Have you ever felt stuck in a conversation that feels like it's running on fumes? We've all been there. Awkward silences creep in, and you scramble to think of something to say besides "the weather ...

I don’t love talking with strangers. I’m an introvert at heart, and making an effort to engage in social interaction often drains my energy. But still, I do it. Not because I feel like I have to, but ...