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

46. The impacts of feeling unwanted and Roe vs. Wade

Heads up – today’s post explores opinions related to Roe vs. Wade and the impact this decision has on connection and mental health.

friendship, connection, belongingJessica GiffordJuly 4, 2022Comment

45. Match in-person social time with online time. (Your smartphone may be making you lonelier).

Is spending so much time online eroding our in-person social skills? Connecting with people IRL has huge physical and mental health benefits.

connection, friendship, lonelinessJessica GiffordJune 27, 2022social mediaComment

44. Make a memory

If you feel like the days are going by in a blur with little to set them apart, try making a memory with a friend to break out of the routine and bring you closer.

connection, friendship, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordJune 20, 2022Comment

43. Three Reasons to Accept Compliments

Practicing receiving compliments (gracefully) can change the way we see ourselves, help build confidence, and strengthen connection between you and the compliment-giver.

connection, relationship-building, friendshipJessica GiffordJune 13, 2022 Comments

42. Practice Generosity

Most of us think that spending money on ourselves will make us happy, but the research shows that spending money on other people—or engaging in other acts of generosity—gives us a bigger boost in happiness.

connection, friendshipJessica GiffordJune 6, 2022generosityComment

40. Set up "automatic recurring connections" and relieve loneliness

Making friends, and having real connection in our lives, has gotten hard. It takes work. If we want to reduce loneliness, we need to make connection easier.

connection, friendship, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordMay 23, 2022 Comments

36. Implement Check-ins

Mutual sharing increases liking and closeness … and this simple exercise helps people share easily.

34. Try something new … and break out of a friendship rut.

If you have a friend or friend group that’s fallen into a rut, try doing something new and exciting (like these ideas) to re-ignite your friendship.

friendship, connection, relationshipsJessica GiffordApril 11, 2022Comment

31. Croissant, don’t bagel (it’s more inclusive).

What do breakfast breads have to do with socializing? Read on to find out…

27. Attend to "bids" for connection ... it's a key behavior in healthy relationships

Responding to “bids for connection” is a key behavior that sets healthy relationships apart from unhealthy ones. What’s your response style?

26. Give a Great Compliment

Giving compliments strengthens connection and boosts mood. So why don’t we do it more often?

relationship-building, friendship, connectionJessica GiffordFebruary 14, 2022Comment

25. Don’t Ghost Your Friends.

Being ghosted by a friend is the worst. The human brain HATES uncertainty, and in the absence of real information tends to make up terrible stories.

friendship, loneliness, relationshipsJessica GiffordFebruary 7, 2022ghosting, friend breakups Comments

24. Initiate, invite, involve

Do your friendships feel reciprocal? When you initiate connection it helps broaden and strengthen your social circles.

friendship, relationship-building, connectionJessica GiffordJanuary 31, 2022Comment

22. Increase Your Awkward Tolerance

The number one predictor of long-term success—in business, art, and relationships—is the amount of discomfort we’re willing to endure. This activity will help you build your awkward tolerance.

relationship-building, connection, friendshipJessica GiffordJanuary 17, 2022social discomfort, social awkwardnessComment

101+ ways to create connection and community.

Who we’ve worked with