Shows
The Conversation StartersThe Darcy / Collins Rule (Episode 32)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.
2022-05-0620 minThe Conversation StartersHigh Standards, and How to Fail Them: Part Two (Episode 31)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 contact@theconversationstarters.com
2022-04-2221 minThe Conversation StartersHigh Standards, and How to Fail Them: Part One (Episode 30)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 contact@theconversationstarters.com
2022-04-0814 minThe Conversation StartersWhat If I‘m Always the One Asking the Questions? (Episode 29)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 contact@theconversationstarters.com.
2021-11-2222 minThe Conversation StartersWhat Kind of First Impression Do You Make? (Episode 28)We share our own first impressions of each other, advice for listeners, and how our thinking on the topic has changed over time.
2021-09-2019 minThe Conversation StartersStart Here: The Three Rules of Good ConversationWe'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!
2021-09-0313 minThe Conversation StartersThe Future: Looking Ahead Together (Episode 26)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.
2021-03-0517 minThe Conversation StartersThe Present: Sharing Real Life and Staying in Touch (Episode 25)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.
2021-02-1922 minThe Conversation StartersThe Past: Learning Someone's Story (Episode 24)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.
2021-02-0517 minThe Conversation StartersInternal and External Processors (Episode 23)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
2021-01-1524 minThe Conversation StartersHow Do You Feel About New Year's Resolutions? (Episode 22)How can you make the best possible conversation from the topic of year-end evaluations and resolutions often brought up this time of year?
Karina and Hannah discuss how to maximize the topic, set goals, and propose some simple challenges to deepen conversations and relationships in 2021.
2021-01-0123 minThe Conversation StartersHow Do Different Cultures Apologize? Part Two (Episode 21)We wrap up our series on apologies with a dialogue between the Lebanese and Swiss cultures – through an interview with two roommates, and stories from Karina about growing up with the blend of both.
2020-12-2824 minThe Conversation StartersHow Do Different Cultures Apologize? Part One (Episode 20)Get ready to deconstruct how people apologize even further. In this episode we scratch the surface of how apologies – especially indirect apologies – look around the world. We focus especially on overly apologetic cultures in this episode.
Music Licensed Through Soundstripe:
Easy Going Today - Markus Huber
By the Fireside - Tide Electric
Remember When - Ghost Beatz
2020-12-1827 minThe Conversation StartersHow to Apologize Part Two (Episode 19)We share more of your thoughts about apologies, and discuss whether forgiveness and reconciliation is a crucial objective or not.
Sources:
Why Won't You Apologize by Dr Harriet Lerner
Music licensed through Soundstripe:
Open Doors by Anchor
Neon Feel by Matt Wigton
Easy Going Today by Markus Huber
2020-11-2722 minThe Conversation StartersHow to Apologize Part One (Episode 18)We tackle a very tricky type of conversation: the apology. How can we apologize well – and what are the pitfalls to avoid?
Sources:
Why Won't You Apologize? by Dr Harriet Lerner
Music licensed through Soundstripe:
Waltz for a Lost Summer by Joshua Spacht
Easy Going Today by Markus Huber
2020-11-1324 minThe Conversation StartersHow to Follow Up on a Great Conversation (Episode 17)Once you've had a great conversation with someone, what can you do to keep up the momentum and strengthen a friendship?
Want to be featured? Send an audio response to the following questions to contact@theconversationstarters.com!
1. What does apology look like in your culture?
2. How did you learn to apologize?
3. What makes a good apology?
2020-10-0917 minThe Conversation StartersWhen You're New to an Established Group (Episode 16)You've moved. You've started a new job. You're meeting your in-laws. We're talking stories and tips from all our experiences starting over in new circles ... especially when you have a lot invested in being accepted by them!
2020-09-2522 minThe Conversation StartersBetter Conversations About Food (Episode 15)One of our all-time favorite topics of (and excuses for) good conversation: FOOD. Everybody eats! We share ideas for deepening relationships and conversation through food, and discuss a controversial conversation subject: weight loss and dieting.
2020-09-0423 minThe Conversation StartersBetter Conversations About Music (Episode 14)Music can unlock our emotions, memories, and histories – so conversations about music are amazing options to get to know each other!
2020-08-2824 minThe Conversation StartersChecking In After the Beirut Port Explosion (Episode 13)A quiet, unplanned phone call between us, checking in to see how we're doing after the Beirut port explosion. We discuss our personal experiences and conversations with those far removed from trauma and those experiencing it alongside you.
