How to end an online conversation politely
Does anyone still remember MSN? The clunky but popular messaging app that kids were crazy about 16 years ago? As far as I could remember, … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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Ian Chew, MHFA
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
- 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
- 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
- Inc. Magazine: Want to Win People's Trust? This TEDx Speaker Says Do This 1 Thing | Inc.com
- TEDxMoncton: What I learned from 700 interviews in three years | Ian Chew
- CBC: Humans of Sackville
Latest articles
5 ways to end a phone call without being awkward
Having worked remotely over the last decade, I’ve probably done more phone calls than most professionals. Compared to video calls, phone calls can be much … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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6 non-awkward ways to end a conversation at a networking event
Here’s how many people end networking conversations: “Let’s exchange business cards”. Or, “Can I have your business card?” I’ve been to many networking events as … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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How to politely end a conversation with someone you don’t like
Most of us, myself included, will do whatever we can to avoid conversations with people we don’t like. And that makes sense: why mentally torture … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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How to start a conversation with anyone
Is it possible to start a conversation with anyone? Yes! I don’t say this lightly. I’ve suffered from decades of social anxiety. And despite that, … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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10 family conversation starters
What does the word family mean to you? Growing up, I never thought much of family. I was simply too self-absorbed to realize the importance … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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25 meaningful conversation starters with seniors
Yo. Did you know that 1 in 10 seniors uses dating apps? My point is, seniors have the same needs as we all do. Age … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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How to start a conversation with your parents as an adult
Here’s a puzzle that humanity has been trying to solve for centuries… Most parents want the best for their children. Most children certainly don’t … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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21 father-son conversation starters
As a kid, I was never close to my father. As an adult, I belatedly realized the importance of a healthy dad-son relationship, and put … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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23 mother-son conversation starters for deeper connection
While gender roles have shifted dramatically in the last fifty years, the mother-son bond is still enduring… because duh, who are the ones giving birth? … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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How to end a conversation with someone you like
You feel the chemistry sweeping through your veins… Yes, this is someone I want to spend more time with. As the conversation comes to an … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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How to end a conversation with a friend (without being awkward)
“…bye.” “uhh…bye!” Ending conversations with friends used to be so cringey for me. Especially when we had such a great time… it just felt wrong … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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How to end a long-winded conversation
Man. They can’t seem to stop talking. The conversation was interesting at first, but now… How do you end the conversation politely? Here are a … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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How to end a negative conversation without being rude
What does a negative conversation feel like? It’s like having your ice cream drop on the floor. Not fun. Or it can feel like a … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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12 simple phrases to end a conversation politely
There’s a variety of ways to wrap up a conversation easily and elegantly. In this article, I’ll share a list of phrases that I use depending on the context…
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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4 ways to end a boring conversation politely
Yawn. If sleeping in a conversation was socially acceptable… Wouldn’t that be nice? I’m referring to boring conversations. They just aren’t fun when they appear… … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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7 ways to start a conversation with your sibling as an adult
Whether you love or hate your siblings, here’s the reality: When your parents pass away, they will be your closest family members (by blood relation, … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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7 ways to start a conversation with your colleague at work
Most of us spend at least 8 hours at work… and that’s not including commute time! With the bulk of our days — our lives, … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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13 low-stress ways to talk with classmates and make friends
Growing up, I moved to four different schools and had to rebuild my friendships each time. Here’s what I learned…
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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7 ways to start a conversation with a guy (without being awkward)
Wait. You wanna talk to a guy? Do you know how easy that is!? I know because I’m a guy. OK, if you want to … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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