This is a special one – our 25th episode! Thank you for listening and being part of the journey. I could not be more thrilled to bring one of my personal heroes Dr. Vivek Murthy.  Dr. Vivek Murthy served as the 19th Surgeon General of the United States between 2014 and 2017. As the Vice Admiral of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, he commanded a uniformed service of 6,600 public health officers globally. During his tenure, Dr. Murthy launched the Turn the Tide campaign, catalyzing a movement among health professionals to address the nation’s opioid crisis. He also issued the first Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, calling for expanded access to prevention and treatment and for addiction to be recognized as a chronic illness, not a character flaw. In 2017, Dr. Murthy focused his attention on chronic stress and loneliness as prevalent problems that have profound implications for health, productivity, and happiness. He has co-founded a number of organizations: VISIONS, an HIV/AIDS education program in India; Swasthya, a community health partnership in rural India training women as health providers and educators; software company TrialNetworks; and the grassroots physicians organization Doctors for America. Since leaving government service, Dr. Murthy has continued to focus on loneliness and social connection. His book Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World was published this spring. In this conversation, we discuss: Dr. Murthy’s tumultuous 9-month journey to be confirmed as US Surgeon General and how he dealt with dark moments and setbacks The small and powerful steps we can do (Including just picking up the phone!) to combat loneliness and inspire connection with a loved one during COVID-19 crisis The personal letter he mailed to doctors around the US as one of his proudest accomplishments This interview was one of my favorite episodes to record – it truly felt like a therapy session. Please enjoy my conversation with the one and only Dr. Vivek Murthy!  Connect with Dr. Vivek Murthy * Website Twitter Instagram * Facebook Listen to the podcast! (And please leave a review if you enjoyed it!)