On the 47th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to introduce Monika Jiang as our guest. Monika, a writer, curator, and community builder, currently focuses on exploring loneliness as a uniquely shared experience with the potential to bring us closer together.

Throughout this episode, we examine how we've isolated ourselves from one another, the depth of relationships and intimacy we presently experience, the dynamics of unhealthy dialogue and political division, and the impact of our hyper-stimulated lives influenced by technology and work. Additionally, we share our personal experiences with loneliness.

We delve into the nuances of loneliness, whether it's related to feeling a lack of community or connection, being alone in our perspectives on the world, or experiencing solitude in our inner worlds.

The episode also explores the significance of community and how we can continuously foster and cultivate connection.

If you are like so many who are experiencing a greater sense of loneliness, this episode explores numerous perspectives on a theme that is only growing more synonymous with modern life. While we also share many insights, anecdotes, and experiences for building both more connection and community in your life. 

Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for clips and shorts.

Contact me at [email protected] to book a free consultation (30 minutes) for one-on-one coaching programs or to hear about corporate workshops I am offering around this question.

Running Order:

02:25 How do we move from I to we?

05:15 We are contributing to our own loneliness

08:55 The quality and depth of relationships

14:00 The absurdity of general dialogue

18:25 The division and loneliness of our politics

24:15 The paradox of our interconnectedness and loneliness

31:20 What we are missing 

35:30 The impact of building local community

40:55 Sometimes it’s just saying hello

47:05 Starting the conversation around loneliness

50:00 Experiences, expressions and nuances of loneliness

57:45 What is a good life for Monika?

For further content and information check out the following:

- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos

- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/

- My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/

- Monika's website: https://www.monikajiang.org/

- Monika's Newsletter: https://sharingloneliness.substack.com/