We've curated tips, stories, and inspiration to help you Skip the Small Talk in your everyday life.
Get out of your comfort zone by opening up and connecting with strangers (or friends if you bring 'em)!
Find EventsWhat can we learn about friendship from a classic fantasy epic? Lord of the Rings offers us a view of friendship that can differ from our cultural assumptions which often emphasize being similar, having similar tastes, and having surface level fun. In this fantasy epic, friendship forms under adverse conditions between unexpected people who share commitment to something bigger than themselves.
Read MorePicture this: you’re lying awake, spiraling about a big decision. Instead of calling a friend, you start typing your worries into ChatGPT. I’ve done it, and maybe you have too. From relationship drama to career crossroads, more people are turning to AI for advice — and some are even calling it their “AI therapist.”
It makes sense. AI is quick, nonjudgmental, and available 24/7. But here’s the question: can a bot really give us what we need most?
Read MoreNothing makes a millennial contend with their own mortality quite like seeing mid-2000s trends resurfacing - and it’s not just Ed Hardy and low-rise jeans. While some people, like Gen Z are trading in online shopping for live-sale vintage bargain-hunting, you’ve probably noticed a shift of people ditching the apps for IRL dating and ways to make friends. And you’d be right!
I recently joined the Curated Questions podcast — a show that dives deep into relationships, friendship, and connection in the modern world, and why in-person meetups are having a much-deserved renaissance. If you’re interested in how to make friends as an adult, navigating dating apps without burning out, or understanding why in-person meetups are making a comeback, you can listen to the whole episode on Apple Podcasts or the Curated Questions Website.
Read MoreWe’ve all been there—standing in a room where it feels like everyone else belongs but us. It’s an uncomfortable feeling, but also a common one. The truth is, many of us underestimate how much others want to connect with us. In this post, we share gentle strategies for easing into conversations, reframing “odd” as “unique,” and finding one-on-one moments that make connection feel easier. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit in, this piece is for you.
Read MoreLost touch with someone you care about? Here are gentle, low-pressure scripts to help you reconnect with warmth and ease.
Read MoreEver find yourself sitting across from someone decades older or younger, not sure what to say? Intergenerational conversations can feel intimidating—but they can also be some of the most rewarding exchanges you’ll ever have. In our latest post, we share simple, age-agnostic conversation starters designed to spark genuine connection and uncover common ground. Whether it’s at a family gathering, in the workplace, or at a community event, these prompts can help you skip the small talk and dive into stories, laughter, and wisdom.
Read MoreFeeling drained after scrolling but still disconnected? Discover how to tell the difference between digital burnout and digital bonding—and how to find real connection online.
Read MoreRead on for five ways to connect with the people around you.
Read MorePut the hot into hot date with these outside-the-box (and outside-the-house) plans for summer romance.
Read MoreBreak the ice without breaking a sweat.
Read MoreGet ready, because your summer reading list is about to get five books longer.
Read MoreFrom old school gay anthems to the Billboard Hot 100, check out these dance floor-ready tunes to add to your queue.
Read MoreOver the years, we at Skip the Small Talk have compiled activities, advice, LGBTQ+ friendship guides, book recommendations, Q&As, and more to help you celebrate the Pride Month STST style.
Read MoreIs conversing causing you stress? You are far from the only one.
Read MoreWhen it comes to the people we see as caretakers, it’s easy for a one-sided dynamic to set in: They ask. You answer.
Read MoreDitch that dating fatigue and get ready to put the “life” back in love life.
Read MoreRead on for more on how to put your best (social) foot forward.
Read MoreRead on for our favorite ways to skip the small talk and keep the conversation going.
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