Loneliness & Connection (with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy & John Leguizamo)
You and Me Both with Hillary ClintonShow Notes
A few months ago, Hillary wrote a piece for The Atlantic on what she called “the weaponization of loneliness.” It was inspired, in part, by an important and alarming advisory issued by the Office of the Surgeon General on an underreported crisis in the United States: an epidemic of loneliness that has contributed to increased rates of opioid and alcohol addiction, domestic abuse, suicide, gun violence, as well as diabetes, heart disease, and more. To that list, Hillary added the rise in divisive, even toxic and dangerous, political engagement.
On this week’s episode, Hillary talks with U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy about his own experiences of loneliness as a child, the causes and effects of the loneliness epidemic, and his “We Are Made to Connect” tour, which seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of social isolation and create opportunities for connection on college campuses.
Then she speaks with actor, writer, director, and comedian John Leguizamo, whose work in theater, film, and television helps ease our sense of loneliness and isolation. From his Broadway hit Latin History for Morons to his roles in Super Mario Bros, Chef, and Encanto, and his MSNBC travel series Leguizamo Does America, John has won over audiences while also forging a path for Latino performers who are vastly underrepresented on stage and screens in the United States. Hillary talks with John about the math teacher who nudged him towards theater, performing for and breaking bread with inmates at Rikers Island, and his tireless efforts to make sure Latin people are represented in politics, the arts, and in our understanding of American history.
You can read a full transcript HERE.
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More from You and Me Both with Hillary Clinton
For her season finale, Hillary sits down with her husband, the 42nd president of the United States, to continue a wide-ranging conversation they’ve been having together for over 50 years. From their home in Chappaqua, New York, amid the current war in the Middle East, they recall the eight years of work Bill did during his presidency to find a road to peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people. They tackle other pressing subjects like immigration, climate change, and the urgent need for funding the war in Ukraine. And they also look for hope wherever they can find it—including Northern Ireland and Albania, and, closer to home, through celebrating the holiday season and reflecting on the bond they continue to share with one another after all their years together.
Hillary is traveling, and will be back next week with a new episode. In the meantime, we’re bringing back one of her favorites..
The overturning of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022 dealt a severe blow to women’s health care in the United States. Today, nearly half of states in the country ban or severely restrict abortion care. The ripple effects reach far wider: hospitals are shutting maternity wards, and OB-GYNs are leaving states that don’t allow them to provide essential care to their patients.
This week, we bring you the first ever live recording of You and Me Both before a sold-out audience at Symphony Space in New York City. Hillary was joined by singer, actor, and three time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone, while writer and comedian Amber Ruffin served as MC.
Hillary has been an admirer of Barbra Streisand’s throughout her remarkable career, and a friend since they first met back in 1992. There’s lots to admire about this iconic singer, actor, writer, producer, and director, known for her best-selling albums, performances on stage and screen, and activism. “Funny Girl”, “The Way We Were”, “Yentl”, and “A Star Is Born” are just a few of the titles that remind us of the profound impact Barbra's made on our cultural landscape.