204. Human Connection and the Modern Loneliness Pandemic with Michael Trainer

204. Human Connection and the Modern Loneliness Pandemic with Michael Trainer

From The Great Unlearn by Cal Callahan

May 12, 2026 · 1h 49m

About this episode

Michael Trainer discusses the loneliness pandemic and the importance of human connection.

Michael Trainer, author of Resonance: The Art and Science of Human Connection, illuminates one of the greatest pandemics of our time: loneliness. Michael shares his deeply healing journey with human connection after being jumped by a gang early in life and developing an intense fear of others — a wound that eventually became one of his greatest gifts in learning how to truly relate. In a world filled with technology and endless approximations of connection, we explore why loneliness is actually intensifying. We unpack the quality of online relationships, the importance of long-term connection, and the growing body of research showing that our happiness is deeply tied to the quality of our closest long-term relationships.

People in this episode

Host: Cal Callahan

Guest: Michael Trainer

Topics covered

  • human connection
  • loneliness
  • mental health
  • technology
  • relationships

Keywords

  • loneliness
  • human connection
  • mental health
  • relationships
  • technology

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Resonance: The Art and Science of Human Connection

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