If we find ourselves off track in life, how can we ground ourselves and find our flow again? When Josh Groban first stepped on stage as a shy 7th grader assigned a solo by his music teacher, his own mother didn’t know he could sing. Fast-forward three decades, and Josh has sold 35 million records worldwide. Josh’s rise to fame as a singer, songwriter and actor happened relatively quickly, he says, and along the way, he sometimes lost sight of what he cared about, pursued the wrong things, and experienced loneliness and depression. Through those difficult times, Josh sought therapy and built deeper connections with loved ones and learned to turn to them for support. In this episode, Dr. Murthy and Josh Groban explore the challenges of navigating life when it becomes overwhelming, the power of the arts to heal, the importance the arts for young people, and how music has the power to transport us. (07:09) Did Josh ever imagine his music could bring healing for people? (09:30) Why are teachers so important for young artists? (08:18) How Josh dealt with self-doubt (23:01) What helped ground Josh as his fame grew? (27:03) How does Josh know when he’s chasing the right things? (33:34) How does Josh find the balance between hustle and flow? (40:32) The isolation of fame (49:43) The courage to work with a therapist (55:30) The power behind Josh’s song “River” (01:04) What do the arts do for our mental health & well-being? (01:07:36) How is Josh Groban supporting the arts for young people? (01:10:12) Why does Dr. Murthy feel so connected to Josh Groban? (01:13:36) Why should we pursue experiencing the arts in our lives? (01:17:02) Where has Dr. Murthy turned for inspiration or solace in music? (01:18:47) Can we create more access to the arts for young people and turn STEM to STEAM? Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls  Josh Groban, Singer and Actor Instagram: @joshgroban Facebook: @joshgroban About Josh Groban Josh Groban possesses one of the most outstanding and instantly recognizable voices in music. A powerhouse vocalist and dynamic renaissance man, he has sold over 35 million albums worldwide. ATony, EMMY, and five-time GRAMMY Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist, his catalog spans a series of chart-topping blockbuster albums, including “Josh Groban” (5x-platinum), “Closer” (6x-platinum), “Noël” (6x-platinum), “Awake” (2x-platinum), “Illuminations”, “All That Echoes” (gold), “Stages” (gold), his first UK #1 album, “Bridges”, and his most recent release, “Harmony”. Along the way, he has packed arenas throughout North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Asia. Groban made his Broadway debut in 2016 with a starring role in “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812,” for which he garnered a Tony Award nomination for Best Lead Actor In A Musical. In the spring of 2023, Josh took to Broadway once again, performing in the highly anticipated revival of “Sweeney Todd”, playing the title role which earned him Tony and GRAMMY Nominations along with widespread acclaim. Groban is also a known presence on television, with appearances on “Glee”, “The Simpsons”, “The Office”, “CSI: NY, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, and “The Crazy Ones” as well as in the feature films “Coffee Town”, “Muppets Most Wanted”, and “Crazy, Stupid, Love”. In addition, he starred in the NETFLIX series “The Good Cop” in 2018. In 2022, he returned to the hallowed stage of Radio City Music Hall for his Great Big Radio City Show residency and launched a nation-wide live tour. Also that year, Groban also starred in ABC’s special “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration” as none other than the Beast. Groban remains an active arts education philanthropist and advocate, and his Find Your Light Foundation helps enrich the lives of young people through arts, education, and cultural awareness.

What does Dr. Ruth have to say about facing loneliness? Dr. Ruth Westheimer was a legend who broke taboos around talking about sex and relationships. At her core, she cared deeply about human connection. In 2023, she was named the nation’s first honorary Ambassador to Loneliness for the state of New York. In honor of Dr. Ruth, who passed in July 2024, the Surgeon General offers a remembrance and shares a few nuggets of wisdom she recorded while working on her last book, “The Joy of Connections.” We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.    Dr. Ruth, Sex Therapist & Author Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer broke stigmas for more than forty years, beginning in the 1980s with her nationally syndicated radio show “Sexually Speaking”. She authored or co-authored forty-six books on many topics and was named New York’s Ambassador to Loneliness, the first such position in the United States. A beloved therapist known to millions as “Dr. Ruth,” she passed away in July 2024.

