Johann Hari - Bestselling Author of Stolen Focus, Lost Connections, Chasing the Scream

Johann Hari is well known as the author of international bestsellers Chasing the Scream about the failure of the so-called war on drugs and Lost Connections, which explores depression, anxiety and the importance of social connection in our lives.

Lost Connections was described by the British Journal of General Practice as “one of the most important texts of recent years”, and shortlisted for an award by the British Medical Association. Johann’s latest book Stolen Focus ‘why you can’t pay attention’ uncovers the reasons behind our shortening attention spans and how we can start to reclaim our focus, our minds, and our humanity. The book is creating a huge stir globally and has attracted praise from reviewers and people such as Eve Ensler, Stephen Fry, Susan Cain, Emma Thompson, and Gabor Mate.

Johann has had tens of millions views of his two TED talks  ‘Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong’ and ‘This Could Be Why You Are Depressed or Anxious’.

He is also an award-winning journalist and he has written over the past decade for some of the world’s leading newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, the Spectator, Le Monde, the Melbourne Age, and Politico. He is a regular panellist on HBO’s Realtime With Bill Maher.

I first met Johann back in November 2018 in Dublin when he was on tour with Lost Connections. You can listen to my conversation with him in the archives of this podcast so consider that as a listen for after you listen to this one.

It was great to talk to Johann again recently and I was really struck by his clarity of thought and his passion for change is one of the most important issues of our time. I’d encourage you to give this episode your full attention, and indeed your full focus, and please share this episode far and wide. Also please consider rating and reviewing the Love and Courage podcast, subscribing through your app to receive updates, and chipping in as a once off or monthly patron at LoveandCourage.org. You support helps me bring important voices like Johann’s to the world.