Episode 45: Generating Wellness through a Human Connection Movement with Pete Bombaci

Sep 6

Overview

Pete Bombaci is the Founder of the GenWell Project, which is a Canadian-led non-for-profit organization focused on generating wellness through connection. Their mission is to make the world a happier and healthier place by educating, empowering and catalyzing Canadians around the importance of human connection for their health, their happiness, their longevity, and the betterment of society. In this episode, we do a deep dive on the topic of connection, why it’s important to our wellbeing, and what we can do in our own lives to be more connected.

Timestamps

[2:01] What is the GenWell Project?
[4:02] What was the catalyst behind starting this?
[9:31] The importance of social health in the context of mental health
[11:35] Is it stigma that surrounds loneliness, or misunderstanding?
[18:20] What are your personal experiences of loneliness?
[21:32] Nearly 50% of all Canadians reported feeling lonely - what do we do about it?
[28:56] Connection is important to our health, but what do you do if you’re shy?
[33:27] Technology is only a supplement to human connection
[38:32] How to make connections in the workplace post-pandemic
[44:18] Creating the Canadian Social Connection Guidelines
[49:04] Where to connect with Pete
[50:31] Final thoughts: The power of talking to strangers and taking baby steps to build connections