In social situations, two people can do the exact same things (good and bad) and get a very different reaction. We discuss chemistry, first impressions, and a theory inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. 

We discuss disappointing people, sharing failures, and the impulse to retreat from relationship until you're the person you want to be. 

Find us on Instagram at @theconversationstarters or email [email protected]

Hannah and Karina discuss change, culture shock, and what happens when you fail to live up to your own high standards for relationship and conversation. Part two to follow.

Find us on Instagram at @theconversationstarters or email [email protected]

The one-sided conversation. We've all been there – and several of you have written in to ask about it! What do you do when you're always the one asking questions and listening, and they don't show the same interest in your life??

Find us on Instagram at @theconversationstarters, or email [email protected]. 

We share our own first impressions of each other, advice for listeners, and how our thinking on the topic has changed over time. 

We're back for season 2 and returning to our core principles, the Three Rules of Good Conversation: 

1. Find what fascinates you

2. Consider the context

3. Develop your own style

If you're new to our podcast, this is a good place to start! 

Talking about the future - especially during unstable times - can feel extra challenging. In this episode we talk about conversations about future plans, especially in life situations (like graduation) where everyone around you is asking you the same questions.

Is there any more common conversation than the one that starts with "How are you?" In part 2 of our series, we talk about meaningful ways to catch up on someone's current context, and how to share about your own life in a way that gets past the default answers. 

You never have to stop getting to know someone! In this episode we discuss situations where someone is sharing about their past, and questions to ask to get deepen the conversation – especially if they tend toward either negativity or nostalgia.

We like to share deep and unusual conversation-starting questions. But sometimes these questions hit a wall if the person asked feels "under pressure" and needs time to think about their answer. In this episode, we talk about internal and external processors – those who collect their thoughts before speaking, and those who externalize their ideas before they've reached a conclusion. How does each type find their place in a conversation? And how do we make sure we're hearing them accurately? 

Song "Easy Going Today" by Markus Huber licensed through Soundstripe