Actor Neil Patrick Harris joins Esther Perel for an intimate chat about friendships, discussing challenges of making friends, navigating social interactions, and the value of genuine connections. They also touch on turning 50 and expressing appreciation to old friends.
Friendships provide continuity in an ever-changing world and accompany us through life's trials and tribulations, serving as our chosen family.
Maintaining friendships as an adult can be challenging, but it's important to prioritize being present and appreciating the connections shared with others.
Deep dives
The Importance of Friendships and Love in Neil Patrick Harris' Life
Neil Patrick Harris shares his admiration for friendships and the concept of family of choice. He highlights that love and commitment are not limited to romantic relationships but are also essential elements of friendships. Harris reflects on his own experiences of making and maintaining friends throughout different chapters of his life. He acknowledges the challenges of maintaining friendships as an adult and the limited time he has due to family commitments. Harris expresses a desire to prioritize friendships and the need to find a balance between different aspects of life.
The Pressure to Perform and Meet Expectations in Social Gatherings
During a birthday celebration and other social events, Neil Patrick Harris feels the pressure to meet the expectations of his friends and guests. He worries about disappointing others and tries to remember past conversations and details to make his interactions seem more authentic. Harris struggles with finding time to maintain friendships outside of his busy schedule and family commitments. He realizes that friendship is not about performance, but rather about being present, recognizing the importance of each person's presence, and appreciating the connections shared with others.
Preparing for a Meaningful 50th Birthday Speech
As Neil Patrick Harris approaches his 50th birthday, he contemplates the significance of this milestone and the authority that comes with it. He wants to start sharing wisdom and speaking from a place of experience. Harris expresses a desire to acknowledge and thank his friends and family who have made a difference in his life. He wrestles with balancing the feelings of needing to justify their presence and the realization that their presence alone is a gift. Harris considers incorporating humor and vulnerability into his birthday speech to convey his appreciation for the love and support he has received.
Friendships are their own love stories. Our friends provide continuity in an ever-changing world. They accompany us through the trials and tribulations of lovers that come and go, job changes, family rifts, births, deaths, and recoveries. And in the case of Neil Patrick Harris it's his 50th birthday that has brought friends from all the corners of his life together- which as he tells Esther can bring with some anxiety too. In her new Apple Subscription Esther is joined by the actor and Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris for an intimate chat.