August 22, 2025
Events
In recent years, I’ve learned that one of the best ways to find connection is through curiosity.
Being curious about people you’ve just met — and staying curious about the people you’ve always known. It sounds simple, but we often overlook the power of asking questions.
Questions are freeing. They give people the opportunity to decide how they want to portray themselves. Only the person being asked truly knows the answer, which gives them a sense of confidence, control, and the feeling of being interesting and seen.
And here’s the key: Listen. Really listen. Don’t think about what you’re going to say next. Fully process what the other person said before coming up with a response. This might surprise you — your responses will likely be different (and deeper) if you wait. You hear more clearly, you understand more fully, and you come across as more genuine.
Learning to ask good questions — and being willing to dive into people’s stories — has been a game-changer for my own experience with social anxiety. I used to worry constantly about what to say next in conversations. My mind would race with thoughts like, “I’m being awkward,” or “Do they even like me?” That anxiety would fill the silence and often rob me of a chance to really connect.
But then I had a shift. I realized: if I want deeper connections, I need to ask better questions.
Since adopting this practice of leading with curiosity, my relationships have deepened. I genuinely feel more confident and capable in social settings. Making friends has gotten easier. Dating feels less stressful. I finally understood that in those moments, I’m actually the least important person in the room — even though my anxiety tries to convince me otherwise.
When I focus on other people, something beautiful happens. And the funny thing? You will get your turn to speak — and by then, they’ll actually want to hear what you have to say. Because you’ve made them feel safe, seen, and heard.
If this resonates with you — if you’re craving more meaningful conversations and want to develop tools for deeper connection — join us for our next Hello Nashville! event:
Conversations That Connect Generations
September 18th • 6:30 – 7:45 pm
Low-key, wine-in-hand gathering at The Happy Hour
Led by Jessica Roseberry, a professor from MTSU, who will guide us through the art of asking meaningful questions and preserving the important stories of others.
Let’s practice the kind of connection that starts with simply asking a question.
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