Parental well-being is linked to the well-being of kids – it affects kids’ health, their learning, and, ultimately, their futures. But right now, parents and caregivers are incredibly stressed. That stress is harder to manage when you feel you’re on your own, which is why it’s concerning that parents, particularly single parents, report high levels of loneliness. In this week’s episode of House Calls, Dr. Murthy talks about why we need a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize parents’ well-being. He also reads a preview of his latest advisory, Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health & Well-Being of Parents. Learn more at https://surgeongeneral.gov/parents. (00:02)    Why is parent mental health so important?(00:54)    What is The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Parent Mental Health and Well-Being?(01:12)    Why is parenting one of the hardest jobs?(02:22)    Why is parenting so essential to our society as a whole?(02:55)    What are some modern-day parenting challenges?(04:39)    What has the U.S. Surgeon General learned in his conversations with parents across America?(05:18)    How can parents’ mental health and well-being be better-supported? We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.   

Chloe Kim, an Olympic snowboarding champion, opens up about balancing monumental success with self-worth. She reflects on overcoming depression and anxiety while navigating public pressures. Chloe shares the pivotal role her immigrant parents played in shaping her dreams and values, illustrating the challenges they faced for her future. Their discussion highlights the importance of mental health and finding inner peace amidst societal expectations. With warm anecdotes and deep reflections, Chloe inspires listeners to seek joy in authenticity.

In this installment, Sebastian Junger, an award-winning journalist and author of titles like "The Perfect Storm," shares insights from his near-death experience following a ruptured aneurysm. He reflects on the profound impact of facing mortality and the unexpected encounter with his deceased father. Junger discusses how this experience reshaped his view on purpose in life, the importance of love, and the role of community. His thought-provoking perspective encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability and find deeper connections in their lives.

In celebration of World Friendship Day, the Surgeon General invites an old friend and House Calls producer to talk about how their deep connection has seen them through the best of times and the worst of times, sustaining them both personally and professionally. (00:28) House Calls gets personal as Dr. Murthy introduces an old friend (who is also a House Calls producer) (01:56) How Dr. Murthy and his friend Ann Kim met (03:27) How many marriages have resulted from Dr. Murthy’s personal pastime of matchmaking? (03:54) How has Dr. Murthy and Ann Kim’s friendship cultivated a focus on social connection? (04:44) How can we find the light in other people? (05:28) Why is talking with a friend in challenging times so helpful? (08:38) How can a friend help us explore our interests and find our focus? (11:29) How can we help children foster deep friendship with their siblings? (13:27) Dr. Murthy shares his favorite poem about friendship. (16:11) How can we inspire more friendship?   We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.      Ann Kim, House Calls Producer and Friend Instagram: @annkimannkim   About Ann Kim  Ann Kim is Chief Innovation & Design Officer at the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. In this role, Ann and her team aim to bring creativity and design thinking to government, modernizing and humanizing ways to advance public health. She oversees the surgeon general’s website, first-ever podcast (“House Calls with Dr. Vivek Murthy”), and creative development of new products and initiatives. She served as Chief Design Officer during Dr. Vivek Murthy’s previous tenure from 2016-2017, developing campaigns to address substance use, opioids prescribing, and emotional well-being. Prior to public service, Ann served as as executive director of health and well-being at global design firm IDEO. During her decade at IDEO, her portfolio included the design of HIV-prevention products, digital mental health tools, and new models of healthcare delivery. In the first decade of her career, Ann was a producer and filmmaker for public television. Her credits include the award-winning PBS/Frontline series “The Age of AIDS” and “Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?” the landmark documentary series on the social determinants of health. She has reported for the public radio from Botswana, India, and North Korea. Her latest documentary, “Lovesick,” is about a physician in India who is also a matchmaker for her HIV-positive single patients. Ann is a graduate of Harvard College, with a joint degree in Anthropology & the Study of Religion. She is a board member of Noora Health. And, unlike her dear friend the Surgeon General who identifies as a cat person, she considers herself a dog person.

