Welcome to The Loneliness Issue.

A 2015 study stated that ‘a lack of social connection heightens health risks as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or having alcohol use disorder’. The same study also found that loneliness and social isolation ‘are twice as harmful to physical and mental health as obesity’.

With the Covid 19 lockdown, many people have had no choice but to either severely limit their daily interactions because of cocooning measures or spend the past few months living alone for the benefit of the wider community. And while lockdown may have suited the introverts amongst us, how have the extroverts faired?

Outside of this emergency, what does it mean to be lonely? Do we need to sit with our loneliness more to discover what’s behind it? Are we sometimes simply bored?

So many questions and we ask all of the above in this week’s episode.

But of course, you are never alone with Sonya and Brendan in your ears. We’re always here for you...in a socially distanced way of course.

Continue to stay safe. 

Sonya and Brendan.  

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

The Sober Diaries - Clare Pooley

Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens

Esther Perel on Ambiguous Loss



The Irish Times - Article by Sinead Ingoldsby on getting through lockdown alone

The power of social connection in an age of social distancing - Nicholas Epley

FOLLOW, FOLLOW:

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Follow Brendan on Insta and Twitter and Facebook. 

Follow Sonya on Insta and Twitter. 

Shop the latest Lennon Courtney collection at Dunnes Stores.

Lennon Courtney Left Alone is produced by Esther O’Moore Donohoe. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

*This episode was recorded remotely during the Covid 19 emergency.

THE LOVE ISSUE

Welcome to Lennon Courtney Left Alone, a podcast about conversations we have when we’re left alone.

This episode, it's The Love Issue. We talk about our great loves, heartaches and heartbreaks. Well, Brendan talks about his heartbreak because Sonya has never had her heart broken! But has she broken any hearts that's the question... 

You don't have to be partnered off though to be in a fulfilling relationship. Love comes in, and from, many different places with friendships just as enriching and rewarding as romantic love. Case in point, us two!

We hope you are staying safe at this time and thanks so much for spending some of your time listening to us - we love you!

Sonya and Brendan.

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel

State of Affairs by Esther Perel

FOLLOW, FOLLOW:

Follow Lennon Courtney on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

Follow Brendan on Insta and Twitter and Facebook. 

Follow Sonya on Insta and Twitter. 

Shop the latest Lennon Courtney collection at Dunnes Stores.

Lennon Courtney Left Alone is produced by Esther O’Moore Donohoe. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

*This episode was recorded remotely during the Covid 19 emergency.

THE HOME ISSUE:

Welcome to series 2 of Lennon Courtney Left Alone. We are so thrilled that you loved the first series so here we are again! For our first week back, we decided to kick things off with The Home Issue.

There’s no place like it but who would have thought just a few months ago we’d be spending so much time there. Our work, personal and social lives all now centre on the place we call home. If you’re lucky, you get to spend lockdown in a safe space but unfortunately, not everyone has this privilege. 

In this episode, we talk about the psychology of home, what it means to us and ask, after all this ends, will we ever return to the ‘real world’ in the same way?

We hope you are staying safe at this time and thank you so much for listening. We are so excited to be back. 

Sonya and Brendan.

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

Sinead Ingoldsby on spending the Covid 19 lockdown alone as featured in the Irish Times. 

The Happiness Lab podcast as mentioned by Sonya during this episode.

FOLLOW, FOLLOW:

Follow Lennon Courtney on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

Follow Brendan on Insta and Twitter and Facebook. 

Follow Sonya on Insta and Twitter. 

Shop the latest Lennon Courtney collection at Dunnes Stores.

Lennon Courtney Left Alone is produced by Esther O’Moore Donohoe. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Please note: Series 2 is being recorded remotely as the Covid 19 emergency continues.

We're baaack!

Series 2 of Lennon Counrtney Left Alone kicks off Thursday 28th May. Make sure you subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts so you hear it first.

Lennon Courtney Left Alone is about the conversations we have when we're left alone.

This series we're going to talk about home, loneliness, love (aaaah) community and lots more besides.

Come join us and listen to our 'witty, warm, wise' and some have said 'life-changing' conversations. High praise indeed. At the very least we'll keep you entertained for 30 minutes.

Until then, stay safe!

Sonya and Brendan.

Follow Lennon Courtney on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

Follow Brendan on Insta and Twitter and Facebook. 

Follow Sonya on Insta and Twitter. 

Shop the latest Lennon Courtney collection at Dunnes Stores.

Lennon Courtney Left Alone is produced by Esther O’Moore Donohoe. 

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Note: This episode was recorded before the Covid 19 emergency. 

We started this first series of Lennon Courtney Left Alone just as lockdown kicked in and as we leave you (until the 28th May) lockdown is still in effect. 

We have loved sharing the conversations we usually have when we’re left alone over the last few weeks but now, it’s time for us to take a little restorative break. We'll be holiday-ing at home of course; who knows when holiday’s abroad will become a reality again for all of us.

In this episode we want to talk about stepping out of our routine and all that can bring. What does travel give us? How do we relax and where do we want to go next?

Don't forget, series 2 kicks off on the 28th May so you won’t be without us for too long. Thanks so much for listening up until now and for all of the lovely reviews and comments on iTunes. It is so nice knowing you're enjoying Lennon Courtney Left Alone and it's given us a pep in our step for the second series.

Make sure you subscribe, wherever you get your podcasts so you'll be the first to get new Left Alone!

In the meantime, stay safe, wash your hands and take care of you and your neighbours.

We’re all in this together, apart.

Sonya and Brendan. 

FOLLOW, FOLLOW:

Follow Lennon Courtney on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

Follow Brendan on Insta and Twitter and Facebook. 

Follow Sonya on Insta and Twitter. 

Shop the latest Lennon Courtney collection at Dunnes Stores.

Lennon Courtney Left Alone is produced by Esther O’Moore Donohoe.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.