About this episode

The episode explores the psychological impact of feeling overlooked and the importance of feeling valued, featuring insights from psychologists Gordon Flett and Marc Berman.

What does it do to a person to feel overlooked? This week, psychologist Gordon Flett examines how the absence of “mattering” can fuel loneliness, depression, and even violence. He outlines how feeling valued serves as a psychological buffer, and how simple gestures can rebuild a sense of meaning in ourselves and others. Then, in the second half of the show, listeners share their thoughts on finding healing in nature. Psychologist Marc Berman returns for the latest installment of our series "Your Questions Answered."

People in this episode

Hosts: Shankar Vedantam, Hidden Brain

Guests: Gordon Flett, Marc Berman

Topics covered

• loneliness
• depression
• mattering
• psychology
• healing in nature

Keywords

• invisibility
• loneliness
• depression
• psychological buffer
• healing
• nature

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