Ian Chew, MHFA
As a sociology graduate, I’m constantly fascinated by people: how we talk with each other and with ourselves. Despite my social anxiety, I’ve had conversations with over 10,000 people — from homeless people to top CEOs — over the last ten years.
As part of my journey to overcome social anxiety, I also cold emailed top entrepreneurs and leaders. At first, I had tons of rejections — well, no one responded! As I got better at the art of outreach however, I ended up working with people like Eben Pagan, Michael Simmons (Inc. 30 Under 30), and Amir Ahmad Nasr (coach to 9-figure CEOs), ultimately helping them reach tens of millions of people online.
For my work and projects, I’ve been featured by top media outlets including Fortune, CBC, Inc. Magazine, and Canadian Geographic. I also did a TEDx speech on my experience talking with strangers (link below).
I started Deeper Conversations to share everything I’ve learned — and am learning — about communication and relationships.
(Here’s the full back story on why I created the site.)
Education
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) at Mount Allison University
Certifications
- Introductory Mindfulness Teacher Training, Breathworks
- Social Anxiety Disorder Comprehensive Training Course, PESI
- 2-Day Certificate Course: CBT For Anxiety, PESI
- ACT for Depression & Anxiety Disorders, Psychwire
- Rewire the Anxious Brain: Neuroscience-Informed Treatment of Anxiety, Panic and Worry, PESI
- Transforming Anxiety and Stress by Integrating the Embodied Mind, Mindsight Institute
- The Power Of Awareness, Greater Good Science Center – University of California, Berkeley
- Psychological First Aid, John Hopkins University
- Mental Health First Aid, Malaysian Mental Health Association
Media features
- Anxiety & Depression Association of America: The Social Anxiety Spiral
- Tiny Buddha: How to Love Mindfully When You’re a Socially Anxious People-Pleaser
- Good Men Project: You’re Not Your Social Anxiety. You’re More Than That.
- Inc. Magazine: Want to Win People’s Trust? This TEDx Speaker Says Do This 1 Thing
- TEDxMoncton: What I learned from 700 interviews in three years | Ian Chew
- CBC: Humans of Sackville
Latest articles
26 weird conversation starters: “What would life be like without…”
Conversation starters are the most fun when you experiment. Here’s a list of imaginative, quirky questions to throw someone for a loop 🙂
Research: 3 surprising benefits of social anxiety
“A socially anxious person is very likely a person yearning to connect with others. You hurt where you care…” – Dr. Steven C. Hayes
Research: Social anxiety increases perfectionism. Why that can be a problem.
Perfectionistic thoughts are almost always judgmental, harsh, and even angry. According to therapists, here’s what you can do about them…
Overcoming Anticipatory Anxiety Book Summary: 3 Insights
With 80 years of combined experience as therapists, Sally M. Winston, PsyD, and Martin N. Seif, PhD, have a lot to share…
‘Barbie’ might be the movie of the year for social anxiety
Barbie is actually a movie about mental health, specifically our social anxiety around “not good enough”…