Big Talk

From the wildly popular and innovative creator of @MakeBigTalk, a practical and comprehensive guide to forming deeper connections to combat loneliness and strengthen existing relationships
Our world is increasingly connected—yet so many people feel alone and without purpose. Big Talk offers a powerful antidote. With simple tools and inspiring real-life stories, Kalina Silverman shares how you can go beyond small talk and unlock hidden emotional depths in everyday interactions—whether with a stranger, a friend, a coworker, a community member, a family member, a partner, or even yourself.
What began as one young woman’s mission to fight loneliness has since grown into a global movement, featured in major media and used in schools, workplaces, governments, and communities around the world.
In this book, Silverman distills more than a decade of insights from “making Big Talk” into easy-to-apply questions, prompts, and techniques that will help you:
- overcome social anxiety and start more meaningful conversations;- deepen relationships and build new ones that last;- foster empathy, trust, and belonging in your community;- create spaces where truth, vulnerability, and real connection can thrive; and make everyday moments, from date nights, to workplace chats, to vacations, to neighborly exchanges, more meaningful and memorable.Concise, practical, and full of heart, Big Talk is for anyone who’s tired of small talk and ready to have conversations that matter.

Kalina Silverman is the creator of Big Talk (@MakeBigTalk). She graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and received a prestigious Fulbright award to pursue cross-cultural communications research in Singapore. She serves as a U.S. Fulbright ambassador, in addition to her work as an author, video journalist, speaker, and artist. Her storytelling has raised millions for social impact campaigns, inspiring people all over the world. Big Talk has been featured in USA Today, The Washington Post, Good Morning America, Time, People, PBS, and more. When she’s not making Big Talk, Kalina loves to surf, practice martial arts, paint, write and play music, and adventure outdoors.