Andy Merola
Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara and co-author of The Social Biome, studying interpersonal communication and social systems.
Best podcasts with Andy Merola
Ranked by the Snipd community
Nov 27, 2025 • 35min
The big impact of small interactions
Join Jeffrey Hall, a communication studies professor, and Andy Merola, a professor at UC Santa Barbara, as they delve into the transformative power of small interactions. They explore why brief negative encounters leave a lasting impact and discuss how everyday acts of kindness can shape our social fabric. The conversation highlights the importance of perceived partner responsiveness in communication and warns against limiting our connections to similar individuals, emphasizing the need for diverse interactions to foster empathy and hope.
Oct 10, 2025 • 35min
The big impact of small interactions
Jeffrey Hall, a communication studies professor at the University of Kansas, and Andy Merola, a UC Santa Barbara professor, discuss the power of small interactions. They tackle how brief negative experiences stick with us due to negativity bias and share uplifting stories of kindness that transform perspectives. The conversation highlights the need for diverse social exchanges for deeper connections, while addressing how technology both hinders and supports communication. Finally, they explore how daily interactions can foster empathy and a sense of community.
