Is Loneliness the Real Health Crisis? What the Research Says About Community & the Brain

Today I sat down with a dear friend, Dr. Lynn Goerdt. Lynn is a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin Superior, a social work educator, a researcher, and the heart behind the Live Well program through the Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Wellbeing. But before any of that, she was a woman standing in her own doctor's office saying the words, "I need you to save me from myself."I think a lot of us have had that moment, or something close to it. Lynn and I have been running in the same circles for years, and when we both found ourselves in the thick of the menopause journey at the same time, something clicked. We started talking. We screened a documentary together, we asked the questions nobody else was asking, and somewhere in all of that, we both started to find our footing again. This episode is the continuation of that conversation, and honestly, it might be my favorite one yet.Quotes:"I needed them to know why things were so hard because they didn't know me in any other way.""You don't have to build a community. You can find one to be a part of.""Start with one curiosity. Just be curious.""If you're not sharing with the world, that's actually very selfish. You have these beautiful skill sets."Chapter Markers: 00:00 Welcome to The Healing Pause 03:26 When menopause hit harder than expected 07:03 Screening the M Factor and finding our people 08:33 Was there a turning point? 10:44 The day Lynn told her students 14:26 Becoming the pivotal moment for others 22:06 Community as the #1 biohack for brain health 23:24 What is Live Well, and how did it start? 30:15 The Prescription to Live Well research findings 35:14 The results that surprised even Lynn 38:52 The owl, the walk, and learning to find glimmers 42:43 Rediscovering confidence and owning your next chapterYour turn:Where in your life have you been waiting for permission to say what you're actually going through out loud? And what might open up if you did?About Dr. Lynn Goerdt:Dr. Lynn Goerdt is a full-time faculty member at the University of Wisconsin Superior with over 15 years teaching social welfare policy and macro practice. She holds a Master's in Social Work and a Doctorate in Education, and brings 20 years of human services research experience, primarily in mental health. She recently joined UW Superior's Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Wellbeing as a leader of the Live Well initiative, a community-based program connecting people with each other and the outdoors. She is also the author of the open-source educational textbook Macro Skills for Community and Organizational Change.Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being Live Well Calendar Harvard Flourishing Measure🌿 Stay Connected with The Healing PauseIf today’s conversation resonated with you, I’d love for you to stay connected and continue the journey with us.Connect with me on Instagram: ✨ Follow along for daily reflections, education, and community conversations around perimenopause, menopause, and holistic women’s health.👉 Instagram: @kintopchiro https://www.instagram.com/kintopchiro/ Join Us In Person – The Women’s Symposium: A day created by women, for women—focused on health, healing, and empowerment through this season of life.👉 Learn more & upcoming dates: https://www.kintopchiropractic.com/ Explore Holistic Support & Resources: From nutrition and movement to mindset and hormone conversations, you’ll find tools to support your whole self.👉 Resources & offerings: https://www.kintopchiropractic.com/ ⭐ Help This Podcast Reach More WomenIf this episode supported you, informed you, or made you feel less alone, one of the most powerful ways you can help is by leaving a 5-star rating and review.It helps The Healing Pause reach more women who are searching for these conversations—and it truly means so much.And if you know a woman who needs this message, please share this episode with her.MB01XNPWMDVNQJK