Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How "Small" Talk Can Add Up to a Big Life by Sandstrom, Gillian
Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How "Small" Talk Can Add Up to a Big Life by Sandstrom, Gillian

Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How "Small" Talk Can Add Up to a Big Life

"If you've ever avoided talking to strangers, this book might change your mind about giving them their...
$47.34 USD
$89.99 USD
$47.34 USD
Please hurry! Only 194 left in stock
Author: Gillian Sandstrom
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Subtotal: $47.34
Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How "Small" Talk Can Add Up to a Big Life by Sandstrom, Gillian

Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How "Small" Talk Can Add Up to a Big Life

$89.99 $47.34
Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How "Small" Talk Can Add Up to a Big Life by Sandstrom, Gillian

Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How "Small" Talk Can Add Up to a Big Life

$89.99 $47.34
Author: Gillian Sandstrom
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Description

"If you've ever avoided talking to strangers, this book might change your mind about giving them their space. And that, as Gillian so perfectly explains, might change everything." --Angela Duckworth, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of GRIT

Discover how making connections with strangers leads to positive shifts in our everyday lives, from preeminent researcher and professor of the psychology of kindness Dr. Gillian Sandstrom.

Do you ever feel lonely, even in a crowd? Do you feel anxious or worried about what others think of you, or struggle to make friends? You are not alone. But the truth is, opportunities for positive connection and community are all around you.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Gillian Sandstrom reveals that by talking to strangers, we can unlock more joy, curiosity, and goodwill every day. In an age when loneliness is a social health crisis and harmful behaviors like groupthink increase our perception of distance and polarization, this transformational guide explains the benefits of stretching our perceived limits and connecting with our fellow humans, including:

  • Increased happiness and wellbeing
  • Improved social skills and self-esteem
  • Reduced anxiety and social biases
  • Expanded connections and social circles

Combining powerful scientific findings with stories from her own life, Dr. Sandstrom offers us a new vision of a life well lived, when we have the courage to reach out and simply say, "hello."



Author: Gillian Sandstrom
Publisher: HarperOne
Published: 03/31/2026
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 9.14h x 5.92w x 1.19d
ISBN: 9780063385412


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 12/26/2025 pg. 1

About the Author
Sandstrom, Gillian: - Gillian Sandstrom is an Associate Professor in the Psychology of Kindness at the University of Sussex. Her research has been featured across the media, including the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and The Atlantic, and has been covered by other outlets around the world. She has been interviewed for major podcasts and radio shows, including Hidden Brain, NPR's Life Kit, and Claudia Hammond's All in the Mind. She lives in Brighton, England.

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