Episode Notes

In 2023, the United States Surgeon General issued an advisory declaring loneliness to be an epidemic, posing a serious threat to our physical and mental health. Loneliness has also been peaking among college students. In addition, the job search and career process can feel very isolating. In this episode, Matthew Makak and Tanuja Ramchal draw on their lived and professional experiences to explore cultural factors contributing to feeling lonely and what we can do to get the support we need.

Here's what's covered in the episode:

• Matthew shares how his sexuality, ethnicity, and religion all contributed to feelings of loneliness and how that has morphed over the years
• The cognitive dissonance that exists between being told to "be yourself" and being rewarded for fitting in
• Why the goal of being in community is not necessarily to feel less lonely or to feel better and how acknowledging our struggles can bring us closer together
• Three steps you can take to feel seen, heard, and supported as a student or professional