Friendships are essential to our well-being. Here's how to foster stronger ones, according to a CSU researcher

In The NOCO

Friendships are an essential part of our well-being. Mental health experts say that loneliness is an epidemic that harms mental health and even physical health.

So, if you want to build better friendships – and strengthen the ones you already have – you might be wondering how to go about it.

Fortunately, there’s a bona fide “friendship expert” at Colorado State University.

Natalie Pennington is an assistant professor of communication studies, and she co-leads the American Friendship Project – an ongoing research study of the state of connection in the U.S.

Natalie spoke with Erin O’Toole in January and offered practical tips on how to build friendships – or reconnect with friends we haven’t seen for a while.

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Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole
Producer: Ariel Lavery
Executive Producer: Brad Turner
Theme music by Robbie Reverb
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.