In 'Belong', Radha Agrawal addresses the paradox of feeling isolated despite being connected online, which she terms 'community confusion'. The book offers a two-part journey: first, inward self-discovery to understand one's values, interests, and abilities, and then outward to find like-minded individuals and create nurturing social circles. Agrawal shares strategies from her success with Daybreaker to foster real-life friendships and a sense of belonging.
In this book, Dr. Vivek Murthy makes a compelling case for loneliness as a major public health concern, comparable in harm to smoking. He argues that loneliness affects not only individual health but also societal cohesion, contributing to issues such as addiction, violence, depression, and anxiety. The book is divided into sections on understanding loneliness and building more connected lives, offering strategies like spending time with loved ones, focusing on each other, embracing solitude, and helping others. Murthy draws from personal experiences, scientific research, and community examples to illustrate the negative impacts of loneliness and the healing power of human connection.
This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, Athletic Greens, and InsideTracker.
Community is medicine, just like food or sleep. Without community, we can become isolated, which has been found to be connected with inflammation and can even negatively impact immune response. Moreover, whom you choose to be in community with also matters. Your immediate social circle—the four-to-five people you surround yourself with the most—has the greatest influence on your health. In today’s episode, I talk with Radha Agrawal, Dan Buettner, and Dr. Vivek Murthy about why community matters, what we have learned from cultures that prioritize community in their population, and how to take care of our needs first before giving to others.
Radha Agrawal is the Co-founder, CEO, and Chief Community Architect of Daybreaker, the early morning dance and wellness move-ment. Daybreaker currently holds events in 25 cities and more than a dozen college campuses around the world and has a community of almost half a million people. She is also the author of the book, Belong: Find Your People, Create Community, and Live a More Connected Life.
Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and New York Times bestselling author. He discovered the five places in the world— dubbed Blue Zones hotspots—where people live the longest, healthiest lives.
Dr. Vivek H. Murthy served as the 19th Surgeon General of the United States from December 15, 2014 to April 21, 2017 and was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 23, 2021 as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States. In 2017, Dr. Murthy focused his attention on chronic stress and loneliness as prevalent problems that have profound implications for health, productivity, and happiness. He is the author of, Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World.
This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, Athletic Greens, and InsideTracker.
Rupa Health is a place where Functional Medicine practitioners can access more than 2,000 specialty lab tests from over 20 labs like DUTCH, Vibrant America, Genova, and Great Plains. You can check out a free, live demo with a Q&A or create an account at RupaHealth.com.
AG1 contains 75 high-quality vitamins, minerals, whole-food sourced superfoods, probiotics, and adaptogens to support your entire body. Right now when you purchase AG1 from Athletic Greens, you will receive 10 FREE travel packs with your first purchase by visiting athleticgreens.com/hyman.
InsideTracker is a personalized health and wellness platform like no other. Right now they’re offering my community 25% off at insidetracker.com/drhyman.
Full-length episodes of these interviews can be found here:
Radha Agrawal
Dan Buettner
Dr. Vivek Murthy
The Dr. Hyman Show 
