Social Distance

4.5 (915)
HEALTH & FITNESS

Journalists from The Atlantic document the first 15 months of the coronavirus pandemic through regular phone calls. Listen in as Dr. Jim Hamblin, the producer Katherine Wells, and the comedian and the writer Maeve Higgins ask journalists, experts, and friends about the news and science behind the pandemic, get some advice, and learn how to apply it.

10/22/2021

Presenting: The Review, a new podcast from The Atlantic

On The Review, The Atlantic's writers and guests discuss how we entertain ourselves and how that shapes the way we understand the world. Please subscribe and enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 min
10/13/2021

How To Build A Happy Life: A new podcast from The Atlantic

Hello Social Distance listeners! We'd like to introduce you to a new show. In this series, host Arthur Brooks digs into research and offers tools to help you live more joyfully. Join us for deep conversations with psychologists, experts, and friends of The Atlantic's Chief Happiness Correspondent. For more info, visit www.theatlantic.com/happy, or search for How to Build a Happy Life on your podcast app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 min
06/10/2021

Is It Over?

Though the pandemic continues around the world, the end appears in sight in the United States. At the same time, this episode will mark the last one for Social Distance. Jim, Maeve, and returning host Katherine Wells gather to say goodbye to the show, listen to voicemails from past expert guests, and reflect on what we’ve learned these last fifteen months. Support all of The Atlantic’s journalism by becoming a subscriber at theatlantic.com/supportus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

31 min
06/03/2021

Breakthrough Infections and Lonely Puppies

While case counts in the U.S. continue to drop, there are still headlines about variants and "breakthrough" infections that might worry you. Fortunately, The Atlantic staff writer Katherine Wu explains to James Hamblin and Maeve Higgins why these shouldn't alarm us just yet. And staff writer Sarah Zhang drops in to help figure out how to keep pandemic puppies from being too anxious as people return to pre-pandemic routines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

39 min
05/26/2021

It's Time to Tango

Now that Jim's "Quite Possibly Wonderful Summer" is coming to fruition, a lot of listeners have been considering the present and future. Can you go to a tango festival? What should parents be watching for? And why, exactly, is the Surgeon General wearing that uniform? Hit play for answers and a short history lesson from historian and listener Ruth Fairbanks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

34 min
05/20/2021

Dealing With Post-Pandemic Trauma

We've all been suffering during the COVID-19 pandemic in one way or another, and as the U.S. starts to emerge, we'll need to reckon with that. The Atlantic's Ed Yong discusses his piece on pandemic trauma, how to think about it, and what he's learned in talking to psychiatrists and other experts. We want to hear from you! Email your questions or concerns to socialdistance@theatlantic.com or leave a voicemail at 202-642-6487. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

41 min
05/12/2021

Share the Vaccine 'Recipe'

When the Biden administration announced support for waiving COVID vaccine patents last week, it was met with praise, relief, skepticism, and alarm among different groups—but surprise all around. Pharmaceutical giants have long fought efforts to have their intellectual property released to meet international needs. And they’ve backed it up with immense political muscle. Could this time be different? Would it disincentivize future research, as critics like Bill Gates claim? And how much (and how quickly) could it help? To understand the issue, Jim and Maeve are joined by Julie Rovner, the Chief Washington Correspondent for Kaiser Health News and host of the podcast “What The Health?” Support this show and all of The Atlantic’s journalism by becoming a subscriber at theatlantic.com/supportus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

35 min
05/05/2021

Long COVID Questions Answered

Writer F.T. Kola returns to recount her experience with long COVID. What explains its strange constellation of symptoms? Will it ever go away? And why does vaccination seem to help? F.T., Jim, and Maeve are joined by Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist investigating long COVID at her Yale lab. She explains what we know about the condition — and how two theories about its root cause mean the difference between a cure and no clear end in sight. Jim's piece on herd immunity: How Herd Immunity Happens Support this show and all of The Atlantic’s journalism by becoming a subscriber at theatlantic.com/supportus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

44 min

See All (124)

4.5

out of 5

915 Ratings

Come Back!

09/03/2021

AndySZ

We need you, Jim!
Ended way too soon

07/15/2022

bgawne

This was my go-to podcast during the worst of the pandemic. It really helped to put into perspective some of the conflicting news… but then they ended the podcast right before we had another full year of new variants and misinformation. It would’ve been nice if it hadn’t ended so soon!!
Come back!!

08/21/2021

mouse94002

We need you and Maeve’s humor more than ever!!
Know you aren’t alone

08/14/2021

Bastienbell

Please come back!! I’m sad to see this podcast end as we fight the Delta variant…..I stumbled upon this podcast just as my entire company went remote on March 12th - Catherine and Jim have casual but real conversations with each other, interview other experts and I not only was I validated over and over again I now know I am not the only one who have these questions...PLUS they are living it! In the current time.....sorta with me(!?) I have found this podcast not only informative (they do provide multiple links, resources, experts and more) but oh so validating. I genuinely look forward to it since it makes me feel less alone. I have to continue to rave and add that the conversations that both Jim and Catherine have resonate on multiple layers. They are just like your friends (or my friends?), colleagues, family members that have coherent real conversations about politics, economics.....what to do right now, what does one shop for, and go through emotions that you are probably also going through (ups and downs and then a roller coaster on some days). Could not be more thankful for this podcast!
Thank you!

08/02/2021

turtlesmakecheese

Wait! I already have a new crop of questions! But, I respect that it was time to move on for all of you. Thank you so much for this podcast and the deep dive conversations simplified for the rest of us. The “vaccination is like a wetsuit/life jacket in the ocean” analogy is still one if my favorite conversations. Best wishes to you all. And I guess now I have to grow up and get an actual subscription to the Atlantic to get answers my questions.
So sad

06/11/2021

Tango78

I am so sad this podcast is finishing. The conversations were a great way to stay informed about more than just the pandemic, but of course everything relevant in the pandemic. I am so unreasonably sad :( to loose this companionship. However, happy that the pandemic and the pain is finishing.
More More

06/11/2021

Smile Munster

Can not wait to hear your next project !
Bittersweet

06/10/2021

GoAwayFarm

Thank you for being a constant companion throughout this ordeal! I will miss this podcast - happy as I am to be vaccinated and returning to normal, I am sad to say goodbye!
Feeling the feels

06/10/2021

MAS in Mass

I’m crying. I’m going to miss you all and this podcast. Thank you so much for all you did to help us all move through this time.
Got me through a dark year+

06/10/2021

peachrh

Will miss this podcast. Thank you!

Journalists from The Atlantic document the first 15 months of the coronavirus pandemic through regular phone calls. Listen in as Dr. Jim Hamblin, the producer Katherine Wells, and the comedian and the writer Maeve Higgins ask journalists, experts, and friends about the news and science behind the pandemic, get some advice, and learn how to apply it.