{"data":{"id":"329e0b5d-14c1-4ec3-9300-e2791d1c537a","updated_at":"2025-02-14T16:59:40Z","template_id":"73046548-86ec-431a-aca0-75b53bc936f3","localized":{"blocks":[{"id":"f632fad1-a86e-42d6-83da-22492bc81407","kind":"richtext","template_id":null,"content_html":"

On your daily morning commute, would you rather retreat into your own thoughts and reflections, or strike up a conversation with a fellow traveler?

According to research by Nick Epley, a professor at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, we may be missing out on a simple yet powerful way to improve our well-being: talking to strangers.

Epley conducted a series of experiments investigating the impact of having a conversation with a fellow commuter on the way to work. When participants were asked to predict how striking up a conversation with a stranger would make them feel, most answered that it would be a lot less pleasant than sitting alone in solitude.

It turns out however, that the happiest travelers were those that engaged in conversation with other commuters. Epley replicated this experiment with commuters traveling in taxis and buses and the results all pointed to one conclusion.

These brief exchanges with strangers enrich our daily lives and are good for our health!

Of course, these brief encounters with strangers are not likely to turn a life of misery into one of bliss, but they can transform an activity such as the daily commute into something more pleasant.

We humans are social creatures, and connecting with others—even in small, casual encounters—can have a profound impact on our happiness.

So, the next time you order a latte ask the barista how she is.

When commuting to work in the morning, make conversation with the person sitting next to you.

Or, when standing in line at the grocery store ask the person in front of you about the new gluten free bread in her cart. Is it as good as it claims to be?

These strategies will move help you move towards connection and protection.

To your health and longevity!

Dr. Gill

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Susan Williams is the visionary founder of Booming Encore. With over 28 years of experience in corporate senior leadership and executive roles, she realized there was a significant gap in resources for those seeking a purposeful and healthy later life. Driven by her passion to make a difference, she decided that if she couldn't find it, she would create it and launched Booming Encore in 2013.

Since then, the Booming Encore has organically grown into a globally recognized authority on retirement, aging, and longevity. Susan’s commitment to empowering individuals is further reflected in her co-authorship of Retirement Heaven or Hell: Which Will You Choose? and her contributions to Longevity Lifestyle by Design.

An engaging speaker and advocate, Susan passionately shares the importance of all the aspects that can help people positively live, embrace and contribute in their later years. Today, she’s not just helping others create their own “booming encore”—she is actually living hers. Join her on this inspiring journey and also live your best booming encore!

","description_text":"Susan Williams is the visionary founder of Booming Encore. With over 28 years of experience in corporate senior leadership and executive roles, she realized there was a significant gap in resources for those seeking a purposeful and healthy later life. Driven by her passion to make a difference, she decided that if she couldn't find it, she would create it and launched Booming Encore in 2013.Since then, the Booming Encore has organically grown into a globally recognized authority on retirement, aging, and longevity. Susan’s commitment to empowering individuals is further reflected in her co-authorship of Retirement Heaven or Hell: Which Will You Choose? and her contributions to Longevity Lifestyle by Design.An engaging speaker and advocate, Susan passionately shares the importance of all the aspects that can help people positively live, embrace and contribute in their later years. Today, she’s not just helping others create their own “booming encore”—she is actually living hers. Join her on this inspiring journey and also live your best booming encore!","summary_html":"

Founder, Booming Encore

","summary_text":"Founder, Booming Encore"},"profile_type_id":"9822821d-c96a-4ece-a318-c42ca4715c88","first_name":"Susan","last_name":"Williams","pronoun":null,"avatar_image_url":"https://assets.boomingencore.omerloclients.com/community/ed43bb2b-6424-4ae7-b162-7f389c6f1f20.jpg"},"8439f42f-e0ec-4401-b650-79a1f91163f1":{"id":"8439f42f-e0ec-4401-b650-79a1f91163f1","kind":"person","updated_at":"2024-09-11T17:40:00Z","other_name":null,"localized":{"locale":"en","description_html":"

Gillian Leithman, PhD specializes in soft skills training – that is the people side of business. She has facilitated programs for some of Canada's premiere businesses and organizations such as Bell Canada, TD Canada Trust, Telus, Business Development Canada, SAP, Moody's, the RCMP and Exxon Mobil.

Gillian is passionate about translating scientific research findings into practical everyday skills and strategies that people can use to become more effective, successful and happy humans!

Her expertise and research lie in helping employees’ transition from work to retirement. Both her Master's and PhD focussed on the aging workforce, and the retirement transition. She has extensively interviewed and surveyed pre-retirees and retirees, and has first hand knowledge of their experiences, which led her to create a pre-retirement program for those transitioning out of work and into retirement (don't be fooled she doesn't necessarily think you should retire!). Gillian is also the co-creator of The Certified Professional Retirement Coach Designation, which certifies people to become retirement coaches.

Gillian's groundbreaking pre-retirement programs feature the latest social science research, combined with practical and proven coaching methods to help those nearing or newly retired successfully adjust to a new life phase.

","description_text":"Gillian Leithman, PhD specializes in soft skills training – that is the people side of business. She has facilitated programs for some of Canada's premiere businesses and organizations such as Bell Canada, TD Canada Trust, Telus, Business Development Canada, SAP, Moody's, the RCMP and Exxon Mobil.Gillian is passionate about translating scientific research findings into practical everyday skills and strategies that people can use to become more effective, successful and happy humans!Her expertise and research lie in helping employees’ transition from work to retirement. Both her Master's and PhD focussed on the aging workforce, and the retirement transition. She has extensively interviewed and surveyed pre-retirees and retirees, and has first hand knowledge of their experiences, which led her to create a pre-retirement program for those transitioning out of work and into retirement (don't be fooled she doesn't necessarily think you should retire!). Gillian is also the co-creator of The Certified Professional Retirement Coach Designation, which certifies people to become retirement coaches.Gillian's groundbreaking pre-retirement programs feature the latest social science research, combined with practical and proven coaching methods to help those nearing or newly retired successfully adjust to a new life phase.","summary_html":null,"summary_text":null},"profile_type_id":"9822821d-c96a-4ece-a318-c42ca4715c88","first_name":"Gillian","last_name":"Leithman","pronoun":"Dr.","avatar_image_url":"https://assets.boomingencore.omerloclients.com/community/c38b3d2d-61f3-42f9-b8fc-d7fa3f545567.jpeg"}},"profile_types":{"9822821d-c96a-4ece-a318-c42ca4715c88":{"id":"9822821d-c96a-4ece-a318-c42ca4715c88","key":"contributors","kind":"person","updated_at":"2024-02-27T21:26:34Z","localized":{"name":"Contributors","locale":"en"}}}}}