The Surgeon General and Selena Gomez, singer, actress, and founder and creator of Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund, take the stage at the Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit to talk about loneliness, connection, and the power of talking about our mental health. (02:42)   Why is bringing people together to talk about mental health so important to Selena? (03:49)   Why has loneliness and connection become a focus of the Surgeon General’s work? (07:15)   How does Selena manage her relationship with social media? (08:31)   What has Dr. Murthy learned about the impact of social media on young people? (13:46)   Why is Selena personally committed to providing support for mental health? (15:28)   What’s the difference between loneliness and isolation? (20:34)   Does Selena have one thing she does each day to stay connected with friends and family? (22:27)   What makes Selena and the Surgeon General hopeful about the future of mental health? We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls. Selena Gomez, Singer, Actress & PhilanthropistInstagram: @selenagomezX: @selenagomezFacebook: @selena About Selena Gomez In addition to being an award winning actress, producer, Grammy nominated recording artist, philanthropist, and mental health advocate, Selena is the Founder & Creator of Rare Beauty and the Rare Impact Fund, which she launched simultaneously in 2020. Selena created Rare Beauty with a mission to break down unrealistic standards of perfection and help people celebrate their individuality by redefining what beautiful means. As part of her commitment to addressing mental health and self-acceptance, one percent of annual Rare Beauty sales go directly to the Rare Impact Fund to expand access to mental health services for young people around the world.

What makes us successful?   What makes our lives fulfilling?  Are they the same things?  We’re exposed to so many ideas of what is success, it’s not always easy to be clear on what path best serves us. This episode’s guest, Adam Grant, is an organizational psychologist and expert on what motivates us, what gives us meaning, and how we can live more generous and creative lives.   This conversation takes some personal turns, with Adam and the Surgeon General talking about their friendship, marriage, kids, and recent struggles, including a shared tendency to seek out the approval of others. They open up about failures and how we can learn from them.  Adam also shares an unconventional idea for helping his kids feel valued and loved. Listen as this episode gets real about what’s at the heart of a fulfilling life. (03:30)    How does Adam Grant define success? (07:44)    Are fame, fortune, and power really the values we need for successful lives? (12:05)    Why do character and values matter and how do we cultivate them?  (20:08)    How does Adam create boundaries for tech and social media in his own life? (27:01)    How does Adam extend what he studies as an organizational psychologist to his children? (39:42)    Why does Adam find value in being open about his struggles and failures? (44:39)    How can we talk about our current struggles, even when it’s sensitive? (46:50)    Dr. Vivek Murthy shares a personal struggle of his own. (48:20)    How can we address habits and traits that impact our relationships? (51:48)    Should Meeting Night become the new Date Night? (55:16)   How does Adam find time to cultivate and maintain friendships? (01:01:11)    Do we have to learn lessons by making mistakes ourselves? Can’t we learn from the mistakes of others? (01:07:57)    What gives Adam hope? We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.   We’d love to hear from you! Send us a note at housecalls@hhs.gov with your feedback & ideas. For more episodes, visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/housecalls.   Adam Grant, Organizational Psychologist Instagram: @adamgrant X: @adammgrant LinkedIn: @adammgrant Facebook: @adammgrant About Adam Grant Adam Grant has been Wharton’s top-rated professor for 7 straight years. As an organizational psychologist, he is a leading expert on how we can find motivation and meaning, rethink assumptions, and live more generous and creative lives. He has been recognized as the world’s #2 most influential management thinker and one of Fortune’s 40 under 40. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 6 books that have sold millions of copies and been translated into 45 languages: “Hidden Potential”, “Think Again”, “Give and Take”, “Originals”, “Option B”, and “Power Moves”. His books have been named among the year’s best by Amazon, Apple, the Financial Times, and the Wall Street Journal. His viral piece on languishing was the most-read New York Times article of 2021 and the most-saved article across all platforms. Adam hosts the TED podcasts “Re:Thinking” and “WorkLife”, which have been downloaded over 70 million times. His TED talks on languishing, original thinkers, and givers and takers have over 35 million views. He has received a standing ovation at TED and was voted the audience’s favorite speaker at The Nantucket Project. His speaking and consulting clients include Google, the NBA, Bridgewater, and the Gates Foundation. He writes on work and psychology for the New York Times, has served on the Defense Innovation Board at the Pentagon, has been honored as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and has appeared on Billions. He has more than 8 million followers on social media and features new insights in his free monthly newsletter, GRANTED.

Dr. Abraham Verghese and Dr. Vivek Murthy discuss the healing power of writing. They touch on dealing with fear in medicine, Dr. Verghese's unique medical training, his creative writing process, writer's block, and share a poetic moment. The episode dives into their experiences in medicine, navigating uncertainty, personal healing journeys, and the influence of poetry on healing.

Dr. Abraham Verghese shares insights from treating AIDS patients, emphasizing the importance of healing and connecting with patients. Dr. Murthy and Dr. Verghese discuss the humanistic approach in medicine, highlighting the significance of personal rituals and physical exams. They reflect on the challenges of modern healthcare and the need to prioritize the patient-doctor relationship.