Most of us default to small talk. It's polite, familiar, and feels like the safest way to start a conversation. But it may also be one of the biggest barriers to genuine connection. Dr. Laurie speaks with author and metal-health advocate <a href="https://x.com/ClaireyLove" data-airgap-id="10">Claire Eastham</a> about her month-long experiment replacing small talk with deeper conversations while living with social anxiety.&nbsp; She also chats with psychologist <a href="https://www.nicholasepley.com/" data-airgap-id="11">Nicholas Epley</a> about why going deeper often scares us, what research reveals about opening up, and what happens when you tell a stranger about the last time you cried. Experts Mentioned: <ul> <li><a href="https://x.com/ClaireyLove" data-airgap-id="12">Claire Eastham</a>, author, blogger, and mental-health advocate</li> <li><a href="https://www.nicholasepley.com/" data-airgap-id="13">Nicholas Epley</a>, Professor of Behavioral Science and Faculty Director of the Roman Family Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business</li> <li><a href="https://www.psychology.stonybrook.edu/aronlab-/people/art.htm" data-airgap-id="14">Arthur Aron</a>, Professor of Psychology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook&nbsp;</li> <li><a href="https://hsperson.com/" data-airgap-id="15">Elaine Aron</a>, psychologist and author&nbsp;</li> </ul> Resources Mentioned: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1785920820?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback" data-airgap-id="16">We're All Mad Here: The No-Nonsense Guide to Living with Social Anxiety</a>, by Claire Eastham (2016)</li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593319540?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback" data-airgap-id="17">A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection</a>, by Nicholas Epley (2026)</li> <li>&ldquo;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0146167297234003" data-airgap-id="18">The Experimental Generation of Interpersonal Closeness: A Procedure and Some Preliminary Findings</a>,&rdquo; by Arthur Aron, Edward Melinat, Elaine Aron, Robert Darrin Vallone, and Renee Bator (Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 1997)</li> </ul> Related Episodes:&nbsp; <ul> <li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/the-surprising-case-for-oversharing" data-airgap-id="19">The Surprising Case for Oversharing</a>&rdquo;</li> <li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/make-vulnerability-your-superpower-with-nba-star-kevin-love" data-airgap-id="20">Make Vulnerability Your Superpower (with NBA Star Kevin Love)</a>&rdquo;</li> <li>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos/harnessing-people-around-us-to-feel-happier-live-with-ethan-kross" data-airgap-id="21">Harnessing People Around us to Feel Happier (Live with Ethan Kross)</a>&rdquo;</li> </ul>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

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