Robert J. Coplan, "The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World" (Simon and Schuster, 2025)

About this episode

Robert J. Coplan discusses the importance of solitude and how to reconnect with oneself in a hyper-connected world.

Solitude is part of the human experience. But just like other relationships, your relationship with solitude can be satisfying, intimate, and enhance your well-being, or it can leave you wanting, stuck in a cycle of sadness, anxiety, or anger. Regardless of whether you're starved for “me time” or struggling with loneliness, most of us have never thought carefully about how to get the most out of the time we spend by ourselves. As a result, we’re missing out on what could be a deeply enriching aspect of our lives. But how can we unlock the positive power of solitude? In The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World (Simon and Schuster, 2025) Robert Coplan draws from diverse fields including psychology, neuroscience, literature, and sociology to guide readers through solitude’s many dimensions and its profound effects on mental health and well-being. In this enlightening book, you will discover: The many different types of solitude, ranging from enjoyable to challenging, each influencing personal experiences in unique ways. Why choosing to spend even fifteen minutes alone each day can help stabilize your mood, recharge your battery, and spark…

People in this episode

Guest: Robert J. Coplan

Topics covered

• solitude
• mental health
• well-being
• creativity
• extraversion
• introversion

Keywords

• psychology
• neuroscience
• literature
• sociology
• loneliness

Mentioned in this episode

Products: The Joy of Solitude

Books & works: The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World, The Joy of Solitude: How to Reconnect with Yourself in an Overconnected World (Simon and Schuster

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