the tara bixby podcast 182. Dr. Ben Rein: Why your brain needs connection and how isolation impacts your mental health.
Hey friend. đź‘‹
Today, Dr. Ben Rein joins us to explore why connection isn’t just a cool idea — it’s a biological necessity for a healthy mind. Dr. Rein is an award-winning neuroscientist, author of Why Brains Need Friends, Adjunct Lecturer at Stanford University, and a brilliant science communicator.
We dive into the neuroscience of connection, how isolation triggers stress in the brain, and how meaningful relationships help us thrive. We also talk about recognizing when you’re running low on connection, curating a “social diet” that meets your needs, and how modern life and social media quietly erode real relationships. Ben also shares how the loss of social cues online fuels hostility and division, why disagreement doesn’t have to break connections, and how small acts of kindness benefit the brain.
✨ If this episode resonates, share it with a friend — text it, email it, or post it on social. Connection and community are what this podcast is all about.
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