The sugar you eat, the video games you play, the TV you watch and the music you play can all have an important impact on your brain function. I start this episode by explaining the science of how these things affect your brain power.

Then, I’m sure you know Alan Alda from his years on M*A*S*H, The West Wing and countless other television shows and movies. What you may not know is that Alan Alda is also an expert on personal communication. He joins me in this episode to discuss the science and art of communication which is also the subject of his new book, If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? (http://amzn.to/2xzCkKY)

Also, when you touch someone who has remarkably soft skin – it may all be an illusion. In fact it may just be evolution playing a little trick on you. Listen as I explore this.

And loneliness is a big problem in the U.S. and all over the world. Marriage and family counselor, Dr. Pat Love co-author of the book Never Be Lonely Again: The Way Out of Emptiness, Isolation and a Life Unfilled(http://amzn.to/2wM9J6j) joins me. Dr. Love explains how you don’t have to be alone to feel loneliness and why loneliness is such a painful feeling. Then she offers advice to feel more connected.