Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Oprah In this episode of The Oprah Podcast, Dr. Vivek Murthy offers his parting prescription for fighting loneliness and building lasting community. America’s top doctor shares what he’s learned from his patients, his years on the frontlines of public health, and from his father’s tiny village in India. Dr. Murthy also answers questions about how to overcome loneliness from people who Zoom in from around the country. BUY THE BOOK! "Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World " by Vivek Murthy, M.D., published by HarperCollins Publishers LLC, is available wherever books and audio books are sold: https://amzn.to/3TVeVjB 02:03 Introduction of U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and loneliness 02:39 Why loneliness is an epidemic 03:43 Two things Dr. Vivek Murthy knows about loneliness 05:54 Embracing solitude 06:50 Is Oprah an introvert or an extravert? 08:46 Ways we experience solitude 09:23 Why people get anxious in solitude 11:21 Elaine feels distant from her coupled friends 12:18 The pressure of New Year's Eve plans 15:03 Quantity vs. quality when it comes to your friend group 16:42 Don’t let New Year's Eve plans cause anxiety 17:26 Is Gen Z the loneliest generation? 18:43 Amber feels forgotten by her friends since she moved away 20:24 Do extraverts feel loneliness more intensely? 22:02 How to balance enjoying alone time while still feeling connected to the world 24:58 Devlin shares his loneliness after the loss of his parents 25:46 The difference between grief and loneliness 27:37 Oprah calls upon her pets and friends who have passed away 29:52 Karina’s business to help solve loneliness 31:03 The healing power of community 32:22 Why people are so afraid to be alone 34:46 Dr. Vivek Murthy’s parting prescription 35:38 Three critical forces for fulfillment in our lives: Relationships, Purpose, and Service 38:16 How can we use our lives in service to something bigger than ourselves? 41:03 We are all craving community Also referenced in this episode: "Stillness Speaks" by Eckhart Tolle available here: https://amzn.to/4q94Rj5 Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprah/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381