Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Dr. Nick Epley, PhD, is a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago and a leading expert on the science of social connection. We discuss how seemingly small daily interactions with strangers (as well as with people we know) can meaningfully improve our mental and physical health. Dr. Epley also explains how to reduce social anxiety using simple and easily accessible science-supported tools. We also discuss the data on assumptions — both the ones we and others make — and why so often those are wrong when it comes to social dynamics.
Show notes: go.hubermanlab.com/NaH2OiO
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: drinkag1.com/huberman
Wealthfront*: wealthfront.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: eightsleep.com/huberman
Function: functionhealth.com/huberman
LMNT: drinklmnt.com/huberman
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Threads: threads.net/@hubermanlab
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Timestamps
00:00:00 Nick Epley
00:02:29 Assumptions about Other Thoughts; Inferring Behavior
00:09:03 Eye Gaze, Social Cues
00:14:27 Sponsors: Wealthfront & Eight Sleep
00:17:18 Tone, Voice vs Writing; AI; Public Figures & Ambiguity
00:29:59 Importance of Social Connection, Communication Types
00:37:18 Social Isolation, Self-Worth
00:42:33 Sponsor: AG1
00:44:16 Social Media, Conversation & Responsiveness
00:47:52 Social Connection & Cooperation; Adopted Children
00:57:04 Connecting with Strangers, Manners
01:02:52 Fear of Strangers, Tool: Small Moments for Connection
01:08:50 Sponsor: Function
01:10:28 Connection to Humanity, Strangers; Extroversion & Well-Being
01:22:26 Social Anxiety & Changing Beliefs; 100 Days of Rejection
01:33:52 Perceived Creepiness, Social Anxiety; Developing Social Skills
01:41:40 Sponsor: LMNT
01:43:00 Initiating Conversation, Testing Cues, Pessimistic Expectations
01:47:00 Social Gatherings; Blessings of Children with Down Syndrome
01:59:43 Parents, Shame, Children Challenges; Supporting Kids’ Pursuits
02:09:17 Outdoors, Hunters, Conservation, Social Connection
02:17:39 Modeling Social Interactions for Kids, Tool: Habits Awareness
02:27:42 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
*This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. Andrew Huberman receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for paid testimonials in his podcast, creating a conflict of interest. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.30% on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.05% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Additional terms and conditions apply, which can be found on Wealthfront.com/Huberman. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.
#hubermanlab
Disclaimer & Disclosures: hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
Dr. Nick Epley, PhD, is a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago and a leading expert on the science of social connection. We discuss how seemingly small daily interactions with strangers (as well as with people we know) can meaningfully improve our mental and physical health. Dr. Epley also explains how to reduce social anxiety using simple and easily accessible science-supported tools. We also discuss the data on assumptions — both the ones we and others make — and why so often those are wrong when it comes to social dynamics.
Show notes: go.hubermanlab.com/NaH2OiO
Thank you to our sponsors
AG1: drinkag1.com/huberman
Wealthfront*: wealthfront.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: eightsleep.com/huberman
Function: functionhealth.com/huberman
LMNT: drinklmnt.com/huberman
Follow Huberman Lab
Instagram: instagram.com/hubermanlab
Threads: threads.net/@hubermanlab
X: https://x.com/hubermanlab
Facebook: facebook.com/hubermanlab
TikTok: tiktok.com/@hubermanlab
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman
Website: hubermanlab.com
Newsletter: hubermanlab.com/newsletter
Timestamps
00:00:00 Nick Epley
00:02:29 Assumptions about Other Thoughts; Inferring Behavior
00:09:03 Eye Gaze, Social Cues
00:14:27 Sponsors: Wealthfront & Eight Sleep
00:17:18 Tone, Voice vs Writing; AI; Public Figures & Ambiguity
00:29:59 Importance of Social Connection, Communication Types
00:37:18 Social Isolation, Self-Worth
00:42:33 Sponsor: AG1
00:44:16 Social Media, Conversation & Responsiveness
00:47:52 Social Connection & Cooperation; Adopted Children
00:57:04 Connecting with Strangers, Manners
01:02:52 Fear of Strangers, Tool: Small Moments for Connection
01:08:50 Sponsor: Function
01:10:28 Connection to Humanity, Strangers; Extroversion & Well-Being
01:22:26 Social Anxiety & Changing Beliefs; 100 Days of Rejection
01:33:52 Perceived Creepiness, Social Anxiety; Developing Social Skills
01:41:40 Sponsor: LMNT
01:43:00 Initiating Conversation, Testing Cues, Pessimistic Expectations
01:47:00 Social Gatherings; Blessings of Children with Down Syndrome
01:59:43 Parents, Shame, Children Challenges; Supporting Kids’ Pursuits
02:09:17 Outdoors, Hunters, Conservation, Social Connection
02:17:39 Modeling Social Interactions for Kids, Tool: Habits Awareness
02:27:42 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter
*This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. Andrew Huberman receives cash compensation from Wealthfront Brokerage for paid testimonials in his podcast, creating a conflict of interest. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.30% on cash deposits as of January 30, 2026, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.05% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Additional terms and conditions apply, which can be found on Wealthfront.com/Huberman. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value.
#hubermanlab
Disclaimer & Disclosures: hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
