90: Rebuilding Belonging: The Power of Strengthening Our Social Muscles

Our latest LiveWell podcast episode features an inspiring and deeply insightful conversation with Kasley Killam, a leading expert in social health and author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier Lives. Kasley shares her personal journey from being a curious psychology student to becoming a nationally recognized voice on the power of human connection. Drawing from her work with Social Health Labs, global field research, and her own experiences as an empath and introvert, Kasley explores why social health is emerging as a critical pillar of well-being alongside physical and mental health.

Her insights are grounded in both research and lived experience—from her transformative “108 Days of Kindness” project to her work with cities like Barcelona and Paris to strengthen community connection. Throughout the episode, Kasley highlights the urgent need to rebuild social ties in a time of widespread loneliness, and she offers practical, hopeful pathways forward.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Kasley discovered “social health” and why it is becoming a global movement
• Her four strategies for strengthening our “social muscles”
•  The 5-3-1 guideline for building meaningful and sustainable relationships
• The influence of built environments—from LA to Bhutan—on our ability to connect
• How students and communities can create a culture of belonging
•  The role of AI in modern connection, and why diversity of social ties matters
• The power of intentionality, kindness, and community-led initiatives in creating a thriving society

Whether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or anyone searching for ways to strengthen your connections and improve well-being, this episode offers actionable tools, uplifting stories, and a powerful vision for a more connected world.

Resources:

Book: https://www.kasleykillam.com/social-health-book

Website: https://www.kasleykillam.com/

Listen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being.

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