Clear the air

05: The role of social connections in making you happy and healthy with Professor Robert Waldinger

Clear the air

Show Notes

Professor Robert Waldinger is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and Zen practitioner. He is the Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and directs the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest-running studies of adult life ever done. With 22 million views, his TED talk is one of the most viewed talks of all time.

If you have ever struggled with loneliness, building new social connections or maintaining positive relationships in your personal life or at work, this episode provides very practical steps you can take to address these challenges.

In this episode, we really dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

1. Three tips on how to make new friends or form positive social connections. 2. What can I do if I am feeling lonely? 3. Determining the difference between online vs offline social interactions and relationship quality vs quantity. 4. What is the most common reason friendships end? 5. How to create workplace environments that foster positive connections and culture in the context of remote work. 6. Why better social connections at work leads to higher employee engagement and retention. 7. Explaining why the fundamental of good relationships is based on affection and respect. 8. Do conflict exist in positive relationships? 9. How do I determine if I should leave a relationship or not? 10. What do I do when I am in a relationship with a narcissistic person?

11. What extra things do you consider when you are in a toxic relationship and children are involved? 12. What is the difference between happiness and wellbeing? 13. Is it ok to not be happy all the time? 14. Should we do things to chase happiness? 15. How do I prevent bad things that happened in my past from repeating in the future? 16. What is the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) on whether the person will have positive wellbeing in the future as an adult? 17. What were the research findings from the longest research on human development and wellbeing?

Learn more about Robert Waldinger https://www.lifespanresearch.org/

Have a burning question about mental health that you want us to answer? Email us at [email protected], or visit our website: www.myclearhead.com

More from Clear the air

Oct 6, 2026

From social media to diet and gym culture, messages about our bodies and the pressure to look a certain way are everywhere. Over time, these influences can shape how we see ourselves, how we eat and exercise, and even the messages we pass on to the next generation.

Sep 8, 2026

Clearhead acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present.

Aug 11, 2026

In this episode, we explore the growing evidence connecting gut health, nutrition, mental health and men’s physical wellbeing, including how everyday lifestyle factors can influence long-term gut health outcomes. We’ll look at how diet can support mood, energy, sleep and the gut–brain connection, as well as simple, practical changes men can make to support both their physical and mental wellbeing.

Jun 29, 2026

Bullying can leave lasting impacts on mental health and feel very personal to the victim, it shapes how people then cope, connect, and work throughout their lives. In this episode, we’ll explore how bullying show up in workplaces, and what truly prevents bullying at a organisational level in the workplace.

Jun 2, 2026

Women continue to face unique pressures, balancing professional, family, and social expectations while carrying the often-invisible mental and emotional load. In this webinar, we’ll explore the experiences of women in leadership roles and what organisations can do better to support women into senior roles and maintain their wellbeing.

See all episodes →