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Florence Williams’ world was blown apart when her husband said he wanted a divorce. She’d been with him since she was 18. Her whole adult life was wrapped up in being “us.” 

What would happen when it was just her, alone? 

Being a journalist and nature writer, she took her anguish to science to learn more about the connection between emotional and physical pain. Her new book, “Heartbreak,” investigates the ways in which extreme emotional pain can impact the body and the mind. 

Host Kerri Miller talked with Williams about what she discovered about heartbreak as part of this latest Big Books and Bold Ideas conversation.

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After her husband of 25 years left her, Florence Williams channeled her pain into a new book that looks at how broken hearts affect us, body and soul.

Florence Williams’ world was blown apart when her husband said he wanted a divorce. She’d been with him since she was 18. Her whole adult life was wrapped up in being “us.” 

What would happen when it was just her, alone? 

Being a journalist and nature writer, she took her anguish to science to learn more about the connection between emotional and physical pain. Her new book, “Heartbreak,” investigates the ways in which extreme emotional pain can impact the body and the mind. 

Host Kerri Miller talked with Williams about what she discovered about heartbreak as part of this latest Big Books and Bold Ideas conversation.

Guest:

Florence Williams is a journalist, author and podcaster. Her new book is “Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey.” 

'Heartbreak' looks at the pain of breaking up through the lens of science

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