Friends & Neighbors: Benjamin Wagner on Stress, Trauma, and the Power of Connection

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Benjamin Wagner to discuss his new documentary Friends & Neighbors, a deeply personal and timely exploration of how chronic stress and trauma are reshaping life across America.Inspired by Fred Rogers’ enduring message to “look for the helpers,” Wagner shares how his own experiences with loss and the pressures of a high-stress career led him to examine the hidden toll stress takes on our bodies, relationships, and communities. The conversation expands into the heart of the film, highlighting the educators, therapists, artists, and leaders working to rebuild connection and resilience in meaningful ways.Through stories of healing, movement, and shared humanity, Friends & Neighbors offers a hopeful perspective on what it means to show up for one another in a disconnected world. We talk about the making of the film, the science and emotion behind it, and why connection might be our most powerful path forward.Friends & Neighbors begins streaming May 1 on PBS Passport and will also be available on VOD platforms like Apple and Amazon.