Latest news with #loneliness
Forbes
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Mind Reading: Josh Johnson Takes ‘Daily Show' Host Gig While Riding Viral Wave For Healing Men's Loneliness
Josh Johnson Josh Johnson slides behind the host's desk for the The Daily Show this week, a first for the comedian who's been a correspondent for the Comedy Central late night show for more than a year after joining the writing staff in 2017. The timing is serendipitous for Johnson, whose comedic fast lane accelerated yet again last month when a YouTube clip of a recent tour stop went viral for his quick-witted take on loneliness among men. Fueled by the popular TikTok trend where men call their male friends to say goodnight, and curious about a social media post he'd stumbled on where one guy shared how uncomfortable he felt when his buddy invited him to see a movie, Johnson last month delivered a stand-up set to a live audience that emphasized the importance of men letting down their guard and checking on each other. Between bits about the awkward male hug and even more awkward attempts by men to accept help or simply converse are profound gems that sent the subsequent extended clip soaring. 'I think one of the reasons we see a lot of men struggling is that being together in fellowship is sorely lacking because of a specific type of attitude,' Johnson shares. 'I knew I was onto something by the reaction I was getting from the people at the show, I just didn't realize it would resonate so much online. There are whole corners of the Internet that will have you thinking the world is a specific way and I was trying to relate what I've seen in the world to what I think could fix that thing. And it turned out that echoed with other people. I'm thankful I was on the right track with it.' And really, who better than Johnson to put men's mental health in the spotlight? A brilliant chronicler of culture, he's built his career on finding humor in places of division and delivering it with a spoonful of comedic sugar. The TikTok trend 'is obviously funny because it's an uncomfortable thing for some people. But it is calling a thing out in its own right and that is… Is someone checking up on you, is someone taking care of you and is someone being there for you? This is off-putting for a lot of men, but as a human you have to do that sort of thing,' he says. 'Whether it's an unspoken rule or it's rhetoric we grow up with, when you go from a boy to a man instead of gaining a bunch of tools on how to operate through life better, you're supposed to lose a bunch of things. You're supposed to lose a sense of fellowship, you're supposed to lose your genuine joy for being around people you love." "Sometimes the word toxic is overused, but sometimes there's no other way to describe something that is making you sick. And I think having an approach to life that isolates you and keeps you separate from the people who care about you is a thing that makes you sick. It stuck out to me as more than a little prank. It was scratching something much deeper.' For his part, Johnson says he's fortunate to have a longstanding friend group of guys who are 'healthy and close and check in on each other and just care.' While they're not hitting each other up all the time, random calls or texts are par for the course. 'And if you're doing well, great, thumbs up will do. But if you're not doing well someone's opened the door for you to share that, with no shame and no judgment. People are willing to open up when they know there are people to open up to and I think that's helped me stay pretty grounded and healthy and I wish everyone had that.' The grounding has been critical as Johnson navigates his escalating career. 'What you see on YouTube, what you see on TV - I am doing these things all the time. I'm applying everything I've seen in life. Whenever I'm touring, whenever I'm catching up with friends, I do my best to make memories there and all those things also serve the general work. All the things that I do that stress me out contribute to it, and all the things I do for fun contribute to it. It does feel like I'm working all the time, but not in a bad way,' he says. 'When I get annoyed or a little stressed out I think… not only do I get to tell stories and write jokes for a living, but I get to experience it now with people who really care about the journey I'm on and check in on me and helped me build the life that I'm living. I'm enjoying it and that's why I haven't burned out.' Lately, he's also developed a fancy for helping settle his brain by toying with a classic pop culture phenom - the Rubik's Cube. 'Honestly, some people are impressed and some people are, 'That's what you do with your time? OK…'' Johnson says with a laugh. 'I think it helps with, if this makes sense… sometimes there is a problem that is hard to solve in the time you have in the present moment. But at least with the Cube, I know I can solve this in set amount of time and it's a reminder that everything has a place and no problem is unsolvable.' As he prepares to step under the Comedy Central lights, Johnson says he's been getting some sage advice from Daily Show statesman Jon Stewart and has been blown away by the support from his colleagues, fraternity of buddies and growing circle of fans. 