Despite the fact that so many people profess to dislike making small talk, it turns out that talking to strangers and acquaintances can actually strengthen our mental health and enrich our lives. What do we gain from meeting new people? What have we been missing out on this past year as COVID-19 has restricted these social interactions? And how can we become better at talking to strangers? We discuss these questions with Gillian Sandstrom, PhD, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Essex who studies what she calls “minimal social interactions,” and Jon Levy, a consultant, writer and speaker who founded “the Influencers Dinner,” a regular gathering that brings together strangers who are leaders in their fields.
Links
Gillian Sandstrom, PhD
Jon Levy
How to fail successfully, with Amy Edmondson, PhD, and Samuel West, PhD
Why diversity matters, with Robert Sellers, PhD
The benefits of being bilingual, with Viorica Marian, PhD
Encore - How to get unstuck with Adam Alter, PhD
Encore - Living a happy single life, with Geoff MacDonald, PhD
Why we learn best through play, with Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD
Why we need hope, with Chan Hellman, PhD, and Jacqueline Mattis, PhD
Stopping the spread of misinformation, with Sander van der Linden, PhD
Treatment and recovery from serious mental illness, with Kim Mueser, PhD
How to have great conversations, with Charles Duhigg and Michael Yeomans, PhD
Caregiving as a source of stress and strength, with William Haley, PhD
OCD myths and realities, with Dean McKay, PhD, and Uma Chatterjee
Why do we love scary movies? with Coltan Scrivner, PhD
Why do we dream With Mark Blagrove PhD
What do we get from celebrity crushes? With Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster, PhD, and Karen Dill-Shackleford, PhD
How to help with math anxiety, with Molly Jameson, PhD
What’s the difference between guilt and shame? With June Tangney, PhD
Why are people drawn to extreme sports? With Eric Brymer, PhD
Why it’s important to talk about money, with Wendy De La Rosa, PhD
How hormones and the menstrual cycle affect mental health, with Tory Eisenlohr-Moul, PhD
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