How faith and religion can help foster connection amid loneliness epidemic | Hey, NJ

Hey NJ! This week, we're talking about the nation's loneliness epidemic. In May 2023, then-Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory that revealed about half of U.S. adults reported experiencing loneliness. As part of NJ PBS' "A Matter of Faith" series, podcast host Manya Brachear Pashman explored what it means to feel alone and how faith, religion and spirituality are driving both the science of belonging and the surprising ways that people are forming meaningful bonds. On this episode of "Hey, NJ," Brachear Pashman shares what she learned talking to medical professionals, community builders and clergy members about rediscovering genuine connection. Listen to "A Matter of Faith:" https://youtu.be/cLhoecClIC4 We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to [email protected]. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for daily videos: http://bit.ly/1ERsYqw This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/member-benefits/ Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/newsletters/ Follow NJ Spotlight News: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/njspotlightnews/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/njspotlightnews/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/njspotlightnews.org TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@njspotlightnews?_t=8VUNKN33vpu&_r=1 ----------------- While NJ PBS does not and cannot review every submission and is not responsible for the content of your comments, NJ Spotlight News reserves the right to delete, remove, move, or edit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems abusive, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate or unacceptable for any reason.  ----------------- NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi is a nightly news program that airs weekdays on NJ PBS that covers local New Jersey news. Be sure to share with us your story ideas, feedback and tips about news in your neighborhood: https://bit.ly/32zwJDT NJ Spotlight News airs every weeknight at 6:30, 7:30 and 11 p.m. ET on NJ PBS.