logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2019
20m 31s

Ep51: Surviving Small Talk

Beth Buelow
About this episode

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 question this episode: what can we do to make small talk less painful and more productive?

 

The inspiration from this episode comes from a recent presentation I gave at the MIT Media Lab. I was talking about being an introvert in an extroverted environment, and part of my message was about the value of small talk. And while I’ve made mention of that topic in previous talks and writing, the inclusion of it in my presentation was also inspired by a Sept 17 New York Times article titled, “The Awkward but Essential Art of Office Chitchat.” Since small talk is a huge part of the interpersonal communication we all engage in every day, I thought it was worth sharing a few thoughts on the topic here. Hosted by Beth L. Buelow, PCC. More information at howcanisaythis.com



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
May 2021
Claiming Space with Eliza VanCort
As the vintage advertising for Virginia Slims cigarettes told women, you’ve come a long way, baby. Women have carved out a bigger seat at the table over the past 70 years. But we still have challenges when it comes to our voices being heard.Our question this episode: How can wome ... Show More
43m 44s
Apr 2021
Pausing and People Pleasing with Alan Heymann
There are lots of things that get in the way of our ability to successfully handle conflict. They often have to do with a limiting mindset, a leaning towards people pleasing, misidentifying the root cause of the conflict, or not creating a safe environment for feedback or differe ... Show More
31m 44s
Apr 2021
The Language of DEI with Arlene Koth
Whether we’re aware of it or not, the past year has introduced most everyone to a new language. Words that we used in one context, such as equality, equity, diversity, belonging, and systems, are now taking on new meaning and are being used in new contexts. It’s not always easy t ... Show More
36m 38s
Recommended Episodes
May 2023
How to Talk to People: How to Make Small Talk
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 t ... Show More
37m 56s
Oct 2019
Small Talk & Social Awkwardness
In this episode, Ali tells us about a party(!) he recently attended, and how he approached the social interactions there. We talk about how we approach conversations with new people, whether it's okay to talk about "work" at social events, and, of course, the idea of "small talk" ... Show More
43m 54s
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
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
Mar 2021
Introverts, Extroverts and Identity Signals
In this episode, we begin by talking about Ali’s theory for what makes for a good blog post or YouTube video before a tweet from none other than Agnes Callard about introverts sends us down a path debating introversion, extroversion and signalling.-------------------------------- ... Show More
58m 8s
Feb 2021
Covid-19 et Edward Hopper : une solitude qui nous rassemble
Bienvenue dans Passerelles, un podcast pensé pour éveiller la curiosité des apprenantes et des apprenants de français. Dans chaque épisode, je partage avec vous une question inspirée par les podcasts que j'écoute, par mes lectures. Et tout simplement par des choses qui m'ont marq ... Show More
12m 40s
Jul 2022
Q: "How Do I Stop Negative Self-talk?"
It can speak to us in the middle of a work project, the middle of a date, or the middle of the night. The critical voice in our head telling us we're just not good enough and we're headed for failure. Listener Patricia Branigan wrote in to ask what we can do the quiet down this c ... Show More
31m 29s
Feb 2025
Encore: Having Hard Conversations: How to Avoid Being Avoidant
Hey, Fellow Travelers. This week, we’re checking in with Savannah, Ryan and Beth, Danica, and Amy to hear how our sessions have impacted their lives since we last spoke. All of them had trouble communicating with someone--a spouse, sibling, boyfriend--about an important issue in ... Show More
41m 21s