The Science of Making (and Keeping) Friends
It's a mistake to prioritize romantic and familial relationships over friendship, argues psychologist Dr. Marisa Franco. Strong, supportive friendships expand our sense of self, she says, and are asso...
10 Apr 202336min
The Devastation of Things Going Exactly to Plan
Writer Kelly Corrigan always wanted a family. She craved the closeness and familiarity of a strong parent-child relationship. When her daughters were little, she relished knowing everything about thei...
3 Apr 202345min
How to Build Empathy and Avoid Burnout
For a long time, scientists believed our capacity for empathy remains more or less fixed throughout our lives. But research by Jamil Zaki, a psychology professor at Stanford, shows that empathy is act...
27 Mar 202339min
A Science Journalist Tries to Hack Heartbreak
Science writer Florence Williams felt blindsided when her twenty-five-year marriage unexpectedly fell apart. The heartbreak opened her up to a whole range of new and intense feelings, but it also made...
20 Mar 202332min
Stick to your Goals with Dr. Maya Shankar on Slate's How To! Podcast
It's only March and we're already starting to veer off track with our resolutions for the year. Don't worry! 90% of people fail to reach their goals each year, which means there's got to be a better w...
13 Mar 202334min
You Have More Influence Than You Think
Influence is often seen as a skill we have to cultivate, a charismatic quality leveraged by select leaders, business people, and successful social media accounts. But in her new book, “You Have More I...
6 Mar 202331min
Hasan Minhaj is Trying Not to Care If You Like Him
Lately, comedian Hasan Minhaj is taking a second look at his motives for performing. Hasan was initially drawn to comedy because it allowed him to hold people in power accountable. In shows like “Patr...
27 Feb 202331min
Can Stress Be Helpful?
We’re all familiar with the ways that stress can make us feel bad. But professor and stress expert Modupe Akinola argues that a simple change in our mindset can turn short-term stress into a helpful r...
21 Feb 202331min
