How to Make Friends as an Adult | Ep477
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Making friends as an adult can be daunting, but Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, offers practical solutions in this episode of Succeed In Medicine. As the founding director of the UCLA PEERS Program, Dr. Laugeson shares insights from her globally recognized social skills training, used in over 150 countries. She joins host Brad to discuss how physicians can apply ecologically valid social skills to build friendships and network effectively. From starting cold conversations using common interests to joining group discussions without “policing,” Dr. Laugeson breaks down strategies like finding shared hobbies, hosting successful get-togethers, and resolving conflicts with active empathic listening and “I” statements. Whether you’re a busy parent or a new physician in an unfamiliar city, this episode provides actionable tips to forge meaningful connections and navigate social challenges with confidence.
Three Actionable Takeaways:
- Start Conversations with Common Interests – Initiate cold conversations or join group discussions by commenting on shared contexts (e.g., a conference session or a kids’ sports event), avoiding abrupt introductions or negative “policing” to build rapport naturally.
- Plan Get-Togethers Strategically – Match the setting to the friendship stage (casual for new connections, personal for established ones) and invite people with shared interests or compatible personalities to foster chemistry and connection.
- Resolve Conflicts Effectively – Use a structured approach to conflicts: stay calm, practice active empathic listening by paraphrasing the other person’s perspective, use “I” statements to explain your side, apologize for misunderstandings, and propose future-oriented solutions.
About the Show:
Succeed In Medicine covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!
About the Guest:
Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson is a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UCLA and a licensed clinical psychologist. As the founding director of the UCLA PEERS Program, she has developed evidence-based social skills interventions for individuals from preschool to adulthood, translated into over a dozen languages and implemented in more than 150 countries. She is also the author of The Science of Making Friends and directs the UCLA Tarjan Center, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
Website: http://www.semel.ucla.edu/peers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-elizabeth-laugeson-526a584
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uclapeers?igsh=MzM2N3d0d2poenJv
About the Host:
Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and p
