While connection is often thought of as a feeling toward other people, we can also feel connected to things, such as nature, or ideas, like religion.

A lack of connection is associated with higher risks of negative mental conditions (e.g., depression, insomnia) and physical ailments (e.g., obesity, heart disease, and reduced lifespan.)

Matthew Lieberman emphasizes that humans are hard-wired for social interaction because cooperation and collaboration have been essential for survival. Our brains have evolved to experience social pain and pleasure to guide behavior, anticipate and understand others' feelings, and adopt complex systems of values and beliefs that bond us to social groups. His research also suggests that many of our choices are shaped by how we anticipate others will respond to them. In one experiment described in Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect, participants watched TV show pilots while undergoing fMRI scans. Neural activity in regions associated with social thinking and understanding others strongly predicted which shows would succeed. This finding highlights how our social processing abilities unconsciously assess and anticipate what will resonate with broader audiences.

The research of Gillian M. Sandstrom and Elizabeth W. Dunn suggests that brief interactions with "weak ties"—acquaintances or strangers in our environment—can enhance our mood and promote a sense of belonging. Their studies show that increasing daily interactions with weak ties leads to noticeable improvements in well-being. The episode highlights that even small social exchanges, such as chatting quickly with the person at your local grocery store, or greeting a neighbor, play a meaningful role in boosting happiness and fostering social connectedness.