# If You Hate Small Talk, You Need These Conversation-Starters For The Holidays (The 12 Questions That Will Make People Love Talking To You) | The Quickie

An episode of [Teach Me How To Adult](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1502634691), 17 Dec 2025, 14 min.

Audio: https://rogers.simplecastaudio.com/157b9387-a9f0-4f4f-a170-190d2d3d7854/episodes/8542c7ab-5e0b-4620-aa1a-b66d39981917/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=157b9387-a9f0-4f4f-a170-190d2d3d7854&awEpisodeId=8542c7ab-5e0b-4620-aa1a-b66d39981917&feed=lFz5vSdJ

Between the holiday parties, family dinners, office events, and end-of-year gatherings... the holiday season can be a lot. (Even for extroverts like me.) If you’ve ever felt socially drained, awkward, anxious, or stuck in mind-numbing small talk during the holidays, I gotchu. This episode will hook you up with powerful conversation starters and questions you can keep in your back pocket to help you navigate social situations with confidence, steer conversations away from awkward topics and political landmines, and actually feel connected to the people around you. Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, cutting back from relying on drinking at parties, or just tired of endless small talk, learning how to ask better questions is one of the most underrated communication skills you can have. Research shows that the best communicators ask up to 20 times more questions than the average person... and that people consistently underestimate how much others crave meaningful conversation. So don't worry about making it weird... thoughtful questions aren't awkward, they're impactful. ✨Tune in to hear about: • The most interesting and fun conversation starters • Why asking good questions releases oxytocin and builds closeness • Questions to avoid small talk, create real connection, and bond the room • Reflection questions to spark meaningful year-end conversations • Forward-looking questions for intentions, growth, and the new year • How to redirect uncomfortable topics with boundaries and grace • Why curiosity is the ultimate hack for social confidence and overcoming social anxiety For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Subscribe to my Substack: teachmehowtoadult.substack.com Follow us on the ‘gram: @teachmehowtoadultmedia @gillian.berner Follow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult Subscribe on YouTube Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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