Dr. Marisa G. Franco: Why Do Friendships Matter? (Part 2)

How can we help young people build healthy friendships?  How do we balance old friendships with new ones?  And why should we be strategic about the energy we put into friendships? The truth is, friendship doesn’t just happen. Great friendships take effort.

In Part 2 of our conversation about friendship with Dr. Marisa G. Franco, psychologist and the New York Times bestselling author of “Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends,” House Calls explores some of the underpinnings for strong platonic relationships.

Building on the first part of their conversation, the Surgeon General and Dr. Franco talk about the mental health challenges young people are experiencing and how to help them create the types of connections that lead to meaningful relationships. Later in the conversation, Dr. Franco shares her tips for using the “intimacy skills” we often save for romantic partners to deepen our important friendships.

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(02:14)    Why “phubbing” isn’t just rude

(05:40)    How are young people doing with friendship?

(10:36)    How does Dr. Franco support her students’ mental health?

(13:58)    What makes someone a social igniter?

(18:04)    How do we balance old and new friendships?

(22:30)    Why is it important to be strategic about friendships?

(24:27)    Can we move away from a friendship?

(26:33)    How can we address conflict in a friendship?

(29:59)   Has it become harder for us to talk to one another?

(31:35)   What are some great friendship songs?

(33:21)    What gives Dr. Franco hope for the future?

Dr. Marisa G. Franco, Friendship Expert & Psychologist

Twitter: @DrMarisaGFranco

Instagram: @drmarisagfranco

About Dr. Marisa G. Franco

A psychologist, speaker, and bestselling author, Dr. Marisa G. Franco is known for digesting and communicating science in ways that resonate deeply enough with people to change their lives. She is a professor at The University of Maryland and authored the NYT bestseller Platonic: How The Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends.  She writes about friendship for  Psychology Today  and has been a featured in  The New York Times, The Telegraph, and  Vice. She speaks on belonging at corporations, government agencies, non-profits, and universities.

For tips on friendship, you can follow her on Instagram (DrMarisaGFranco), or go to her website, www.DrMarisaGFranco.com, where you can take a quiz to assess your strengths and weaknesses as a friend.