About this episode

This episode explores the paradox of social connection in a digitally connected world, featuring insights from Nicholas Epley on the importance of engaging with strangers.

We live in a world where people are more digitally connected than ever, yet loneliness remains incredibly common. Most of us move through daily life surrounded by strangers while following an unspoken rule: don’t engage. In this episode, we’re exploring why humans are so socially cautious, but also why even brief conversations with strangers can meaningfully improve our happiness, health, and sense of connection. My guest is Nicholas Epley, the John Templeton Keller Distinguished Service Professor of Behavior Science, and Director of the Roman Family Center for Decision Research, at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is the author of Mindwise: How We Understand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want. His latest book is A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection. Some of the specific topics we explore in this episode include: Why are conversations with strangers usually better than we expect? Do people really want to be left alone in public? Why do small moments of connection matter so much? How has technology changed everyday social interaction? For people who want to be a little more social, what’s a…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Justin Lehmiller

Guest: Nicholas Epley

Topics covered

• social connection
• loneliness
• digital communication
• human behavior
• conversations with strangers
• happiness
• technology impact

Keywords

• connection
• loneliness
• social interaction
• happiness
• technology
• behavior science
• conversations

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Books & works: Mindwise: How We Understand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want, A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection

More episodes of Sex and Psychology Podcast

• Episode 509: Out-Of-Control Sexual Behavior In Women · June 12, 2026 · 30 min
• Episode 508: When Your Sexuality Changes Later In Life · June 9, 2026 · 32 min
• Episode 507: Is Non-Monogamy Right For You? · June 5, 2026 · 30 min
• Episode 506: Trauma-Informed Non-Monogamy · June 2, 2026 · 31 min
• Episode 505: How To Move Beyond Small Talk · May 29, 2026 · 30 min
• Episode 503: Why Sexual Communication Feels So Hard · May 22, 2026 · 30 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Sex and Psychology Podcast podcast page.