FRIENDSHIP: Should You Be Friends With Your Family? (featuring Professor Arthur Brooks) episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 24, 2025 · 44 MIN

FRIENDSHIP: Should You Be Friends With Your Family? (featuring Professor Arthur Brooks)

from The Paula Faris Show · host That Sounds Fun Network

Should you be friends with your family? Should you keep trying when it gets hard? Harvard professor, bestselling author, and happiness expert Arthur Brooks joins me for a surprising and eye-opening conversation on what truly makes us happy—and why family plays a bigger role than most of us realize. From the science behind our deepest relationships to why conflict is normal (and even necessary), this episode tackles tough questions:→ Should you give up on a strained family relationship?→ How much effort is too much?→ What role does family really play in our identity and well-being? Arthur’s insights just might change how you view your own family—they did for me.  Plus, wait until you hear what Arthur’s doing with his own family that completely surprised me!  It’s the finale of our friendship series, and this conversation is packed with insight that could shift how you show up in your closest relationships.  Listen to learn more :  (01:21) Navigating Family Relationships for Happiness  (10:51) The Impact of Family Loss  (19:30) Family Conflict  (28:01) Parenting Strategies for College Transition  (30:39) Building Relationships Through Simple Communication  (33:25) Improving Relationships Through Communication  (39:39) Reconnecting With Family Relationships CONNECT WITH PROFESSOR ARTHUR BROOKS Sign up to receive Paula’s newsletter, where she keeps it real about what it’s like being a parent in America. And, if you’re a working mom, make sure you’re getting The CARRY ALL email, the load-lessening newsletter for and by working moms.    Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify app, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you be friends with your family? Should you keep trying when it gets hard? Harvard professor, bestselling author, and happiness expert Arthur Brooks joins me for a surprising and eye-opening conversation on what truly makes us happy—and why family plays a bigger role than most of us realize. From the science behind our deepest relationships to why conflict is normal (and even necessary), this episode tackles tough questions:→ Should you give up on a strained family relationship?→ How much effort is too much?→ What role does family really play in our identity and well-being? Arthur’s insights just might change how you view your own family—they did for me.  Plus, wait until you hear what Arthur’s doing with his own family that completely surprised me!  It’s the finale of our friendship series, and this conversation is packed with insight that could shift how you show up in your closest relationships.  Listen to learn more :  (01:21) Navigating Family Relationships for Happiness  (10:51) The Impact of Family Loss  (19:30) Family Conflict  (28:01) Parenting Strategies for College Transition  (30:39) Building Relationships Through Simple Communication  (33:25) Improving Relationships Through Communication  (39:39) Reconnecting With Family Relationships CONNECT WITH PROFESSOR ARTHUR BROOKS Sign up to receive Paula’s newsletter, where she keeps it real about what it’s like being a parent in America. And, if you’re a working mom, make sure you’re getting The CARRY ALL email, the load-lessening newsletter for and by working moms.    Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify app, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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FRIENDSHIP: Should You Be Friends With Your Family? (featuring Professor Arthur Brooks)

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This episode is 44 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 24, 2025.

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Should you be friends with your family? Should you keep trying when it gets hard? Harvard professor, bestselling author, and happiness expert Arthur Brooks joins me for a surprising and eye-opening conversation on what truly makes us happy—and why...

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