training - Social Wealth Training - relational design for the future of work. These interactive sessions support leadership teams who recognise that connection cannot be left to chance.

To learn more:
 ✉️ [email protected]
 🌐 TheCommuniverse.com
🔗 LinkedIn

To hear when new episodes drop, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or explore recent episodes.

Michelle Maree is the founder and CEO of The Nomad Escape, which runs retreats around the world for digital nomads. She recently launched a digital community, exclusively for location independent entrepreneurs.

As a member of Michelle's "Inner Circle" I felt well-placed to explore the strategic thought behind launching her community - including group size and price point. Why now was the right time to launch, and how running retreats and being at the heart of her own online community impacts her social wellbeing. 

During our interview, Michelle shares her unique experience of the pandemic, when a two week retreat turned into a five month co-living experience, and we delve into the importance of creating healthy boundaries to maintain sanity whilst hosting and facilitating workshops for entrepreneurs in beautiful locations around the world. 

About Michelle Maree

As the founder and CEO of The Nomad Escape, in the last six years, Michelle has hosted over 1,000 professionals across 35 retreats and 40 events worldwide, fostering growth, networking, and skill enhancement. 

Michelle believes that success is built on relationships. Passion drives her to connect and transform the lives of remote professionals, teams, and entrepreneurs. 

Website: https://thenomadescape.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-maree-32274a84/ 

---
I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life and work.

Subscribe to stay part of the conversation.

Hello - I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist, researcher, and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

My work explores how our social connections and social capital shape social health, leadership, and our experience of modern work and life. Grounded in research with remote and hybrid leaders, I support leaders and organisations to activate their social capital in ways that strengthen connection, trust, and sustainable performance - creating the conditions for people to experience Social Wealth.

One way this comes to life is through Social Wealth Training - Social Wealth Training - relational design for the future of work. These interactive sessions support leadership teams who recognise that connection cannot be left to chance.

To learn more:
 ✉️ [email protected]
 🌐 TheCommuniverse.com
🔗 LinkedIn

To hear when new episodes drop, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or explore recent episodes.

Rachel Radway is a high sensory introvert, coach, facilitator, and author of “Perceptive: The Power and Potential of High Sensory Perception” (2025). 

Highly perceptive herself, Rachel has faced all the challenges that come with this trait (which affects around 20% of people) and she now coaches high sensory female leaders to lean into the gifts that this trait offers, so they can thrive professionally and personally.

During our conversation, we talk about leaning into our innate abilities, supporting our social wellbeing, exploring the Metaverse and reconnecting through letter writing.

Some platforms and communities we discuss on this podcast:

Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation https://www.jocrf.org/ 
SpatialChat https://www.spatial.chat/
Pavia.io https://pavia.io/

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Learn more about Rachel Radway

https://www.rercoaching.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reradway/
https://www.youtube.com/@rachelradway-rercoaching/videos

Rachel Radway’s a certified leadership and executive coach with 25+ years’ leadership experience in tech startups and Fortune 500s, she’s passionate about helping other high-sensory women leaders learn to thrive professionally and personally.

Having lived in nine countries and changed careers a few times, Rachel knows the value of connection. Because so many of the women she works with have told her they feel alone, she created her mastermind, the G.R.I.T. Collaborative, to offer community and a safe space to share, learn, and grow.

---
I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life and work.

Subscribe to stay part of the conversation.

Hello - I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist, researcher, and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

My work explores how our social connections and social capital shape social health, leadership, and our experience of modern work and life. Grounded in research with remote and hybrid leaders, I support leaders and organisations to activate their social capital in ways that strengthen connection, trust, and sustainable performance - creating the conditions for people to experience Social Wealth.

One way this comes to life is through Social Wealth Training - Social Wealth Training - relational design for the future of work. These interactive sessions support leadership teams who recognise that connection cannot be left to chance.

To learn more:
 ✉️ [email protected]
 🌐 TheCommuniverse.com
🔗 LinkedIn

To hear when new episodes drop, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or explore recent episodes.

Welcome to Rediscovering Connection!

Have you ever found yourself in a room full of people and yet felt utterly alone? In this episode, I speak to Monika Jiang, a writer, facilitator, and community builder, who  joins me in a heart-to-heart on the silent epidemic of modern loneliness and our hunger for authentic connection. 

We strip away the facade of social media's promised connectivity, and the importance of creating spaces, on-and-offline, to share stories about our human experience.

Join us for a soulful exploration as we journey towards understanding loneliness and embracing the growth that comes with genuine connection - with ourselves and others.

Get in touch with Monika:
Instagram: @monika.jiang 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/monika-jiang/
https://www.monikajiang.org/
https://www.monikajiang.org/sharing-our-loneliness

Through her project 'Sharing Our Loneliness' Monika explores modern loneliness as a personal, collective, and political challenge, aiming  to raise awareness and cultivate third places for dialogue, connection, and community. 

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I hope this conversation inspires you to rediscover connection in your own life and work.

Subscribe to stay part of the conversation.

Hello - I’m Shelley Doyle, founder of The Communiverse™, Social Wealth Strategist, researcher, and host of the Rediscovering Connection podcast.

My work explores how our social connections and social capital shape social health, leadership, and our experience of modern work and life. Grounded in research with remote and hybrid leaders, I support leaders and organisations to activate their social capital in ways that strengthen connection, trust, and sustainable performance - creating the conditions for people to experience Social Wealth.

One way this comes to life is through Social Wealth Training - Social Wealth Training - relational design for the future of work. These interactive sessions support leadership teams who recognise that connection cannot be left to chance.

To learn more:
 ✉️ [email protected]
 🌐 TheCommuniverse.com
🔗 LinkedIn

To hear when new episodes drop, you can subscribe to my newsletter, or explore recent episodes.