How Small Talk Opens Up Deeper Connections

In an article for MSN, Emily Falk, Associate Professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, unpacks how small talk can spark deeper social bonds. Backed by neuroscience research, Falk explains how brief, everyday conversations help establish brain synchrony—laying the groundwork for more meaningful exchanges. Using the “Fast Friends” protocol, a structured Q&A game, Falk and her collaborators found that even strangers could align neurologically through initial icebreakers, leading to more enjoyable and wide-ranging discussions. The piece reframes small talk as a gateway rather than a barrier to connection.