We go to extreme lengths to avoid it, fearing the awkwardness that can accompany it. No matter your age, gender, race, wealth, or social status, it’s something we can all say we’ve feared at one point ...

When students feel like they don’t know the answer to a question, engaging in low-risk conversations can help them find their ...

At this point, Julie Boland is resigned to awkward silences. She’s a psychology and linguistics professor at the University of Michigan, and like many of us, she’s been spending a lot of time on Zoom ...

The power of silence is one of the most profound paradoxes that exists in the world of relationships. In our quest for constant communication and endless chatter, we often forget that silence can be ...

One of the worst feelings is sitting in complete silence with someone — or worse, in a group where the conversation suddenly dies and everyone feels it. It's hard being the person who makes things ...