The loneliness cure: How new apps are helping people combat isolation

Here & Now Anytime

WBUR

News

4.6 • 911 Ratings

🗓️ 21 February 2025

⏱️ 32 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The United States is in an "epidemic of loneliness," according to the former U.S. surgeon general. The internet and social media have played a part in Americans suffering from isolation and mental health declines. But technology isn't all bad. We hear about apps that can help people make friends. Then, in her book "Do You Still Talk To Grandma?," Brit Barron explores what to do when the people we love have views and opinions that might be hurtful to us. She talks about empathy, the problems with social media and the hope for learning, open conversation and transformation. And, then nothing brings people together like food. Here & Now resident chef Kathy Gunst has been easing back into the kitchen after a tennis court fall sidelined her for over a month. She shares insights and a couple of simple recipes.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	When she teaches her students how to write a song, musician Scarlet Keys says they need to ask themselves certain questions.
0:06.9	What is the thing that keeps you up at night? What's the thing you can't stop thinking about?
0:10.8	As songwriters, we are repurposing human tropes and a new viewpoint with new words with new music.
0:17.2	The people and technology behind the soundtracks of our lives.
0:21.3	That's on the TED Radio Hour podcast from NPR.
0:24.1	The first ones were really hard for me because it will be only kind of school and work,
0:28.9	so I had to adapt.
0:31.5	People often blame technology for the loneliness epidemic, but there are apps out there
0:36.4	bringing us together in real life.
0:38.5	And no, I'm not talking about Tinder.
0:42.5	This is Herein Now Anytime from NPR and WBUR Boston.
0:47.4	I'm Ashley Locke.
1:03.3	Today on the show, some of the deepest divisions in this country are close to home, within our own families.
1:08.7	We explore how to maintain relationships with people you disagree with, but deeply love.
1:13.5	And chef Kathy Gunst shares recipes that helped her heal from an injury and get back into the kitchen. I decided I had to get back in. And honestly, it was a lot for my
1:19.8	mental health. But first, when I first became a mom, I used an app called Peanut so I could make
1:25.9	mom friends. They're now my in real life
1:28.5	boy mom squad, and we meet up regularly for playdates with our toddlers. I can't imagine how lonely
1:34.9	this chapter of my life would feel without them. And today, we're excited to share three more
1:39.9	apps with you that people are using to connect in a platonic way. The first is wiser, spelled
1:45.2	W-Y-Z-R. It's aimed at people over 40 who might be feeling lonely after a divorce, or losing a
1:52.1	spouse, or seeing their adult kids move out. Scott Tong spoke with a wiser user to hear about her
	...

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