The Next Big Idea The Superpower You Didn’t Know You Had
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Jan 22, 2026 
Kate Murphy, a journalist and author specializing in social neuroscience, dives into the fascinating concept of interpersonal synchrony. She reveals how our subconscious mimics others' movements and emotions, forming instant connections. Tune in to discover why rapid attraction happens in speed-dating scenarios, how synchronicity can lead to crowd panic, and the effects of technology on our social interactions. Murphy also shares insights on rebuilding healthy connections in a digital world, emphasizing the magic of in-person encounters.
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Humans Sync To Read Each Other
- People subconsciously sync movements, heart rate, respiration, brainwaves, pupils, and hormones to read others quickly.
- Kate Murphy calls this interpersonal synchrony our superpower and the root of empathy.
Lighting Up Versus Dragging Down
- Kate contrasts Joan, who lights up a room, with Jen, who drags it down, to show how people emit vibes.
- She likens people to walking orchestras whose rhythms others either match or ignore.
First 30 Seconds Shape Impressions
- People form quick judgments in less than 30 seconds driven largely by synchrony rather than conscious reasoning.
- Mouths and bodies create lasting feelings we later rationalize with stories.
