Feeling disconnected in a world that's more connected than ever? Then our guest David Robson's insights couldn't be more timely. Through over 300 high-quality studies, he uncovers the scientific explanations behind building strong social bonds. Join us to hear about the shared realities that truly bond us, discover why authenticity is key to forming genuine connections, learn practical tips to navigate the complexities of social interactions, and how to overcome the fear of sharing too much. Tune in for a deep exploration of building a strong social network as we uncover David’s book, The Laws of Connection. 

Listen and Learn:

• How David’s outgoing nature conflicted with his shyness, hindering his ability to make new friends, and new research on optimizing connections motivated him to write a book on social connections
• The concepts of shared reality and the liking gap, and how these phenomena form the foundation of effective communication and connection
• Moving beyond superficial conversations to forge meaningful connections through intentional shared realities
• Embracing "defocusing" to improve interactions by recognizing external influences beyond your control
• Balancing curiosity and self-disclosure in conversations for genuine connection
• The dynamics of requesting help and the mutual benefits of genuine altruism

Resources: 

• https://davidrobson.me
• The Laws of Connection: The Scientific Secrets of Building a Strong Social Network
• https://www.instagram.com/davidarobson
• https://twitter.com/d_a_robson
• https://uk.linkedin.com/in/david-robson

About David Robson

David Robson is a science writer and author based in the United Kingdom. A graduate of Cambridge University, he has worked as a feature editor at New Scientist and as a senior journalist at the BBC, and his writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, and many other publications. His previous book, The Expectation Effect, won the British Psychological Society Book Award for 2022. His latest book is The Laws of Connection: The Scientific Secrets of Building a Strong Social Network (Pegasus)

Related Episodes

• 353. Ask Great Questions with Jeff Wetzler
• 310. The Expectation Effect with David Robson
• 329. The Power of Curiosity with Scott Shigeoka
• 294. Yes And: Improv in Psychology with Kelly Leonard

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