Balanced Black Girl

Intimacy in Friendships: Having Healthier Friendships and Making Friends As An Adult with Dr. Marisa Franco

Feb 14, 2023

54:58

As adults, building and maintaining friendships is a challenge. What felt so easy as kids, now feels like an overwhelming task full of rejection, uncertainty, and confusion. But connection plays a huge role in our overall health and well-being. Studies show that it’s even more important than regular exercise!

So in today’s episode, we’re diving into platonic intimacy with Dr. Marisa Franco. Dr. Franco is a psychologist, international speaker, and professor. She’s also the author of The New York Times best seller Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make and Keep Friends.

Together, we discuss the importance of friendship, the science behind our need for platonic connection, and how simple it can be to make friends as an adult.

We Also Talk About…

How friendship is acted out across gender lines
Loneliness as a stress experience & critical longevity indicator
Treating our friendships with as much care, excitement, and celebration as our romantic partnerships
How healthy conflict in relationships can lead to deeper intimacy and understanding
Friendships throughout times of transition

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