How to Talk to People

On this season of How to Talk to People we explore the barriers to relationship building and why—in a world of endless potential for connection—so many people still feel alone. From the the struggle to prioritize non-romantic relationships, to just feeling uncertain of what to talk about with strangers, host Julie Beck and producer Rebecca Rashid unravel the complexities of putting yourself out there—in hopes of revealing the rewards of showing up. 

Produced by Rebecca Rashid and hosted by Julie Beck. Editing by Jocelyn Frank and Claudine Ebeid. Fact-check by Ena Alvarado. Engineering by Rob Smierciak. Music by Tellsonic (“The Whistle Funk”). 

Talk to How to Talk to People—by “talk,” we mean write to us—at howtopodcast@theatlantic.com. To support this podcast, and get unlimited access to all of The Atlantic’s journalism, become a subscriber.

Self-Improvement
Social Sciences
Society & Culture
1
What do we owe our friends?
32 min
2
The Infrastructure of Community
The design of physical spaces can either encourage or discourage relationships. But people also have to be willing to slow down and take the opportunity to connect.
38 min
3
How to Make Small Talk
How can we overcome the awkwardness that keeps us from starting a conversation?
35 min
4
Introducing: How to Talk to People
2 min
5
Introducing Holy Week
The story of a revolution undone.
8 min
6
A New Formula for Happiness
The happiness we seek may require investing earlier than we think—and may help us align our expectations and reality at the end of life.
26 min
7
The Right Choices in Parenting
When parents avoid the complexities of independent decision making, they may fail to understand where analysis remains crucial.
35 min
8
Subtraction as a Solution
Subtraction can be an overlooked solution in a culture of accumulation. But having less can create the space we didn’t know we needed.
22 min
9
How to Spend Time on What You Value
We use our time to race against the clock of productivity—which may be the one thing that holds us back from enjoying the free time we crave.
31 min
10
The Complexities of Human Love
Tech may not be responsible for all the woes of modern love and human connection—but it may reflect our innate desire to find simple solutions to complex problems.
25 min
11
When Virtues Become Vices
When addictive behaviors override our desires, it may be a sign to investigate the gap between what we crave and what’s really good for us.
29 min
12
How To Season 3: When Expectations Don’t Meet R...
The building blocks for realigning expectations and reality in happiness.
2 min
13
How to Forgive Ourselves for What We Can’t Change
Regret As a Catalyst for Change
29 min
14
The Misgivings of Friend-Making
Why Is It So Hard to Make a Friend?
37 min
15
When Can a Marriage Be Saved?
How to Know When It’s Time to End a Relationship
38 min
16
When Partnership Is Not the Destination
Happily Ever After Starts With Singlehood
29 min
17
'Parents Are Not All Good and All Bad'
Starting Over With the People Who Raised You
27 min
18
Starting Over When You Think It's Too Late
How to Make the Most of Midlife Malaise
30 min
19
Introducing: How To Start Over
Your one-stop shop for navigating the challenges of changing your life.
2 min
20
How to Build a Happy Life: How to Identify What...
How to Have Fun, Experience Satisfaction Through Purpose, and Find Joy In Everyday Life
39 min
21
How to Build a Happy Life: How to Live When You...
The Path Forward in Struggle and The Paradox of Human Happiness
47 min
22
How to Build a Happy Life: How to Find the Secr...
Working Towards Happier Days at Work
38 min
23
How to Build a Happy Life: How to Know That You...
Staying Present and Breaking the Illusion of Stability
35 min
24
How to Build a Happy Life: How Not to Be Your O...
What It Means to Be Yourself
32 min
25
How to Build a Happy Life: How to Know You're L...
Loneliness, Lending a Hand, and Living Life Around People
38 min