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“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety. It’s connection.”
Johann Hari
Why are we seeing unprecedented rates of depressions? What’s behind our current opioid epidemic? And what can be done about it?
Journalist and author Johann Hari suggests that everything we think we know about addiction and depression is wrong.
Johann has written for The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and many other outlets. He was named ‘Newspaper Journalist of the Year’ by Amnesty International UK and his TED Talk, aptly titled “Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong”, was viral hit, with over 25 million views.
Pertinent to today’s discussion, Johann is the author of Chasing The Scream*, which chronicles his 3-year investigation and research into the war on drugs and the nature of addiction. And his more recent book, Lost Connections* is a compelling deep dive into the nature of depression, its underlying causes and unexpected solutions.
As many of you know, addiction and mental health are subjects of great personal importance. Better understanding that nature of these conditions is the motivating force behind this conversation, which is is everything I hoped it would be.
This is an incredibly powerful, educational — and at times controversial — exploration into what drives these malignancies, why they are so difficult to overcome, and how a new approach can plot a more hopeful and solution-based course forward.
Many see Johann’s ideas as radical. And although I don’t entirely agree with everything Johann prescribes, there is great wisdom in much of his findings.
If you suffer from addiction or depression, this is a must listen. If you don’t, chances are someone you care for does. This conversation can provide the insight and tools for better understanding the struggle — because mental health truly impacts everyone.
For the visually inclined, you can watch our entire conversation on YouTube at bit.ly/johannhari416 and the podcast is now available on Spotify.
Peace + Plants,
Portrait of Johann courtesy of Simon Emmett
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Thanks to this week’s sponsors
Note: One of the best ways to support the podcast is to support the sponsors. For a complete list of all RRP sponsors and their respective vanity url’s and discount codes, visit my Resources page and click “Sponsors”.
SHOW NOTES
Check out Johann’s latest book: Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions*
Background, Context & Reference:
- Connect With Johann: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
- Lost Connections: Website | Facebook
- Chasing The Scream: Website | Facebook
- Book: Chasing the Scream: The Opposite of Addiction is Connection*
- Huffington Post: Articles by Johann Hari
- TED: Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong | Johann Hari
- The New York Times: ‘Chasing the Scream,’ by Johann Hari
- The Fix: Johann Hari on “Deaths of Despair” and Rebuilding Connections in America
- The Guardian: Is everything you think you know about depression wrong?
- New Statesman: Johann Hari: the man who fell to earth and took on depression
- Big Think: The best treatment for depression lies in our evolutionary history
- The Sunday Morning Herald: Lost Connections review: Johann Hari on how we should talk about depression
- Noted: Johann Hari’s search to uncover the real causes of depression
- Foyles: Johann Hari Takes Issue with the Concept of Self-Help
- YouTube: The Rising Depression and Anxiety Crisis with Johann Hari | The RSA
Notable People Discussed in today’s podcast:
- Dr. Gabor Maté: physician, specializes in neurology, psychiatry, psychology, treatment of addiction and podcast guest
- Dan Buettner: National Geographic Fellow, Blue Zones founder, NY Times bestselling author of The Blue Zones Solution* and (2x) podcast guest
- Yuval Noah Harari: historian, lecturer, author Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind *, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow*, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century* and podcast guest
- Dr. Joanne Cacciatore: professor, traumatic grief counselor, researcher, vegan, author of Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief*
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Bruce K. Alexander: author, psychologist and professor emeritus who taught and conducted research on the psychology of addiction at Simon Fraser University since 1970
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John Cacioppo: neuroscientist, was the Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago with an expertise in loneliness
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Jiddu Krishnamurti: was an Indian philosopher, speaker and writer. In his early life he was groomed to be the new World Teacher but later rejected this mantle and withdrew from the Theosophy organization behind it
- Tim Kasser: psychologist and author known for his work on materialism and well-being
- Sir Michael Marmot: author, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London
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Hilarie Cash, Ph.D: author, speaker, teacher and founding member of reSTART treatment for problematic Internet use, video game addiction, VR, and distracting texting, social media and gaming use
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Peter Gray Ph.D: author, researcher and scholar who is a research professor of psychology at Boston College
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Dr. Vincent Felitti: renowned physician and researcher and one of the world’s foremost experts on childhood trauma
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James W. Pennebaker: author and social psychologist
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Aaron Beck: author, psychiatrist who is professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. He is regarded as the father of cognitive therapy, and his pioneering theories are widely used in the treatment of clinical depression
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Brett Q. Ford: assistant professor in the psychology department at the University of Toronto and the director of the Affective Science & Health Laboratory
Related Podcasts You Might Enjoy:
- RRP #188: Addiction Is Not A Choice: Dr. Gabor Maté’s Call For A Compassionate & Holistic Approach To Healing
- RRP #61: Khalil Rafferty On Addiction, Recovery & Achieving Happiness Through Service
- RRP #393: Guru Corner: Disrupting Depression With Guru Singh
- RRP #177: Let’s Talk About Depression: Kevin Breel’s Confessions Of A Depressed Comic — And What Happens When Your TED Talk Goes Supernova
- RRP #161: Combating Depression Through Ultra-Endurance: Luke Tyburski’s Ultimate Triathlon
- RRP #214: Mishka Shubaly On Writing: Faith, Guilt, Stubbornness, Abandonment, Revenge, Forgiveness & Why He Swears He’ll Make It Up To You
Thanks to Jason Camiolo for production, audio engineering, interstitial music. Video, editing and graphics by Blake Curtis and Margo Lubin. Theme music by Ana Leimma.
*Disclosure: Books and products denoted with an asterisk are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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