# Why being ‘a little more social’ makes us happier than we expect, with Nicholas Epley, PhD

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/speaking-of-psychology-169410/why-being-a-little-more-social-makes-us-happier-than-we-expect-with-nicholas-epley-phd
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/speaking-of-psychology-169410/why-being-a-little-more-social-makes-us-happier-than-we-expect-with-nicholas-epley-phd.md
Podcast: [Speaking of Psychology](https://stenobird.com/podcast/speaking-of-psychology-169410)
Published: 2026-05-20T07:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/AMERICANPSYCHOLOGICALASSOCIATION6998977840.mp3?updated=1779114649
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/AMERICANPSYCHOLOGICALASSOCIATION6998977840.mp3?updated=1779114649
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology-169410/episodes/why-being-a-little-more-social-makes-us-happier-than-we-expect-with-nicholas-epley-phd
Duration seconds: 2396

## Resource

From chatting with a stranger on the train to reaching out to an old friend, everyday social interactions make us happier than we realize. Yet many people avoid these moments because they expect them to feel awkward or uncomfortable. Nicholas Epley, PhD, author of ‘A Little More Social,’ discusses why people consistently underestimate how much they’ll enjoy all kinds of social interactions; the psychology behind small talk and deep conversations; how technology is changing the way we connect; and why even brief moments of connection can improve our happiness, health and well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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