I speak to people for a living, so I feel somewhat qualified to make the following claim: There are people who do indeed enjoy small talk, but many people hate it. Regardless of where we fall on the spectrum, however, there is an enormous pressure to engage in it.

After nearly 20 years working to build authentic communities with companies, mothers, tweens and non-profit groups, I believe the very act of sharing "much to do about nothing" is the secret to success.

You don't have to become a French Existentialist or even a country music songwriter in order to cultivate thoughts about some of the most important issues of our existence.

I live in the most ordinary American household - I live alone. Knock on any door in the nation and you are more likely to find a household like mine t...