The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos Folgen

Jessica Pan hated social gatherings - she cried when her friends threw her a surprise birthday party, and was even too scared to give a speech at her own wedding. Jessica was a hardcore introvert - and it was making her sad.   Extroverts find it easier to experience the joy that comes with social interactions - but that doesn't mean introverts are doomed to lives that lack such fun. Jessica read some research that suggested introverts can learn to enjoy being more outgoing - so decided to turn her social life around.  You can read more of Jessica's story in her book: Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come:  One Introvert's Year of Saying Yes. She is posting updates from her year of extroverting at her Substack, "It'll Be Fun, They Said"  (https://jesspan.substack.com/).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When was the last time you checked in on a friend? Maybe months or even years have passed by and you feel awkward about reestablishing the connection. Maybe the last time you did, they didn't reply. Author Andy Salkind tells Dr. Laurie why it's worth it to ignore your hesitations and just reach out—and shares how a simple message from a friend saved his own life. WARNING: This episode deals with depression and suicidality. If you’re based in the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Similar services are available in pretty much every other country. So, if you need help, please, please reach out.  Experts Mentioned:- Peggy Liu, Ben L. Fryrear Endowed Chair and Professor of Marketing, University of PittsburghResources Mentioned:- "The Surprise of Reaching Out: Appreciated More Than We Think," (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2023)Related episodes of "The Happiness Lab":- "The Secret to Making Friends as an Adult"- "How to Make Friends and Compliment People"- "Beat Your Isolation Loneliness"- "Help Others to Help Yourself"- "The Introvert's Guide to Extroversion"- "Harnessing People Around us to Feel Happier (Live with Ethan Kross)"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecting with people is a sure-fire way to be happier - and you can quickly build relationships with friends and strangers alike just by giving them a sincere compliment. In the first show of a season about how to be more sociable - we meet Troy Hawke, who makes a living complimenting everyone he passes on the street, and scientist Xuan Zhao - an expert on compliments who ditched her boyfriend for failing to say out loud all the nice things he thought about her. (For more on Xuan's public benefit startup Flourish Science - a company aiming to "help people discover joy, combat burnout, and cultivate deeper connections within supportive communities" - then visit www.flouriship.com.)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.