Julie Beck

The homogeneity of the suburbs has an upside: If strip malls and subdivisions remind you of home, you can feel nostalgic almost anywhere.

How do we overcome the awkwardness that keeps us from starting a conversation?

What eight decades of Goofus and Gallant illustrate about society’s changing expectations of children

American narratives about “freedom” can lead people to pursue what’s best for themselves by themselves. But they may also explain why many Americans miss out on the joys of coming together.

A commitment to knowing our neighbors can help us feel more connected—and may allow us to experiment with the feeling of being known.

Two married couples who bought a home together have found that expanding their household led to a deeper sense of community.

A culture that prioritizes romance and family relationships can push people to undermine their friendships.

The design of physical spaces can either encourage or discourage relationships. But people also have to be willing to slow down and take the opportunity to connect.

How do we overcome the awkwardness that keeps us from starting a conversation?

Senior editor Julie Beck and producer Rebecca Rashid explore the barriers of community building—in hopes of revealing the rewards of showing up.

Children have a folklore all their own, and the games, rhymes, trends, and legends that catch on spread to many kids across time and space.

I’ve spent more than three years interviewing friends for “The Friendship Files.” Here’s what I’ve learned.

“It’s shown me the extent to which human beings can be extraordinary to each other.”

“It happened because both parties were interested to make it happen.”

“As you find more common ground with someone, they become more of a person.”

“In our writing, it got to the point where we could no longer remember who wrote which sentences, or who came up with this or that idea.”

“I knew many old couples who had happy and loving arranged marriages. I thought, If it worked for them, why couldn’t it work for friendships?”

“Sometimes we need a friend to tell us what our inner voice is saying.”

“There’s no rule that says that you have to do kid-centric things when you’re parenting your child. Your kids just want to be a part of your life.”

“We can just let loose and be ourselves like we were when we were boys.”

“You need your friends abroad. You really need them; you don’t have family.”

“There’s a high level of emotional intelligence here, and love, that really makes it work.”

America has a love affair with “productive leisure.”

“It’s a perfect combination of all the things that friendship should be, put into a tiny piece of space-time every year.”

“Our friendship shows that if people have grace and compassion with one another, if that’s your priority in your relationships, then it doesn’t matter what you share. It doesn’t matter where you differ.”

“He writes things that I want to draw.” DC Comics’ Tom King, Mitch Gerads, Clay Mann, and Evan “Doc” Shaner on the friendship that helps them take artistic risks.

“We can’t always neatly break things into ‘friends’ or ‘more than friends.’ There’s different kinds of love.”

“I’d look at people, when they’d use the term best friend. I was like, I want one of those.”

“The bond that we have and the experiences that we’ve shared, I don’t really think ‘friends’ captures that.”

“I think about nonphysical connections as seeds for potential future physical connections—things that can blossom.”

“I probably wouldn’t have naturally fallen into friendship with Heather. It took a little more effort; it took a desire to really pursue getting to know someone.”

“It’s comforting to have a village of companions in this adventure to raise these children.”

“It really is the most unexpected thing that you can meet some of your best friends in your 30s. I thought that ship had sailed," Jessica St. Clair said of her friendship with fellow actor June Diane Raphael.

“We all dreamt, We’ll grow old together. We’ll be old ladies together. And we did.”

“I think we were meant to walk through this together.”

“I think we both experienced some culture shock coming here. It was lonely.”

“Judo found my house for me in Seattle. Judo gave me all my initial friends [there]. Judo introduced me to my girlfriend, who I live with currently. Judo introduced me to a guy who eventually helped me get my job.”

“You don’t have to stop learning; you don’t have to stop growing; you don’t have to stop adventuring.”

“The lessons I learned and the people I met have always influenced who I am as a person and as a parent. Those were formative years.”

“We’re not the typical kind of horse owners.”