As Rich has shown me, a good conversation can make you feel alive. It can stave off loneliness and brighten your mood in ways few other things can. You know what it feels like when you’ve reached this ...

Dear Eric: I have a friend I have known for decades. Normally when we speak on the phone, she talks about her life and concerns at great length. Now, I am growing a little weary that our conversations ...

Even though I am surrounded by so many people who love me, why do I feel alone? This feeling of not being understood has been my greatest love and my deepest despair. In a world of so much going on ...

Dear Eric: I recently had lunch with an old friend. We have known each other for more than 50 years and get together three or four times a year to catch up. On my way home, I realized that every time ...

We've all been there, nodding and scanning the room for an escape. Here are expert strategies for how to end a conversation ...

Every friendship begins with some sign that two people are interested in becoming friends. To make a new friend, we can communicate that we like a certain person, we want to spend time with them, and ...

Dear Eric: I recently had lunch with an old friend. We have known each other for more than 50 years and get together three or four times a year to catch up. On my way home, I realized that every time ...

What would you do if a friend were getting married, but you overheard his fiance saying bad things about your friend’s child? Would you stay out of it, or would you warn your friend? In today’s story, ...

Think back to your adolescent years. Maybe you remember a best friend. Not a Facebook friend (i.e., acquaintance) whom you validate online through “likes” and “shares,” but friend you spent real time ...

Q. I recently had lunch with an old friend. We have known each other for more than 50 years and get together three or four times a year to catch up. On my way home, I realized that every time I talked ...