{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Human Connection Is Medicine. Celebrate \u201cTalk to a Stranger Week\u201d with Pete Bombaci of GenWell.","description":" Every once in a while, the universe taps you on the shoulder and says, \u201cHere ya go \u2026 this one\u2019s one of yours.\u201d That\u2019s exactly what happened when I discovered Pete Bombaci, Founder & CEO of GenWell, Canada\u2019s Human Connection Movement \u2014 and the man behind Talk To A Stranger Week, happening November 24\u201330 in Canada. As many of you know, I\u2019m the author of How To Talk To Strangers: Advice From a Professional Stranger Talker, so when I found out about Pete\u2019s work, I thought, \u201cYup. This is my kinda guy. He won't be a stranger for long! " LOL  Pete and I are kindred spirits with the same mission.  To educate, empower and catalyze people in about the importance of face-to-face social connections as a proactive step that we can all take for our own health and happiness or the health and happiness of others and society.   The Big Truth: Human Connection Is Not Just Emotional \u2014 It\u2019s Biological We\u2019ve all heard \u201cconnection matters,\u201d but the science behind it is mind-blowing: Face-to-face interaction activates nine times more brain activity than digital communication. 80\u201390% of communication is nonverbal, so our screens simply can\u2019t deliver what our brains and hearts crave. Talking to strangers has been shown to increase happiness nearly 100% of the time \u2014 for BOTH people. Regular social connection lowers stress, boosts the immune system, protects heart health, and can even lengthen lifespan.   Read that again. We\u2019re wired to connect \u2014 literally.   Pete said it beautifully: \u201cTalking to strangers makes us happier, healthier, and more connected. The research proves it.\u201d And: \u201cWe\u2019re all just human beings trying to live a decent life. We\u2019re far better off together than separate.\u201d Exactly. Exactly. Exactly.   So What Happens During Talk to A Stranger Week? No pressure. No scripts. No \u201cHi, I\u2019m Debbie from Telemarketing.\u201d Just real human warmth in the small everyday moments: Say good morning to the dog walker. Compliment the barista. Shout 'youre doing great!' to a struggling Mom with a wagon full of kids  Call the cousin you always say you're going to get together with. It\u2019s about choosing connection over autopilot.   Pete broke it down simply: \u201cIt costs nothing. It takes one second. And you may change someone\u2019s day \u2014 or their life.\u201d   The Best Part People who talk to strangers regularly are up to three times happier than those who don\u2019t. Three. Times. Happier. If happiness were sold in a bottle, we\u2019d all be lining up! But here it is \u2014 FREE \u2014 hiding inside hello. And we\u2019ve been overlooking it.   Listen to  Our Heartfelt, Funny, and Very Real Conversation . We laugh, we learn, we talk Canadian coins and Chatty Cathy dolls (no, seriously), and we lean into what the world needs now \u2014 connection.  \ud83d\udc9b Debbie ","author_name":"The Debbie Nigro Show","author_url":"http:\/\/www.debbienigro.com","html":"