Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Missing Each Other summary
Edward Brodkin
Ashley Pallathra
How to Cultivate Meaningful Connections
24 mins
Brief summary
Missing Each Other by Edward Brodkin and Ashley Pallathra explores the importance of positive communication in relationships, with practical advice for enhancing emotional connection and resolving conflicts.
Table of Contents
Missing Each Other
Summary of 7 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 7
Attunement helps us build strong and intimate social bonds.
Imagine you knock on a friend’s door. But when she answers, you can see that something’s off. You don’t get the usual grin and hug – instead, she greets you with a quiet hello and a slight frown. As you step inside, she mentions that her pet has just died.
How do you react? Well, that depends. Maybe your friend is devastated by the loss and wants to sob, mourn, and be comforted. She may need a shoulder to cry on. Or perhaps she’s upset but doesn’t want to dwell on the pain. So, instead, you lift the mood by telling stories and jokes.
In either case, you’re sensing her emotional state and reacting appropriately. This process is called attunement and it’s an essential part of human relationships.
The key message here is: Attunement helps us build strong and intimate social bonds.
Humans are social creatures. Over the millennia, we’ve relied on mutual cooperation to survive and thrive. As a result, we’ve evolved a deep need to connect with one another. This tendency is apparent right from birth – just look at how infants gaze at the faces of their caregivers, how they reach for that friendly smile. As we age, we refine this impulse into social skills that help us build happy and healthy relationships.
Attunement is a social skill that lies right at the foundation of all human contact. At its most basic, it’s the power to sense and understand our own emotions and the emotions of others. This skill helps us align the two in a productive way. When two people are attuned to each other, they share a profound connection and intimacy.
Attunement can come in many forms; it can encompass the full spectrum of human emotions. It could look like a parent and child playing and laughing together. Or like two academics engaged in a deep and engrossing discussion. When jazz musicians fall into an improvisational groove, this is also a form of attunement. In each of these situations, the people involved are united because they’re sharing an intense emotional bond.
Unfortunately, in today’s world, moments of attunement are rare. Our busy lives allow little time to truly connect with each other, and new technologies like social media encourage us to have fleeting, superficial interactions. These circumstances leave many feeling lost and lonely. However, with a little effort, it’s possible to bring attunement back into your life. We’ll explore how in the next blinks.
Want to see all full key ideas from Missing Each Other?
Key ideas in Missing Each Other
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Missing Each Other about?
Missing Each Other (2021) is a scientifically sound exploration of human connection. This wide-ranging primer explains how to truly bond with others in our fast-paced world.
Missing Each Other Review
Missing Each Other (2021) explores the complexities of human connection in the digital age, inviting readers to reflect on the significance of genuine interaction. Here's why this book is a valuable read:
- It provides a thought-provoking examination of the impact of technology on our relationships, highlighting the need for meaningful connections in a digital world.
- Through compelling personal stories and expert insights, the book offers a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities that arise in our modern era.
- With its practical tips and strategies for cultivating deeper connections, this book offers readers tangible ways to enhance their relationships and bridge the gap between virtual and real-life interactions.
Best quote from Missing Each Other
Think of attunement like a muscle that can grow with training and consistent practice.
—Edward Brodkin and Ashley Pallathra
Who should read Missing Each Other?
- Lonesome people looking to link with others
- Bad communicators seeking better ways to connect
- Anyone interested in the psychology of alienation
Categories with Missing Each Other
Book summaries like Missing Each Other
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Missing Each Other FAQs
What is the main message of Missing Each Other?
The main message of Missing Each Other is that understanding and restoring emotional connection is essential for healthy relationships.
How long does it take to read Missing Each Other?
The reading time for Missing Each Other varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Missing Each Other a good book? Is it worth reading?
Missing Each Other is a thought-provoking book worth reading. It explores the intricacies of human connection and provides insights into building stronger relationships.
Who is the author of Missing Each Other?
The authors of Missing Each Other are Edward Brodkin and Ashley Pallathra.
What to read after Missing Each Other?
If you're wondering what to read next after Missing Each Other, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Ten Arguments for Deleting your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier
- Raising a Secure Child by Kent Hoffman
- How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price
- The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber
- The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry
- Raising Securely Attached Kids by Eli Harwood
- Get to the Point! by Joel Schwartzberg
- The Joy of Missing Out by Tanya Dalton
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey