The Pam Carey Show
Each Monday we will dive into ideas big and small: from psychology to philosophy, and from economics to fitness. Each episode is designed to spark curiosity and connection. The goal is to explore alongside like-minded people, as if sharing a conversation over tea. Have a thought on a past episode or an idea for a future one? You’re always invited to leave a voice message or write in at the links below, and I may bring your message into a future episode. Together we’ll unpack the questions and stories that shape how we live, think, and grow.
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This podcast is a production of Bounding Husky LLC doing business as Pamela Carey Enterprises
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional or licensed psychologist
The Pam Carey Show
How to grow community: Why we feel lonely and disconnected
In this episode, we explore how to build community and address why so many of us feel isolated and disconnected today. We dive into the concept of the atomization of society—how the traditional webs of connection have been broken—and discuss the so-called loneliness epidemic. Is it caused by increasing social isolation, or are we just more open about our feelings now?
Key topics we cover include:
- The loss of the third place and its impact on community
- How consumerism, capitalism, and individualistic cultures contribute to disconnection, featuring insights from sociologist and philosopher Zygmunt Bauman, writer Oliver Burkeman, and many other thinkers - both linked below and discussed in the episode
- The crucial link between community and mental/physical health
- And many practical strategies to create and foster connection in your life
Join us for an in-depth conversation about rebuilding meaningful community and finding belonging in today’s fragmented world.
YouTube version of the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcTkM4g9uaU
Show notes links, citations, and attributions: :
- I want to give credit to the YouTube channel AfterImage linked here: https://www.youtube.com/@After_Image/videos for their work from this linked video that I shared a quote from - thank you for your breakdown of the atomization of society through this story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx2C1rmjXpo
- Article about collective action being needed vs individual actions: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/23/big-oil-coined-carbon-footprints-to-blame-us-for-their-greed-keep-them-on-the-hook
- Braver angels - brings people together across the political divide: https://braverangels.org/
- Oliver Burkeman’s book Four Thousand Weeks: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/fourthousandweeks
- Are we more lonely these days or simply discussing it more? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lonely-not-alone/202305/are-we-really-lonelier-than-ever
- Thread on liquid modernity - a bit different than what I discussed here but what I discussed was inspired by this: https://www.reddit.com/r/sociology/comments/kfz38b/liquid_modernity_discussion_in_first_comment/
- Short on social isolation cycle and fear: https://youtube.com/shorts/5VocqKKTyyY?si=nFAYv09Ud-aSHFbt
- This is not the original video I watched on people living together in community but it is just as good so here it is! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYog8xN0cJQ and they linked this resource on finding an intentional communi
