We start with what many are calling an epidemic of loneliness and discontentment, and the unique ways this crisis is affecting young men. We explore what may be driving these trends, how attitudes toward relationships, purpose, and social connection are changing, and what the data reveal about modern isolation. We also take a closer look at our sense of smell, something many people naturally lose with age, but that took on new attention during COVID-19. We examine what the research says about how our noses changed during and after the pandemic. And, for our fun fact, we're taking another crack at last week's fun fact about summer vacation. Will this time be better?
We’re exploring a growing sense of disconnection in America. From loneliness to broader feelings of dissatisfaction, many people — especially men — are struggling to find meaningful connection, purpose, and support. What was once dismissed as a personal issue is now increasingly being framed as a public health concern, with the former Surgeon General even declaring an “epidemic of loneliness.” We break down what the latest research says about the rise in isolation, why young men appear to be disproportionately affected, and what may be driving this trend — from changing relationship patterns and declining social interaction to technology and shifting expectations around work, identity, and community. We also ask whether loneliness is the problem, itself, or a symptom of something deeper about how Americans are living, working, and relating to one another.
Then, we talk about one of the most overlooked human senses: smell. For millions of Americans, especially after COVID-19, losing the ability to smell has become an unexpected and often lasting reality. But researchers say this is about far more than simply missing flavors or scents. Smell is uniquely tied to memory and emotion, serving as a direct pathway to the parts of the brain responsible for nostalgia, emotional connection, and even cognitive function. As scientists learn more about the long-term effects of smell loss, questions are emerging about its links to mental health, memory decline, and everyday safety. We take a closer look at why this once “neglected sense” may actually be far more important than many of us ever realized — and what happens when people lose a key way of experiencing and remembering the world.
And, for the fun fact, we're asking for the second week in a row, where Americans want to take a summer vacation. This time from 1939.