Group of people smiling and interacting as friends, image of new podcast episode about relationships and connections with Marta Zaraska, Jenn Bane & Trin Garritano

Constructing Connection: Why Relationships Keep Us Young and Make Us Happier

Original Air Date Wednesday, December 2, 2020

We are all seeking out ways to stay connected to family and friends during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do so because physically, emotionally, and spiritually humans thrive in communities.

Studies indicate close contact with others can have a positive effect on our health, wellbeing, and longevity. Without friendships or other relationships, we become lonely, which can cause detrimental changes in our behavior.

To discover how we can live longer while enjoying the precious time of our lives, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with three female authors who value connection, friendship, and community.

Marta Zaraska sheds light on how positive engagements with others can lengthen our time on earth and shares insights from her book, Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism, and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100.

And, Jenn Bane and Trin Garritano discuss friendship dynamics, tips for creating friendships that endure, and excerpts from their book, Friendshipping: The Art of Finding Friends, Being Friends, and Keeping Friends.

Tune in:

Meet Our Guests:

Constructing Connection: Why Relationships Keep Us Young and Make Us Happier with Marta Zaraska, Jenn Bane & Trin Garritano

Marta Zaraska is a science journalist published in the Washington Post, Scientific American, New Scientist, The Atlantic, Discover, and more. She is the author of MeatHooked: The History and Science of Our Two and a Half Million Year Obsession with Meat.

Book: Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism, and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100

Marta Zaraska — Kindness Keeps You Young: 

  • Marta Zaraska describes what inspired her to write Growing Young. {1:47}
  • What happens to our bodies when we are in positive engagement with others and how the pandemic has changed it. {3:57}
  • Why loneliness is bad for human health. {7:35}
  • Things that bolster optimism, help us engage in our communities and family and friends. {14:41}
  • Why a commitment to a romantic relationship has a positive effect on our health and wellness. {21:27}

Follow Marta Zaraska:

Constructing Connection: Why Relationships Keep Us Young and Make Us Happier with Marta Zaraska, Jenn Bane & Trin Garritano

Jenn Bane is a writer, editor, producer, and co-host of the podcast Friendshipping, a feel-good advice show about making friends. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and lives in Chicago with her husband and dog.

Trin Garritano is a writer, game developer, and the other half of the Friendshipping podcast. She has contributed to games like Asmadi Games’ tabletop roleplaying game 1001 Odysseys, and Victorian dating simulator Max Gentlemen: Sexy Business. She lives with her partner, cats, and too many plants in Chicago.

Book: Friendshipping: The Art of Finding Friends, Being Friends, and Keeping Friends

Jenn Bane & Trin Garritano — Constructing Connections:

  • The Friendshipping Podcast is an advice-based podcast that is a fun way for Trin Garritano and Jenn Bane to maintain their connection. {28:06}
  • How the book, Friendshipping came to fruition and relishing friendships during a pandemic. {29:48}
  • Jenn and Trin Garritano describe why it can be hard for adults to make friends and different connection dynamics. {33:44}
  • What to do when it is time to end a toxic friendship. {48:03}
  • Why we should embrace and approach work as a creative endeavor. {45:48}
  • The book, Friendshipping offers advice for every type of connection in life. {51:58}

Follow Jenn Bane & Trin Garritano:

Shareables:

“Mental health and social health is important to our mental and physical functioning.” @mzaraska on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Loneliness causes changes in behavior, such as we perceive threats more often.” @mzaraska on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “We cobbled together a Frankenstein of a book, we are excited about.” @JennDangerous on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Adult life is just not designed for making friends easily.” @JennDangerous on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

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Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.

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