The Village Church - Sermons A People
14 snips
Jan 5, 2026 In a thought-provoking discussion, the podcast explores the alarming loneliness epidemic warned by the Surgeon General, comparing its effects to smoking. It emphasizes our inherent need for connection, highlighting the neurobiology behind relationships and the significance of community. Listeners are urged to prioritize shared life over mere events, cultivating deeper bonds within the church. The importance of using personal gifts for the collective good is underscored, along with a powerful invitation to embrace belonging and find purpose in community.
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Childhood Memory Of Smoking Norms
- Earl Mejia recalls growing up with a father who smoked heavily and vending machines that sold cigarettes.
- He uses this memory to show how cultural norms and warnings can take decades to change.
Loneliness Is A Public-Health Crisis
- Chronic loneliness carries biological harm comparable to smoking fifteen cigarettes a day according to the U.S. Surgeon General advisory.
- Loneliness increases risk for heart disease, depression, dementia, and early death and is a public-health crisis.
Being Known Is Biologically Necessary
- Humans are neurologically wired to be known and to flourish in small, deep circles rather than broad shallow networks.
- Eye contact and empathetic listening lower cortisol and raise oxytocin but do not translate well through screens.
