The Joy of Connections

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

By: Ruth K. Westheimer, Allison Gilbert, Pierre Lehu

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.

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

“With her newest book, The Joy of Connections, my friend and honorary bubbe Dr. Ruth has brought her particular brand of expertise and insight to address the crisis of loneliness. She is as practical, savvy, enthusiastic, and tough as ever—all her best qualities—to help us all face the challenges of loneliness and improve our well-being.”—Nate Berkus

“Dr. Ruth’s brilliance and insight into human behavior will continue to enlighten and support all those whose loneliness and isolation have been crippling.”—Vera Wang

“I understand from my unique perch that Americans are suffering. We need help learning how to reconnect with each other. Dr. Ruth’s wisdom comes at just the right time.”—Sunny Hostin

“Dr. Ruth brings her decades of therapeutic experience to offer a practical approach for building relationships. Her Menu for Connection is a how-to guide for anyone struggling with loneliness. If you have ever found yourself wondering, ‘How can I do this?,’ now you literally have 100 ways!”—Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, director of the Social Connection & Health Lab and lead scientific editor for the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on loneliness and isolation

Take charge of your loneliness

that there were too many opportunities to being alone, so you must make time to communicate with someone. you must make the effort and take the opportunities to get to know people and tell people about yourself. This was an amazing short story about how to go about doing such things and make it easy for yourself. I loved it!!!

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 😌

Good tips for finding friends

Lots of examples of ways to find and make friends. And lots of info about Dr Ruth

practical and simple

simple yet practical tips for combatting loneliness
I would have wanted to listen to it in her own voice

Great book for the current time

Great narrator. The book is deeply impactful and timely. Everyone should read this given the world we live in today.