Nobody likes small talk, right? That may be so, but it doesn’t make small talk any less important as an overture to the more interesting topics you actually want to talk about. In Better Small Talk, social interaction specialist Patrick King argues that small talk is a critical part of any conversation and that you need to master the art of small talk to have better, more meaningful conversations. In this guide, you’ll learn how to engage someone in the dreaded small talk and how to become a better conversationalist, storyteller, and listener overall.

In addition to presenting King’s strategies, we’ll also share psychological insights on human communication and tips from other communication experts, and we’ll draw connections between different parts of the book to enhance your understanding of the material.

Do you avoid small talk because you find it intimidating or lacking in value? If so, The Fine Art of Small Talk is your ticket to conversational success. According to Debra Fine, small talk is a skill well worth developing because our careers, romantic prospects, and social lives depend on connecting with other people. Indeed, it’s difficult to succeed socially without small talk because it establishes the emotional tone of our interactions and helps us gauge how deeply we’d like to connect with each other.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through Fine’s small talk tips and her ideal conversational process step by step—from first introduction to exiting the conversation—teaching you everything you need to appear confident and engaging in any context. We’ll also compare Fine’s ideas to those of other communications experts—for instance, Dale Carnegie—and weave in psychological research that sheds light on the mechanics of communication. Learn how to break the ice with strangers, keep a conversation going, and avoid the most common conversational pitfalls—in a way anyone can follow.

For many people, making small talk feels like a special form of torture, with awkward pauses, forced smiles, and the desperate search for something—anything—to say next. But small talk doesn't have to be painful. These 10 practical strategies will help you turn dreaded interactions into opportunities for genuine connection.

Do you feel uneasy about attending social events or lack confidence when talking to people outside your social circle?

In this Master Guide, we’ll explore how to confidently approach and engage in conversations with new people. Our guide compiles suggestions and techniques from a range of authors and experts—including communication and body language experts, a charisma coach, an award-winning public speaker, an emotional intelligence expert, and a self-proclaimed “recovering awkward person.” These suggestions and techniques cover:

• Insights into what makes people want to converse with you
• Techniques to appear more approachable—without saying a word
• Strategies for approaching others and initiating conversations with ease
• Ideas for maintaining smooth-flowing conversations and concluding them on a positive note

You'll come away with an increased sense of comfort and confidence about attending social events and meeting new people.

Nobody likes small talk, right? That may be so, but it doesn’t make small talk any less important as an overture to the more interesting topics you actually want to talk about. In Better Small Talk, social interaction specialist Patrick King argues that small talk is a critical part of any conversation and that you need to master the art of small talk to have better, more meaningful conversations. In this guide, you’ll learn how to engage someone in the dreaded small talk and how to become a better conversationalist, storyteller, and listener overall.

In addition to presenting King’s strategies, we’ll also share psychological insights on human communication and tips from other communication experts, and we’ll draw connections between different parts of the book to enhance your understanding of the material.

For many people, making small talk feels like a special form of torture, with awkward pauses, forced smiles, and the desperate search for something—anything—to say next. But small talk doesn't have to be painful. These 10 practical strategies will help you turn dreaded interactions into opportunities for genuine connection.

Feeling alone on Valentine’s Day (or any other day)? You’ve likely heard all the usual advice for coping with loneliness—text a friend, snuggle with your pet, or try a new hobby. Instead of quick fixes, what if we look to deeper wisdom? In this article, we explore four Great Thinkers’ perspectives on loneliness and its antidote.

Feeling stressed, depressed, or just generally unhealthy? Consider the last time you went outside. In The Nature Fix, Florence Williams contends that humans have an innate affinity for nature, and thus the antidote to many of our physical and mental ailments is a good dose of the outdoors. From the practice of forest bathing in Japan to horticulture therapy in Sweden and river rafting in Idaho, Williams explores how researchers are tapping into the healing power of nature—and what those of us living in the urban jungle can do to reap its benefits.

Our guide begins by discussing how our lives and health have changed as we’ve increasingly become a city-dwelling species. Then, we’ll explore the research-backed benefits of being outdoors and take a look at how different countries are supporting their citizens’ health by giving them better access to nature. We’ll conclude with Williams’s prescription for using nature to improve our well-being. We’ll also include other experts’ and authors’ insights into the relationship between nature and health.

In an age where digital connection has never been easier, an invisible epidemic of isolation threatens our well-being. In Together, former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy reveals that loneliness is a public health crisis with consequences as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes daily. Through research and personal narratives, he demonstrates how our evolutionary need for connection shapes our biology and society, and he offers practical solutions for rebuilding meaningful relationships.

In this guide, we'll explore Murthy's framework for understanding the loneliness epidemic, from its definition and prevalence to its biological foundations and health consequences. We'll also discuss Murthy's multi-level strategies for fostering deeper connections in your life and community. Throughout this guide, we'll supplement Murthy's analysis with commentary exploring neuroplasticity research on social brain development, cultural differences in experiencing loneliness, and innovative models for combating the loneliness epidemic. We'll also incorporate insights from experts in other fields including anthropologist Robin Dunbar, Jan Gehl (Cities for People), and Robert Putnam (Bowling Alone).

In How to Know a Person, New York Times columnist David Brooks argues that our ability to truly understand and connect with others is in crisis. As a result, we have problems like political polarization, mental health issues, and an epidemic of loneliness. Brooks contends that by rediscovering the lost art of “knowing” people, we can bridge divides, foster empathy, and rebuild our moral character.

This guide explores Brooks’s key insights on seeing people as individuals, appreciating diverse perspectives, and recognizing the inherent dignity of every person around you. You’ll learn practical strategies for deeper listening, asking meaningful questions, and cultivating crucial social skills. We’ll also compare his insights on social behavior and relationships to those of other experts and look at how Brooks’s advice aligns with research on understanding and communicating with each other.

Defining moments are the small, meaningful moments that make our lives richer and give us fond memories to look back on. In The Power of Moments, brothers Chip and Dan Heath break down the elements of defining moments and teach you how to use them to make everyday experiences meaningful and memorable. You’ll learn how to elevate moments with delightful and deliberately random surprise, guide others to transformative truths, multiply your moments of celebration on your journey to a goal, and deepen your connections with the people around you.

In this guide, we’ll explore the psychological phenomena and developments of human nature that shape the Heaths’ ideas. We’ll also discuss ways you can meaningfully use the elements of defining moments in a range of settings and with an eye toward our rapidly changing and ever more tech-dependent world.