You’re mid-conversation, everything’s going smoothly—and then suddenly, bam—dead silence. Your brain starts racing, your palms get clammy, and you’re wondering how you ended up here. Keeping a ...

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 ...