Why you should tell a friend about that embarrassing thing that happened | CNN

Kara Alaimo is a professor of communication at Fairleigh Dickinson University and teaches parents, students and teachers how to manage screen time. Her book “Over the Influence: Why Social Media Is Toxic for Women and Girls — And How We Can Take It Back” was published in 2024. Telling your boss or date that thing you weren’t sure you should reveal could be good for you. People often hold back too much, according to behavioral scientist Leslie John, a professor at Harvard Business School. Instead, you should share personal things with others, John argues in her new book, “Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing.” Hopefully they will reciprocate, and you can keep going back and forth by sharing. That’s how you can deepen relationships that are vital to your life, according to the book. I spoke to John about why sharing more can make people healthier and happier, how to decide whether to do it, and why she carries light bulbs with her when she travels. This conversation has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. CNN: You say if we share more about ourselves with other people, we’ll get more of what we want in life. How? Leslie John: We need people to tru

Mar 6, 2026 → Mar 25, 2026