Masquerading as a liberal rag. Pro-Israel, justifying the murder of children. Do not support.

This is a show about big, important topics, told through the lens of a couple of people living in a bubble. It has that production style that makes you think you’re listening to a smart, well-produced podcast that’s going to be enlightening. It’s not though. It is shocking that so much content can be produced on a topic without even touching on the meat and potatoes of it.

Each series has struck me in such a different way. I share episodes with people all the time, and strike up conversations with people about topics from the show. I actually got so panicked at one point about the idea that this could go away some day that I did ask for a digital subscription to the Atlantic for my birthday, so I added my support in that way and now I love reading the Atlantic “for free” and doing the crosswords. Thank you so much for this podcast, it really enriches my life!

I enjoy listening to this podcast because the topics are excellent and the guests they have on are top-notch. However, I find I’m continuously annoyed by the lack of perspective on the show. The “How to look busy” episode is a perfect example - the whole show assumed everyone had the ability to have tons of free time and just weren’t using it because business is a social status now. To me, a discussion on this topic feels incomplete without acknowledging the systematic elements that are keeping certain demographics chronically overworked, namely the staggering and increasing cost of living particularly for millennials and Gen Z, the longtime stagnation of wages, the breakdown to the nuclear family model and increase in living alone, the lack of childcare, healthcare, and meaningful support for disabled people, etc. Sure, some people are addicted to being perceived as busy, and if you want your show to focus on just them, maybe say that. This is just one example of a chronic issue with the show. Perhaps not a problem if upper middle class and higher is their target demographic.

mindful. beautiful. real.

My favorite have been season 1 and season 5. I can listen to these at work and reclaim the time that didn’t feel like mine anymore. Highly recommend!

Season 5 should have been launched as a new podcast, because this is presented as a totally new show. Love that it goes from the very practical to very philosophical, because it’s these philosophical questions that help put time, your life, your values, and your priorities all into perspective. Highly recommend.

excited to listen as

I honestly love it, I've always thought school was just too much to think about because I have no idea what I would do, but it just lit up like a lightbulb, and led me to think about school in a different different way. The topics and conversations align so much with what I think already, makes me feel guided.. by the way, I'm literally googling right now....Should I become a sociologist? 🫶

Although it does not exactly give you a direction as to how to talk to people or how to live a happy life, the show has nudged me into a more positive and supportive way of thinking about life in general. Definitely a great show that I’d recommend to a friend.

I can already tell this show belongs in the trash 🗑️

I loved season 1 but season 2 is getting hard to listen to, i might have to completely skip this one. The main girl is extremely hard to listen to because she seems to very out of touch with reality. “i’ve always been in a relationship” congrats you need therapy.

Great combination of education, journalism and personalization. I am really enjoying the information and look forward to using this to improve my daily interactions. A great way to present self-help info. without being preachy.

I’ve only listened to the first episode of season 4 — I saw an ad for the season and came psyched for an interesting, research-based take on the complexities of socializing. Unfortunately the first episode did not deliver. Mostly anecdotes, producers’ personal takes on what they like and dislike about small talk. Not to slam the makers of the show, I appreciate their interest and efforts to shed light on the real crisis of loneliness across America. But this was not a sociological exploration of how those forces are at work and what individuals can do in our daily lives. It was like… “I don’t like talking about the weather. Do you?”

It’s decent content. Clearly a lot of reviewers here have an unconscious (or conscious) bias against women, based on their comments. The show starts interesting conversations and doesn’t really give a Rx of “how to,” but that allows listeners to think on their own with the considerations from what was said. I cannot stress how much I hate the intro “song” though. I think I unsubscribed before because of it, but I’ll give it another go;)

Love all seasons of this podcast! It’s too bad that lots of reviewers don’t like the sound of women’s voices …

This podcast has nothing to do with “how to talk to people” and is just two girls chatting with remote psychology references. The loneliness episode has nothing to do with discussing / addressing loneliness and just takes the cheap route of blabber about white men and privilege?

I do truly love the topics and conversations throughout this podcast. However, it’s been incredibly hard to listen to the gals on season 2. Dear lord those ladies need therapy.

The premise is good. The delivery is atrocious. Imagine being trapped in a college dorm with a bunch of freshman valley girl psych majors interweaving rudimentary snippets of their psychology 101 class with the banality of their lived experiences. Every other word is “like” and every vacant pause is a cascade of mushy giggles. It’s hard to take this seriously when the execution is so lackluster. There are vastly superior shows available.

Improve my mental health

10 minutes in and I’m still waiting for some substance that addresses HOW to make or engage in small talk. Instead, lots of indefinite interrogative sentences I would call chitchat, lots of tics such as “I mean” and “like” and “y’a know.” Slang (“coming in hot”) not insight, instruction, models or standards of successful small talk— NO SUBSTANCE. I expected more from Atlantic writers.

How not to go it alone, really resonated in my own personal journey. So many times I don’t want to bother others with my problems or fears, but you mention that despite being independent we all need companionship and help. It makes me feel like less of an outlier to hear you speak on this.

