Why Riff on Relationships?
You don’t need to be a relationship scientist to know that relationships are essential for happiness, health, and success. But in case you have doubts, research consistently shows that building good relationships is the cornerstone of “the good life.”
The trouble is… relationships can be hard.
Whether it’s navigating a recurring argument with a friend or colleague, a persistent feeling of being misunderstood, a growing distance in your long-term partnership, or a relationship between your most important life roles that seems in perpetual conflict, relationships between people and roles often leave us feeling bewildered.
The truth is, even the best relationships come with challenges: tension, misunderstandings, managing differing needs, lack of intimacy, or figuring out how to move forward after trust has been broken.
Thankfully, relationship science offers valuable tools for so many of our most complex dilemmas. While there are no simple recipes, evidence-based principles and strategies can help us understand and communicate better, foster connection, and rebuild trust. Given how deeply relationships impact our well-being, this science is a powerful guide for creating more meaningful, satisfying relationships between people and roles.
About Yael
I’m Yael Schonbrun—a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, writer, Podcast host at Off The Clock Psychologist, mom of three boys, and nap enthusiast.
I’ve spent my career studying, writing about, and practicing the art and science of relationships. My work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more. Whether in the therapy room, the lecture hall, or at home with my family, I lean on social science to guide thriving in the connections between people and roles.
Hub Today link
Why Subscribe?
What You’ll Get
Fresh, science-backed insights on building stronger, healthier relationships between people and life roles.
Practical tools for navigating the challenges of partnerships, friendships, family, work relationships, and the relationship between demanding life roles.
Stories, research, and advice to inspire meaningful connection and resilience.
Delivered straight to your inbox, my Substack is a place for us to explore what it means to thrive relationally.
Here are three that I know you will enjoy starting with.
About Paid Subscriptions
All of my content is available for free, but paid subscriptions ($50/year) help support the time and resources it takes to create this newsletter. Paid subscribers also gain access to twice-yearly Zoom calls, where we:
Discuss relationship books in an informal book club
Share updates on my current work
Host Q&A sessions on relational science
Plus, proceeds from paid subscriptions go toward a non-profit supporting victims of domestic violence. It’s a way to invest in relational growth while giving back.
Let’s Connect!
I’d love to hear from you—whether you have a favorite relationship book to recommend, a question about relational science, or a story to share. Together, we can grow and thrive in our relational lives.
Fun Fact
My name might seem tricky to pronounce, but don’t let that stop you! Learning to say new names is a wonderful way to build connections. Check out this link to practice, and you’ll be better prepared the next time you meet someone with a name like mine.
Thank You!
Thank you for being part of this journey toward better relationships and a richer, more connected life. If you enjoy what you’re reading, please share this newsletter with friends and family who might find it helpful.
