64. How to (and how NOT to) talk about wildly opposing beliefs

We often use facts and data to try to persuade people to change their minds, but research (yup, facts) shows that head-on debate rarely works. Try these approaches to difficult conversations.

connection, belonging, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordNovember 21, 2022conflictComment

63. Is your social diet leaving you starving?

Think about the sum of your relationships and interactions as your social diet. Is it feeding you, or does it leave you craving something more?

friendship, connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordNovember 14, 2022Comment

62. The upside of sharing your downside

We often want to present the “best” version of ourselves, but this increases social isolation.

loneliness, connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordNovember 7, 2022 Comments

61. The way we socialize has changed—and it’s making us lonelier

Having friends over is a great way to build connection … but we don’t do it as much as we used to. Need some inspiration?

connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordOctober 31, 2022host Comments

60. Let love in. Self-criticism damages relationships.

Changing your self-talk can have a major impact on your mood, motivation, and ability to move through stressful experiences.

connection, mental health, well-beingJessica GiffordOctober 25, 2022self-compassion, self-talkComment

59. Comparison: thief of joy or secret to success?

We all compare ourselves to others. Is comparison the thief of joy, or the secret to success?

connection, relationships, well-beingJessica GiffordOctober 17, 2022 Comments

58. Express Appreciation

How often do you feel underappreciated? Other people do too! Expressing your gratitude and appreciation for someone is a powerful way to build connection, and it only takes a minute.

57. Connection: the key to longevity

The current “default mode” for many people is being alone, and it takes a conscious decision and effort to get together with other people. What if you were able to build connection in and make it the default more often?

friendship, connection, happinessJessica GiffordOctober 3, 2022Comment

56. The hidden cost of loneliness in the workplace

Lonely employees cost workplaces an estimated $4000+ per year (per employee) in lost days of work. Creating more collaborative work cultures decreases loneliness and increases productivity.

connection, productivity, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordSeptember 26, 2022collaborate, collaborationComment

55. What we admire in others and shun in ourselves

It's hard to feel close with someone if your conversations never go beyond surface level. Getting close requires mutual self-disclosure … and that can feel vulnerable.

connection, relationships, friendshipJessica GiffordSeptember 19, 2022Comment

54. Absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder, this does

We’ve all heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but in truth spending specific amounts and types of time together is what makes close.

friendship, connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordSeptember 12, 2022Comment

53. When overreacting helps (and when it hurts)

We all go through rocky, stressed-out periods when we could use a little extra understanding. We can extend that grace to others too…

friendship, connection, relationshipsJessica GiffordSeptember 5, 2022Comment

52. Lessons on connection from babies and a bad job interview

If you’ve ever spoken to someone who was expressionless, you know how disconcerting it can be. Responsive body language and facial expressions play a big role in connection.

connection, relationship-building, friendshipJessica GiffordAugust 22, 2022body language, nonverbalsComment

51. How to avoid being annoying

Have you ever felt trapped in a conversation you desperately wanted to extricate yourself from? Chances are the other person wasn’t picking up on your nonverbal cues.

relationships, friendship, connectionJessica GiffordAugust 15, 2022body language, communicationComment

50. Mark important milestones. It will strengthen your friendship.

It feels good to make progress on something important to you, but it feels even better when other people recognize and celebrate those milestones.

friendship, connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordAugust 8, 2022milestones, progressComment

49. Three reasons to have more fun

Fun acts like social glue … so why is it so hard to prioritize?

friendship, connection, relationshipsJessica GiffordJuly 25, 2022funComment

48. De-stigmatize loneliness. If you're lonely, you're not alone.

The stigma and silence surrounding loneliness only makes us lonelier. If you’re lonely, you’re not alone.

connection, belonging, lonelinessJessica GiffordJuly 18, 2022 Comment

47. Connect with nature

Connecting with nature is something we can do on our own. And experiences of awe--often inspired by nature--increase feelings of connectedness to others and to humanity more broadly.

connection, mental health, wellnessJessica GiffordJuly 11, 2022aweComment