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Episode 4: Friendship, the Key to a Happy Retirement, Ft. Dr. Jaimie Krems
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In this episode of The Retired Mindset, Bob sits down with Dr. Jaimie Arona Krems, Associate Professor of Psychology at UCLA and Co-Founder/Director of the UCLA Center for Friendship Research—the first academic hub dedicated to decoding and strengthening human social connection. This conversation is filled with warmth, science, humor, and wisdom you can put into practice today.
Retirement is often described as a “new chapter,” but no one hands us the roadmap for rebuilding community, belonging, and close friendships once the workplace's structure disappears. As Dr. Krems explains, friendship isn’t just a bonus in our later years… It’s biological medicine. It supports longevity, mental health, resilience, and our sense of identity.
Together, we explore why friendships matter more than ever in retirement, why so many people struggle to build or maintain meaningful connections, and how the emerging science of friendship can help us create what Dr. Krems calls “anti-lonely brains.”
Key Takeaways:
• Why friendship is the “silver bullet” for health and happiness
Dr. Krems breaks down the research showing that strong friendships can improve physical health, support mental well-being, reduce stress, and even lengthen our lifespan.
• The Loneliness Epidemic + the Friendship Recession
We discuss why so many retirees experience deep loneliness—even when life looks “full”—and how cultural shifts, mobility, and workplace retirement contribute to shrinking social circles.
• What friendship evolved to do
Dr. Krems explains, through an evolutionary psychology lens, why our brains are wired for close bonds… and why modern society makes achieving them harder than ever.
• Why many retirees struggle to rebuild friendships
From lost routines to geographic distance, we explore the emotional and logistical reasons why connection becomes more challenging later in life.
• Practical science-backed ways to build “anti-lonely brains”
Specific, actionable strategies for creating and maintaining friendships in retirement.
• Quality vs. quantity
Why the power of friendship isn’t about having dozens of contacts—but having a small circle of people you can trust.
• Navigating the emotional vulnerability of making new friends
Dr. Krems shares insights on overcoming the discomfort, self-doubt, and social hesitation that many retirees feel.
• How to strengthen existing friendships
Retirement gives us precious time—but intentional effort is still required. Dr. Krems offers evidence-based ways to rekindle, deepen, or repair meaningful relationships.
Connect with Dr. Jaimie Krems:
UCLA Center for Friendship Research
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Connect with Bob: [email protected], LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.
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