309. The psychology of parasocial relationships
The Psychology of your 20s
iHeartPodcasts
4.9 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 1 July 2025
⏱️ 62 minutes
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Summary
Why do we form intense, one-sided bonds with people we've never met? From favourite podcasters and social media influencers to beloved fictional characters, parasocial relationships are a defining feature of modern life – but what do these seemingly non-reciprocal connections truly reveal about our need for connection? In today’s episode, we explore the psychology of parasocial relationships: why our brains are wired for these intimate-at-a-distance bonds, and how they play a surprisingly significant role, especially in our twenties.
We explore:
- Characteristics of parasocial relationships
- Why our ancient brains are predisposed to form these connections
- The parasocial relationships spectrum, from casual engagement to pathological obsession
- The profound positive benefits of companionship and role modelling
- When parasocial relationships become imbalanced
- How to cultivate healthy engagement with online personalities
Whether you feel like you're best friends with a YouTuber or just curious about the invisible ties that bind us to media figures, this episode is for you.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This is an IHeart podcast. |
| 0:05.1 | So what happened to Chappaquittic? |
| 0:07.2 | Well, it really depends on who you talk to. |
| 0:09.2 | There are many versions of what happened in 1969 |
| 0:11.7 | when a young Ted Kennedy drove a car into a pond. |
| 0:15.2 | And left a woman behind to drown. |
| 0:18.7 | Chappaquittic is a story of a tragic death |
| 0:20.7 | and how the Kennedy machine took control. |
| 0:23.4 | Every week, we go behind the headlines and beyond the drama of America's royal family. |
| 0:28.3 | Listen to United States of Kennedys on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. |
| 0:37.7 | Just like great shoes, great books take you places. |
| 0:41.4 | Through unforgettable love stories and into conversations with characters you'll never forget. |
| 0:46.6 | I think any good romance, it gives me this feeling of like butterflies. |
| 0:50.8 | I'm Danielle Robay, and this is bookmarked by Reese's Book Club, the new podcast from |
| 0:55.6 | Hello Sunshine and IHeart Podcasts, where we dive into the stories that shape us, on the page |
| 1:00.9 | and off. |
| 1:02.0 | Each week, I'm joined by authors, celebs, book talk stars, and more for conversations that |
| 1:07.2 | will make you laugh, cry, and add way too many books to your TVR pile. |
| 1:12.1 | Listen to Bookmarked by Reese's Book Club on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. |
| 1:19.0 | I also want to address The Tonys. |
| 1:22.6 | On a recent episode of Checking Game with Michelle Williams, I open up about feeling snubbed by the Tony Awards. |
| 1:29.5 | Do I? |
... |
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