Episodes
Loneliness & Our Health
A 2020 Cigna survey showed that more than three in five working American adults are lonely, and rising numbers report feeling left out, is understood or as though they lack companionship. These findings contribute to the sense that we are facing a “loneliness epidemic,” as described by former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Loneliness and social isolation have been linked to sleep loss, ill health, dementia, premature death, and even heartbreak—literally.
Design for Social Health
Many people see health as the responsibility of clinicians, nutritionists, and other health care professionals. Yet it has become clear that although vitally important, clinical care makes up just 10% to 20% of overall health. The physical environment is an important factor underlying our health ecosystem, influencing how we think, feel, and behave. The United Nations and the World Health Organization have identified better housing and neighborhood conditions as critical to reducing health inequalities.
Places of Connection
There is ample evidence of human civilization’s enduring need for communal gathering spaces, those places where people can come together for celebration, ritual, and the mundane. These places are what sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined third places — places unlike the private, informal home and the public, formal workplace, being both informal and public.
Colin Ellard, PhD: Part 1
I speak with acclaimed author, researcher, TEDx speaker, and professor of environmental psychology. Part 1: On this first part of our two-part episode, Colin and I explore how he discovered his passion for this field, how COVID-19 is shaping his current research and how we are all connecting, and lastly we discuss what evolutionary psychology can teach us about ideal group sizes for connection and community.
Colin Ellard, PhD: Part 2
I speak with acclaimed author, researcher, TEDx speaker, and professor of environmental psychology. Part 2: On the second half of our two-part episode, Colin and I explore research around what small tweaks can shape how we evaluate and want to connect with others, difference between what people think will make them happy and what they want, vs. what actually makes us happy in our home environments, and lastly he leaves us with what he hopes we consider in design and beyond.
Intro to Shared Space
COVID-19, the resulting stay at home orders, social distancing, and ultimately the social isolation that we've gone through has been tough for our mental health, and that's one of the reasons I wanted to start a podcast that talks about loneliness, social isolation and the role of the built environment in creating a brighter future.
Accessible & Inclusive.
On this episode we discuss the importance of designing accessible and inclusive places of connection. When we use universal design principles that honor the human experience, we are creating more inclusive, equitable and welcoming places for all people.