The Connection Cure: Rebuilding Real Relationships in Midlife
Allison Gilbert
Bestselling Author | Emmy Award-Winning Journalist | Connections Expert
Rediscover belonging. Deepen your connections. Step into midlife with renewed joy.
Somewhere along the way, “How are you?” stopped being a real question.
And “fine” became the answer you gave to keep things moving.
What you miss are the deeper conversations that actually go somewhere. The ones where you can drop the mask. Where you feel known, not just evaluated for what you produce.
Maybe your kids are gone and the house is quieter than you imagined. Maybe divorce or a move fractured your social world.
Maybe your career shifted and left you between circles.
Or maybe the drift was slower: friendships thinning as life’s demands piled up, leaving you surrounded by people yet craving the kind of connection that sustains you.
You don’t need another room full of small talk and business cards that go nowhere.
What makes the difference is:
Meet the guide who turned her own loss into a roadmap for connection.
Allison Gilbert knows loneliness from the inside out. She lost both parents as a young adult and spent years feeling disconnected without a name for the ache she carried.
Her understanding shifted when she co-authored The Joy of Connections with the legendary Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer. From Dr. Ruth, she learned that deep relationships aren’t a matter of luck. They grow from intention, care, and the steady practice of showing up.
An Emmy-winning journalist featured on NPR, The New York Times, and CNN, Allison has spent her career translating the latest research on loneliness into practical, human steps.
Her core insight is disarmingly simple: loneliness is not a character flaw. It’s a signal, like hunger or thirst, telling you to take action. And that signal can be answered.
Allison will help you respond to that signal, rebuild connection where it’s gone thin, and open the door to relationships that sustain you in midlife and beyond.
Four days with Allison will help you...
Understand loneliness as a signal – not a life sentence, but a cue for action you can address with the same clarity you'd bring to hunger or thirst.
Practice the micro-steps that actually build lasting bonds – research-backed strategies from The Joy of Connections that prioritize small, consistent acts over grand gestures.
Collect friends like gems, with intention and care – a philosophy of choosing depth over quantity, authenticity over performance, vulnerability over polish.
Rebuild and strengthen connections after midlife disruption – practical methods for maintaining your people through empty nests, relocations, divorce, career shifts, or accumulated loss.
Build a practice for maintaining connection – learn tools and rituals you can use long after you leave to keep relationships alive and thriving.
Experience MEA's world-class hospitality at Rising Circle Ranch – intimate group, luxurious accommodations, stunning desert setting, exceptional meals, and the space for real connection to happen.
This workshop
is for you if…
Meet your faculty
“Connection isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.”
~ Allison Gilbert ~
Allison Gilbert
Bestselling Author | Emmy Award-Winning Journalist | Connections Expert | Conversation Series Host
Allison Gilbert is one of today's most influential voices on human connection and social health. An Emmy Award-winning journalist, she's the co-author of Dr. Ruth's bestseller The Joy of Connections, named one of the best books on aging by The Wall Street Journal.
She's also author and co-author of five other critically acclaimed books, including Passed and Present, Listen, World!, and Parentless Parents. She also leads "Connected Lives," a series of conversations at 92NY exploring how we build and sustain meaningful relationships in today's world.
Allison’s been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, CBS Sunday Morning, and NPR. She lives in New York with her husband Mark, whom she met as a teenager at sleepaway camp. They're the proud parents of two young adult children.
Supported By the MEA Team
Kari Cardinale
MEA Chief Content Officer
Kari is a pioneer facilitator with expertise in the longevity industry and building communities online. She is a master host with a knack of creating deep connections both live and virtually, with nearly 30 years experience as a driven social entrepreneur in creative strategy, fa ...
View BioDaniel 'DL' Landes
Experience Facilitator
Before joining MEA, Daniel “DL” Landes spent decades as a restauranteur, author, and publisher. As the owner of multiple restaurants in Denver, CO – and then a hostel in Mexico – he dedicated himself to creating environments where people could work out their humanity whil ...
