Healing Through Hobbies: The Science of Social Prescribing | Julia Hotz (EP33)

What if the key to better health isn’t found in a pill bottle—but in community, creativity, and connection? Today I’m joined by author and researcher Julia Hotz to talk about her new book, The Connection Cure, where she uncovers how movement, nature, art, service, and belonging can transform our well-being. From dementia care farms in Norway to social prescribing programs around the world, Julia shares powerful, real-life stories of how people are healing through human connection. We dive into how prescribing joy, purpose, and relationships could radically shift how we think about healthcare. If you’ve ever felt like something’s missing from modern medicine, this conversation will open your eyes to what really makes us well.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

• Book: Outlive by Peter Attia
• Book: The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
• Book: Heartbreak by Florence Williams
• Book: Your Brain on Art: How Art Transform Us by Ivy Ross
• Book: Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek Murthy
• Book: The Power of Fun by Catherine Price
• Connect with Julia:
• Website
• Book: The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging
• Instagram

About Julia|

Julia Hotz is a solutions focused journalist based in New York. Her stories have appeared in The New York Times, WIRED, Scientific American, The Boston Globe, Time, and more. She helps other journalists report on the big new ideas changing the world at the Solutions Journalism Network. For her insights on social prescribing, she has been invited to advise health and community organizations, teach in medical schools, deliver talks at TEDx, university symposiums, and international conferences, and write editorials for publications including The Wall Street Journal, Slate, and more. She proudly serves on the board of Walk with a Doc, and as an advisor to Social Prescribing USA.

Episode Sponsors |

Clear Intentions would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don&