Loneliness drives your behaviours. We can want sexual connection so much that loneliness can make you and I take potentially unsafe risks in the hope to feel any kind of connection. You and I – indeed, the community – need to have a conversation about this so we live our lives as gay and queer men without putting ourselves at risk of HIV and STIs. I’ve found the perfect guest to join us for this episode. Dr Shayna Skakoon-Sparling works within our community to help you make better decisions for your sexual health and wellbeing. Come and join me and Dr Shayna now on this episode of Connection over Coffee with The Loneliness Guy, and let’s get you making less risky decisions when you’re feeling lonely. Grab a coffee in your favourite mug and join us now. About Dr Shayna Skakoon-Sparling: Professionally, Dr Shayna (she/her/elle) is an applied social psychologist and an incoming assistant professor in the psychology department at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Her research explores the importance of social connection and how seeking social connection and intimacy can impact sexual health decision making among sexual minority men. For example, some of her work has examined how having sources of social support can buffer guys against the negative impact of sexual minority stress. Some of her other work looks at how trying to cope with loneliness can lead folks to agree to sex that isn't particularly fulfilling and that can put their health at risk – she’s currently working on a set of SSHRC-funded studies to explore this more deeply and to look at ways to help guys cope more effectively with loneliness. FOLLOW DR SHAYNA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayna-skakoon-sparling-71282587 Twitter: @Shaynagram Links: Join us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oZ3sgfiuhvE Have Phil’s guidance through your loneliness: https://www.thelonelinessguy.com/myservices Website: https://www.thelonelinessguy.com Join the mailing list: https://www.thelonelinessguy.com/subscribe Contact Phil: connect@thelonelinessguy.com Sounds recorded with permission at Prefab Eatery, Wellington: www.pre-fab.co.nz