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3 Takeaways™

3 Takeaways™

Once Upon a Stranger: Can Small Talk Lead to a Bigger Life? (#305)

Jun 9, 2026 · 20m

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On this episode

About this episode

What if those brief conversations - with a barista, a neighbor, or someone sitting next to us - matter far more than we realize? Gillian Sandstrom, a University of Sussex psychologist and author of Once Upon a Stranger, explores why we're so reluctant to talk to people we don't know, what happens when we do, and how seemingly small interactions can add up to a richer, happier, and more connected life.