Ever felt like you "know" a celebrity, streamer, or fictional character? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into parasocial relationships: the one-sided bonds we form with people who may never know we exist.

We explore where the idea came from in the 1950s with psychologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl, how it's evolved with social media, and why our brains are wired to feel connected to people on screens.

You'll learn about:

• What parasocial relationships are (and how they differ from being a fan)

• Why we get attached to creators, celebrities, and characters

• The benefits: companionship, inspiration, identity, stigma reduction

• The risks: obsession, isolation, and when things cross the line

• Modern twists: stan culture, influencer marketing, AI companions, VTubers

• Myth-bus ...