More Connected
with Allison Gilbert

A Podcast

The Loneliness Epidemic:
The quiet crisis impacting all our lives.

Our most urgent public health crisis is not what you think.

It’s not gun violence in
schools.
It’s not obesity.
It’s not opioid
addiction.
It’s loneliness.

1 in 2 American adults report feeling lonely.
A growing urgency.

Why Loneliness Demands Action.

  • Serious health risks: Higher risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and stroke.
  • Shorter lives: Impact comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.
  • Lives lost: An estimated 870,000 premature deaths every year.
  • Missing pillar of care: Social health is as essential as mental and physical health.
  • Fractured society: Erosion of belonging is now seen as a key driver of political polarization.

We know loneliness is getting media attention.

Series Overview.

  • Phone calls, emails, and texts, creating space for community and belonging right here, right now.
  • Translate top science + lived stories into practical steps people can use.
  • Listeners will spend time with writers, actors, and artists who share their personal stories of loneliness — alongside the world’s leading experts who will offer actionable guidance on how to combat it.

First-of-Its Kind Series.

    Episodes explore:
  • Workplaces
  • Youth
  • Caregivers
  • Older adults
  • Community design
  • Romantic relationships
  • Family/lifestyle
  • Self-awareness

Who's the host?

Allison Gilbert is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and co-author of Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s final book, The Joy of Connections.
The book stems from the article Allison wrote for the New York Times about Dr. Ruth’s appointment as New York State’s Ambassador to Loneliness, the first such position in the United States.

Allison Gilbert

Allison is one of the nation’s preeminent voices on loneliness and social isolation. The award-winning author of six critically-acclaimed books, Allison appears frequently on TV and radio, including Good Morning America and NPR. She is often quoted in the New York Times and other publications.
Allison currently hosts "Connected Lives," 92NY’s signature conversation series exploring how we build meaningful relationships in today’s world.
Gretchen Rubin (bestselling author and podcaster) and Allison Gilbert, June 1, 2025.
L-R: Tembi Locke (bestselling author), Sunny Hostin (co-host, The View), and Allison Gilbert, September 21, 2025.

Sponsorship Opportunities.

Companies committed to fighting the loneliness epidemic and already supporting efforts to help Americans build community.
With expertise spanning grief, resilience, relationships, and the power of human connection, Allison’s voice resonates across generations, giving audiences a profound sense of hope and community.
A new era of connection,
community, and conversation
is about to begin.
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