How to Talk to Strangers (and make friends)

Sounds dramatic, but every friendship, opportunity, and connection starts with a conversation. So why is talking to strangers so hard? And how can we fix it?

In this episode, we’re breaking down:
Why our brains make socializing harder than it is
6 simple ways to start conversations (even if you’re shy)
The small talk debate: does it actually matter?
What a perfect government would do about loneliness

Articles we discussed in this episode:

• Mistakenly Seeking Solitude, Epley, N.; Schroeder, J.
• Keep Talking: (Mis)understanding the hedonic trajectory of conversation, Kardas, M.; Schroeder, J.; O'Brien, E.

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