Research shows we dread talking to strangers but we’re much happier when we actually do. These tools can help. Layoffs, tariffs, AI disruption, polarization, looming climate disaster. There are plenty ...

Science and data are important, research shows, but people are incredibly receptive to personal stories about public health.

New research finds that connecting with strangers not only boosts your mood—it helps build a kinder, more cooperative society ...

Higher education is designed to be a space for open inquiry and disagreement, but encouraging students to engage in constructive dialogue can be a challenge. A January survey by the American ...

Talking to strangers can open doors to new opportunities, relationships, and career advancements, especially for ambitious professionals on a six-figure career track. Mastering this skill not only ...

One thing that helps promote well-being is our social connections. Although bad relationships can, of course, undermine our health and well-being, and different people enjoy different amounts of ...

If you know me, you know I can talk with almost anyone, from the cashier at Hannaford to the local bank's president. I am endlessly curious about people, so I really enjoy talking with people and ...

The close relationships we have with romantic partners, family, friends and even co-workers enrich our lives in countless ways. But there’s another type of connection that’s meaningful but often ...

For decades, kids have been taught that all strangers can potentially be dangerous. From a young age, we have learnt that ...

Many of us were raised on this cautionary phrase rooted in sensationalist 80s media: Avoid anyone you don’t know, don’t make eye contact with random people on the street and definitely don’t smile or ...

I fly a lot. I have a typical routine on the plane. I pull out something to read or perhaps an iPad to watch a movie. I do my work. I don’t generally engage in much conversation with the person ...

Depending on your natural level of extraversion, you may view chit-chat with strangers more like a mild form of torture than a mood booster (as an introvert, I hear you). But the research is clear: ...