logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
1h 24m

Relationships 2.0: The Power of Tiny Int...

Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
About this episode

As you go about your day, you likely interact with family, friends and coworkers. These relationships can help you feel cared for and connected. But what if there’s a whole category of people in your life whose impact is overlooked? Today, in a favorite episode from our archives, psychologist Gillian Sandstrom reveals some simple ways to make your life a little more joyful and maybe even a little less lonely. Then, we talk with researcher Erica Bailey, who responds to listeners' questions about authenticity and how to reveal our true selves to the people around us.

In this episode you'll learn: 

  • The sociological concept of "weak" and "strong" ties, and the important roles they play in our lives.
  • How "weak ties" contribute to our happiness.
  • How to talk to strangers — including how to start, maintain, and end a conversation.
  • How to decrease feelings of loneliness and increase feelings of connectivity in your daily life.

If you enjoyed today's conversation with Gillian Sandstrom, be sure to check out these other Hidden Brain episodes: 

You 2.0: The Gift of Other People

How Others See You

 

Up next
Aug 18
How Our Brains Learn
Have you ever fallen asleep in school or during a work meeting? Maybe you felt your eyes glaze over as your boss or a teacher droned on and on about a topic that had no relevance to you. What's missing from these classrooms and conference rooms is engagement: A state of being abs ... Show More
1h 22m
Aug 11
The Best Years of Your Life
Aging isn’t just a biological process. Our outlooks and emotions also change as we age, often in ways that boost our well-being. This week, we revisit a favorite conversation with psychologist Laura Carstensen, who helps us unpack the science behind this surprising finding, and s ... Show More
1h 19m
Aug 4
Radical Kindness
Why do some people risk their own lives to help another person, or give away their fortunes for the benefit of strangers? This week, we talk with psychologist and neuroscientist Abigail Marsh, who studies the science of altruism. We'll explore what's known about the brains of peo ... Show More
1h 4m
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2025
2489: You Answer This Question Wrong 10 Times a Day. Hear Why It Matters. By Dr. Allison Niebes-Davis
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2489:Answering “How are you?” with a surface-level response might seem harmless, but Dr. Allison Niebes-Davis reveals how th ... Show More
10m 19s
Jun 20
146: Why Your Conversations Fail and How to Fix Them with Charles Duhigg
Join Sabrina Zohar and Charles Duhigg — a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, bestselling author of The Power of Habit and Supercommunicators, and current writer for The New Yorker — as they break down the communication skills vital for building better relationships. In this episo ... Show More
46m 27s
Oct 2024
#424 How To Reparent Yourself, with Dr. Dan Siegel
Ever feel like the love, support, or security you needed growing up was just… missing? And now, you’re feeling the effects in your relationships, your self-esteem, or even your ability to create the life you *really* want? If this hits home, don’t worry—you’re not stuck! This wee ... Show More
49m 38s
Feb 2025
Girls Night #284: How to Recover From a Breakup (and Find your Spark Again!) — with Dr. Morgan Cope
Hey friends! Welcome to Girls’ Night! Today we’re talking about how to heal, move forward, and find your spark again after a rough breakup. We're mainly focusing on romantic relationships, but honestly, these tips can apply to any meaningful relationship that's ended - whether th ... Show More
59 m
Oct 2024
Why Fake Relationships Make You Feel More Alone
Do you ever feel more lonely in a room full of people than when you're by yourself? Brendon Burchard, the world’s leading high performance coach, reveals why superficial or inauthentic relationships often leave us feeling empty and disconnected. In this episode, you’ll learn how ... Show More
16m 1s
Jan 2025
145 - Marginalia Episode: Erica Bailey on Authenticity
Marginalia Episode is a collaboration between the Stanford Psychology Podcast and Marginalia Science. Marginalia Science is a community committed to promoting work of scholars who are traditionally underrepresented in academia. Their mission really resonated with our values at th ... Show More
50m 29s
Dec 2023
Surviving Being Single for the Holidays - Encore
With the holidays already in full swing, we saw the benefit of bringing this episode back. If you are dreading the holidays - and being single at all the parties & family festivities, this episode is for you! Catherine & Kate share important tools and perspectives needed to feel ... Show More
32m 53s
Feb 2024
S7 Ep 2 Best Friend Therapy: Emotional Detachment - When should we take a step back? What stops us? Can it make for healthier relationships?
Welcome to this week's episode of Best Friend Therapy - the one where we ask the tough questions... * What's the difference between emotional detachment and emotional unavailability? * Why can needs get confused with neediness? * How do sympathy and empathy serve different purpos ... Show More
43m 54s