January Podcast of the Month
Podcast Episode of the Month: Why Brains Need Friends
Exploring the Neuroscience of Loneliness, Isolation, and Connection
This quarter at Wellbeing Think Tank, we’re diving into how neuroscience can inform our strategies for workplace wellbeing. Our January Podcast of the Month reminds us that connection is essential for brain health and long-term wellbeing. Our featured episode this month is “Why Brains Need Friends” featuring Dr. Ben Rein, on the From Our Neurons to Yours podcast, produced by the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford University.
In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein discusses his book, Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection. He explores why isolation is stressful for the brain, how social bonds influence physical health, and how our “social diet” is just as vital as nutrition, sleep, and exercise.
Why We Love It
This episode takes a science-backed look at why humans are wired for connection. Dr. Rein explains how loneliness and isolation aren’t just emotional experiences, they’re biological stressors that can lead to inflammation, cognitive decline, and increased risk for chronic disease. Through stories, research, and practical examples, the conversation reveals how everyday moments of connection can powerfully shape our wellbeing.
What You’ll Learn
How isolation triggers the brain’s stress response and why that matters
The neuroscience behind empathy, oxytocin, and the “social brain”
Why social habits are as essential as sleep, nutrition, and movement
Ways to evaluate and improve your own “social diet”
What workplaces and communities can do to foster more meaningful connection
Whether you work in wellbeing, lead a team, or want to better understand your own brain, this episode offers timely insights on how we can reconnect with science on our side.
🎧 Listen to the episode below, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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