10% Happier with Dan Harris 10% Happier with Dan Harris

Adam Grant Says You're Doing Relationships Wrong

Oct 14, 2026 · 1h 0m

Summary

Dan Harris and Adam Grant discuss myths about relationships in Grant’s new book, *Vibe*. They explore the "male friendship recession," distinguishing between allies, pals, and companions to build stronger bonds. Grant shares strategies for moving from small talk to deep connection, such as using bounded vulnerability and shared intense experiences. The conversation also covers how to give constructive feedback and why practicing healthy conflict is essential for lasting relationships.

Topics discussed

Introduction: Debunking relationship myths Why the book 'Vibe' is Adam Grant's most personal Overcoming childhood shyness and social awkwardness Accepting awkwardness and practicing self-compassion The cost of over-analyzing social interactions Sponsorship and show promotion Sponsorship: Prime Video's 'Carrie' Naming the mistake: Acknowledging friendship status The male friendship recession and lack of social scripts Defining the framework: Allies, Pals, and Companions The benefits of a versatile support network Strategy 1: Bounded vulnerability to deepen bonds Strategy 2: Asking questions to encourage sharing Strategy 3: Shared experiences and silence Valuing relationships as ends in themselves Gender differences in stress responses: Fight vs. Tend Sponsorships: Wayfair and 10% with Dan Harris app The myth of 'agreeing to disagree' Building muscle for difficult conversations Giving feedback with care and intention The value of asking for direct feedback The myth of never going to bed angry How intense experiences accelerate bonding Engineering team trust through mission-critical tasks Remote work, groupthink, and the value of in-person time Task cohesion vs. social cohesion in teams Closing remarks and book resources Newsletter promotion and credits Sponsorship: FlexCar
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