Together by Vivek H. Murthy Summary
Overview of Together
In "Together," former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy reveals why loneliness is deadlier than smoking and offers four life-changing strategies to rebuild human connection. Endorsed by Atul Gawande and embraced across political divides, it's the prescription America desperately needs during our isolation epidemic.
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Key takeaways
When the Medicine Wasn't Enough
A young doctor walks into a hospital room, stethoscope around his neck, armed with years of medical training. The patient sits alone, vitals stable, no acute illness-yet something is clearly wrong. This scene repeats dozens of times daily in hospitals worldwide, but the diagnosis won't be found in any medical textbook. What's ailing these patients isn't a virus or disease-it's the quiet devastation of loneliness. More than 55 million Americans experience chronic loneliness, a number exceeding adult smokers and nearly double those with diabetes. This isn't just an emotional struggle-loneliness increases mortality risk as much as smoking 15 cigarettes daily, surpassing the dangers of obesity or physical inactivity. Research reveals it elevates heart disease risk by 29%, stroke by 32%, and dementia by 50%. Yet unlike these other conditions, loneliness carries a crushing stigma that keeps 72% of sufferers silent, never discussing their pain with anyone. We've reached a critical inflection point where this hidden epidemic demands recognition not as personal weakness, but as a public health crisis requiring urgent intervention.
Why We're Wired to Need Each Other
The Cultural Shift That Left Us Stranded
The Hidden Faces of Isolation
The Inside-Out Journey
Building Your Circles
The Gift We Give Tomorrow
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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