The Joy of Connections

100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier and More Meaningful Life

By: Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer, Allison Gilbert - contributor, Pierre Lehu - contributor

Narrated by: Tovah Feldshuh, Allison Gilbert, Pierre Lehu

In Dr. Ruth’s final book, the iconic therapist offers an urgent guide to combating loneliness with 100 ways to increase connectivity right now, based on insights from her life story and her unparalleled career.

“Dr. Ruth’s strategies are essential for building the kinds of bonds that will reduce loneliness and transform lives.”—Gretchen Rubin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project

When Surgeon General Vivek Murthy sounded the alarm that loneliness “represents an urgent public health concern”—exacerbated by social media overuse, the residual effects of the pandemic, and the lack of meaningful relationships—trusted therapist Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer knew that her unique perspective and expertise could help. Long beloved for breaking stigmas around sexual problems, Dr. Ruth made it her mission to help individuals break free from the bonds of hopelessness and isolation.

We are social animals. We have a shared desire to connect and create lasting relationships with the people around us. But the heaviness of loneliness can make this feel impossible. Dr. Ruth, with Emmy Award–winning journalist Allison Gilbert and longtime collaborator Pierre Lehu, tackles the subject with compassion and her trademark no-nonsense approach. She provides practical and creative strategies for finding friends, community, and intimacy. And it’s anchored by Dr. Ruth’s own story, from the horrific loneliness of losing her family in the Holocaust to living in an orphanage to rebuilding her life in America and eventually becoming a world-renowned sex therapist.

With 100 concrete and innovative opportunities that can be put to use immediately, The Joy of Connections isn’t only an action-oriented guidebook on overcoming loneliness from one of the most well-respected therapists of our time; it’s also the vital kick in the pants we all need in order to start seeking—and finding—deep and lasting human connections.

* This audiobook edition includes a downlaodable PDF including the Further Resources section from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Dr. Ruth has done it again! If only I could give this book to my lonely twenty-something self.”—Judy Blume

“The more I study happiness, the more I understand that strong relationships are key—perhaps the key—to living a happy life. To be happy, we need to feel like we belong, that we’re connected to others. This is exactly why we need Dr. Ruth’s new book. Her strategies are essential for building the kinds of bonds that will reduce loneliness and transform lives.”—Gretchen Rubin

“Who better to take on the loneliness epidemic than the legend who helped us talk about sex without blushing. As Dr. Ruth knows, our needs go well beyond the bedroom. This is urgent work. We’re lucky to have her in the fight.”—Dan Harris

Just how blunt it is, I love that

Feels like real advice from someone who knows what they are talking about. It feels practical without being annoying. Honestly gives me Hope that I can get better 😌

L’chaim to a more meaningful life!

So many beautiful ~ profound shared life lessons, pearls of wisdom for everyONE! True gifts! Dr. Ruth, you’ll always live on in all of our hearts forevermore! ❤️

A final gift of true connection

To the very end, Dr. Ruth and her team took their final strength to bring humans from the brink of lonely extinction back into the fold of humanity with what might be her most heartfelt and hopeful book.

Dr Ruth’s Goodbye message to the lonely

After hearing a wonderful podcast featuring one of the co-authors of this book dispensing quick practical information on communication and hearing her fond memories of the 96 year old Dr Ruth and working on this book together, I was looking forward to reading (hearing) “The Joy of Communication”.
Sadly the book itself wasn’t what I expected or hoped for. It felt like a likable enough grandmother giving aged advice to very lonely adult. It was much less about joy or connection than loneliness and Dr. Ruth’s personal history. If it was written from my own grandmother I would treasure the book as a way of remembering her and would love to pass it down to future generations so people would have a fun time remembering her.
Much of the advice wasn’t bad (I tell people to join Meetup too), but most of it was JUST OFF, the way that a lot of advice from any 96 year old might be. “Don’t work for a company that doesn’t make you come into the office full time, otherwise how are you going to make friends at work”.
But the biggest disappointment was as I said, it really had very little to do with joy or Communication. Too Bad. Goodbye Dr. Ruth, and thanks for being all of who you were.