View BioOur Agenda at a Glance
Sunday:
4:00 PM: Check-In / Welcome
5:30 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
7:00 PM: Orientation Session
Monday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
Tuesday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
Wednesday:
7:30 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Graduation
6:30 PM: Dinner
Thursday:
7:00 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Checkout / Departure
Friday:
Saturday:
*Please note all times are estimates as some activities go longer or shorter depending on the group. This agenda is meant to give you an idea of the general flow of activities.
Step into transformation in the high desert
Rising Circle Ranch | Santa Fe, USA.
Our spectacular Santa Fe campus is located on an upscale regenerative ranch featuring traditional Pueblo architecture and nearly 2,600 acres of wildlife, hiking trails in the arroyo, and awe-inspiring beauty. Close to historic Santa Fe, an artisan’s mecca.
PLUS: Gourmet from-scratch meals, snacks, and drinks featuring locally sourced ingredients, made by our in-house chefs
Explore the ranch
on horseback
Our Rising Circle Ranch spans 2,600 acres of New Mexico high desert, offering guided horseback riding for all experience levels through diverse terrains under the vast Southwest sky
You’ll experience highlights like:
Horseback riding is an optional add-on activity you can book once you arrive on the ranch. Whether you’re seasoned or brand new to horseback adventures, this guided experience lets you discover the ranch’s natural wonders alongside our gentle horses.
Your Workshop Includes:
Midlife is your moment to build the connections that will carry you forward.
The truth is clear: meaningful relationships are essential to your physical health, mental wellbeing, and longevity. And this season of life offers a powerful opportunity to strengthen them.
But midlife also brings profound changes that can leave you feeling adrift. Loss and grief, empty nests, relocations, career shifts – they all magnify disconnection. The question isn't whether you'll face these transitions. It's whether you'll navigate them alone or with the people and tools that make all the difference.
Four days with Allison Gilbert will give you:
Book your spot today
The Connection Cure: Rebuilding Real Relationships in Midlife
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this workshop for?
This experience is for anyone in midlife who feels the ache of disconnection, whether it comes from loss, transition, or simply years of busyness. Many participants are navigating empty nests, shifts in friendships or relationships, career changes, or a sense of having “drifted apart” from meaningful connection.
Do I need to feel lonely to benefit from this workshop?
Not at all. Some participants come because they feel acutely lonely. Others simply want to nurture deeper, more sustaining relationships or rebuild a sense of belonging after years of prioritizing work, family, or other demands. This workshop helps you strengthen the connections that matter most.
I’m worried about feeling exposed. Is this workshop too personal?
No one is required to share more than they want to. The workshop is designed to be a safe, respectful space. You’ll have opportunities to reflect privately and, if you wish, engage in guided conversations that are structured to feel supportive rather than risky.
What if I already have a strong social circle?
Even if you’re surrounded by friends or family, you may be looking for deeper conversations or fresh practices to keep those relationships alive and meaningful. This workshop helps you enrich existing connections as well as create new ones.
What’s included in the tuition?
Tuition includes all workshop programming, five nights of accommodations, chef-prepared meals, snacks, drinks, and access to MEA’s unique settings in Baja or Santa Fe. The only extra costs are travel to the campus and personal purchases.
Can I get financial assistance?
Yes. We offer needs-aware financial assistance to make this experience more accessible. If cost is a barrier, we encourage you to apply when you register.
How do I know if this workshop is right for me?
If you’re curious about rebuilding or deepening connection, whether after loss, transition, or simply years of putting relationships last, this workshop is for you. If you’re still unsure, you can schedule a free call with our team to discuss your situation and goals.
Still deciding or have questions?
Connect with our helpful team of Advisors
Our Advisors are all MEA alumni who can offer genuine insights into our programs. They’re passionate about helping you finding the right fit to make your next chapter the best one.
Daniel Booz
Lucas Erie
Leslie Bartlett