The Science of Connection

In this episode, Wendy speaks with psychologist and affective neuroscientist Jim Coan. Jim is a leading researcher on how social connection impacts our minds, brains, and bodies, and he's also pushing the boundaries of impactful science communication. This conversation covers many topics, including:

• studying relationships and emotions in the brain;
• how a confusing research finding changed his career;
• how holding hands impacts our bodies and minds;
• understanding energy regulation and prediction;
• social baseline theory;
• the prefrontal cortex and self-regulation;
• implications for the default mode network;
• social support as energetic resources for the body;
• effects of hand holding on pain processing;
• introversion and social support;
• the two things all his students must memorize;
• the costs and benefits of social interactions;
• implications for loss of relationship;
• sense of self, belonging, and the importance of supporting others;
• communicating science through comics;
• and surviving—even flourishing—through climate change.

Full show notes and resources