If you want stronger relationships with the people in your life, there’s one skill you can get better at right now: empathy. Empathy isn’t just something you feel. It’s something you practice – in the small, everyday moments when someone needs to feel understood, supported, remembered, or cared for. In this episode, Mel teaches you 4 simple, research-backed ways to practice empathy and build more trust, connection, and closeness with your partner, family, friends, coworkers, and even people you’ve just met. You’ll learn how to stop assuming you know what someone is feeling and truly understand them. You’ll see how to turn the thought “I should reach out” into real connection. And you’ll get how to show up for someone who is struggling without putting the burden on them to tell you what they need. Mel also shares fascinating research on connection, a powerful lesson from organizational psychologist Adam Grant on the small gestures that strengthen relationships, and an unforgettable story from the late Judge Frank Caprio about what it really means to see the person standing in front of you. You’ll learn: -The simple question that can help someone feel truly understood -How to get people to open up to you without pushing -How to stop overthinking and finally reach out -A better way to support someone who’s overwhelmed -How to show up for people in the good moments, too -The small actions that quietly build trust over time - How to create more moments of connection in your everyday life Strong relationships are built in the small moments. And when you start showing up differently in those moments, you don’t just make someone else’s life better. You make your own life better, too. This episode is sponsored by our exclusive insurance partner, Amica. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-446. Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah