Wild Connections

Social Life

Gossip, Power, and the Stories We Tell

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on March 13, 2026

Before dismissing gossip as harmful, consider how it helps humans track trust, reputation, and cooperation.

Before dismissing gossip as harmful, consider how it helps humans track trust, reputation, and cooperation.

Anxiety

Why We Resist Uncertainty and How to Get Better at It

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on February 15, 2026

Uncertainty makes us uncomfortable. Yet the research is clear: It is essential for growth. The challenge isn’t eliminating ambiguity but learning to navigate it.

Uncertainty makes us uncomfortable. Yet the research is clear: It is essential for growth. The challenge isn’t eliminating ambiguity but learning to navigate it.

Relationships

From Decay to Renewal

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on October 15, 2025

Understanding how attachment shapes our nervous system and learning to reframe endings as opportunities can help transform loss into growth.

Understanding how attachment shapes our nervous system and learning to reframe endings as opportunities can help transform loss into growth.

Animal Behavior

Social Currency: Insights from Chimpanzees

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 4, 2025

What chimpanzees teach us about trust, power, and connection—plus 3 strategies to build stronger relationships.

What chimpanzees teach us about trust, power, and connection—plus 3 strategies to build stronger relationships.

Relationships

How Animals—Including Us—Can Avoid Conflict Before It Starts

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on May 24, 2025

Social animals have developed remarkable ways to manage conflict and preserve relationships. What can their behavior teach us about staying connected, even when things get tough?

Social animals have developed remarkable ways to manage conflict and preserve relationships. What can their behavior teach us about staying connected, even when things get tough?

Environment

Reconnect With Nature to Improve Mental Well-Being

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on May 3, 2025

Simple, accessible experiences—like stepping outside to observe birds, journaling about what you see, or watching ants—can meaningfully improve mental health.

Simple, accessible experiences—like stepping outside to observe birds, journaling about what you see, or watching ants—can meaningfully improve mental health.

Boundaries

What We Need to Know About Setting Healthy Boundaries

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on January 19, 2024

We are responsible for communicating boundaries, warning others before they cross them, responding in proportion to the offense, and being consistent. Here's how to do it.

We are responsible for communicating boundaries, warning others before they cross them, responding in proportion to the offense, and being consistent. Here's how to do it.

Free Will

How Conforming Can Stifle Growth

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 28, 2023

Stepping out of our comfort zones lets us learn new approaches, appreciate diversity, and connect us all in a more meaningful way.

Stepping out of our comfort zones lets us learn new approaches, appreciate diversity, and connect us all in a more meaningful way.

Parenting

The Price of Entitlement

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 20, 2023

Personal Perspective: Fathers should teach their sons to master the art of accepting rejection with grace.

Personal Perspective: Fathers should teach their sons to master the art of accepting rejection with grace.

Career

Can We Stop Being Nepotistic?

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 4, 2023

As the hit series "Succession" demonstrated, family feuds can undermine the nepotistic advantages that should be enjoyed by close relatives. Killer whales know it, too.

As the hit series "Succession" demonstrated, family feuds can undermine the nepotistic advantages that should be enjoyed by close relatives. Killer whales know it, too.

Identity

What Is Home and How Do You Get There?

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on December 7, 2020

From staying home to going home or finding home, who we are is inextricably tied to a sense of place.

From staying home to going home or finding home, who we are is inextricably tied to a sense of place.

Fear

Swindling Others Is a Strategy

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on November 4, 2020

Is there a kleptoparasite in your midst? How to protect yourself from being swindled.

Is there a kleptoparasite in your midst? How to protect yourself from being swindled.

Fear

The Core Traits of Master Manipulators

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on October 10, 2020

Human manipulators and natural parasites have a few things in common, and discerning whether or not you are being manipulated is a critical skill.

Human manipulators and natural parasites have a few things in common, and discerning whether or not you are being manipulated is a critical skill.

Hormones

3 Surprising Ways Dads Connect With Their Kids

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 19, 2020

How important are dads? A look at how they bond with their kids provides a clue.

How important are dads? A look at how they bond with their kids provides a clue.

Empathy

What Parrots Can Teach Us About Kindness and Tolerance

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on March 14, 2020

When it comes to going out of your way to help someone out, even a stranger, it's the African grey parrot that shows us the way.

When it comes to going out of your way to help someone out, even a stranger, it's the African grey parrot that shows us the way.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Curbing COVID-19 Transmission

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on March 7, 2020

When it comes to slowing down the transmission of COVID-19, what does social distancing really mean, and why does it work? A look at what we know from animal social networks.

When it comes to slowing down the transmission of COVID-19, what does social distancing really mean, and why does it work? A look at what we know from animal social networks.

Consumer Behavior

4 Reasons to Change Our Perception of Re-Gifting

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on December 29, 2019

Did you receive a gift you don't like or that would be perfect for someone else? Here are a few reasons why regifting should be trendy.

Did you receive a gift you don't like or that would be perfect for someone else? Here are a few reasons why regifting should be trendy.

Stress

3 Ways to Improve Your Cognitive Flexibility

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on December 3, 2019

Is your everyday routine ruining your ability to adapt? A few small changes can help increase your cognitive flexibility.

Is your everyday routine ruining your ability to adapt? A few small changes can help increase your cognitive flexibility.

Teamwork

The Upside of Eating Together

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on November 29, 2019

How opening your home to others for a meal can foster a sense of community, support, and well-being.

How opening your home to others for a meal can foster a sense of community, support, and well-being.

Friends

Are You Feeling Neglected in Your Relationship?

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on September 12, 2019

Here is how you can take charge and bring about positive change—by thinking about animals!

Here is how you can take charge and bring about positive change—by thinking about animals!