In the spring of 2023, then U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Morthy proclaimed we are in a loneliness

epidemic. Yeah, what we now understand is that one in two adults are actually struggling with loneliness

at some level and that kids, young people in fact, are experiencing the highest levels

of loneliness in the population.

That was two years ago, but there's not really any evidence in the time that's passed

since that this epidemic has let up.

Whether or not it was the pandemic that disconnected us or social

media or just modern life, whatever the cause, we've forgotten how to make and keep friends

and it's hurting our health. But there are solutions. From KERA in Dallas, this is Think. I'm

Chris Boyd. Today we'll talk with three experts who are considering our

loneliness in dynamic ways. Later in the hour, we'll hear from a Harvard doctor who

encourages us to pick up a paintbrush or a musical instrument to connect our creativity to the

world around us, and a professor who gives us a lesson in making and keeping lifelong

platonic friends.

Let's turn now, though, to Matthew Cher, who is also an Emerson Collective Fellow at New

America and a founder of the podcast studio Campside Media.

He joined us last year to talk about his article in the New York Times magazine headlined,

Why is the loneliness epidemic so hard to cure?

Matthew, welcome back to think.

Yeah, thanks so much for having me back on.

I have to start by saying the word epidemic

might strike some people as a little over the top.

...