Allison Gilbert is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and one of the most influential writers and speakers on how to find the inner resources to overcome life’s biggest challenges. Through research and lived experience, Allison helps audiences transform grief and loss, manage caregiving and chronic illness, and find connection amid the growing public health crisis of social isolation and loneliness. She is co-author of Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s final book, The Joy of Connections: 100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier and More Meaningful Life. The book stems from the article Allison wrote for The New York Times, “Dr. Ruth Saved People’s Sex Lives. Now she wants to Cure Loneliness,” about Dr. Ruth’s appointment as New York State’s Ambassador to Loneliness, the first such position in the United States.
The Joy of Connections reveals a groundbreaking approach for addressing the loneliness epidemic, Dr. Ruth’s Menu for Connection – an empowering framework for helping individuals nurture meaningful relationships. “Happier” podcast host Gretchen Rubin says the book offers strategies that are “essential for building the kinds of bonds that will reduce loneliness and transform lives.”
The Joy of Connections has received enthusiastic praise from Judy Blume, Dan Harris, Vera Wang, Nate Berkus, and Sunny Hostin, co-host of “The View.” It features illuminating interviews with such thought leaders as Adam Grant and an expansive conversation with U.S Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
Allison is the author of numerous critically-acclaimed books, including Passed and Present, Always Too Soon, and Parentless Parents, each inspired by the early deaths of her parents from cancer. For Listen, World!, her co-authored biography of Hearst syndicated newspaper columnist Elsie Robinson, a single mother who lost her only son, she won the 2023 Northern California Book Award. Allison Gilbert’s essay for CNN about the reporting obstacles she overcame uncovering Robinson’s life story, “A woman who composed the first draft of history finds herself written out of the history books,” won the 2024 New York Press Club’s Journalism Award for Best Opinion Writing.
Allison writes regularly for The New York Times and other publications. Nearly killed by falling debris covering the 2001 terrorist attacks, she is co-editor of Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast Journalists Report September 11, host of “Women Journalists of 9/11: Their Stories,” a 20-part documentary series produced in collaboration with the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and co-executive producer of the companion 2-hour film featuring Savannah Guthrie, Maggie Haberman, Dana Bash, Tom Brokaw, and many others. Allison is the official narrator of the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s historical exhibition audio tour, the only female journalist to be so honored.
Allison began her career in television news, producing investigative and law-changing stories for CNN, MSNBC, and other outlets. Her work has been honored by the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists, National Association of Black Journalists, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Allison has been interviewed on the Today show, Good Morning America, and NPR, given a speech in front of the President of Iceland, appeared on stage with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Soledad O’Brien, and presented hundreds of talks to audiences at Amazon, Google, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, and many other wellness retreat centers, companies, and organizations. She’s also enjoyed a fabulous dinner with Jay Shetty!
In collaboration with Reimagine, Allison hosts a monthly conversation series on overcoming loneliness, “Making Connections,” and previously hosted “Passed and Present,” named after her beloved book, about death and maintaining family bonds. Featured guests have included Anna Quindlen, Megan Devine, David Kessler, Caroline Leavitt, Tembi Locke, Jean Chatzky, Alysia Reiner, Isaiais Hernandez, and BJ Miller.
She serves on the Advisory Board of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and is a past Board Member of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief.
“Pomperaug Woods hosted their annual Behind the Book event, and were absolutely thrilled to have Allison Gilbert as our speaker, presenting the book she coauthored, Listen World! Residents and marketing guests alike were impressed with the presentation and completely drawn into the life of Elsie Robinson as Allison told it.” — Pomperaug Woods, 2024
