Hi everyone, it's Bob. Today we're re-releasing an episode from late 2020 with Professor and

economist Norena Hertz, author of the book The Lonely Century.

Increased loneliness was a byproduct of the pandemic, but it's a condition that plagued

us before COVID-2 and certainly persists. Norena's research and insights shed light on our

individual challenges, as well as our collective needs and responsibilities, particularly the

impact of remote work and the importance of bridging connections for any business operation.

The human factor is so important for success with mental health and social health inextricably

intertwined. We hope Norena's words provide encouragement in a season and a world where loneliness

is too often unaddressed. We're gratified that your part of our community hears Norena's

episode.

This is the loneliness and tree that we have known so far. There is a thinking error that

this is the new normal, that this way that we've been forced to reconfigure how we interact,

moving from face to face in person contact to virtual contact is not only a function

of the times, but is the way that things will be. I actually don't believe that to be

the case. We are creatures of togetherness. We are hard-wired to connect. Business leaders

should be mindful of their response. Lonely workers are less motivated, less efficient,

and less productive than workers who are not. They're more likely to quit the company

that they're working for. The challenge moving forward for business leaders, but also

the opportunity, is how do we really create a sense of togetherness amongst our workforce?

Everything's at stake and everything's to play for. We can create a better world moving

forward, a world in which capitalism is reconnected with care and compassion and community

and world in which we do recognize that there are times that we have to suborn our own self-interest

...