'They've been very kind a gracious, and if anything it's all been so much love, I don't know what to do with it - which almost falls directly in line with what the set was about," he says. 'But I'm very thankful to everybody who's reached out and had kind words because I want to do a good job for everybody I work with. There's no one story or one breaking news segment that's going to help make a better show by itself. It's leaning into my perspective and trusting that will lead me to have a successful week.' So will we see a through line this week on The Daily Show of helping men learn to hug or sit at a table and talk about something other than sports? 'I'm going to hug as many people as possible,' Johnson says. 'And we'll see we where we land.' Mind Reading (formerly Hollywood & Mind) is a recurring column that features interviews with musicians, actors, athletes, creators and other culture influencers who are elevating conversation and action around mental health, and breaking stigma.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
82% of moms say they feel lonely—this is the wake-up call we can't ignore
Modern motherhood might look Instagram-perfect, but beneath the filter, a growing loneliness is taking hold. A new report from Peanut, the app for moms, gives hard numbers to what many Millennials and Gen Zers feel: motherhood often feels like a solo act in a world that promised us a village. As a mom of five raising kids in a new state (we moved two years ago), loneliness is a familiar feeling. It often feels like everyone else already has their mom crew or is lucky enough to have involved family nearby (I don't.) But here's the stunner: The vast majority of moms feel lonely. How can all of us feel so alone? Related: Don't stop believing—even when you're living in a lonely world The stats paint a stark picture According to Peanut's new report, Where Did the Village Go?, 2,250 surveyed moms revealed just how deep the loneliness runs: 82% of mothers report feeling lonely 50% say they cry weekly due to lack of support Nearly 90% rely on digital connections over face-to-face support Only 14% live near family—even though 65% want intergenerational help These numbers point to a systemic collapse in community support for moms. One anonymous Peanut user said it plainly: 'For someone to have checked in on me fresh postpartum—that would have made all the difference.' Another shared: 'One mom friend… who I could text to say 'this is hard' without shame.' Moms aren't meant to raise kids alone In fact, many experts say that never before in human history has more been expected from the nuclear family (AKA, moms), without levels of support from grandparents, aunts and uncles, and involved neighbors. Where did the village go? The built-in village—grandparents, neighbors, community—has fragmented. Instead, moms spend hours scrolling parenting apps, walking through solitude, or troubleshooting in isolation. What's fueling this loneliness? Peanut points to typical modern pressures: Delayed parenthood Uprooted lives Relentless work schedules Pandemic fallout. Notably, while 65% want intergenerational support, only 14% live near family. That glaring gap means grandparents, once just next door, now seem lightyears away. We may say we uplift motherhood—but our systems don't. When schools shut without backup plans, or companies dismiss flexible work, moms scramble. Cultural praise doesn't translate to practical support—they're still the ones making it all work. Related: The messy, hilarious truth about new motherhood—told in painfully funny comics And yet, there's hope Moms are recreating their villages in fresh ways: stroller workouts that double as support groups, library story-time crews that become lifelines, and WhatsApp groups that hold space for midnight meltdowns. They're forging communities online, in parks, and even through support tools like Peanut. The need for connection hasn't gone away. Only the infrastructure has. It's time to do more than acknowledge the problem Peanut's report ends with a clear call: make asking for help normal. Reshape workplaces to truly value parenting. And challenge the government to treat caregiving like the essential labor it is. If you're looking for your village, this is your reminder: needing support doesn't make you weak—it makes you human. And you are far from alone. We are all lonely. That's a sign that we all need the village we desperately crave. Mamas, how are you building your village? Whether it's a playgroup, a meal swap, or a midnight meme-sharing circle—tell us what's working (or what you wish you had). Your voice could help someone else find their people. Sources: Where Did the Village Go? Peanut. Where Did the Village Go? report on modern motherhood, 2024. Solve the daily Crossword
New York Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Forget Bingo. These 90-Year-Olds Just Want to Dance.
Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together. As a breaking news reporter at The New York Times, I cover all manner of disasters: mass shootings, floods, wildfires and any number of other devastating things happening around us. There is no shortage of material. But I also look for good news. In particular, I like stories that make me laugh or smile or surprise me. My favorites also signify something broader about societal shifts, the moment we're in or the culture of a place. So when I heard about an initiative in Brussels in which retirement-home residents were invited to party at nightclubs every so often, I was immediately intrigued. Ninety-year-olds in a nightclub? Whose crazy idea was this? The first step in my reporting was to contact the organizer, Youssef Kaddar, 37, the head of a Belgian nonprofit that aims to address loneliness among older people. He told me about how he started out organizing more conventional events, like seaside trips, before he decided to push the boundaries. Mr. Kaddar organized a video game day for retirement-home residents, many of whom had never played video games before. He also organized hot air balloon rides and a day rave. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Independent Singapore
a day ago
- General
- Independent Singapore
Singaporean asks if there's a loneliness epidemic going on
Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only) SINGAPORE: 'Do you feel lonely in Singapore too?' a local Reddit user asked in a post on Monday morning (Jul 21). They wrote about feeling 'surrounded yet unseen' despite living in a crowded city, calling loneliness a 'quiet epidemic' that is no longer found only among those who are alone but also strikes even those who live with their families. 'Loneliness has slipped into households filled with people, hidden behind busy schedules, polite small talk, and tired eyes,' u/PenguinFatty in a post on r/askSingapore. They wrote about the difficulties in making new friends in Singapore, given that people are so busy and are always rushing about with 'eyes on their phones.' 'Social circles are often tight and closed, formed long ago in school, work, or childhood, rarely opening to newcomers. Even in shared spaces like gyms, cafes, or churches, connection is fleeting. It's easy to meet people, yes, but hard to truly connect,' they wrote, adding that even when people find communities, they can feel invisible in them, without a sense of real belonging. 'In a city built for efficiency, intimacy feels inconvenient. In a place full of people, many still eat alone, walk alone, cry alone, and maybe it's time we stop pretending we're okay, and start asking each other the one question that could open a door: 'Do you feel lonely too?'' The post spawned quite a discussion among commenters, some of whom wrote that not all people who are alone are lonely, and not all who are lonely are alone. 'It's all about the mindset,' wrote one. Another seemed to agree and added that people who want to be less lonely need to put the work in to make and maintain friendships. 'It boils down to effort as well. You want to have a social circle that is fun; you have to invest as well, time, money, appearance, speech, etc. Nothing comes for free in this world. You can't expect fleeting connections to be deep. You want it to be deep you have to let it flow with time, find common interests, etc.,' they added. A Reddit user who said they understand exactly how the post author feels, having gone through the same experience, gave the following suggestions: 'What has somehow helped was attending social mixers (platonic). Depending on which ones you attend, the people there can be more intentional in getting to know people with no agenda. Friendly and more open to expanding their friendship groups instead of sticking to their original cliques. I also have half a mind to solo travel and stay at a hostel so I can meet people who are not confined to their comfort zone of sticking with people they already know.' Another commenter who appeared to feel the same way asked, 'What does feeling not lonely even mean?' /TISG Read also: 'I feel so, so lonely': Woman earning S$4.9k struggles to find her place among older colleagues () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
Fox News
a day ago
- Health
- Fox News
The Art Of Solitude
Solitude Chapter Three: Ben and Principal Investigator of The Solitude Lab, Dr. Thuy-Vy Nguyen, explores the misconception that solitude is the absence of connection, as opposed to the positive presence of self. Dr. Nguyen provides insight on how intention is a moderator between solitude and loneliness, understanding the difference between choosing to be alone vs. being in a state of isolation. Later, they discuss how our time alone can be the answer to some of life's toughest questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
