Making small talk can be hard—especially when you’re not sure whether you’re doing it well. But conversations are a central part of relationship-building.
In this first episode of How to Talk to People, we explore the psychological barriers to making good small talk and unravel the complexities of the mutual discomfort that comes with talking to people we d ... Show More
Jan 2024
How To Make Small Talk Feel Big
Small talk has a bad reputation. It’s boring, shallow, and awkward. Who really wants to talk about the weather, again? But, when done right, it can be a cornerstone of connection. In this episode, Carvell Wallace is joined by Susan McPherson, the author of The Lost Art of Connect ... Show More
38m 30s
Oct 2019
Ep51: Surviving Small Talk
Most people dread it. Some people avoid it at all costs. We’ll skip the networking events, duck behind a big display in the store, or avoid eye contact in a public place. What am I talking about? Small talk. It’s something we all have to do, but we almost universally despise. Our ... Show More
20m 31s
May 2024
2169: Five Reasons We Talk “At” Each Other And How To Listen by Dr. Margaret Rutherford on Communication Skills
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2169:Explore practical ways to improve communication with your partner with Dr. Margaret Rutherford's enlightening insights ... Show More
11m 10s
Mar 2022
How To Speak Up So Others Listen
If you were to pop by Mary Ann’s PhD discussion group, you’d most likely find her quietly, but intently, listening to the debate going on around her. But when it comes time to actually throw in her two cents, she comes up short. She feels nervous. Her mind goes blank. And she lea ... Show More
35m 6s
Jan 2021
Misogyny, Generalisation and Controversial Topics
In this episode, we’re joined by our friend Sheen to discuss some complaints that a few listeners have raised over the years about this podcast having misogynistic undertones. We discuss some complaints about last week’s episode, and discuss the extent to which generalisation abo ... Show More
1h 52m
Jul 2024
2233: There are Better Things to Talk About Than Other People (and How to Gossip Less) by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2233:Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist explores the harmful effects of gossip and offers practical steps to avoid it, emp ... Show More
12m 5s