Fighting the Loneliness Epidemic and the Power of Intergenerational Friendships: Feed Drop

Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

Being Well

Health & Fitness, Education, Self-improvement, Mental Health

4.8 • 2.4K Ratings

🗓️ 6 November 2025

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today we’re featuring an episode from another show I think you’re really going to connect with: Turning Points: Navigating Mental Health. Can a meaningful friendship bridge a 51-year age gap and help combat social isolation? Meet Peter and Pooja; two unlikely companions whose intergenerational bond proves that friendships can flourish when we break down barriers and embrace human connection. In this episode of Turning Points, explore how Peter and Pooja’s weekly conversations through Boston's FriendshipWorks program evolved from a simple volunteer match into a life-changing friendship filled with book launches, grocery runs, and life advice that flows both ways. We also speak with Kyle Robidoux, Executive Director of FriendshipWorks. He shares insights on addressing social isolation and loneliness and how community-based friendship programs are strengthening social connections. Peter and Pooja's transformative friendship shows that when we approach relationships without preconceived notions, we can unlock the healing power of human connection. Their story offers hope and practical wisdom for anyone struggling with loneliness or seeking to build deeper, more meaningful relationships. Check out Turning Points: http://globe.com/truningpoints Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello and welcome to being well. I'm Forrest Hanson. If you're new to the show,
0:10.1	thanks for joining us today. And if you've listened before, welcome back. Today we're doing something
0:14.9	a little different. We're featuring an episode from another show that I think you're really going
0:20.1	to connect with.
0:21.5	Turning Points. Navigating Mental Health, hosted by Francis Lees, and sponsored by Tufts Health
0:27.2	Plan. Turning Points dives deep into those moments that change us, the experiences that shape
0:32.6	our emotional well-being and challenge us to grow. And this particular episode is a heartwarming exploration of
0:40.3	connection across generations. It's called Fighting the Loneliness Epidemic and the power of
0:45.8	intergenerational friendship. In it, Francis is joined by Peter and Pooja, two friends with a 51-year
0:52.7	age difference who first connected through a volunteer match program.
0:56.8	What started as a simple pairing evolved into a life-changing friendship.
1:01.2	Also joining the conversation is Kyle Rubidow, Executive Director of Friendship Works, a Boston-based
1:06.8	organization dedicated to reducing social isolation through community connection.
1:12.1	Together, they explore how meaningful friendships can bridge generational divides, and why relationships
1:17.3	like Peter and Pujas remind us that it's never too late to find some common ground.
1:22.8	This is only the second feed drop we have ever done in the history of being well. We do these very
1:28.4	infrequently. And I only do them when I feel like an episode or a show just really has
1:34.9	something to offer our audience. And I also think it's something that you'll really enjoy. So,
1:40.6	I hope you have a good time listening. Here's turning points, navigating mental health.
1:47.3	Some of the most important lessons I've ever learned didn't come from school, books, or therapy.
1:54.0	They came from my aunt. While she's cooking delicious stew and telling stories from Haiti,
1:59.9	my aunt is what you'd call a tough cookie, and she had to be.
	...

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