7 easy ways to talk to strangers on a plane
Will they think I’m weird or creepy? What if they don’t want to talk? What do I even say!? Want to talk to strangers on … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
Published on:
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
10 easy ways to start a conversation with strangers at weddings
Will they think I’m weird or creepy? What if they don’t want to talk? What do I even say!? Want to start a conversation with … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
Published on:
11 easy ways to talk to strangers at a conference
Will they think I’m weird or creepy? What if they don’t want to talk? What do I even say!? Want to improve your social skills … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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7 easy ways to talk to strangers on campus (without being awkward)
If you’re in college or university, you probably want to make new friends. You see all these people that you don’t know… how do you … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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7 easy ways to talk to strangers on the street (without being creepy)
Will they think I’m weird or creepy? What if they don’t want to talk? What do I even say!? Want to talk to strangers and … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
Published on:
6 easy ways to talk to strangers at a park
Will they think I’m weird or creepy? What if they don’t want to talk? What do I even say!? Want to talk to strangers and … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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11 easy ways to talk to strangers at a grocery store
To make the article comprehensive, I interviewed Amber Tucker — an editor friend who worked at a grocery store for three years — and my mum who’s a pro at chatting up other grocery shoppers…
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
Published on:
7 easy ways to talk to strangers in a restaurant
Why start a conversation at a restaurant? You have a natural topic: the restaurant food! And, here are seven ways to go about this…
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
Published on:
8 easy ways to talk to strangers at a bookstore
Will they think I’m weird or creepy? What if they don’t want to talk? What do I even say!? Want to talk to strangers and … Read more
Written by: Ian Chew, MHFA
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