This podcast should be titled “How to find, invent, and contrive situations where people have to respond to you”. Interesting how the 1 thing they never talk about is actually how to talk to people. The hosts assume that you are an interesting talker; that once you begin chatting with someone, that alone will get them to reciprocate. Anyone who’s ever been in a social situation would know that the only thing people respond to is a person who can ADD VALUE through conversation. This podcast would have been more listenable had they given pointers for that, instead of what they actually delivered, which is, summed up “be bold and continue talking to enough people until you find someone willing to listen”. But really, no one likes boring, insipid chit chat. What to people like? Funny stories, great banter, Mr. life of the party. That’s it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried the crap advice of this podcast only to have the person walk away, ultimately to be swept up into the gravity of a Mr. Clown how cracks people the F up. I’m not that person. If you can’t add value to people’s daily lives, there’s no hope for you. Enjoy the isolated life… no one will want to be your friend. C’mon New Yorker, deliver me something of value. Can’t believe I listened to this podcast.

The idea for this podcast is a good one- and timely. Unfortunately, the speech in this podcast is no better than sitting at the local middle school listening to the average kid who has picked up on the worst speaking habits - “like”, vocal fry, up speech. It also misses some central points to this topic at hand- instead of spending a large portion of a podcast talking about how amazing your own support was during a hard time, maybe focus on how others can “NOT be alone” like the title says. If a person is listening to this podcast, they probably want to know how to build support and not hear about how you already have more than enough support. Just strange.

On multiple occasions, condemns white, straight, men (why does this come up in “How to Talk to People/How to Make Friends” podcast?) for ruining the country (after fighting a war for their families, mind you) and makes a stab at “white men” for being TOO lonely when their wives die (do “black men” not get TOO lonely after their wives die?) while admitting in the same breath it’s because that they gave their all to the relationship. These feminists don’t make sense and aren’t worth listening to.

I liked it

I know how to talk to people UGH so UGLY but it’s okay that is why I gave it 2 stars not 1 but I demand that you stop this nonsense right NOW if you don’t there will be GREAT CONSEQUENCES sorry just kidding not sorry hahaha😊 about the great consequences

I stumbled across this because I like to listen to people talk to help me sleep. This was not a sleeper conversation. “How to not go it alone” hit so hard that now I’m going to start from season one and see what else I’ve been missing. You rule. Thank you.

This podcast was so helpful in such a strange and unsettled time. It’s so important to get a pulse on the situation especially from a heart centered perspective!! Thank you so much. Fabulous work.

Love this so much! So many great tips and useful information! Also makes you feel like you are not alone being an introvert and awkward!

I really had hope for this pod, but upon listening I found myself getting bored and annoyed even listening at 2x the speed. Especially on episode 3, I thought this was going to help me and it wasted my time.

Really love these episodes! Definitely bingeable. Lots of useful content. Well researched and produced

Overproduced and totally vapid, this is one of those cultural products so stupid it serves to condemn its entire milieu. Amazing that NPR has some segment of people convinced that dropping in a jangly xylophone transition means you’re being deeply intellectual.

I loved this series and I’m a Speech Pathologist! Thank you!

Tried to this podcast a try. But one of the hosts sounds like she has a retainer in her mouth.

Really interesting topics and guests, great food for thought when I’m commuting or doing chores around the house. Love the hosts. So relatable and accessible to digest.

Almost Socratic approach to addressing topics in a challenging and interesting manner. Brings together diverse points of view from people w diverse backgrounds experienced in the topics. - Old WASPy white guy

It’s learning about connections and how to build them. Love this podcast.

I’ve really enjoyed the thoughtful conversations in this series. I find myself thinking about these topics long after I listen to an episode.

Way too much vocal fry and “sing songy” speech style. Insufferable.

I actually actively disagree with all of the perspectives, advice, and such - especially on epsiode 3. But, it's good to hear difference perspectives even if you don't agree.

Lacks of substance. Sounds like a gaggle of giggling girls on a night out. Every sentence was sprinkled with “like” that got tiresome. Could not stand more than about 15 minutes before signing out. Disappointing to say the least

Olga should stop saying “like” so much. It takes so much away from what she’s saying. For example, in the friends episode: “As I tried to make friends for my personality article like I felt so awkward and like basically like a five year old on the playground and being like do you wanna be friends with me? And like, like I would literally rather do anything else than ask another adult that question like I’m wondering if that’s a universal feeling or like or what?” I counted at least 100 from this episode from Olga and the first guest. Someone at the Atlantic noticed because most of the “likes” were removed from the episode transcript. It cheapens the show, especially because this is a highly regarded magazine. As a journalist, you would not write an article with that way, so don’t speak that way either. If you cannot be eloquent and sound professional, you should not host a podcast. Great subjects but it’s difficult to listen to someone speak so poorly.

I listened to the “how to make small talk” episode and it was horrible. Just a bunch of useless perspectives from white privileged women. No tips or social strategies about small talk. No science backed advice. Just these women giving their insight about why they love gossip. Incredibly dry and boring personalities along with useless content.

Need more substance

and I had to stop because I couldn’t stand the talking in questions? Upspeak makes me cringe. I expected WAY more quality and professionalism from The Atlantic.

No substance

I checked the show notes twice to be sure I wasn’t listening to an old episode from Teen magazine. The show hosts would do well to elevate the conversation…..so many of us have lost the art of fluid intelligent dialogue with new acquaintances. I am not confident this podcast will help in that regard.

Loved the show it reminded be of Robert Green’s philosophy of life. Down to earth and great advice. Thanks for all your work and for sharing your ideas. At 78 I can say I certainly agree with you.

Not for me !