Marisa G. Franco Ph.D.

Platonic Life Partnerships Unveiled

Discover the history of Platonic life partnerships and how reintroducing this concept to our modern friendships can give us freedom to structure our lives as we'd want them to be.

Discover the history of Platonic life partnerships and how reintroducing this concept to our modern friendships can give us freedom to structure our lives as we'd want them to be.

The Importance of Lingering in a Friendship

Many people want to deepen their friendships but don't know how to do so. As it turns out, lingering with a friend provides the opportunity to do just that.

Many people want to deepen their friendships but don't know how to do so. As it turns out, lingering with a friend provides the opportunity to do just that.

Finding Your Chosen Family

Understanding what "chosen family" means, with a spotlight on queer communities.

Understanding what "chosen family" means, with a spotlight on queer communities.

When to End a One-Sided Friendship

One-sided friendships can feel confusing. Do you keep reaching out or do you move on? How do you decide? Based on the research, here’s how to make your choice.

One-sided friendships can feel confusing. Do you keep reaching out or do you move on? How do you decide? Based on the research, here’s how to make your choice.

What to Do With Your New Friend

Deciding what to do with a new friend can be daunting, but there is research that can help guide us.

Deciding what to do with a new friend can be daunting, but there is research that can help guide us.

The Science of Conflict

Conflict between friends is not easy, and many of us prefer to avoid it, but research shows that conflicts can be good or bad depending on their characteristics.

Conflict between friends is not easy, and many of us prefer to avoid it, but research shows that conflicts can be good or bad depending on their characteristics.