The Evolution of Place: How Environments Shape Us

About this episode

The episode discusses how environmental cues influence our stress levels, immune system, and social trust.

What if your neighborhood is quietly shaping your stress levels, immune system, and trust in others? In this episode, David Sloan Wilson talks with David McAleavey, Amy Clair, Blair Gross, and Rick O'Gorman about how environmental cues – such as order, greenery, and decay – act as signals to our brains and bodies. From the Generalized Unsafety Theory of Stress to the Social Baseline Theory, we explore why where you live affects how you feel, think, and connect. Tune in to see your environment through a whole new lens. Builds on this TVOL article .

People in this episode

Host: David Sloan Wilson

Guests: David McAleavey, Amy Clair, Blair Gross, Rick O'Gorman

Topics covered

• environment
• stress
• health
• social connection

Keywords

• neighborhood
• Generalized Unsafety Theory of Stress
• Social Baseline Theory

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Evolution of Place: How Environments Shape Us.

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