It's easy to feel like a leisurely morning in a coffee shop, getting lost in the stacks at the library or a walk in the park are luxuries rather than self-care. But the spaces beyond home and work — what sociologists call third places — do real work for our social health, the pillar that's easiest to let slide when we’re busy. And many of us do skip these spaces: half of Americans say they seldom or haven’t visited a park in the past year, and 63% say the same about libraries, according to the 2024 American Social Capital Survey. If these spaces are available, why aren’t we going?

In this episode, we explore third places: why they matter for your mental and physical health, and how you can find one that’s meaningful for you with little or no pressure.

Expert: Dr. Namrata Vasquez, psychologist at Houston Methodist

Notable topics covered:

• Definitions of first, second and third places 
• The four traits of a true third place
• Why Americans engage less in third places
• Do online communities count as third places?
• Why work-life balance is crucial for well-being
• Self-care and hobbies: how they relate to third places
• How arts and sporting events keep us connected
• Using self-exploration and trial-and-error to find meaningful third places

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