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When They’ve Lost a Job and You Haven’t: How to Hold Space Without Fixing, Minimizing, or Disappearing - A guide for partners, friends, colleagues
25 Ways to Make Meaningful Connections
A dynamic showcase of 25 trailblazers with bold solutions to end loneliness—featuring quick talks, big ideas, and real-world connection.
A resource by Reimagine
Making Connections: A First-of-Its-Kind Gathering to End the Loneliness Epidemic
Hosted by Allison Gilbert and Reimagine | April 17, 2025
About the Event
On April 17, 2025, Reimagine and Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert launched the Making Connections series with a powerful virtual kickoff event that brought together 25 of the most important innovators reimagining how we overcome isolation and cultivate deeper human connection.
This lightning-round-style event showcased each speaker in a rapid-fire format, with each sharing a two-minute presentation about their pioneering projects already transforming lives.
Amid growing societal disconnection, this series directly advanced the urgent call to action from the 19th and 21st U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, who named social connection the most pressing public health challenge of our time.
Full Program
Click here to access the complete program – including bios, project descriptions, and links.
Host
Allison Gilbert is an Emmy Award–winning journalist and leading voice on overcoming grief, loss, and loneliness. She co-authored The Joy of Connections with Dr. Ruth Westheimer, inspired by her New York Times article on Dr. Ruth’s role as New York State’s Ambassador to Loneliness.
In partnership with Reimagine, Allison hosts the Making Connections series and previously hosted Passed and Present, based on her book about keeping memories alive. Her featured guests have included U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, V (formerly Eve Ensler), and David Kessler.
She’s spoken at Google, Amazon, and Kripalu, and has been featured on the Today show, NPR, and more.
Learn more: allisongilbert.com
Follow: @itsallisongilbert
Our Inspiration
This event grew from a personal truth: loneliness touches us all. For Allison Gilbert, it began with the loss of both parents by age 31—a grief that revealed how deeply disconnection can take root. As a journalist, she began to ask: What if we treated loneliness like the public health crisis it is?
That question led to a book with Dr. Ruth Westheimer and the realization that people weren’t just craving ideas—they needed action. In partnership with Reimagine, Allison helped bring together 25 innovators whose work is transforming how we connect.
The April 17th kickoff of Making Connections wasn’t just an event—it was a tribute to those building a more connected world. It was created for all of us—because no one should feel alone.
FREE
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