If there’s one thing that every one of us has been longing for over the past year of lockdowns and social distancing, it’s human connection. The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just upend our daily lives, it also exacerbated the loneliness epidemic gripping our modern society. That’s why we’re so thrilled to be releasing Dr. Bill Howatt’s new book, The Cure for Loneliness, on May 4.

In this urgently needed handbook on building and nurturing authentic connections, Dr. Howatt, a renowned expert in mental health and addictions, drills into the root causes of isolation and loneliness, and shows how to tackle each one.

Read on to learn more about Dr. Howatt, and his important work helping people close social connection gaps in all areas of their lives.

Which three words best describe you?
Authentic, driven, caring.

What is your book about?
The Cure for Loneliness is designed to help people move beyond mental traps that may be holding them back from developing authentic relationships.

What initially drew you to the field of mental health?
It came out of my own struggles as a child, and then an adult, dealing with dyslexia. As I overcame my own issues, I wanted to help others do the same. I share some of this story in my 2019 book, Stop Hiding and Start Living.

What’s the last book you read?
Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect by Matthew D. Lieberman.

Where do you find inspiration?
In my work in mental health.

Where are we most likely to find you when you’re off the clock?
Golfing, boating, and biking with Link, my bulldog—and, when it’s safe, visiting friends and family.