Vanessa Van Edwards

This is for the over thinkers and people pleasers. New amazing episode!! @khloekardashian

HELLO MAY, HELLO FAVORITES! None of these are sponsored but CALL ME because they are truly my favorite things and I would love it From beauty to wellness to the random little things making my life better lately! None of these are sponsored but CALL ME because they are truly my favorite things and I would love it!

This was a question from one of our incredible People School students during office hours! Sometimes getting a B+ is actually the healthier option 😅 Highly neurotic people tend to put enormous pressure on themselves to overperform, overprepare, and overperfect everything. The problem is, eventually your standards stop helping you… and start exhausting you. A lot of ambitious people think their stress is the reason they succeed. But sometimes it’s the thing quietly burning them out. One of the biggest mindset shifts is realizing not everything needs to be optimized to death to still be successful. Want to know your personality type and where you fall on traits like neuroticism? Check out people school here! scienceofpeople.com/training/peopl…

Breaking down exactly what makes a profile stop-the-scroll, build instant trust, and convert—without feeling try-hard or overdone. I’m walking through what works, what’s intentional, and the subtle details most people miss. Can I glaze @Justinsua for this awesome example!? Did you realize there's a formula to this!? Are you trying any of these? What's worked for you? And of course, if you want me to analyze yours next, comment PROFILE!

We've all been there. A friend asks for advice....and we don't know how to comfort them. When someone has worries, your instinct might be to fix it. Don’t. The most powerful thing you can do is acknowledge it. Not: “you’re fine” Not: “don’t worry” But: “that makes sense” “I can see why you’d feel that way” Acknowledgment calms the nervous system. It tells their brain: I’m safe. I’m understood. And from there? That’s when real support actually lands. Want the exact phrases + frameworks I teach for high-stakes moments like this?

I’m often asked about the habits and rituals that help me prepare for busy days like this one, and honestly, the biggest thing I’ve learned is that performance starts long before you step into the room! I try to protect my energy by getting enough sleep, giving myself extra time so I’m not rushing, and creating as much calm as possible before a high-pressure moment. I also remind myself that nerves are not necessarily a bad sign. Usually they just mean I care! And wow - does @JenniferHudson make me feel so seen, and cared for! It’s such an immense privilege to be going back on the The Jennifer Hudson Show, and I’m incredibly grateful for every opportunity to have these conversations and share this work. Thankful to Jennifer and the entire team for making me feel so special!

As a working mom, it’s important to instill in my daughter that she’s capable of anything she puts her mind to. It’s also important for me to remind her how much she helps me just as much as I am able to guide and encourage her. I love involving my kids wherever I can and encourage you to do the same. How do you show your kids your professional side? Do you have any tips for me? #workingmom #mothersday

Posing. Subtle shifts, big impact! Confident people pose differently, and it has nothing to do with being more attractive or more comfortable on camera. It comes down to behavior. When someone knows what to do with their body, they naturally look more grounded, more relaxed, and more self-assured! Most people freeze because they’re thinking about how they look instead of what they’re doing. That’s when you get stiff posture, awkward hands, and that slightly unsure energy that shows up in photos. The shift is simple but powerful. Confident people create angles instead of facing the camera straight on. They shift their weight so their body looks natural, not rigid. Their hands are doing something, even if it’s subtle. And they keep a bit of movement in their body instead of locking into one position. It’s not about forcing confidence. It’s about removing uncertainty. When your body has direction, your presence follows.

@Quirky_Idealist @TIME Thank you!🥰

@vvanedwards @TIME Congratulations 🥳🥳

Honored to be featured by @TIME — one of those full-circle, career-defining moments. Grateful, energized, and just getting started.

@BenjAltman @TIME Thank you!!💗💗

@vvanedwards @TIME Congratulations @vvanedwards !

They gave people a “scar”… then secretly removed it. But here’s the wild part— participants still walked into the room feeling judged, self-conscious, and insecure. Nothing was there. But their behavior didn’t change. That’s how powerful your beliefs are. You’re not reacting to reality— you’re reacting to the story you think is true. How many “scars” are you carrying that no one else can even see?

The quickest way to become more confident is to become more competent.

black cat on vacation: do not perceive me. i’ve been horizontal for 3 hours, phone on DND, iced coffee in hand, silently judging the beach crowd golden retriever on vacation: up at 6am, found 3 new friends, booked a spontaneous boat day, already tan, thriving, unstoppable! same trip. same hotel. completely different energies 🐈‍⬛✨🐕 be honest… which one are you 👀

@IsadoraBuish 😂🫶

@vvanedwards 😂😂😂 I’ll try! Awesomeness

Am I the only one who feels this way or…

@mrshaleyjo Yay, thank you!❤️❤️

@vvanedwards Yes! I just finished my BS in Psych and I have been wanting something like this! It’s hard to trust data from studies when they are so hard for people to participate in! It’s like where are all of these participants hiding! Can’t wait to check it out. You’re great, Vanessa!

Big news: We launched Science of People Labs!🧪 Details are in my bio! Labs is a place where you can participate in real human behavior studies, help shape new research, and learn alongside us! If you've ever wanted a behind-the-scenes seat in how social science happens, this is it. Join us inside the lab!

Check out the LABS tab at the top of our Science of People website! This is where you can find all things research! 🧪

@BustedHalo Thank you Catherine & Busted Halo! This made my day!

Can we transform #smalltalk? Catherine Anne Sullivan says yes. She shares what she learned from @vvanedwards about connecting with others and shares her own tips for making small talk meaningful. Read here: buff.ly/PHL7LdX

We’ve all had that moment. Someone remembered your name. Asked the follow-up question. Noticed when you were quiet. Made you feel like you mattered. And somehow, you remember that moment years later. Because people may forget what you said, but they never forget how you made them feel. Being seen, heard, and valued is one of the greatest gifts we can give another person. It’s not about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about making the person in front of you feel important while they’re with you. That’s what people remember.