28. Dr. Marisa G. Franco, Friendship Expert on the Power of Platonic Love

Did you know there's actual research that indicates that most people like you more than you think they do? Well, Dr. Marisa G. Franco knows it, which is why she's writing a book all about how to make friends as an adult. Listen as Alisa and Merary discuss what real friendship looks like in their professional and personal lives.

"There's a point at which the desire to protect yourself becomes a harm. When you're rejecting people before they reject you and you're not experiencing the feelings of connecting with other people, the feeling of being replenished and rejuvenated, the feeling of being seen and known. All of those are something that you might be missing out on in your journey to self protect." – Dr. Marisa G. Franco, PhD

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The Liking Gap
• Underestimating first impressions
• Making friends takes work
• You're more likable than you might think
• Self-protection vs. self-harm
• Being intentional about making friends
• Racial preferences and unconscious bias
• The highest honor of friendship

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More from Dr. Franco: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Psychology Today

More from Rosa: LinkedIn

More from Merary: MerarySimeon.com

More from Alisa: The Happy Cactus

The Highest Honor of Friendship (minute 18:19 in this episode) is an excerpt from a post on Wonderoak by Jess Johnston.