How to Say Hi

Many of us learn about community events through Facebook. It’s so easy to click ‘interested’ or ‘going’ but the actual follow-through…it takes a bit more effort. Tune in to this season finale that’s all about setting intention, conquering nerves, and feeding your soul. It’s amazing how a collective effort to accomplish some good can truly impact you.Maggie, who recently attended a community clean-up by herself, reflects on her experience. She shares tips for quieting social shyness and engagi...

The #ReturnToWork has also brought about the Return to Networking. But we believe it doesn’t have to be anxiety-inducing or cringy. Networking, when done well, can be a great opportunity for genuine connections and cheerful moments. BONUS! A lot of the ideas shared in this star-studded episode easily transfer to other types of social scenarios, too! Welcome to the stage, Peter Larsen, networking extraordinaire and professional business speaker. He’s joining us to share his expert advice ...

Finding the best taco joint in town or getting to know the local sweet spots doesn’t happen overnight. In this episode, we share our experiences moving to new places and embarking on new adventures. Just like reading a book, we discuss how diving in and avoiding preemptive judgments is key. Find out how long we feel it takes to truly get acquainted with a new community! To help us with this topic, we’ve brought in a special guest who has moved 8 times in 15 years! Rebecca Alwine is a wri...

Find out the best movies, the best eyebrows, the best dad jokes, feelings about dad jokes, and famous laughs. Mouse and Weens recap their first 100 episodes with a bunch of Top 10 Lists. Confused? Bet you are! It’s April Fools Day so we swapped episodes with an awesome podcasting duo, Mouse and Weens to give you a taste of something new. SoCal sisters Joelle & Julianne talk human behavior & fascinating people. They’re on a mission to bring more laughter and joy to the world...

It’s funny how people from the same generation just hit it off. They reminisce about having the same graduation song, laugh at the past fashion trends… it’s easy to relate and find common ground. On the flip, when we start having conversations with people much older or younger than ourselves, it can sometimes be a struggle to get going. Often, we even begin changing the way we talk. In this 20 min episode, we discuss common mistakes that happen when talking to others of a different gener...

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about quick hellos and kind gestures in small bursts, but what happens when you need to think of something to say…for 5, 10, 45 minutes? An hour?!This could happen at a work event, a wedding reception, a birthday party of a friend, or when you join your new significant other for an event with their friends. How do you make conversation and stay engaged but still keep it light and friendly?If you’re like Katelyn, you may be sweating at the thought of it. But e...

Pulling from a recent experience at a group yoga class, Katelyn realized that she had written some false perceptions about the people around her. Perceptions that were sort of intimidating. Then, she realized they were all made up in her head! After learning the truth and laughing at the silliness, she was able to have a more authentic and joy-filled experience. So whether you’re taking a class, in a group tour, or sitting down to eat with other groups at a Japanese steakhouse, we encour...

You deserve to be on the trail just as much as anyone else. Katelyn is an experienced backpacker, former Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer and all-around nature-enthusiast. Maggie considers herself semi-outdoorsy but needs a little confidence boost to get out there sometimes. Maybe you relate?With the promise of spring and more people taking advantage of public parks and trails, let’s discuss the written and unwritten rules of enjoying these spaces together. If you’re looking to use ...

Controversial POV: Maybe talking to customer service reps on the phone isn’t so bad… Sometimes we love an experience even before it happens…like going to an amusement park or getting a mani-pedi. Our thoughts around the activity are buzzing with positivity, often making them even better than we expected. But, what if the opposite is true. What if things like calling in to a help desk have been made out to be worse than they actually are. This week, we are talking about bringing awar...

We’re shaking things up a little bit in light of the new year. It’s a time when many are making goals and resolutions, or simply taking a closer look at the life they want to be living. Katelyn and Maggie reflect on the goal of this feel-good podcast and their own thoughts around ‘saying hi’. While each of our episodes, so far, has included 1-3 challenges or tasks to take on, it’s really about a bigger shift in thinking. Saying hi isn’t ‘one and done’ or a task to check off your to-do li...

Say you come across someone raising money outside the grocery store. Or you’re minding your own business at home and a canvasser or home security salesman interrupts your afternoon. You’ve got a choice here: duck your head and hide, orcreate a positive moment – without wasting anyone’s time. We vote for the latter.To help us understand what that looks like, we have our very first How to Say Hi guest, Katie Hancock! Katie has first-hand experience with knocking on doors, and some sto...

COVID-19 moved a lot of work and play online. It didn’t take long before Zoom-fatigue became a thing. In this episode, we are discussing your internet connections; not the dial-up speed, but the connections we’ve had to maintain virtually over the past year. Do they feel slow and choppy? Or, has this new norm been seamlessly wired into our dailies and heightened our interactions with others? Either way we slice it, those awkward pauses and forced introductions still exist, and ...

One in four people feels they have a sense of community in their neighborhood. Where do you fall in? Do you feel excitement when the lady in the brown house pulls in at the same time? Or do you suddenly have to check your Instagram until she passes? In this episode, we share our history of funny neighborhood interactions, the unspoken rules of connecting across the property lines, and some ideas for getting to know your neighbors. Whether you live in the middle of nowhere or in a gi...

We asked and you answered...holiday get-togethers can be a little tense. This episode is all about how to say hi to the loved ones you only see a couple of times a year. While this means different things to everyone, most of us have experienced the pressure of chatting with extended family, who can sometimes feel like strangers. Listen for ideas on how to slow down and create more meaningful moments during family gatherings -- all the while dodging the loop of “how have you been” questio...

We spend a lot of time at work, but that doesn’t mean we all embrace the opportunity to connect with those we work with. Some people adopt a different persona entirely or simply leave parts of your personality, social life and interests at home. Maybe you don’t even interact with people you’re not required to and simply clock out and head home as soon as you can. But work isn’t going away, so why not try to enjoy it? This episode discusses the power of making small connections in the wor...

Bonus Episode! Hi! It’s election season, well for those of you in the USA. We’re bringing you some tips on how to elevate your voting experience - in the social sense that is. Because beyond doing your civil duty, this is one of those notable moments when your whole community gathers. Listen to cover Katelyn’s secret to dowsing pre-vote nerves. Plus, get behind-the-scenes knowledge from Maggie who has served for 4 years as an actual Election Officer! Don’t worry. This episode will steer ...

Errands are not the most fun part of adulting. But, rather than rushing through them, why not try to make it a special part of your day...or someone else’s! We share some awkward and silly examples of how getting groceries, running to the Post Office, or filling up at the gas station can bring a little joy to those often-dreaded errands. In this episode, we chat about some simple ways to liven up your to-do list while connecting with people along the way. Laughing is good for you! T...

Whether you naturally befriend everyone you meet or the thought of small talk gives you hives, we are here to celebrate the power of friendly hellos and candid interactions. Here is, How to Say Hi!Tune in every other Wednesday for curious stories, science-backed research, and challenges aimed to help you recognize the opportunities for happy connections with the people around you. The article mentioned in today’s episode is How Casual Daily Interactions Protect Your Health by Jennifer Br...