Conversational Psychology (CONNECTING WITH OTHERS) with Dr. Nicholas Epley
Social anxiety icebreakers. Third spaces. Slumber parties with old friends. Helping out strangers. And why primates are wired to be better connected than we are now. Dr. Nicholas Epley – a distinguished Professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Chicago and the author of “A Little More Social” – explains how important social activity is for physical and mental health, why people are experiencing a friendship recession, how texting affects your hormones, how seeing other cultures can shape your life, the world’s friendliest cities, and the low expectations keeping us feeling lonely. Also: don’t be afraid to pick up the phone.
Listen via Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Ad-free episodes available by subscribing to SiriusXM Podcasts+. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Visit Dr. Epley’s website
Buy his books, A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection and Mindwise: Why We Misunderstand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want
A donation went to Ruby’s Rainbow
Jarrett Sleeper’s “30 Words for Love – a long poem”
Links to things we discussed:
The State of American Friendship: Change, Challenges, and Loss
Why road trips are good for you, according to science
The Brief, Powerful Life of the Travel Friendship
Why Voice Notes Are a Small Act of Love
UCLA Center for Friendship Research
Couples vacations and romantic passion and intimacy
You should be having more slumber parties with your friends
Stepwise evolution of stable sociality in primates
Friends, Fun and Finances: Experian Survey Explores How Travelers Handle Group Vacation Costs
Instant messages vs. speech: hormones and why we still need to hear each other
These are the world’s 20 friendliest cities, according to locals
Unexpected events and prosocial behavior: the Batman effect | npj Mental Health Research
Subway diaries: How people experience and practice riding the train
Why are humans social creatures? | ASU News
(PDF) Humans as Social Primates
Get back your social life to boost thinking, memory, and health
Talk to a Stranger: It’ll Make You Happier | Chicago Booth Review
Hello, stranger? Pleasant conversations are preceded by concerns about starting one - PubMed
The Curse of Online Miscommunication – Languaged Life
FaceTime, Voice, or Text: What Strengthens Friendships Most? | Psychology Today
Instant messages vs. speech: hormones and why we still need to hear each other - PMC
Other episodes you may enjoy:
Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES)
Awesomeology (GRATITUDE FOR LITTLE THINGS)
Sports & Performance Psychology (ANXIETY & CONFIDENCE)
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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee
Managing Director: Susan Hale
Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth
Transcripts by Aveline Malek
Website by Kelly R. Dwyer
Theme song by Nick Thorburn
