How to Be a Better Human How to make (and keep) friends | from A Slight Change of Plans
86 snips
Feb 16, 2026 
Dr. Marisa Franco, psychologist and author of Platonic who studies the science of friendship. She talks about how friendships expand identity and boost health. She explains making adult friends intentionally, the mere-exposure effect and the liking gap. She covers mutuality, how conflict can strengthen bonds, navigating life changes, and kindly ending friendships.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Friends Expand Your Sense Of Self
- Each friend exposes you to new ways of living and parts of yourself that can expand your identity.
- Relying on a single partner can shrink your emotional palette and hide parts of who you are.
Social Diversity Protects Health
- Diversity of social support protects physical and mental health and reduces illness risk.
- Quality connections outside a marriage buffer stress and improve both partners' well-being.
Make Friendship A Deliberate Effort
- Treat adult friendship as intentional effort and join repeated shared-interest contexts.
- Show up consistently at work, hobby groups, or places of worship to increase chances of connection.
