Author Talk: Allison Gilbert, "The Joy of Connections"

Darien Library, along with Barrett Bookstore, welcomes writer, Allison Gilbert, who will talk about her role as co-author, and collaborator with Dr. Ruth Westheimer in the making of Dr. Ruth's last book, The Joy of Connections.

Allison will be in conversation with broadcast journalist, news anchor and podcaster, Budd Mishkin.

In Dr. Ruth’s final book, the iconic therapist offers an urgent guide to combating loneliness with 100 ways to increase connectivity right now, based on insights from her life story and her unparalleled career.

About the Book

In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, sounded the alarm that loneliness “represents an urgent public health concern”.  This idea of loneliness, exacerbated by social media overuse, the residual effects of the pandemic, and the lack of meaningful relationships, was something that trusted therapist Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer knew, with her unique perspective and expertise, could help with.

Long beloved for breaking stigmas around sexual problems, Dr. Ruth made it her mission to help individuals break free from the bonds of hopelessness and isolation.  

Dr. Ruth, with Emmy Award–winning journalist Allison Gilbert and longtime collaborator Pierre Lehu, tackles the subject with compassion and her trademark no-nonsense approach. She provides practical and creative strategies for finding friends, community, and intimacy. And it’s anchored by Dr. Ruth’s own story, from the horrific loneliness of losing her family in the Holocaust to living in an orphanage to rebuilding her life in America and eventually becoming a world-renowned sex therapist.

With 100 concrete and innovative opportunities that can be put to use immediately, The Joy of Connections isn’t only an action-oriented guidebook on overcoming loneliness from one of the most well-respected therapists of our time; it’s also the vital kick in the pants we all need in order to start seeking—and finding—deep and lasting human connections.

About Allison Gilbert

Allison Gilbert is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and one of the most influential writers and speakers on how to find the inner resources to overcome life’s biggest challenges. Through research and lived experience, Allison helps audiences transform grief and loss and find connection amid the growing public health crisis of social isolation and loneliness. She is co-author of Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s final book, The Joy of Connections: 100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier and More Meaningful Life.

Allison writes regularly for The New York Times, has been interviewed on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and NPR, has presented hundreds of talks to audiences at Amazon, Google, Hearst, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, and many other wellness retreat centers, companies, and organizations.

Allison is the author of numerous books and hosts “Making Connections,” a monthly conversation series with Reimagine on overcoming loneliness, and previously hosted “Passed and Present,” named after her beloved book, about death and maintaining family bonds. Allison lives in New York with her family. 

About Budd Mishkin

Budd Mishkin has been a broadcast journalist for more than forty years.  He currently serves as a news anchor for 1010 WINS.   He is also the creator and host of the interview podcast “Before The Cheering Started with Budd Mishkin,” all about the unwieldy journey to success.   

Mishkin spent 25 years as an anchor/reporter for NY1 and was one of the journalists who helped found New York City’s 24 hour cable news channel in 1992.   In 2003, he created NY1’s weekly series "One on 1 with Budd Mishkin," profiling some 400 prominent New Yorkers, including Wynton Marsalis, Ed Koch, Spike Lee, Audra McDonald and many more.   He also served as a sports anchor during his time at NY1, covering Yankees World Series, Knicks playoff runs and the Rangers Stanley Cup Championship in 1994.