Why is a feeling of belonging so important for our mental health?

The Ethical Life

Episode 148: On last week’s episode, we celebrated the release of Richard Kyte's new book, “Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities and Making Great Friends Along the Way.” But this is such an important topic, we thought we’d dig into it a bit more.

For those who don’t know, third places are those community spots, like coffee shops, parks and libraries, that serve as informal public gathering spaces. They are neither home nor work, but somewhere in between.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada talk about how regular visits to third places can foster a sense of belonging, which can lower our stress and increase our social connections.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast

Finding a place where we belong can be a struggle, by Richard Kyte

If you want to belong, find a third place, by Allie Volpe, Vox

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin.