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We Are Lonely podcast
We Are Lonely follows nine young Australians as they navigate loneliness and seek meaningful connections. Each episode provides an intimate look into their personal experiences with loneliness and the unique ways they strive to build relationships. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts, and join the conversation.
Meet our podcast host
Dr Ali Walker
Dr Ali Walker is a Human Connection Scientist and Mediator with a PhD in group dynamics from the Australian National University. She is an author, keynote speaker and regular contributor to Australian media including ABC Radio, Channel 7 and 2GB 954AM. Ali believes that the We Are Lonely podcast is a fantastic platform for meaningful conversations about loneliness, its causes and some positive interventions.
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Meet our podcast mentors
Tessa Blencowe
Tessa Blencowe is a counsellor, author and the founder of international exhibition “Lonely Together”, an immersive installation designed to reduce the shame and stigma surrounding loneliness.
Based in Wollongong, she is passionate about helping people develop a greater sense of self. Tessa was a mentor for Season 2 of the We Are Lonely podcast.
Kween Kong
Kween Kong is the founding director of the House of Kong, a non-for-profit organisation that creates safe spaces for displaced queer youth. A dedicated activist and advocate for the LGBTIQ+ community, Kween mentors LGBTIQ+ people as a house mother.
She was a contestant and finalist on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under Season 2, and is appearing in Rupauls Drag Race Global All Stars. As a queer person of colour, Kween connects deeply with those experiencing loneliness and isolation. She is eager to share her lived experience and insights with people looking for guidance.
Dr James van Cuylenburg
Dr James van Cuylenburg is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology with over 15 years of experience in diverse settings, including clinics and schools, working with clients of all ages.
Based in Melbourne, he currently operates a private practice and is venturing into the mental health podcast space, including his contributions to the We Are Lonely podcast and the Resilience Project.
Dr Quah Ee Ling
Dr Quah Ee Ling is a queer woman migrant-settler of Singaporean-Chinese-Indonesian-Peranakan descent and a fire dragon feminist. She holds a PhD in Sociology and is an academic researcher and author. Ee Ling is a senior lecturer in Culture and Society at Western Sydney University.
She believes that loneliness is a structural condition resulted from colonial, racial capitalist and neoliberal systems that debilitate and alienate us all albeit differently and unequally. By being part of the podcast, Ee Ling hopes to change the popular discourse about loneliness and explore how system changes might benefit individuals.
Meet our podcast participants
Tayla
At 27-years-old, Tayla can often be found at a concert or music festival, sporting her signature bright coloured hair. Tayla faced profound loss at the age of nine when she lost her father, an experience that left her struggling to connect with others. Enduring bullying during her school years, she withdrew from social interactions, seeking solace in surface-level relationships as a protective shield.
‘I think the biggest misconception of loneliness is that you could only feel it if you have absolutely nothing, or that if you have friends or family that you can’t really be lonely.’
Brad
Brad, 30, is the author of "Freefall" a memoir detailing his recovery from a 15,000 ft tandem skydive that left him with extensive injuries, including the need to relearn how to walk. In his book, Brad explores the loneliness that often accompanies trauma. Passionate, adventurous, and a self-proclaimed Eurovision tragic, Brad embraces vulnerability and talks openly about feelings his kept hidden for a long time.
‘It's always a challenge to make yourself vulnerable and doing so in such a public way I think will make me more confident in communicating earnestly in the future.’
Sonali
Sonali, a 26-year-old immigrant from India who moved to Australia at the age of six, navigates the complexities of living between two cultures. She often feels caught between her Indian heritage and Australian upbringing, feeling as though she never fully fits into either. Sonali’s dual identity often leaves her feeling isolated and unsure of how to connect with others without feeling like an outsider.
‘The podcast looked like a good opportunity to explore something that was difficult for me to find words for and felt isolated by.’
Curtis
Curtis is a 24-year-old proud Aboriginal man, teacher and member of the LGBTQIA+ community. Curtis loves travelling and has a rich family life, but still struggles every day to feel connected to people around him. Despite these challenges, he embraces life with enthusiasm, wearing his heart on his sleeve. He finds joy in the arts and engages in his academic pursuits with gusto.
‘I saw the advert for the podcast and immediately resonated with the key messaging around loneliness. I have struggled with an anxious attachment style and seeing the podcast made me become really introspective of the work I’ve done on myself.’
