Harvesting Happiness

The Connection Crisis: Decades of Research on Friendship and Belonging with Dr. Niobe Way, PhD Part II

May 21, 2026

Decades of data reveal a decline in our collective capacity to see other people’s perspectives. This signals a connection crisis that stretches across generations. During this friendship recession, we live in a socially starved society where indifference is considered fashionable. This trend has devolved into a social health crisis, fueling a surge in adolescent mental health issues. Ignoring our inherent emotional vulnerability, boys are taught to suppress their feelings and that feelings ar...

The Connection Crisis: Decades of Research on Friendship and Belonging with Dr. Niobe Way, PhD Part I

May 14, 2026

The modern loneliness epidemic has cast a spotlight on a profound "crisis of connection," particularly within the realm of boys' friendships research. As children grow, developmental psychology suggests a sharp decline in emotional intimacy among males, often driven by rigid masculinity norms that equate vulnerability with weakness. This cultural pressure prioritizes hard skills over soft skills, forcing many young adults into social isolation, where the biological need for companionship is s...

Conscious Coupling: Relationship Maintenance Tune-Up with Raffi Bilek, LCSW-C

May 07, 2026

Long-term relationships require consistent relationship maintenance and a shared commitment to making it work. By embracing conscious coupling, we take the lead on our own emotional growth, learning how to handle the messy stuff instead of sweeping it under the rug. Improving our partner communication means listening to our partners even when we want to speak. To discover tried-and-true relationship maintenance techniques, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen welcomes author a...