2020-08-2113 minThe Conversation StartersBetter Conversations About Movies and TV (Episode 12)Another easy topic that can get stuck in spoiler anxiety or surface small talk ... or be a phenomenal conversation! Give us your thoughts at contact@theconversationstarters.com, or find us on Instagram @theconversationstarters.
2020-07-3119 minThe Conversation StartersConversations About Books with Elie Kesrouwany (Episode 11)Today's episode features an interview with Elie Kesrouwany, recorded at his board game cafe On Board. We spoke about how books first gave him an escape out of this world and then a way back, and why the subject provides an amazing way to connect with people.
2020-07-2415 minThe Conversation StartersBetter Conversations About Books (Episode 10)In this episode we cover a fantastic, easy topic of conversation that you can take in many directions. Find us on Instagram at @theconversationstarters and share your thoughts and book recommendations!
2020-07-1719 minThe Conversation StartersStaying in Touch When You're Long Distance (Episode 9)It is a huge challenge to stay close with loved ones when you're spread around the world. We asked for your best tips, and share our own thoughts on maintaining emotional closeness when you're far away.
Music licensed from Soundstripe:
Easy Going Today - Markus Huber
Acadian Flycatcher, Unicus - Isaac Joel
The Rain - Midnight Daydream
Banana Split - BRASKO
2020-07-0323 minThe Conversation StartersFriends With Different Beliefs (Episode 8)When friends no longer share the same beliefs – politics, faith, or opinions – should you cut ties, or try to maintain the friendship?
Our music is licensed with Soundstripe:
Easy Going Today - Mark Huber
Back to Save the Universe, Coarse Grain - glasseyes
Our Memories - AEROPLANES
Luster - Moments
2020-06-2620 minThe Conversation StartersWhen Friendships Change (Episode 7)It's a near-universal experience: being very close to someone, talking easily ... and then over time, you're no longer the same people, and conversation feels forced, inauthentic, or isn't happening at all. So how do we think about these friendships?
Email us at contact@theconversationstarters.com.
Music licensed from Soundstripe:
Easy Going Today by Markus Huber
Edison by Wild Wonder
Kindness Follows by Birds of Norway
2020-06-1219 minThe Conversation StartersHow To (Naturally) Use Conversation Starter Questions (Episode 6)We love conversation-starting questions, but how do you use them naturally?
In the episode, we invite you to email us (contact@theconversationstarters.com) and share:
- What are the reasons you've had a close friendship change/end?
- How did this impact your conversations together?
- How do you feel about what happened?
- Have you ever kept a close relationship through many changes (in life, beliefs, etc)? What made it possible?
Quotes will be anonymous.
2020-05-2220 minThe Conversation StartersRule 3: Develop Your Own Style (Episode 5)What is a good conversationalist? Sometimes we imagine a person wholly different from ourselves, and do our best to fake it – or avoid conversation completely! In this episode, we discuss how knowing yourself and developing your personal style of conversation is way better than comparing to others. And we don't have it all figured out either – we are constantly repeating this process, because confidence is a slippery thing to hold on to when life keeps changing.
2020-05-1516 minThe Conversation StartersRule 2: Consider Your Context Part 2 (Episode 4)What surrounds your conversation? There are your individual circumstances, your cultures, and the literal location where the conversation takes place. We discuss these ideas and wrap up our explanation of Rule #2, "Consider Your Context."
2020-05-0816 minThe Conversation StartersRule 2: Consider Your Context Part 1 (Episode 3)How are you at reading a room? If following Rule #1 will save you from boring conversations, Rule #2 will save you from the disastrous ones! Oh we have plenty of experience getting this one wrong, but we're working on it. Give us your wisdom on our Instagram, @theconversationstarters, and join us next week for Part 2.
2020-05-0117 minThe Conversation StartersRule 1: Find What Fascinates You (Episode 2)In this episode, we introduce our Three Rules of Good Conversation and dive into the first: "Find what fascinates you." The goal is genuine questions that automatically change the mood of the interaction.
2020-04-2416 minThe Conversation StartersIntroducing Ourselves (Episode 1)We all have situations where conversation is a struggle. (Especially during a pandemic.) Our goal is to take the worst situations and the missed opportunities, and find solutions. In this episode we introduce ourselves and our podcast: The Conversation Starters.
2020-04-1514 min