Will
At 18-years-old, Will left school during Year 11 due to mental health challenges, which led to him losing touch with his friends. Through personal growth, he has made remarkable strides and is ready to make new friendships. Will’s compassionate and caring, and ready to step outside his comfort zone.
‘Loneliness was an issue that interested me and I believed that I could give a voice to.’
Gurnoor
Gurnoor is a vibrant 21-year-old postgrad psychology student, passionate about mental health and holistic wellness. Having faced challenges with her mental health since childhood, Gurnoor has often felt lonely. However, through years of therapy and personal growth, she has discovered her authentic self and is now seeking connections with people who will celebrate her journey.
‘We are all susceptible to feeling loneliness and that does not reflect on the quality of our relationships with others - there will often be other factors at play which may stop us from connecting and reaching out to others. Don't be afraid to reach out’.
Orin
Orin, 23, describes themselves as blunt, genuine and full of energy. They often find themselves at odds with their personality - sometimes loud and rambunctious and other times as quiet as a mouse. Orin has autism and ADHD, and identifies as non-binary and pansexual. Orin describes sometimes feeling like an outsider among their peers and struggling with loneliness, they see the podcast as an opportunity to share their experiences.
‘I wanted the chance to potentially help other people who feel lonely in a similar way that I do.’
Josie
Josie, 20, is a musician and content creator. Her journey through chronic illness, heartbreak, and emotional abuse has taught her profound lessons about loneliness and self-discovery. Passionate about sharing her story of resilience, Josie aims to inspire others and break the misconception that loneliness only occurs in solitude.
‘I think the biggest misconception about loneliness is that people only feel lonely when they are alone. I felt the most lonely when being surrounded by people that I thought were my friends, but turned out not to be as compatible with me as I thought.’
Rhiannon
At 25 years old, Rhiannon is a passionate activist. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis at 21 she initially felt isolated, not knowing anyone facing similar health challenges. As her health journey progressed, her sense of loneliness grew. Recovering from hip surgery and navigating job loss, gave Rhiannon profound insights into her own health. She now openly shares her journey to advocate for greater awareness and support for those with chronic illness and disabilities.
‘Loneliness is not something I really considered to be a part of my life as I have always had good luck at making friends, but when I had hip surgery and was fired from my job, I realised just how much loneliness there really was in my life and mental health issues I wasn’t addressing.’
Meet our podcast expert
Dr Daniel Surkalim
Dr Daniel Surkalim is a research fellow at the University of Sydney and a health consultant with the World Health Organization. His work specialises in social connection, isolation and loneliness. Daniel is a member of the secretariat for the World Health Organization's Commission on Social Connection, focusing on the promotion of social health and wellbeing. Daniel’s involvement in the podcast allows him to encourage healthy and meaningful conversations around social wellbeing and connection among young adults.
Medibank's loneliness mission
Medibank has a 10-year commitment to address loneliness for people in Australia. Take a look at how this will be tackled.
Episode descriptions
We Are Lonely follows nine young adults experiencing loneliness in different situations who meet with a mentor to find ways to build greater connections with people and feel less lonely. Read what each episode will cover and access the transcripts.
Recommended resources
We’ve put together some helpful readings, tips and advice to help you better understand and deal with loneliness. We’ll be adding more helpful advice over time, so be sure to bookmark this page.
Read more about communities on Live Better
Live Better Rewards - Conscious Connections Challenge
Social connections have a big impact on our health, happiness and wellbeing. Commit to making an effort to reach out and spend time with your friends and family, whether it is a get-together, a phone call or a simple text message. You could even try to forge new connections by joining a group or local club. Join now & you could earn Live Better rewards points too!
Additional loneliness research and resources
Ending loneliness directory
Search this national directory to find groups, organisations and services that will help you connect with others and build meaningful relationships.
How to deal with loneliness
A fact sheet and advice on how to understand and deal with loneliness by headspace.
US surgeon general report
This advisory report calls attention to the role of connection in health and offers a framework for how we can all contribute to improving social connection.
Medibank acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of this nation. We proudly recognise Elders past, present and emerging as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work and live.
We’re committed to supporting Indigenous self-determination and envision a future where all Australians embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and rights as a central part of our national identity. Find out more.
Things you should know
While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).