Attaboy’s Ryan Payne joins Jack Eason to talk about the epidemic of loneliness among young people in our culture. Their song ‘Disappearing’ gives voice to that feeling and experience in a way that anyone who has ever felt lonely can connect with the song.

Attaboy believes we live in a culture obsessed with the search for what is “real.” Whether in the demand for public figures to be more honest and genuine, or in the desire for “all natural” products, or the everyday search for authentic, meaningful experiences, one thing rings true: we are a people with a deep longing for the real thing.

Ryan, Jeff, Melanie, and Christian—under their musical collective, Attaboy—have noticed this ubiquitous longing for authentic social and spiritual connection, especially in the years they’ve spent touring coast-to-coast, singing, dancing, and talking with young people. Today’s youth (the “Millennials”) have been labeled by some, “the most cynical and distrusting generation ever recorded,” but Attaboy sees the situation differently.

Their website can be found at https://attaboyonline.com

Listen to ‘Disappearing’ now at https://attaboyonline.com/track/1808448/disappearing and read the song’s lyrics.

Dr. Patricia A. Farrell joins Jack Eason to discuss the prevalence of loneliness among the young, middle aged, and elderly. As well as our tendency to avoid social interaction to our detriment. Her recommendations for breaking the cycle of loneliness in your life are incredible.

Dr. Patricia A. Farrell is a psychologist of a different stripe. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and published author with experience in the field of mental health as a practicing clinician, medical writer, researcher, educator and disability consultant.

At once time, she was the National Clinical Monitor for Mt. Sinai Medical Center in NYC, where she was involved in the first national protocol (Cognex) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.

https://www.drfarrell.net

Ziggi Santini tells Jack Eason about the Act-Belong-Commit framework for mental health promotion.

Ziggi Santini currently works at the The Danish National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark. Ziggi does research in mental health promotion and positive mental health.

You can connect with Ziggi on Twitter and LinkedIn

Jack Eason speaks with Schylar Fields, a pastor in Kentucky, who has seen major changes in the life of his church as a result of coronavirus. One of the main impacts has been an increase in loneliness.

Schylar Fields is a native of southern Ohio and holds a Masters of Divinity from Liberty University. He has been accepted into the PhD program in Evangelism and Preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

You can touch base with Schylar online at http://www.brunerschapel.com

Jack Eason speaks with Karestan Koenen, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, about loneliness and public health.

Dr. Koenen's research focus is three-fold. First, she studies why some people develop PTSD and related mental and physical health problems and why some people are resilient when exposed to similar traumatic events. Second, she investigates how violence, trauma, and PTSD alter long-term physical health and accelerate aging. Much of this work is done in collaboration with the Nurses' Health Study. Third, she aims to expand access to evidence-based mental health treatment for survivors of violence and trauma.

Karestan Koenen, PhD aims to reduce the population burden of mental disorders through research, training, and advocacy. She is passionate about using science to overcome violence and trauma, which are major preventable causes of health problems globally.

You can get in touch with her at https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/profile/karestan-koenen/

Heather Nelson, Research Chair at Saskatchewan Polytechnic is Jack Eason's guest this episode of the podcast. She guessed that COVID-19 would have a potent impact in exacerbating loneliness and isolation in seniors and decided to study those effects.

Jack Eason welcomes Jason Jimenez to the podcast for a further examination of loneliness in our society. During the global pandemic, congregations and public gatherings have been curtailed. The distance being forced between loved ones, church members, and associates is damaging personal relationships.

Jason Jimenez is the founder of STAND STRONG Ministries and faculty member at Summit Ministries. He is a pastor, apologist, and national speaker who has ministered to families for over twenty years. In his extensive ministry career, Jason has been a Children’s, Student, and College Pastor, and has spent a great deal of time investing in marriages, families, and helping churches have a greater impact in their communities. The three groups Jason largely focuses on are parents, millennials, and pastors leading churches.